Twitter - Create a Custom Background, Keep Twits Informed

If you spend any time on Twitter, you've noticed the trend is fast growing to have a custom background for your Twitter page. The developers of Twitter were generous in developing a way for users to add custom background images and leaving the size limitations up to the user. If you so choose, you can upload a 1600 pixel wide by 1100 pixel tall background loaded with beautiful graphics and details of all that you do, including urls of whatever you want or anything else for that matter.

Some examples of innovative background ideas include:
twitter.com/pcbdaily
twitter.com/ijustine
twitter.com/problogger
twitter.com/chrisspooner

So, what's important to think about when designing your own custom background?

First off, you have to think about file size. A background graphic that is 500k won't load that quick for most users and for some, it may take quite a while. Short of getting the Fail Whale, Twitter loads extremely fast, you don't want to hold up your followers with a 500k png. I would say a good rule of thumb would be to keep the file size below 200k - this should be easy if you use some basic techniques when designing - use solid colors, use large areas of solid colors, keep the overall contrast low and overall number of colors to a minimum.

There are three basic design schools of thought when laying out a new Twitter background for your page.

1. Repeat Background: This is where you have an image of a smaller size that is repeatable. That is to say that if it repeats across the page, the pattern will remain consistent and look uniform. Many will do this with a regular image giving that "tiled" effect. Depending on the image, this can be good or bad. However, if you have a good pattern, this can be a very appealing effect. Examples: Good - Bad
2. Larger, then Fade to Color: This is when you have a larger background image, that will fade to a background color, off to the right and bottom. The overall file size will be smaller than example three and if done right, can have a great effect. Examples: twitter.com/gordymac, twitter.com/bittbox
   
3. Super Large: This is when you make an image that will span even the largest of screen resolutions. Some of the larger screen resolutions span to full HD territory - like my 24" iMac which is a ridiculous 1900 pixels wide. When using a background of this size, you have to be careful in your design. A 500k background image is easy to make in this size range. I recommend having large blank area and solid colors to keep the size down. Also, the less contrast the better. I still recommend in this option to fade out to a solid color and set up your background color in your Twitter settings to match, it will ensure a good smooth look for those really crazy people with screen resolutions larger than what you've accommodated for. Examples: twitter.com/pcbdaily, twitter.com/ijustine

Some of the things you want to think about including in your background design are your url(s) to your web site(s), a brief (and I mean brief) description of who you are and what you do, a picture of you (if you are branding yourself), and your logo. Also, remember to keep the important stuff all to the left and within around 200 pixels of the edge - you have to remember most user's screen resolution is around 1000 pixels wide.

Ok, so you've made a sweet design, but you can't figure out how to get it live on your Twitter page. All you have to do is login to your Twitter account, go to settings and click on the Design tab. Down at the bottom, click Change Background Image and upload your graphic, then click save changes. After you get your background image up, you'll want to be sure that you click on the Change Design Colors tab. Change all the colors to match your new background to finish off the look.

This is the 2nd of a series detailing what Twitter is and how you can use it to enhance your social network, create greater visibility on the web and ultimately use it to find new clients, customers or create new opportunities for your business. Click here to read the 1st.

Twitter, Brightkite, Facebook - Take It All Mobile

With social networking all the rage, you have to be able to do it from anywhere. Why be limited to keeping your audience updated from your computer, right? You can take a picture of something and send it to one location, and your Twitter and Facebook account will be updated as well. When you have multiple mediums to update, it's all about making them work together. Here's how.

What you will be capable of will depend on what type of cellular device and carrier you use, but most cell phones will handle at least some of these features. I use a Blackberry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile. I used to use the iPhone, and wanted so badly to love it (I'm a Mac guy), but I just couldn't love the touch screen, I need buttons. Most Blackberries will handle all that we'll discuss. If you are using an iPhone, there is an app out there for all of these services as well. If you use a regular cell phone and have the capability to use SMS Text, you're good to go for most of what we are talking about, but you'll need to be able to send email from the phone to send pictures.

How to Tweet from your phone.

Now, at this point, I'm assuming you use Twitter and you tweet often. The next thing we need to do is get you set up to Tweet from your phone. There are two ways to do this, you can download an application to your phone that will help you with this, or you can use SMS Text to send in updates to Twitter. I personally like the app idea as it utilizes any data network I may be on, rather than pinging me for a text message charge. However, if you are using a regular cell phone, then you'll probably need to do your updates via text.

Lets talk Blackberry, since I'm obviously biased. This is easy, all you have to do is go to the following link on your Blackberry's browser and download the app. Then, when you open the app, press the menu button, select configure and enter your login info. That's it, Tweet away, right from your Blackberry, 140 characters or less. Here's the link: http://orangatame.com/ota/twitterberry/

For the iPhone, it's all about Tweetie.

If you are using a cell phone with SMS Text, there are a few more steps to take. First, you'll need to log into your Twitter account and go to your Settings. Then click on the Devices tab. You'll need to enter your cell phone number and click the save button. Twitter will then ask you to verify your phone by giving you a six digit code and ask you to send it to 40404 - this is Twitter's text number. In the future, you'll use this number to send in Tweets via text message. NOTE: When you text a Tweet using this special number, Twitter recognizes your verified mobile number and knows to tag the Tweet to your account. Because of the way this works, it is only possible to have one phone number assigned to one Twitter account - you can't have one phone number tied to multiple accounts, Twitter won't allow it.

Imediately after you text the code provided, you'll receive a text back from Twitter that confirms that you've set up your mobile device. Now, all you have to do is save the number 40404 in your phone and name it Twitter. Next time you want to make a tweet, send a text message to Twitter and you'll be Tweeting on the go! Remember to keep the messages 140 characters or less, Twitter will cut off the rest.

How to Tweet pictures.

Have you ever wanted to share that moment you just happened to be able to capture on your cell phone's camera? Are you wanting to give visual updates of whatever you're doing? Well, there are two ways you can easily do it right through Twitter: Brightkite and Tweetpic. Both services require your phone to be able to send email, so if you phone can't do email, read on, this section isn't for you.

First lets talk a little about Brightkite and Twitpic, their differences and advantages to either one. Twitpic is purely a way to get pictures into Twitter, nothing more. Of course, I don't mean to minimize how great that really is. However, I should be clear, when I say it "gets" the pictures into Twitter, what I mean to say is that it will Tweet a link to the picture on twitpic.com. Twitter doesn't actually display photos. Brighkite is a little more in depth and has much more to offer, which is why I use Brightkite instead. But, who's to say you can't find uses for both. All the features of Brightkite would be a post in and of itself, so for the sake of brevity, I'll just focus on how to use it for this particular application.

Twitpic is a snap to set up. All you have to do is go to twitpic.com, enter your Twitter username and password and you're logged in. Then go to settings, your unique Twitpic email address will be displayed in big bold letters and numbers. Save this in your Blackberry or phone and name it Twitpic. Now, whenever you take a picture you want to share on your Blackberry or phone, all you have to do is email it to Twitipic, saved in your address book. Be sure to add the caption in the subject line.

Brightkite is easy to set up as well. Go to Brighkite.com and create a new account, then click on the Account Settings link in the left sidebar. There will be six tabs across the top, click on the Mobile tab. In order to send in pictures, all you need is the email feature, but in order to use some of the other features, you'll need to verify your phone number as well. Your unique Brightkite email address will be displayed. From here, it is the same as Twtipic, just save the email address in your address book and name it Brightkite.

Next, you need to set up your Brightkite account to talk to your Twitter account. This is a cinch. In the row of 6 tabs along the top, click on the Sharing tab. Enter in your Twitter login details in the fields provided, check the feature boxes you want Brightkite to perform, then click save. That's it!

Now whenever you want to send a picture from your Blackberry or phone, just email it to Brightkite and it will Tweet it automaticallly. Again, don't forget to add your caption in the subject line.

Facebook, on the go!

There are various ways to update Facebook on the go. If you have a Blackberry, there is a free Facebook app; if you use the iPhone, you can download one of various apps available all over the web. Facebook.com/apps even has one. The trick however, is getting everything connected so those that are following what you're doing on the varying mediums can keep up without you having to give so much attention to each.

So, we know how to Tweet from our phones, and if our phone is capable of sending email or if we are using a Blackberry or iPhone, we know how to email in pictures from anywhere, but how do we get Facebook in on the action? Well, again, it all comes back to the amazing Twitter. There is a brilliant app for your Facebook profile and fan page. Of course, there is a difference between what the app will do for your main profile and what it will do for your fan page, but we'll cover that in a sec.

The Twitter app for your Facebook profile is great as it allows you to Tweet right from Facebook, and it provides a very handy option that will allow it to update your Facebook status with every Tweet. That's right, I saw the lightbulb flip on above your head ;-). Whenever you Tweet from your phone, or Tweet a picture using Brightkite or Twitpic, your Facebook status will be updated with whatever you Tweeted. Cool huh? I can't tell you how many people that were personal friends of mine that had an interest in what's happening in Panama City Beach have approached me thanking me for updating my Facebook status with everything that I have going on. Little do they know that I'm just doing what I normally do, and the handy dandy apps are doing all the extra work for me. Now, the difference between the profile Twitter app and fan page Twitter app is that the fan page version of the app will not update your status using Tweets. I know, sad isn't it? Hopefully there will be a version of this app that will do that soon, someone will release an app that will do that, or Facebook will change something operationally that will allow this to happen.

I hope that you find this helpful. The idea for this post came from a session I spent yesterday with a client of mine that I set all this up for in just under 30 minutes. If you have any questions, feel free to post in the comments section.