If you are a teacher and have just starting using Twitter here are some useful tips to get your profile looking its very best. These tips will help other Twitter users quickly review your bio to help them decide if you are worth following.
You will find out how to customise your profile by selecting unique profile and header images that are relevant to you. You will be encouraged to think carefully about compiling and completing your name, your Twitter handle, your bio, location and website.
A detailed specification on customising your profile on Twitter can be found here in the Twitter help center.
Twitter header and profile image sizes
This is a handy visual reference to see at a glance the sizes required for your Twitter header and profile as well as the terms and amount of characters to complete your bio.
Header image size: 1500×500 pixels.
Profile image size: 400×400 pixels.
Images can be in any of the following formats: JPG, GIF, or PNG. Use a good quality image of yourself so you can be identified by those wishing to follow you and your followers. Avoid using the default Twitter egg!
If it is not suitable for you to use a photo of yourself, considering using a graphic or logo of the school you represent. Always keep in mind that you are helping others identify you in the hope that they will share your Tweets.
Quick tip: Use Webresizer to resize or crop your images if you do not have Photoshop or other image editing software.
Twitter username or Twitter handle
Think carefully about your Twitter username. Your Twitter username, or handle, is your identity. If you can, sign up by using your name or a variation of it as your username (assuming somebody else isn’t already using it). For example, if your name is Tony Brennan, you may want to pick a Twitter username such as @BrennanTony or @TBrennan.
You can use up to 15 characters for your username. It appears in your profile URL and is unique to you. It’s used for logging in, @replies, and direct messages.
It is useful to keep your Twitter handle short to make it easier for others to include your name in Tweets. Including numbers is a no, no. It gives the impression you’re lazy and you don’t fully understand the importance of your name on Twitter.
If reading this you realise you have included numbers, it is possible to change your Twitter handle after you create your account. As you get more confident and see how others are using their names you can come back and tweak yours later.
Real name: use up to 20 characters.
Your name is a personal identifier (sometimes a school/business name or real name) displayed in your profile page and used to identify you to friends, especially if your username is something other than your name or school name.
Your Twitter name as part of a school
If you are creating a Twitter username for a department within a school consider including the school name along with the department name. This will help identify you as being part of the school.
For example:
- @TwitterSports and @TwitterBooks
- @StJosephsDerry and @StJosephsSCI
- @ApexHousingAssn and @ApexHR
Note that the parent organisation is at the start on the username with the department following on. Note too the appropriate use of capital letters to help the visual appearance and give emphasis.
Your Twitter bio
Bio: Give a clear and concise description of yourself. Be yourself. If you can, include a link to your website or your bio on your school’s website.
Your location
Location: Enter your location – town, city or country so followers can see where you are located and if you are close by.
Your birthday
Birthday: I would not recommend displaying your birthday. Your birthday is one of the main pieces of information used to identify you. It, along with other information can be used for malicious purposes.
Let me know your thoughts
I hope this article is helpful to you. What advice do you wish you heard when you started Twitter?
I’d love to hear your experience and what you’ve found helpful along the way. Leave a comment here, or you can catch me on Twitter.
I’ve listed below some useful resources I think are really helpful – especially for anyone involved in education.
Useful resources on using Twitter
6 Tips to Choosing the Perfect Twitter Name
Twitter for Teachers: A Guide for Beginners
The Teacher’s Guide To Twitter
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