While none of us really like to admit it, let’s face it: first impressions are important. So if you’re trying to build a remarkable social media presence, you can bet that the look and feel of your branded pages on social media will impress new visitors who know little or nothing about you. It’s no secret that people judge a book by its cover. And if that’s the case, then don’t you want to make sure that the first impression of your branding page attracts visitors’ attention and that they tend to stick with you and learn more about you?
Take, for example, Twitter’s branded pages. The background of the page literally gives businesses a blank canvas to decorate withOverlooking the marketing potential of this valuable Twitter property would be a disadvantage for marketers. Smart marketers use this area to visually and creatively grab visitors’ attention, emphasize their value proposition, promote offers and campaigns, and provide more information than the character limit in their BIOS allows. Are you?
If you could find some great inspiration here are some great examples of how real brands paint their Twitter landscapes. To start designing your own Twitter background, check out our handy guide (with a video tutorial) on creating a custom Twitter background.
1) Etica wines
2) Spotify
3) IdeaPaint
4) Dropbox
The Twitter background design for Dropbox, a file and folder sharing service, features a cute and clever cartoon that embodies their brand / product. Your first impression Dropbox is such a personable brand!
5) Adrants
6) The sales lion
7) Snap
Snapple used his twitter background as a call to action to promote its latest Twitter campaign, encouraging Twitter users to tweet about the brand with either the hashtag #lemonade or #tea (depending on Twitter users’ preference which part of the popular Half & Half Flavors is her favorite) for the chance to win ‘Snapply’ prizes. *
8) Salesforce
9) goal
While we usually find patterned backgrounds a bit distracting / annoying / headache inducing, Target strikes a healthy balance between pattern and white space his twitter backgroundAt the same time, they offer Twitter users the opportunity to connect with the brand on other social networks.
10) Zendesk
11) Livestrong
Livestrong’s heavy Twitter background It also inspires and empowers visitors to connect with the foundation in a variety of ways to appeal to the different personalities of the brand.
12) MLT Creative
MLT Creative, a B2B marketing agency, uses his side to showcase his mission, to “get ideas working” and to emphasize the creativity of his agency. Clean, professional and fascinating!
13) Zipcar
Zipcars background creatively presents its satisfied users and puts customers at the forefront of its Twitter marketing strategy. The page also contains a call-to-action to learn more and to log into Zipcar’s website.
14) IMPACT branding
Inbound marketing agency The IMPACT Branding Twitter page proves that looking professional and attractive doesn’t have to mean complicated design work. With its sleek design, the site highlights IMPACT’s added value and shows where Twitter users can find more information.
15) McDonald’s
Like snapple, McDonald’s uses its Twitter background Dollar Menu University, an interactive game that is also advertised with its banner image and pinned tweet at the top of the page. *
16) HubSpot
While we haven’t found many examples of companies using their Twitter background to provide calls-to-action for specific promotions, offers, or events we are currently using HubSpot’s own Twitter background To promote our upcoming Inbound 2012 marketing conference. Don’t be afraid to use your Twitter background to make your campaigns stand out and get Twitter users to take action. Remember: you can update your background as often as you want!
(* Note: The use of features like page banners / pinned tweets that you see on sites like Snapple, Salesforce, McDonald’s and HubSpot is only available for businesses with Extended brand pages, currently only available for selected brands.)
What other creative business uses of Twitter background have you come across? Feel free to share them in the comments below!