When you sign up for a Twitter account, the first thing you will do is create a profile. This is a very important step, as your profile will be the only thing some of your Twitter followers will know about you. If you want to have a professional image, you'll need to develop an effective profile. Here are some tips on how to do this.

Your Avatar

Your avatar is the little picture or photo that will be shown with all of your tweets. This is something like your logo.

1. Quality

Make sure your avatar is clear and of good quality. Don't use images that are grainy or fuzzy, or have poor color quality. Get someone else to take the picture with a quality camera, or use a tripod. It's rare for the "arms held out in front of you" photo to turn out well!

2. Make it memorable

There are millions of Twitter users. You will want your avatar to stand out. It should not be too busy and cluttered, nor should it be overly simple. Try a simple image and depict it from a unique angle, or from a unique vantage point.

3. It's gotta be you

Your avatar, though within guidelines, should reflect you above all. You may have a business logo that will work fine as an avatar - as long as it is readable and clear. Think of your avatar as a visual summary of what you're all about. Some sources say that your avatar should be a photograph of your face to make the human connection that is part of Twitter.

Profile Information

Next, your profile information. This involves both informational and visual impacts.

1. Customize your background

The default settings on Twitter are immediately obvious. You'll want to customize the background. Choose colors that are consistent with your business logo or image.

2. Fill out your personal information

Here is where you need to be targeted and clear. This will be what people will see at a glance, and it should say a lot in few words. Choose your words carefully and make sure they have an impact. Avoid boring phrases or clichés. Make it unique, succinct, and compelling.

3. Use your real name

This could be tough if your name is very common, but try to get your real name in there somehow. Like websites, you'll want to avoid a lot of symbols such as underscores and dashes, and you don't want a lot of numbers. You can try combining your business name with your real name.