Here are some Twitter tips for optimizing your Twitter page.  It’s amazing to see people with 50,000 followers and still not have an optimized Twitter page.  It’s important to optimize and even customize your Twitter page to look professional and presentable.  You never know who’s looking.

I’ll be using my Twitter account @shinng as an example.   In no particular order, here is how you optimize your twitter account (personal and/or business).  Feel free to let me know of any additional suggestions.

1. Think about your username and long term effect.  You have 15 characters for your username.  If you are representing yourself as a brand, then consider something like firstnamelastname.  If you are concerned about going overboard with your first name/last name sequence, at least consider something that looks presentable and professional, i.e., companies nowadays are smart and look up your name in google.  If they see “Nick Shin” with a Twitter handle of “irockyourworld”, not very professional. I’ll use myself as an example:
   • My first name is Nick, my last name is Shin.  Lots of people will use their entire name – ‘NickShin’/'nickshin’.  Others will use a combination of initials such as ‘nshin’ or ‘nicks’.
   • With the increase in popularity in Twitter, many names are now taken.  If you have to go the route of choosing an actual nickname, I would recommend avoiding cliche usernames that include the words, “guru”, “expert”, “money”, “pro”, etc.
   • I use ‘shinng’; it is a combination of my full last name, first initial of my first name and middle initial.
   • For businesses, put your business name as the user name.  Obvious.
2. In your settings, separate your first name and last name (or put your business name).  This will get your Twitter profile to show up in Twitter search when people search for your name/business.  As an example, I want to make sure my name is listed as, “Nick Shin” and not “NickShin” with no space.  “NickShin” will not show up in Twitter search if they type in “Nick Shin”.  I’ve recommended this suggestion to a ton of users including some of my favorite recording artists who didn’t realize the impact it had.  I was really surprised to actually hear back from them when they actually replied back, “Thanks for the advice @shinng I just changed it.”
   • Example:
3. Insert an appropriate location.  There are lots of users who will use the “near:” Twitter search operator for a location especially when an event, conference, or trade show takes place in that area.  Users like to connect with those attending the same event because it presumably means you have the same interest.  For global businesses with offices around the world, the obvious location would be the headquarters.
4. Link your website.  It’s a great way to get incoming traffic to your site.  If you don’t have a website, insert a linkedin profile.  Unless you’re a company or an entertainer (such as a recording artist), I would recommend that you avoid linking your facebook or myspace account.   Those 2 networking sites are more personal and you probably don’t want random people asking to be your “friend”.  It’s cheesy and creepy.  So, how do you optimize this field?  Eliminate the “www” when linking your website.  By doing so, you save 3 characters.
   • Example: without “www” and with the “www” – personally I think it makes a big difference and helps your followers know what the site is about.
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5. Write a relevant bio.  You have 160 characters to do so.  Mention your areas of interest and how you will be providing VALUE.  I’ve noticed including 1 or 2 things outside of work related information such as tidbits about family or hobbies helps “personalize” the bio.  Also, I have one plea for all of you: Please, please, please do not say you are an “expert” or “guru” in your bio/username.  Unless you are nationally recognized as such, please, shut the hell up.  Let others mention you as an expert or guru, but don’t be a douchebag and start calling yourself one because you think you are.
6. Include a picture.  Luckily the box is small enough where you don’t have to worry if you’re holding a beer in one hand.  Inserting a picture of yourself really personalizes the Twitter account.  Whenever I see certain types of pictures, for example, the default/no picture icon, I don’t follow them.   If you’re going to add a professional (suit and tie) picture of yourself, I recommend that you avoid cliche poses.  It looks “sales-y” and quite desperate.
   • BTW, this is the profile picture of an actual Twitter user.  You know what’s even cheesier?  This person sent an auto DM and really pushed the cheesiness to the max: “Hi new friend We love to connect with new fun loving peeps…”  Desperate much?
7. Use a custom Twitter background.   It says a lot about you and your account when they see that you actually do care about using Twitter.  Whenever I see someone use one of the defaulted Twitter backgrounds, I hesitate because it tells me that they aren’t in it for the long haul.  On the flip side, however, I see a lot of people use custom Twitter backgrounds that are just another way to sell and promote their products, which is an even bigger turnoff.   I have used twitbacks.com and it’s worked fine, but there are a ton of other free (and better) resources for custom Twitter backgrounds.  The point is to personalize it and DON’T sell or promote your products!

These tips are ones that I find useful for optimizing a Twitter page.  If you have additional recommendations or thoughts, feel free to comment.