Within the past few weeks Twitter has rolled out a whole new interface and look to the Twitter.com site. If you’re one of the people who still actually login to Twitter, and tweet via the web interface (instead of a client or add-on), you’ll be in for a treat. Here’s a bit of an Introduction video from Twitter:

Updates To The New Twitter

So what changes can we expect to see in the new Twitter?

• New right side pane: where the sidebar used to be is a bigger more multi-functional side panel.    It will show pictures, videos, replies to a tweet, recent tweets by a user and more.  So far I’m loving this.
• Multimedia in-stream:  You’ll be able to view multimedia like video and photos within the twitter stream.  Just click on the tweet, and the panel on the right will show you the video or image. Before you would have had to go to the third party site itself.  One cool thing I like – add a flicker set, it will show previews of the entire  set!
• Multimedia on individual tweet pages: When you tweet a photo, it will show up on the individual tweet page, underneath the tweet.
• User profiles: clicking on a username will now bring up a new mini-profile page on the right side pane where you can follow someone, see recent tweets or DM them.
• Background images may need updating: Because of the wider interface, custom background graphics may no longer fit, or may need to be updated.  Check out logosforwebsites.com for custom twitter backgrounds.

These are just a few of the changes.   For more details check out this post on Tech Crunch.

What do you think about the new twitter?  Tell us your favorite and least favorite things in the comments.

The New Twitter #newtwitter: What Can You Expect? is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Twitter was slapped on the wrist this week by the FTC for their lax security that allowed private user data, direct messages and other non-public information be access by hackers last year.  From theinquirer.net

The micro-blogging service, known primarily for its useless messages and patchy service, was hacked numerous times last year. The FTC is blaming Twitter for allowing hackers to be “able to view nonpublic user information, gain access to direct messages and protected tweets, and reset any user’s password” between January and March, 2009.
Twitter acknowledged that 45 accounts had been accessed, but bleated that it was only for “short periods of time”.

According to the FTC, the compromised accounts were due to Twitter’s failure to take “reasonable steps”, meaning that its users weren’t to blame.

David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection went further, saying that “when a company promises consumers that their personal information is secure, it must live up to that promise.” Well, yes.

So it is perhaps more than a little disappointing that all Twitter had to do was agree that for the next 20 years it will refrain from “misleading consumers about the extent to which it maintains and protects the security, privacy, and confidentiality of nonpublic consumer information.”

Or, in other words, it merely had to say sorry and promise not to do it again, at least not for a very long time.

Twitter also said that it had already implemented many of the changes suggested by the FTC.

A final decision on the agreement will be made by the FTC on 26 July.

While I don’t have any information on my twitter account that I wouldn’t want anyone else to see, at the same time it’s concerning that things like this could happen.

Twitter growing pains?

Twitter Failed To Protect User Accounts is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Over the past couple of days you may have been shocked to find that you had lost tens, if not hundreds of your followers. At first glance that can be a bit disconcerting. Did i say something that people didn’t like? Was I being too controversial? Do I smell?

Not to worry, it seems that Twitter is in the minddle of doing some housecleaning, and has removed hundreds of spam accounts. Sure it stinks to lose all those followers, but you don’t really want them following you anyway, do you?

From timscullin.com

Seems Twitter has run a spam purge.

What’s that?

You know how sometimes while searching through twitter accounts you’ll see “This Twitter account has been suspended due to strange activity”. It’s actually just a nice way of saying “This is a suspected spammer”, not “They were saying some weird stuff and we got worried”.

The typical process is for the account to be suspended without question for 7 days. After that the account holder can email twitter support and have their account unsuspended if they agree to follow the twitter rules. However if the account holder doesn’t email the account remains suspended. After a while these need to be deleted. This follower drop seems to be Twitter purging these inactive ”strange” accounts.

So yes you may have lost a few followers, but don’t fret. Asides from making your follower ratio look better they weren’t doing much. At least now you wont be spammed by them should the holder decide to revive their suspended accounts.

Did You Just Lose A Ton Of Followers Overnight? Don’t Worry, There’s A Good Reason is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Last week we all heard of the tragic passing of Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and Ed McMahon. Many of us heard the tragic news through Twitter. A lot of the time Twitter is faster than the mainstream news media outlets. The problem is that sometimes Tweeters on Twitter get it wrong.

Last week it was also widely reported on Twitter that Jeff Goldblum (and other celebrities) had died as well. Here’s a funny clip from Comedy Central talking about how twitter got it wrong.

The Dead Can Twitter

Twitter Reports The News, And Sometimes Gets It Wrong is a post from: Tweeter Tips

One thing I’ve realized since starting with Twitter is that most folks really don’t take it that seriously.   I can understand why that is, Twitter seems like just a silly way to chat and hang out with online friends.  But it can be so much more when properly used!

Most people don’t take advantage of all the tools at their disposal when it comes to Twitter to promote their online presence and by extension their online brand.  One extremely important thing they can do on Twitter is by creating a custom background image for their twitter page.  A custom background image helps you to promote your blogs, spread your contact info, and even connect a bit more with your readers.

Problogger had a guest post on his new twitter blog recently that stressed the importance of adding a custom background image to make you stand out. Let’s look a little bit more at adding a custom background image below.

Adding a custom background on Twitter

First, let’s discuss the mechanics of adding a custom background to your twitter page. It’s relatively easy to do, just follow these steps.

1. Select the “Settings” link in the top right row at the top of your Twitter page.
2. Click on the “Design” tab and then click on “Change background image“.
3. Select your new background image, and click “save changes” to upload. (Images must be smaller than 800k. GIF, JPG, PNG. The smaller the file size, the better in my opinion)
4. Change the color settings of your twitter page to complement your new background image. Click on “change design colors” and select colors that complement your design.
5. Save your changes, and enjoy your new custom background!

What goals should I have with my custom background?

When I setup my new custom background image, I had several goals I wanted to achieve.

1. Build my brand: I used the custom background image to build my brand and stress my online presence. To do that I kept the colors and design consistent with the colors and design on my blog, tweetertips.com.
2. Personalize your page and connect with readers: To personalize the custom background you can add a photo of yourself, or do a custom logo of some sort for your site.
3. Let them know how to connect with you by including a “business card”: On my custom background I have a “connections square” or “business card” thanking people for connecting with me on twitter, and letting them know of a few other places that we can connect. I’ve included the urls of my 3 websites, urls to my plurk and friendfeed profiles, as well as an invitation to consider using me to design a logo for their website through my design blog at http://www.logosforwebsites.com. In addition to adding contact info to your background image you’ll want to add your main site URL to your twitter profile as well. I’ve found quite a few people connecting to my sites this way.
   
4. Make it pleasing to the eye: I always want to make my twitter profile pages pleasing to the eye. While having a nice looking background image may not get people to follow you or keep them around, the lack of an eye pleasing design can definitely keep them from sticking around. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decided not to follow someone because their profile background image is cluttered, distracting or otherwise offensive to the eye.

Want your own custom designed Twitter background?

I have designed quite a few custom Twitter background images now through my other website, logosforwebsites.com , and people have been pretty happy with the results. Here are a few of the designs that I’ve done:

• http://twitter.com/moneymatters
• http://twitter.com/thatonecaveman
• http://twitter.com/jnickles
• http://twitter.com/frugaldad
• http://twitter.com/ncheapskate

Want to get your own custom background image designed for your Twitter page? Just go to this page and click on the link to purchase a “custom twitter background” for $25. Once you’ve paid, go to this page and let me know what things you want included in your custom background. You’ll have your new background image up and running in no time!

Even if you don’t use me to design your custom background, you should consider setting up a nice background for your twitter page. It’ll make your presence seem more professional, help people connect to your online presence and in the end bring more people to your blog.

What do you think about adding a custom background image? Do you think it makes a difference? Do you have one on your twitter page?

Stand Out From The Crowd On Twitter: Use A Custom Background is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Each week, I’ll try to interview one of the biggies on Twitter … the Twitter Elite. This week’s interview is with @wbaustin or Bill Austin:

Name Bill Austin
Location Phoenix, Arizona
Web http://www.azhttp.com/
Bio Bill Austin Ramblings and News from Phoenix Arizona. SEO SEM Internet Marketing Social Media Advertising Public Relations Strategy Search Engine Optimization.

When this interview was posted, @wbaustin had over 89,000 followers.

How long have you been on Twitter?

A little bit over two years. I joined on March 1, 2007, the day that Robert Scoble told a crowd in Arizona that Twitter was the next big thing.

Article and picture here:
http://quotes.wordpress.com/2007/03/02/robert-scoble/

How did you find out about it?

Robert Scoble told the “Revolution in Marketing Conference” in Phoenix Arizona that Twitter was the next big thing.

What Twitter client do you use? And why do you like it?

I use the web client and http://search.twitter.com/ most of the time but I have installed tweet deck on a couple of our computers and use it from time to time.

I am less productive in Tweet Deck than most people appear to be and way less productive than in the web interface but that could just be me. I’m the guy who was still using command line DOS and UNIX for everything when Windows 95 was released.

What do you use Twitter for mostly?

I tweet about news, quotes, jokes, recipes, politics, startups, clients, other work related things and my non-profit activities. I use the search function to keep up on what is happening and what is hot. I use DM a lot when it is working to conduct private conversations with individuals and use Skype and the telephone for that when DM is broken (The better part of each day.)

What do you attribute to your large number of followers?

I used to run some of the largest topical mailing lists in the world. Out of the 2,000,000 e-mail addresses on those lists, I have invited a small percentage to join twitter and have followed those who are already using twitter. I may never get around to cleaning up those lists, uploading and inviting all of those people but if they really want to follow me, they are welcome to do so. I believe that people continue to follow me because of the diversity of what I tweet. There is something for everyone and although they could do without the Swine Flu Jokes, they want to be sure to catch the next Slow Cooker Recipe or the next event announcement happening in their neighborhood. Once or twice per week, someone will send me a note about the volume and that they have to stop following me but the majority seem to be fine with what I am doing.

What tip(s) would you give others for Twitter success?

Get on Twitter. Get your profile filled out and personalized. Engage other people in conversations that are helpful and interesting TO THEM.

Would you ever pay for additional services from Twitter? If so, what services?

I might or might not, depending on the value of those services to me. I have not yet found a compelling reason to pay for LinkedIn. The upgraded or additional services would need to have a high perceived and actual value.

In 140 characters or less, what has Twitter meant for you personally?

Twitter is the second most fun thing you can do with your clothes on. @evliving says dancing is the most fun you can have with clothes on.

Thank you, @wbaustin! You can follow @wbaustin at:
http://www.twitter.com/wbaustin

Please tell him @TweeterTips sent you!

Twitter Elite Interview with @wbaustin is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Let Me Twitter Dat is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Each week, I’ll try to interview one of the biggies on Twitter … the Twitter Elite. This week’s interview is with @nansen or Nansen Malin:

Name: Nansen Malin
Location: Seaview WA
Web: http://www.seaviewwa.com/
Bio: Passionate about politics, technology, beach life, salmon &creating change.  Alinsky grad who does conservative politics. Mom of 4.  Member WA GOP State Exec Board.

At the time of this interview @nansen had over 86,000 followers.

How long have you been on Twitter?

@nansen: Since April 14, 2008.

How did you find out about it?

@nansen: Social Networking blog sites.

What Twitter client do you use? And why do you like it?

@nansen: I LOVE TweetDeck and for iphone I use Twittelator Pro. I love TweetDeck because:
1. Ease of reply and direct message.
2. Ease of inserting hashtags, shortening a tweet, twitpic, and link insert.
3. The search columns… up to 10 of them… very very helpful.

What do you use Twitter for mostly?

@nansen: Conversations, grassroots political activism and even recipes!

What do you attribute to your large number of followers?

@nansen: I have a good profile page, a unique photo (yes that is my hair color) and I help new twitter people. Word spreads. I am honored to be recommended as a good person to follow. I follow people back too!

What tip(s) would you give others for Twitter success?

@nansen: Keep it real. Twitter is about relationships and conversations. Don’t lecture, ask questions and follow hashtags for like-minded people, special interest groups and topics of interest.

Would you ever pay for additional services from Twitter? If so, what services?

@nansen: I would. I value the platform and would like to be able to support their efforts. I would like some help with bugs, spam, and tech glitches too.

In 140 characters or less, what has Twitter meant for you personally?

@nansen:twttr is source of friends,conversations,information,grassrootspolitics,&action.Twttr has expanded my influence &taught me valuable lessons

Thank you, @nansen! You can follow @nansen at:
http://www.twitter.com/nansen

Please tell her @TweeterTips sent you!

Twitter Elite Interview with @nansen is a post from: Tweeter Tips

Since it’s launch Twitter.com has been a free service, something that users can enjoy free of charge, without a ton of advertising or other commercial clutter in it’s interface.  With Twitter’s growing popularity all knew that they would have to make money at some point.  Nothing’s free forever!

This past week Twitter has made it’s first foray into becoming a commercial venture, making its first real money – courtesy of Microsoft.  Microsoft is sponsoring a new stand alone twitter site where they’ll be featuring only executives who twitter.  It’s called Exectweet.com

Exec Tweets about page has this to say:

ExecTweets is a resource to help you find and follow the top business executives on Twitter. Created by Federated Media, in partnership with Microsoft, ExecTweets is a platform that aggregates the tweets of top business execs and empowers the community to surface the most insightful, business-related tweets.

Exec Tweet looks nice on the surface, and incorporates the Microsoft branding efforts without being too in your face. While it looks nice, I’m not sure how successful it will be because people who might be interested in reading the tweets of executives who use twitter, probably are already following them anyway, using a nice filtering tool like Tweet Deck.  What this page adds the the equation I’m not quite sure.

What’s Next?

While this may be the first foray into Twitter’s money making ventures, it certainly won’t be the last.  What’s up next?   My guess?  Ads underneath your profile information on your homepage. Like where the blurb for “tweetie” appears below:

Other Monetization Ideas:

• Fill empty characters in tweets with text ads.
• Sponsored search results.
• Regular CPM and CPA advertising.
• Premium accounts for business partners.

What other ways do you think Twitter will use to try and monetize their service?  Let us know in the comments!

Twitter Has Finally Decided To Make Some Revenue is a post from: Tweeter Tips

When you start using Twitter you may not always have an idea about what types of things people are looking for in a good twitter user.  How can you add value to the twitterspace?

If you’re not careful you can find yourself being unfollowed by other users.  Here are 10 things you can avoid doing to ensure that people don’t stop following you.

10 Things That Will Get You Unfollowed On Twitter

1. Constantly twittering about mundane things:  Things like – “my coffee is hot” or “just got on the bus” are not really that interesting to anyone else.
2. Never twittering at all:  You set up an account, post one tweet about how you’re trying twitter, and then disappear.  Quick unfollow.
3. Using your twitter account only to spam people with announcements of your newest blog post: Your twitter account doesn’t seem to have a real person, just occasional updates from a twitter bot.
   
4. @reply to every twitter you see, but without adding any real value:  You constantly twitter replying to every twitterstream you find, adding no real substance to any of the conversations you’re joining.  You’re tweeting just to hear yourself tweet!
5. Sending a robot greeting to all new followers: Is it just me that finds it annoying when i start following someone, and I get an automatic direct message telling me about a great new service, or how I should check out someone’s site?  I prefer a personal touch, or none at all!
6. Having no avatar and little profile information: Your account doesn’t look like you’re in it for the long haul. You just signed up, did a few tweets, and that’s it. You have no profile information, no avatar, no custom background.  You’re tweeting on borrowed time.
7. Being offensive or rude: If you constantly swear, or are offensive in your tweets, I’ll unfollow you ASAP.  I don’t have time for that kind of negativity.
8. Your profile calls you a social media expert, but your tweets don’t back it up:  You talk about how you’re an SEO or social media expert, but your tweets make you sound like you’re a bit slow.
9. You constantly talk about how you don’t get “this twitter thing”: We don’t care that you don’t understand twitter! Just start using it, read a tutorial or two, and get going!
10. You only have one tweet, and it is asking me if I want to learn how to make $15,000/month using google!:  You sign up for twitter from your internet cafe in Nigeria and talk about how you can help me earn $15,000/month or more in this secret scheme!  Unfollow!

Those are a few of my pet peeves, and reasons why I will unfollow someone on Twitter.

How Do I Know When I’ve Been Unfollowed?

Want to figure out why people are unfollowing you? Was it something you said?  Sign up for a service like Qwitter.  Qwitter will email you after someone unfollows you along with telling you what you twittered right before they quit.  Maybe you said something offensive, or just tweeted “going home from work” for the 10th straight time.  It will help you to figure out where you’re going wrong and change your tweeting habits so that more people will want to follow you!

What are some reasons you unfollow people?  What makes someone a good twitter user, and makes you want to follow them?

10 Things That Will Get You Unfollowed On Twitter is a post from: Tweeter Tips