Most people now appreciate that social media has become an essential part of daily life. Of course, it also plays a significant role for brands to market themselves online. Brands are probably not the only ones that should be concerned about the digital footprint that they leave online especially when it comes to professionalism.

Any professional should be aware of the sort of impression they leave on Twitter. This article aims to provide some of those all-important tips to sustain the kind of profile of which you can be proud. It’s always worth remembering that anyone in the world can potentially see anything you post online.

1. Ensure you use a professional profile image and header if possible

The same old rules that apply in real life about making the best possible first impression also are relevant online. Before you even consider sending out the first tweet you want to make sure the image that goes with those tweets is appropriate. The worst thing is when a user doesn’t have an image at all that instantly makes you think they aren’t a very professional person.

Of course, different types of images will be relevant to different people. However, a professional profile picture seems best for most people. If possible, it’s also a promising idea to have a header image that will increase the visual appeal of your Twitter profile. Although it’s a relatively simple thing to do, it makes such a difference in how others will view you on Twitter.

2. Use a concise and informative bio

Twitter may have recently increased their character limit for tweets, but it’s still a platform for making your comments as concisely as possible. Of course, this applies to every aspect of the platform including the bio section on your profile. The bio section provides an excellent opportunity to describe yourself briefly and should work in unison with your profile images.

This section you want to keep professional to again strengthen your personal brand. It’s an excellent opportunity to describe your work and the things you are passionate about as well as linking to other Twitter accounts if appropriate. The area to add a website address is also very powerful and provides the opportunity to include your company’s site or a personal/professional site you own.

3. Ensure your tweeting activity enhances your professionalism

As mentioned, Twitter can be a compelling platform to promote yourself and connect with new people. However, you must also keep in mind that everything you put out there has the potential to be scrutinized. It’s also true that the more relevant your tweeting is to your career the more likely it will benefit you.

Some people may wish to consider having separate personal and professional Twitter accounts. However, be aware that it may not be too hard for people to connect the two back to you. Overall, whenever you are sending a tweet, it’s best to consider whether it will enhance your public reputation or not. The ability to pin a tweet to your profile is also a compelling technique for marketing purposes.

This article has covered the basics of maintaining a professional reputation on Twitter. Even if you are an active user already, you can still adjust your behavior by following the tips outlined above. If you are starting with social media, then you will undoubtedly want to get it right from the beginning.