How To Customize Your Twitter Header with PicMonkey

Posted by Sonia

/ October 15, 2012 / 50 Comments

If you haven’t heard Twitter added a new option where you can now update your Twitter Header on your profile page. This new option, that somewhat resembles Facebook Timeline Covers, is located in a bigger section at the top of your profile page. Now that you can update your profile header, be mindful of the priceless opportunity to brand your twitter page. You can update your profile picture with anything you want, but if you want to customize it with your own style and brand; I have included an easy tutorial on how to do it with PicMonkey. PicMonkey is a free program that makes manipulating photos with ease. It might not be Photoshop, but it still does the trick.

Before you get started uploading your photos, here are the logistics you must know to get it right:

Twitter recommends photo image to be: 1252 x 626 px or 1200×600 px. (PicMonkey) for best results.
The image in the middle will be your profile picture
Use a wide horizontal image
Twitter will darken the bottom portion to make the white text stand out
Photos with a darker image allow the white overlay to show up
No restrictions (for now) can be added to your photo
Avoid using photos that are too busy
Using 140 characters will put your bio on the 3rd line – to increase
For more bio visibility, keep bio characters to 130
Twitter will darken the bottom portion to make the white text stand out

The ideas are endless on what you can do with your Twitter header. I must admit that not many brands surprisingly have jumped in to update their header photos, but if you do, consider a few key details:

Consider incorporating your own branding – Most bloggers use their face as their brand, while others use their logo. Pick what you feel represents your brand and you. If you are known for your personality or hobby that you like, use that too. It’s your profile.

Get creative – There doesn’t seem to be any restrictions with call-to-actions that you can’t put on Facebook Timeline Covers, so take advantage of the valuable area now to showcase who you are and what you offer.

Keep it simple – Get to the point and don’t crowd the background image with too much text.

Question: Now that I shown you how to customize your own header, what will you create?

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About Sonia

Sonia Winland has written 187 post in this blog.

Sonia is a Marketing Coordinator for a Leading Software Company and the founder of LogAllot where she helps new bloggers build an online presence with Blog Design, Blogging and Social Media tips. When she isn't blogging, she is an avid golfer, bass fisher and Virtual Assistant for Trade Shows.

October 15, 2012
Donna Merrill

Sonia,

Thanks so much! I have been ignoring my Twitter account lately. This has motivated me because of the creativity.

Thanks for taking me through step by step. I always get so confused about these things, especially the pixel numbers.

Again….Bravo!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Is Your Home Office Like A 19th Century Factory? (dofollow)

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- October 15, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Donna! Yeah I know what you mean. I couldn’t figure it out either, but once I did, I was excited to share it with everyone else. Glad you liked it and send me your link when you have a chance so I can see it too!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 15, 2012
Susan Silver

I know that I need to update my header, but I have no good pictures! I guess I am not ready for a retina image based world. *lol*
Twitter: susan_silver

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Susan! How are you girl? I would love for you to do a guest post here if you like. We have got to hook up over the phone. Lets chat soon!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
  - October 17, 2012
    Susan Silver
    
    I am actually working on a post for you now. I should be able to send it on later tonight.
    
    I did a google chat with Lisa Buben over the weekend that was a lot of fun. We were talking about how we should set up one with you soon.
    Twitter: susan_silver
    
    Reply
    - October 17, 2012
      Sonia
      
      Awesome! I would love to be apart of that. I say lets something very soon and do a blast for woman bloggers and talk about best practices for blogging.
      Twitter: LogAllot
      
      Reply
October 15, 2012
Barry Wells

Hi Sonia,

Great post, loved the video demonstration and software you used. It looks so easy to use and the fact we can delete the others squares makes it kinda idiot proof

I think the new headers look really cool and that our bios seem to stand out more.

Now to have a think of a background image….

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Sonia

Barry
Barry Wells recently posted..Gravatars, Easy As 1 2 3 (dofollow)
Twitter: barry_wells

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  You are the reason why I started doing videos. The contest you did a while back really made get off my tail and just do it. Now I am thinking of other stuff I can do to record. Funny thing is whenever I start recording, my dog comes in, cat starts meowing and my man all of a sudden has something important to say. I should do a bloopers video to show all the crazy distractions I go through. Thanks Barry for the push I needed to just go for it!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
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  - October 17, 2012
    Barry Wells
    
    That’s really good to know Sonia, the challenge continues to show me it was a success. When it pushes people to start creating videos I get a buzz, because that’s what it was all about
    
    Sods law that is Sonia, as soon as you start recording everyone wants your attention.
    
    I put a note on my door saying that I’m creating videos but my daughter thinks it doesn’t apply to her because she’s my daughter….
    
    I doubt that’ll help you though,unless your cat and dog can read
    
    Thanks Sonia, best of luck with your future videos
    Barry Wells recently posted..A Solution To Your Plugin Nightmares and Slow Loading Blogs (dofollow)
    Twitter: barry_wells
    
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    - October 17, 2012
      Sonia
      
      OMG! I know what you mean and I think a sign on the door will be good for me. I just have to get my office set up where I can work more effectively, than what I have now. I have to laugh about it actually because my animals are usually in the same room with me and I love it, but when I am recording for business I need quiet.
      Twitter: LogAllot
      
      Reply
      - October 18, 2012
        Barry Wells
        
        I know exactly what you mean about having an office. I want one as well…. Its hard to get away from distractions until lunch time and then I’ve got a few hours until they start again
        
        When it comes to your pets could you get them a special toy each that they only get whilst you’re recording?
        
        I got my dog a Kong and that kept him really quiet for a while.
        
        best of luck Sonia
        Barry Wells recently posted..Gravatars, Easy As 1 2 3 (dofollow)
        Twitter: barry_wells
October 15, 2012
Carolyn

Hey Sonia, This is very helpful, I’m a big fan of Pic Monkey. I have a general blog post planned for Pic Monkey coming soon. It’s such a great tool.

I haven’t put my header on Twitter yet, I need to do that and I will be using Pic Monkey. I really appreciate this walk-through that I will be using to add the header.

Well done!
Carolyn recently posted..Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G – A Smartphone for Keyboard Lovers (dofollow)
Twitter: wonderoftech

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Nice, when you post it make sure you tell me so I can come see what you created because I live and breathe in PicMonkey. I hope all is well with you!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
  - October 18, 2012
    Carolyn
    
    I will definitely do that, Sonia! I look forward to your suggestions on how you use it.
    Carolyn recently posted..Wantful – Giving Gifts in Style (dofollow)
    Twitter: wonderoftech
    
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October 15, 2012
Lisa

I love the new look over on Twitter with these profiles. It will be fun to see if people change them as often as they do their Facebook covers too. Great video! I love how you added your “personality” into yours. Very nice.
Lisa recently posted..New – Is It Really New Or Just Improved? (dofollow)
Twitter: lisapatb

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Lisa, I am loving the videos too. At first I was so nervous (duh) and Barry Wells got me into it. I wish I had done it a long time ago, but I can still share what I know now. I wish the quality on YouTube’s videos looked more cleaner and clear like Vimeo, so I will have to figure that out. Thanks Lisa for the compliment.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 15, 2012
Adrienne

I played around in PicMonkey recently Sonia and I love this program. So glad you were the one that introduced me to it.

I had set up a cool picture but when I published it I realized that it was bringing in stuff from the profile itself so had to go back and take everything out. Silly me… But I have one up for now that will do.

Great examples though and how to create our own unique header. Thanks for that.

~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..Taking Responsibility For Your Lack Of Success And Where You Need To Start (dofollow)
Twitter: adriennesmith40

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  I knew you would like this program. I just think programs like PicMonkey are great for users that can’t afford expensive photo programs, but still get to create something and give them that professional look. Thanks Adrienne for your support and comment Ms Lady!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 15, 2012
Kesha, The Uncommon Chick

I love picmonkey and use it all the time (when I don’t feel like opening the resource hog Photoshop!).

I played around with the header image a bit but don’t like that you can’t change the bio text because it gets hard to read on certain backgrounds (unless I just haven’t figured out how to do that)…

Thanks for the reminder deary!
Kesha, The Uncommon Chick recently posted..Cohabitation Before Marriage…Yay or Nay? (Infographic) (dofollow)
Twitter: uncommonchick

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hey Kesha, I loveeeeeeeee PicMonkey too and find myself using all the time for just about everything. What I love most is that they are super receptive to new updates, changes and suggestions from their fans. I saw your profile and it looks great!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 15, 2012
Sylviane Nuccio

Hi Sonia,

Wow, just what I’ve been looking for. I knew about the new header thanks to lisa’s post a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t know how to change it. Your video is the answer to my question(s).

Thanks for this great tutorial and tips about this photo editor as well.
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..Interview With Adrienne Smith! (dofollow)

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  You are welcome. I searched online for a week trying to find something that didn’t use Photoshop and everything online seemed out of touch for me since I don’t own Photoshop. I figured there were tons of people online that could use this as another source. Let me know if you create something!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Shelda Raymonvil

I’ve always wondered how to make a twitter header. The pictures make it so much easier for me to comprehend! Thanks for sharing!
Twitter: SheldaRaymonvil

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Welcome Shelda! Girl I know what you mean and it took me a while to figure it out. Most of the stuff you find online is based on if you use Photoshop and I don’t so PicMonkey was the next best option. Stop by anytime and thank you so much for your comment!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Brian Hawkins

I really have to start paying attention. I’ve seen the new Twitter profiles and was wondering when they would upgrade mine. lol

Thanks for the tutorial Sonia, I got mine setup in just a few minutes once I know what I was doing.
Brian Hawkins recently posted..Your Online Reputation Counts: Part One – Scores And Ranking (dofollow)
Twitter: HotBlogTips

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  B! I can’t wait to see what you create. How is everything going with the blog? I can never seem to get on a hangout with you guys. Can you send out a newsletter about it because I want to put it on my calendar.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Jens P. Berget

Hi Sonia,

This is the first time I have heard of PicMonkey.Like Brian, I have seen the “new” twitter profiles around, but I am still using the old one

Now, I know what to do when it’s time.
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Social Metrics Pro – More Traffic From Social Media (dofollow)
Twitter: berget

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Jens, I debated it too, but I love playing with images and seeing what I can do with its features. For me I love showing my personality and having fun with the images I do have. I think Twitter is just being a copycat to Facebook, but if it helps small business have a unique presence online, so be it. How are things? Ready for winter?
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Carol Minarcik

Good Morning Sonia, I just love the creative tools. I have a twitter account, and plan to utilize it more in the near future, as I see it more popular than facebook. I also am going to download this pic monkey program…..you can never get better than FREE! Thanks for sharing, and you did wonderful on the video.
Carol Minarcik recently posted..Hidden Secrets of Email Marketing (dofollow)

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Carol, no download needed. Just log on the site and go from there. It’s such a fun program to use and super easy. If you ever need any help, let me know. Thanks for stopping by!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Tony Hastings

Great post Sonia and I like the way you use the video!

Like many of your other commenters I’ve been wondering how to change the Twitter profile so really useful info. I’ve just put a pretty picture on for now while I work out how to brand better but at least I feel a bit more up to date

Thanks

Tony
Tony Hastings recently posted..How To Make Your Blog Mobile Friendly (dofollow)
Twitter: thetop10blog

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Mr Tony! Welcome my friend. How are you doing? I know when I tried to figure out how they were doing it, I was pissed to see that most background images were Photoshop based. I use PicMonkey for just about all my images and it is such a great alternative to other programs that aren’t affordable. Send me a link to your profile if you update it with a new header.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Carol Lynn

This is great advice for people who are trying to figure out this new Twitter thing. Personally I don’t understand why they switched it. They’re like Facebook-wannabes now but without a point. The original design was fine – you could see the person’s photo and see the person’s bio. What else did you need? Now apparently we need another photo – which would be fine except for the fact that both photos and the bio are jammed on top of each other. It’s the dumbest thing I’ve seen in a long time and it’s almost impossible to read anyone’s bio anymore. I’m going to forward this post to everyone on the planet!
Carol Lynn recently posted..Build A Better Website: Take Your Home Page From Trampoline To Magnetic Selling Tool (dofollow)
Twitter: carollynnrivera

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Ms Carol, you know I saw quite a few profiles that weren’t even readable, but the image was amazing. I don’t have photoshop, so having programs like PicMonkey is so dummy-proof and fun to use. I am sure I will get Photoshop eventually, but for now, I love what this program can do and they are so receptive to customer requests too. Thanks Lady for passing this on and I appreciate the comment as always. I hope all is well with you?
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 16, 2012
Roz Bennetts

Oh I see it now Sonia, thanks! I’ve been thinking this facility isn’t available in the UK for some reason but it’s in the design section of Twitter and I missed it the first time. Now all I need is a suitable image.
Roz Bennetts recently posted..My 60 Second Interview (dofollow)
Twitter: rozbennetts

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- October 16, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Roz, glad you are able to get this done. Don’t feel bad I was lost too, but now I am having fun playing around with all the functions. Thanks for your comment Ms Roz!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 17, 2012
Sue Price

Hi Sonia

I have been ignoring the whole new header thing as I assumed it was going to mean a lot of work. This does not look too difficult though.

I had not heard of PicMonkey so thanks and thanks for the easy to follow tutorial.

Sue
Sue Price recently posted..Understanding The Cashflow Quadrant™ (dofollow)
Twitter: suejprice

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Ms Sue! How are you? This program is so super easy and they are very good about taking ideas from users to make their program more intuitive. If you create something, send me the link so I can check it out. Thanks for your comment and go check out PicMonkey!
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 17, 2012
Jeevan Jacob John

Pic monkey is indeed a great tool, Sonia. I have used it to create images for my Fan page (you know, the quotes and tips).

Ah, Francisco is creative, isn’t it? I changed my twitter handle and my image (I used Photoshop) a few days back.

Yeah, I had to play around a bit to make sure that everything was easy to see; the text on my image had overlapped my twitter bio text).

Anyways, after watching all this, it seems to me that I should work a bit more on the twitter header (I just have text on it – but, I guess I could do something different, because text is something that has been used very much).

Thank you for the video and the post, Sonia! Thanks!
Twitter: blognetworking

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- October 17, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Jeevan! How are things going with your new site? Mine is slow coming and that is my fault. Jason is fab. Now photoshop, I would love to have, but I would rather learn how to use it correctly and I have very limited experience. I have to go check out your header for sure. Thanks for your comment and stopping by. I can’t wait to see what you come up with on your site.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 18, 2012
Jackie

Hey Sonia

Haven’t got around to sorting out my twitter header. On my long list of items to do.

Thanks for the info on format and sizing will keep this post handy for future reference.
Jackie recently posted..Do You Really Need More Traffic? (dofollow)
Twitter: jackiepurnell

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October 19, 2012
Jayme Soulati

I had no idea! Thanks for the intro and thanks for adding something else to my Honey Do list. I cannot keep up!

Good post and tips.
Jayme Soulati recently posted..Discern If SEO Marketing Pitch Is Spam (dofollow)

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- October 19, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Jayme, it is such a fun program to use. Once you get started you will be hooked. Thanks for stopping by. I checked out your website. How long have you been doing what you do?
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
  - October 20, 2012
    Jayme Soulati
    
    Hi, Sonia:
    
    I’ve been in my field since 1984…yep; an old timer chronologically, but young with every step of learning!
    
    Jayme
    Jayme Soulati recently posted..Eight Reasons Why You Should Thank Twitter Followers (dofollow)
    
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October 22, 2012
Sue Price

Hi Sonia and Jason

What a terrible story. I have had a computer hard disc die but it was backed up.

I have not met Jason before so nice to meet you. I just made a small donation as I am sure every bit helps.

You are a good friend Sonia for helping.

Sue
Sue Price recently posted..Understanding The Cashflow Quadrant™ (dofollow)
Twitter: suejprice

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- October 22, 2012
  Sonia
  
  Hi Sue, thank you so much for your support. It has been so comforting to see all the support and rally for Jason. Whether its a comment or donation, that means so much to Jason and myself. Thank you again Sue for your support and donation.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 25, 2012
TerriAnn

I’ve been dragging my feet on this one. Thanks so much for listing the pixel dimensions and character count. Now I can bookmark it for when I am ready to start designing mine
TerriAnn recently posted..Arata’s Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay (dofollow)
Twitter: cookiesANDclogs

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- October 28, 2012
  Sonia
  
  I love this tool and its so fun to work with. Send me a link of what you create when you are done.
  Twitter: LogAllot
  
  Reply
October 31, 2012
Shalu Sharma

I have seen a few profiles and wondered how they did it. I was under the impression that they were some sort of premium user. Now I know. Thank you for mentioning this, I think I will give this a try.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..Culture of India (dofollow)
Twitter: bihar

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November 14, 2012
Allie

Sonia,

I knew I could change the pic but didn’t feel like taking the time to do it. But I do use PicMonkey often and they are so easy. I know what I’ll be doing tonight. Thx.

~Allie
Allie recently posted..Why I Am Awful at Affiliate Sales and How I Am Going to Fix This (dofollow)
Twitter: allierambles

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