Want to create a custom background for your Twitter profile page? Then, this is the article for you. W3 Avenue has compiled a list of resources that provide step-by-step instructions and templates to help you create a one-of-a-kind background for your page.

Click here to view the full article on the W3 Avenue web site.

An interesting parallel is drawn between the emergence of social media as a viable medium of news and marketing as compared to the initial reception that punk rock received back in the day.

Another great tool for maximizing your Twitter presence, Tweet Later lets you automate many Twitter-related tasks such as auto-following new followers, auto-responding to new followers with a message of your choice and more.

Click here to visit the Tweet Later web site.

So, you’ve signed up for Twitter and have a few friends on your followers list. Now what?  How do you get the word out and build a bigger following? As with any web site, building a following on Twitter takes time – and effort!  Part of that effort is getting your site listed on as many other sites as possible to increase your reach and link popularity. There are scores of free directory sites that offer free inclusion for your business or organization.

In this instance, we’re focusing on building a larger following for your Twitter profile. To help you along, we’ve compiled a list of 24 free Twitter directory sites where you can add a free profile or listing. If you know of others missing from our list, feel free to leave a comment on the post!

General Twitter Directories

GeoFollow

Hashtags.org

Loaded Web

Local Tweeps

JustTweetIt

Tweeple Pages

Tweeter Tags

Tweet Find

Tweet Works

Twellow

Twibs

Twillow

Twitr

Twitterectory

Twitterholic

Twitter Passion

We Follow

Industry-Specific Twitter Directories

AR Analysts

Analyst Relations

Books / Publishing Trade

Chambers of Commerce

Designers

Federal and Local Government Employees

Legal

Always wanted to know what people are saying about you when you’re not around?  Then, this is the site for you – or at least for your web site. BackTweets lets you enter a URL and see the mentions other people have made for that site.  Vewwwy interesting!

Click here to visit the BackTweets site.

Social Media Explorer has written a great article on the basics of how to start marketing your business using social media. Which sites should you join? How do you keep track of it all? Check out the full article at the Social Media Explorer web site to learn how to hit the ground running.

Click here to visit the Social Media Explorer web site.

Once again, the folks at What Was I Thinking have hit upon a subject on the minds of many business owners – how can I use Twitter effectively to promote my business? How do I set it up? How will I find followers once I have an account?  This article is a great primer for those just getting started Twittering for business.

Click here to read the full article on the What Was I Thinking web site.

NetTuts+ delivers a great post on the variety of ways that Twitter can be incorporated on a web site.

Click here to read the full post on the NetTuts+ web site.

HTML Kit provides a quick and easy way to create a custom favicon for your web site. Just select a photo and it gives you the option to customize the icon on the fly. Or, for an even quicker way to create your favicon, enter your Twitter account URL and your icon will be created from your Twitter userpic. Sweet!

Click here to visit the Favicon creator on HTML Kit’s web site.

We are now on Twitter! Follow Design Groupies on Twitter to stay up to date on newly-added resources and other fun tidbits of interest to designers and other creative types!

http://www.twitter.com/designgroupies