10 Reasons To Use Your Real-Name As Your Twitter Name

Posted by Scott Williams
9 Comments
June 19, 2009
Twitter

mytwitterIf you search the TwitterWorld you will find Tweeps with a plethora of different Twitter @names; many which are totally unrelated to the Twitterer’s real name.  No matter whether your Twitter account is a business account, personal account or brand account; you should definitely use your Real-Name, Real-Business Name or Real-Brand Name as your Twitter @Name. 

Below are the 10 Reasons Why You Should Use Your Real-Name As Tour Twitter @Name: 

  1. It will be simple and easy to locate you in the “Find People” search tool on Twitter Homepage; Remember KISS Keep It Simple Stupid.
  2. Similar to the dot.com boom, you don’t want to miss the squatters right to your entitled property, I mean your entitled Twitter name.
  3. You don’t want to be like a friend of mine whose name was secured by a pornstar w/ the same name.
  4. As Twitter becomes totally mainstream and a household name; you want to make sure your Real-Name is part of the Twousehold.
  5. No one really understands your attemptedly cool names like: @mrbigshotguru  @livingforchangetoday  @johniscool  @itweetabunch  @MrsMrsexymama…
  6. If someone is trying to follow your business’ Tweets and you have some obscure name, you’ll miss an opportunity to have a virally connected customer.
  7. It’s easier for people to retweet you, mention you and make reference to connecting with you.
  8. You don’t want to find yourself saying coulda, shoulda, woulda… but I never dida!
  9. The President of The United States @BarackObama  uses his Real-Name!
  10. It’s practical and it just makes good Twense!

The bottom line is that you are missing out on a great opportunity to stay ahead of the Twurve by securing your Real-Name, Real-Business Name or Real-Brand Name.  If your Twitter Username is already taken, try securing your name with an underscore between your first and last name, or some combination of your real name or brand name. 

Don’t worry about what your followers will think about the change, believe me they will totally appreciate it.  Remember you can always change your Twitter screen-name.  For instance, there are 110 Scott Williams out there in the TwitterWorld, but only one @ScottWilliams  and that would be me. Unfortunately, I’m ScottWilliams.tv on Facebook, missed getting ScottWilliams by 10 seconds.

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect Follower$… go secure/change your name now; while you’re at it secure your kids name as well, I did! 

Do you have your Real-Name as your Twitter @Name? Why or Why Not?  Share any reasons that you would like to add to the list; as well as your thoughts on the 10 Reasons above!

  • http://www.pleaseread.org sarnaa

    Definitely use my real name. Why? Because my name is Sarnaa. Seriously, who else is named that? I never have to think of a “good” name. I’ve already got it and no one ever has it.

    So, I’d like to add:

    Because that’s your real name.

  • http://iChilly.com iChilly

    Good points.

    But, I think I’ll stick with iChilly (keepin’ it short allows me to use those 140 characters for more important words)…

    Have a great weekend!

  • Scott Williams

    Sarnaa- that is a unique name… well said
    iChilly- you have one of the best brandnames seriously bro.

  • http://blog.knightsquest.org buddyknight

    Great advice! One thought on using your name, if it is already taken, is to NOT use your name+birth year (TMI) or zip code (may change), but to use the year of graduation for high school, college, or graduation. That generally gets you out of the low numbers, and is easier for you to recall (if you’re old like me! ).

    Thanks!

  • http://www.metacognician.com Kendra Golden

    All right @scottwilliams. You talked me into it. I have resisted Twitter successfully until now. Went ahead and registered @kendragolden just in case I decide I have something that must be said in 140 or fewer. It might actually be good writing therapy for how verbose and wordy I usually am. I’m still not going to start adding tw- as a prefix to every other word though. ;)

  • http://newleaven.com tc robinson

    Yea, I could live with your list. I really like the personal touch of the real name.

  • LizStrand

    I used my real name. I secured my favorite nickname as well, in case I changed my mind (I’d just cancel that one and then change my current one since it would be available), but I’m happy with the real name. Yes,as my mother keeps saying “but can’t people find you then?” Yes, but I’m not a teenager anymore, or even close, so no concerns about kiddie sex offenders coming after me or something. I figured that would make it easier for people I know to find me, and for ppl I talk with to remember who I am. With some of the nicknames, I still forget who they are, unless I write to them daily.

  • http://cyndiakadisneyqueen.blogspot.com/ Cyndi

    I stuck with my “nickname” because if you google it you will most likely be lead to me. Figured that out a few years ago when I considered changing it and was surprised when Cyndiakadisneyqueen went to my blog!

  • Van Dehrer

    And I give you one reason to NOT use my real name: I don’t want to be found (my nickname is unique too, but it’s irrelevant). The philosophy “you won’t find me, I’ll find you instead” is a lot better. Besides, my ideas are more important than my name.

Designed by EightDay Studio. Powered by the Standard Theme. Developed by Milk Engine.