Should You Use Your Real Name or a Brand Name on Twitter?

 
Should you use your real name on Twitter or a brand name?  The trend has been leaning towards using your real name, but that's not always a good idea if you have a strong brand name that suits you better.

Here's why: I follow Ken Robert on Twitter as @MildlyCreative and recently his friend Charlie Gilkey advised him to change his handle on Twitter to his real name. After just a day Ken changed it back. Why? Because it felt wrong and just didn't fit him as well as @MildlyCreative does. It describes what he does so much better than his real name. It's his brand and he's sticking to it.

Another example is my friend, Barbara Winter, who goes by @joblessmuse on Twitter. Barbara is the best-selling author of How to Make a Living without a Job. Her name is well-known, but her Twitter handle of @joblessmuse is so much more effective, since it too focuses on who she is and what she does.

So think carefully about the name you use on Twitter and other social media sites especially if you're in business for yourself. Make sure it's the best indicator of your business and your brand.

Remember: The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. ~ Chinese Proverb

Linda Locke
Social Media Coach

Comments

[MissDazey]

I don't have a business now, however I started using MissDazey as often as possible online. (sometimes MissDazey42) I use the same image for my icon, the little old lady in a pink dress on the computer. This is how I wish to be identified online.

[Linda Locke]

I like your MissDazey Twitter name and your pic too. It helps you to stand out in the Twitter feed. Of course your witty tweets don't hurt either!