Has your Twitter username turn out to be a relic? If you happen to arrange your account years in the past and your username (or “deal with”) not displays your agency’s model, it might be time for an replace. Fortuitously, you don’t have to start out over with a brand new account—you’ll be able to change your Twitter username and retain the followers you’ve constructed up. Under are two choices for altering your Twitter username, in addition to finest practices to comply with.
It’s Extra Than Only a Title
As with all social media platform, your Twitter username represents your model and leaves an impression on guests to your profile. It’s crucial that the username you select is skilled and is smart based mostly on your online business. Ideally, it needs to be constant throughout your whole social media accounts to make it simple for individuals to search out you and tag you in posts.
Why You Would possibly Want an Replace
Even if you happen to’ve been utilizing your Twitter username for years, there are a variety of the explanation why it might have fallen old-fashioned. Fortuitously, Twitter lets you change your username with out dropping any of the posts and interactions you’ve shared together with your followers. To make sure that your on-line presence is present, contemplate updating your username if any of the next applies to you:
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You’ve modified the title of your online business or have carried out substantial rebranding.
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The evolution of our business has led to a change in your shoppers’ wants, and also you’d like your profile to replicate that change.
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Your present username shouldn’t be strategic (e.g., it’s too lengthy or seems unprofessional) or features a mistake.
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Your Twitter username is inconsistent with usernames you employ on different social media accounts.
Make certain it’s the most effective transfer. Whereas it’s easy to hold out, the choice to vary your Twitter username needs to be thought-about fastidiously. Some manufacturers can lose greater than they achieve from altering their username, as it may be complicated to followers in the event that they’re not knowledgeable of the change or if the brand new username is harder to recollect and embrace in tweets.
Make the Proper Name on Your New Username
If you happen to’ve determined it’s in your finest curiosity to vary your username, you’ll need to maintain a number of finest practices in thoughts. Take into consideration what a perfect username could be not simply right this moment, however for years into the long run; it will aid you keep away from having to undergo the renaming course of once more.
If the username you need is taken however not energetic, strive reaching out to the account proprietor on to ask if they’ll help you use it. Normally, you will discover a strategy to contact the particular person via a easy Google search. Twitter has a strict rule towards paying for usernames, so if the account proprietor needs you to pay, bear in mind that doing so places you vulnerable to being kicked off the platform.
If you happen to’re unable to safe the username you need, an alternate is to switch it barely to search out one thing that’s out there but nonetheless memorable and related. For instance, you could possibly add a location (@FirmNameMA) or an underscore or hyphen (@Firm_Name). However be aware of size, as your username contributes to the character rely for any tweet during which it’s talked about.
2 Choices for Altering Usernames
When you’re able to transition to your new username, there are two methods to hold out the change with out dropping your followers:
Possibility 1: Replace your username inside your current account. The best strategy to change your Twitter username is just to edit it within the settings of your current account.
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Log in to your Twitter account, click on in your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.
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Enter your required username within the corresponding discipline. If the username shouldn’t be taken, “Out there!” will seem.
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Save your adjustments to verify your new username.
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Ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username, and resume tweeting as standard!
Possibility 2: Create a brand new account to “squat” in your current username. This second, extra complicated possibility is helpful if you happen to choose to “squat” in your present username so nobody can declare it sooner or later. However doing so is frowned upon by Twitter and doubtless isn’t needed until you’ve gotten particular considerations, comparable to that one other consumer may take over your outdated dialog historical past.
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Create a brand new Twitter account with any out there username (e.g., @TemporaryUsername). As soon as the transition is full, this account will host your @OldUsername. So for now, any username will do.
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Log off of the brand new account, then log in to your current Twitter account, click on your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.
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Enter your required @NewUsername within the corresponding discipline. If the username shouldn’t be already taken, “Out there!” will seem. Save your adjustments.
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Log again in to the @TemporaryUsername account and choose Settings and privateness. Replace the username to your @OldUsername and save your adjustments.
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Ship a tweet from this account to let guests know you’ve gotten a brand new username. Pin the tweet and log off.
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Log in to your @NewUsername and ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username. Start tweeting as standard together with your new account and username!
Purpose for Consistency, Throughout All Platforms
Let the updating start! With the brand new username established, bear in mind to replace any references to your Twitter account, comparable to your web site, different social media pages, e mail signature, enterprise playing cards, and advertising supplies. And maintain this train in thoughts anytime your messaging or model must shift route. The content material and tone of your messaging, throughout the numerous interactions you’ve gotten together with your shoppers and prospects, ought to at all times match up.
Editor’s notice: This publish was initially revealed in October 2018, however we’ve up to date it to convey you extra related and well timed info.