How and When to Change Your Twitter Username

Has your Twitter username turn into a relic? When you arrange your account years in the past and your username (or “deal with”) not displays your agency’s model, it could be time for an replace. Happily, 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 Identify

As with all social media platform, your Twitter username represents your model and leaves an impression on guests to your profile. It’s vital that the username you select is skilled and is sensible primarily based on what you are promoting. Ideally, it ought to be constant throughout your entire social media accounts to make it simple for folks to search out you and tag you in posts.

Why You May Want an Replace

Even should you’ve been utilizing your Twitter username for years, there are a variety of the reason why it could have fallen old-fashioned. Happily, Twitter permits you to change your username with out shedding any of the posts and interactions you’ve shared together with your followers. To make sure that your on-line presence is present, think about updating your username if any of the next applies to you:

• You’ve modified the identify of what you are promoting or have carried out substantial rebranding.

• The evolution of our trade has led to a change in your purchasers’ wants, and also you’d like your profile to replicate that change.

• Your present username will not be strategic (e.g., it’s too lengthy or seems unprofessional) or features a mistake.

• Your Twitter username is inconsistent with usernames you employ on different social media accounts.

Make sure it’s the most effective transfer. Whereas it’s easy to hold out, the choice to alter your Twitter username ought to be thought-about rigorously. Some manufacturers can lose greater than they acquire 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 tougher to recollect and embrace in tweets.

Make the Proper Name on Your New Username

When you’ve determined it’s in your finest curiosity to alter your username, you’ll wish to maintain a number of finest practices in thoughts. Take into consideration what a super username can be not simply as we speak, however for years into the long run; it will allow you to keep away from having to undergo the renaming course of once more.

If the username you need is taken however not lively, strive reaching out to the account proprietor on to ask if they are going to can help you use it. Normally, you’ll find a option to contact the individual via a easy Google search. Twitter has a strict rule towards paying for usernames, so if the account proprietor desires you to pay, bear in mind that doing so places you vulnerable to being kicked off the platform.

When you’re unable to safe the username you need, another is to change it barely to search out one thing that’s out there but nonetheless memorable and related. For instance, you possibly can add a location (@FirmNameMA) or an underscore or hyphen (@Firm_Name). However be conscious of size, as your username contributes to the character depend for any tweet wherein 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 shedding your followers:

Possibility 1: Replace your username inside your current account. The best option to change your Twitter username is solely to edit it within the settings of your current account.

1. Log in to your Twitter account, click on in your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.

2. Enter your required username within the corresponding subject. If the username will not be taken, “Obtainable!” will seem.

3. Save your modifications to verify your new username.

4. Ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username, and resume tweeting as normal!

Possibility 2: Create a brand new account to “squat” in your current username. This second, extra complicated possibility is helpful should you desire 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 essential until you may have particular issues, resembling that one other consumer would possibly take over your outdated dialog historical past.

1. 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.

2. Sign off of the brand new account, then log in to your current Twitter account, click on your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.

3. Enter your required @NewUsername within the corresponding subject. If the username will not be already taken, “Obtainable!” will seem. Save your modifications.

4. Log again in to the @TemporaryUsername account and choose Settings and privateness. Replace the username to your @OldUsername and save your modifications.

5. Ship a tweet from this account to let guests know you may have a brand new username. Pin the tweet and log off.

6. Log in to your @NewUsername and ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username. Start tweeting as normal together with your new account and username!

Intention 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, resembling your web site, different social media pages, e-mail signature, enterprise playing cards, and advertising and marketing supplies. And maintain this train in thoughts anytime your messaging or model must shift course. The content material and tone of your messaging, throughout the numerous interactions you may have together with your purchasers and prospects, ought to all the time match up.

Editor’s word: This submit was initially printed in October 2018, however we’ve up to date it to convey you extra related and well timed data.