Has your Twitter username turn out to be a relic? For those who 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. Thankfully, you don’t have to start out over with a brand new account—you possibly can change your Twitter username and retain the followers you’ve constructed up. Under are two choices for altering your Twitter username, in addition to greatest 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 smart based mostly on your corporation. Ideally, it must be constant throughout all your social media accounts to make it straightforward for folks to search out you and tag you in posts.
Why You Would possibly Want an Replace
Even in case you’ve been utilizing your Twitter username for years, there are a variety of the reason why it could have fallen old-fashioned. Thankfully, Twitter means that you can 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, think about updating your username if any of the next applies to you:
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You’ve modified the title of your corporation or have executed substantial rebranding.
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The evolution of our trade has led to a change in your shoppers’ wants, and also you’d like your profile to mirror that change.
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Your present username just isn’t strategic (e.g., it’s too lengthy or appears unprofessional) or features a mistake.
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Your Twitter username is inconsistent with usernames you utilize on different social media accounts.
Ensure it’s one of the best transfer. Whereas it’s easy to hold out, the choice to vary your Twitter username must be thought of fastidiously. 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 harder to recollect and embody in tweets.
Make the Proper Name on Your New Username
For those who’ve determined it’s in your greatest curiosity to vary your username, you’ll wish to hold a number of greatest practices in thoughts. Take into consideration what a super username could be not simply right this moment, however for years into the longer term; this may make it easier 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 will let you use it. Often, yow will discover a solution to contact the particular person 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 susceptible to being kicked off the platform.
For those who’re unable to safe the username you need, an alternate is to change it barely to search out one thing that’s out there but nonetheless memorable and related. For instance, you can add a location (@FirmNameMA) or an underscore or hyphen (@Firm_Name). However be aware of size, as your username contributes to the character depend 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 present account. The best solution to change your Twitter username is just to edit it within the settings of your present 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 just isn’t taken, “Accessible!” 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 normal!
Possibility 2: Create a brand new account to “squat” in your present username. This second, extra advanced choice is beneficial in case you want 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 crucial until you may have particular considerations, akin to that one other person may take over your previous 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 present 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 just isn’t already taken, “Accessible!” 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 may have a brand new username. Pin the tweet and sign 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 normal together with your new account and username!
Purpose for Consistency, Throughout All Platforms
Let the updating start! With the brand new username established, keep in mind to replace any references to your Twitter account, akin to your web site, different social media pages, electronic mail signature, enterprise playing cards, and advertising supplies. And hold 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 may have together with your shoppers and prospects, ought to all the time match up.
Editor’s notice: This submit was initially printed in October 2018, however we’ve up to date it to deliver you extra related and well timed data.
