Wendy Schollum: Keep Twitter name simple

Whether it's naming a newborn, or branding a business, there can be no harder task than deciding on the label that will forever be associated with a person or organisation.
While most parents fret and fight for months over the name for their expected child, and aspiring business owners spend thousands of dollars on brand development, New Zealanders just can't seem to get their heads around the importance of care when choosing a name to represent themselves on social media platforms.
One social networking website where username selection is particularly important is Twitter. Because this website only provides users with a mere 140 characters in which to express themselves, it is essential that Twitter usernames are concise, memorable and send the right message about who you are and/or what you do.
If crafted with the same care as you would give the selection of a person's or brand's name, then a Twitter username can become a valuable asset to your business, in its own right. So, it pays to get it right from the start.
The following are some of the top six do's and don'ts of Twitter username selection:
Don't choose a random name or an in-joke (eg Pookie or RadSurfer) as your username. It prevents you from leveraging real world connections (as your username isn't immediately recognisable as you).
Don't choose a username that is preceded by a string of numbers (for example, Wendy123).
Don't choose a username that includes an underscore, unless you have no other choice. While using underscores won't damage your online reputation, they are generally avoided and should be reserved for occasions where you have absolutely no other options.
Don't choose a username that is more than 10 characters long. While the Twitter limit is 15 characters, you need to keep in mind that no one who may wish to tweet you will want to have too many of their 140 characters consumed by your username.
Do use your business name or real name if you are setting up a Twitter account to promote you or your business. If your name is too long or unavailable, then choose a variation. For example, Xplore Net Solutions Ltd becomes XploreNET.
Do use your area of expertise in your username. If you want people to remember the industry you work in, as opposed to making your name or a company the focus of your Twitter account, then your username could include your area of expertise. For example, it's not uncommon to see usernames like RealEstateRob or WriterWendy, which effectively communicate the industry these people work in.
If you already have a Twitter account and you're concerned that the username you've selected isn't quite right, you can change it.
To change your username, simply log in (using your existing username) and go to settings. Here you can overwrite your existing username and save the new one. However, before and after doing this, it pays to send a message to any followers you already have letting them know what you are doing. This way you won't confuse your followers with your name change and run the risk of them "un-following" you.
Wendy Schollum is a web strategist and managing director of Xplore.net Solutions (www.xplore.net). If you would like more information about setting up an effective Twitter account, follow Wendy on Twitter (www.twitter.com/xploreNET), join the Xplore.net team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/xploreNET) or call 0800 100 900.