The Importance Of A Good User Name
Updated July 19, 2015!
I’ve been online for a number of years now, and have only used two usernames in that time.
I changed to my present one some time back, and I use it everywhere.
A good name can help you stand out from the crowd, especially if it is easy to remember!
Along with this name, I make sure that people can identify me by including my real name where I can, and as a result, my ‘alias’ has become as much a part of me as my real name.
Playing around with Google on the weekend, my user name came up with about 3,000 results.
On sites such as Twitter, Plurk and FriendFeed, I make sure that my real name is there along with the user name, so that I can be clearly identified.
With the continued evolution of Web 2.0, and the interaction that it brings, transparency is important.
Choosing A User Name
While many will say that a user name needs to be unique, it is very hard to come up with one that no one else is using.
Many people simply use their first and last names as one word, or misspell their first name.
Others use their surname, plus their zip code to differentiate themselves.
Which ever way you choose to go, it is important to choose a name that you are comfortable with, and that is easy for others to remember.
Remember too the old proverb: ‘..A good name is more desirable than great wealth…’ (Proverbs 22:1)
Once you’ve chosen a username, you need to protect it as you would your real name.
How Do YOU Choose A User Name?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
A lot of people don’t like to reveal too much about themselves online, and so rarely let anyone know who they are.
Others still take the view that because they are doing business online, that they should use their real name.
Where do you stand on this?
It ties in with my other favorite topic, profile pictures.
I have a couple of friend requests on Facebook that I am “toing and froing” about at present.
One is from someone who looks like a push bike, the other a question mark.
I can’t identify the gender of either, nor tell if they are real people or not!
What would you do in this case?
Update To Changes At Coffee With Allan
Over the next week or so, I will be moving all social media and networking blogs to YellaGatr.com
While there isn’t much happening there at present, plans are well under way.
The site will feature content from a number of writers, and content will cover social media topics, applications and reviews.
Due to work and family commitments, this project closed down soon after!
It’s great to have ideas, but sometimes they can be just another distraction.
Of course, since this post FriendFeed has ceased to exist.
I’m still active on many other sites, including Pinterest to some degree.
I’ve written about this topic again here today, July 19, 2015
I have had three usernames. The first one was a mistake. I used it for my first internet account with AOL many years ago. I got tired of trying to find a way to use my own name, so I spelled it backwards and added 66 to the end. Unfortunately, I transposed two letters when I spelled it backwards and it means nothing. But it is one I still use. Another username is simply my name smashed together which I have started using on social sites, so I can be identified. My third username is eristoddle which I constructed from three words: Aristotle, Eris, and Toddler which I hoped would represent everything needed to learn and grow. Aristotle for logic. Eris for element of chaos in creativity. And toddler for the most receptive learning state. So it's kind of a mantra I remember every time I type it in.
G'day Stephan, Eristoddle sounds pretty unique 🙂 I was lucky when I did a search for my username, as I had tried to register it as a domain a while back. Whoever had it back then dropped it recently, so I grabbed it. I think that it should help with the personal branding side of things… Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for an interesting post, quite though provoking even if for a moment. Recently we have decided to get more involved with web 2.0 and have signed up with the likes of stumpleupon, twitter, Digg, etc. We were unsure whether to use our brand icon or use my name (since it was my great idea to get involved 🙂 ). But it's a brave new world and I think it's time for the people who manage the brands to take a step forward and the brand to take a bit of a step back. Apologies- i know this isn't directly related to your post, but it did invoke a few mid afternoon questions… Thanks again for the post. Emma
Whilst i understand why people want to afford themselves a measure of privacy, using a username and pic that are completely anonymous certainly makes me more wary of joining up with them. i feel happier if i just know which gender they are for a start!
a while back i tried using the username “readinghero” but realised that if people were looking for me specifically, they wouldnt necessarily know to search for that name, so now i tend to use my own name when networking as myself, and the various cartoon names when networking as them, but if networking as those characters, i try to write IN character.
So, for those that dont know me, Bimmy the bookish is the cartoon version of helen mcglasson 🙂
bimmy the bookishs last blog post..Olympics!
G’day Helen,
Always a pleasure to here from you.
I can understand the writing in character, but a lot of people try and remain completely anonymous while expecting to be taken seriously, which can put those who are being open at a disadvantage.
Have a great day,
Allan