Should I use a user name or my real name

The question that you should ask first is, what am I trying to use social media for?

Are you using it for gaming, or for business? Maybe on dating sites to find a new partner?

If you are operating social media accounts on sites such as Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, I’d use my real name.

On other sites, I’d check out what others are doing, but if you do decide to try a ‘username’, try and make it something unique, and something that you can use across multiple sites.

Where possible, I use my real name with my username.

That way, people that I know on Facebook can also find me on Twitter or Pinterest.

This gives you an advantage as it grows your circle of friends more quickly, and naturally, your extended network grows as well.

Use a recent profile picture!

It may just be me, but I dislike receiving ‘friend requests’ from people disguised as dogs, cats, emus or whatever! There may be a good reason for it (usually vanity, but that’s not a ‘good’ reason in my books). While I would never class myself as being as handsome as a leading man in a Hollywood movie, the face that you see here is the face that everyone around me sees.

Be Careful What you Post!

If you are running a business profile, unless you’re running a pet business, constant photos of cats and dogs don’t do much for me, and many others.

And I am interested in hearing views on politics and the news of the day, but not constantly. In turn, I try to have the same attitude towards my social networking friends on sites such as Facebook and Google Plus.

If you feel strongly about politics and social issues, try not to take your self too seriously if people don’t agree with you.

They may not necessarily agree with you, but will respect you if you keep it civil. Hating and arguing on social media is counterproductive.

Remember that not everyone is like you, or thinks like you!

Years ago I was attacked for being “unAmerican” by someone in a Facebook group. I didn’t mind that at all, because I am an Australian. He looked a bit more of a goose when he continued, but to me, that was his problem, and not mine.

I posted about the importance of a good username seven years ago. If you’d like to read it, you can find it here!

Follow me on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter

Here’s a sample of what you may see! All rather tame really!