Twitter Usernames: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The strangest things amuse me. Since I joined Twitter about eight months ago, I’ve come to wonder how people come up with their “Twitter handle”. (Do people actually use the word ‘handle’ anymore or did that go out when we stopped saying ’10-4 Good Buddy’ ?) If I didn’t have a blog when I started using Twitter, I’m fairly sure I would have just used my name. However, that’s not always the case on Twitter. I realize it’s fun to get a little creative, but if you are running a business or promoting your website, is there any reason you would choose “xxxSexGoddessxxx” as your Twitter name if your company sells dog food?
I suppose it gets people’s attention to use a name with the word ‘sex’ in it. It also gets you a crapload of followers who have a Twitter account just to re-direct you to their website full of ‘hot babes’ who will shmooze the money out of your credit card in return for an internet strip tease.
When it comes to choosing a Twitter name, I think it’s is extremely important to either use your real name, your business name or a combination of the two. If you are on just socially, then by all means call yourself ‘DeliciousOne‘ or ‘MidnightStrangler‘. Just be prepared for some unsavory followers.
Keep in mind that I am not the authority on anything in particular. I’m a self taught super-genius social media chick who happens to pay attention to what people do on Twitter. I read bios, I pick on avatars that show air-brushed six-pack abs (and no face), and I wonder where some of the Twitter names come from. Do people actually sit up at night and think that by creating a name with the word ‘evangelist’ in it, we’re all going to kneel and tweet ‘Long live the Twitter Evangelist‘ ?
Go ahead, pick on my name, @thedailyblonde. I can take it. At least I can prove I’m blonde (hang on, I need to dump some more Clairol Starlet Blonde in my hair). How the hell do you prove you are an Evangelist? Or a Life Coach? Or a SEO Master? OK, I believe you.
My point here? If you are using Twitter to grow your business or promote your product, then you need to be credible with your name. Something people will remember and associate with your website or company.
The Good
Your company name: (ChocolateParadise) If you’re the only one in your company using Twitter, then this is great. You can add your actual name in the bio section.
Your company name and your name/position: (ChocolateParadiseCarl) or (ChocolateParadiseCustomerService) This works well if you have several people in your company using Twitter. This way customers know who to send a Tweet to if they have a question.
Your name: (JoeSmith) or (JSmith) No brainer! Use your name! It’s much friendlier than ‘LionTamer‘.
The Bad
Your name and some random numbers or characters: (Diana734244313) or (John$$$$) Diana, is that your birthday or your telephone number? Too many digits for me to remember. As far as you, John, are you really worth that much or is that the amount of debt you’re in?
Using an underscore: (Robert_Riddleman) I am probably going to take some heat for this but I hate underscores. When I’m tired, I don’t want to use the shift button. Plain and simple: it’s annoying. But, it’s not going to make me not follow you, so relax.
The Ugly
Unless you want to advertise the fact that you are a hussy (LoveMachine), have strange fetishes (FootFetishGuy) or have absolutely no class (ExTarget), then keep it simple.
Twitter is growing like mold on cheese. In order to be recognized among the masses, stick with a name that is simple and represents you in a positive way. Change your name only if it’s absolutely necessary…once you have a solid amount of followers, it’s hard to re-invent yourself.
Now I have to go check to see if I have any new followers…maybe “DangerousDiva” or “BigMoneyBob“…..
Cheers!
I made up all of these names (all except @ExTarget…but I wanted to give my ex-husband credit for having no class). If one of them just happens to be your Twitter name, hey….I’ve just given you some free press.
I just saw your site on google its an awesome web site you’ve accomplished a fantastic job I will surely come back Thanks!
I love to use Twitter whenever i want to know the latest buzz about my friends. I also use Twitter to know the latest buzz from famous persons .
[...] some more examples of Twitter user names, I recommend “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly“! [...]
Great responses here; I’ll stick as much as possible with my true name: Rufus Surles. NOBODY would make that up! My email account? That’s a different story.
I used something close to my real name because I followed someone else who had done the same. As more and more people tweet, I am glad I did.
*jaw dropped* You weren’t kidding! Classless is right!
I do the geographic thing (@mdsuburbs) and try to carry that through, as much as I can, through all of my online presence. Something about branding. Who knows? I can’t decide if all this social media stuff is personal/business, business/personal or just plain addicting like a good homemade chocolate chip cookie.
I do put my real name and real photo on the profile page…and it’s actually a more recent photo than my senior HS pic.
I’ve seen some humorous names, too. (And some too mortifying even for the Internet, ha). Maybe a name like that looks brilliantly inspired from the bottom of the 6th Budweiser, but then sticks even after the hangover has faded. : ) Great observation as usual, DB.
Lucie—mortifying is a good word!!!
Sean…I think both are great and because you are so real, you’d be recognized by either name!
I had a hard time deciding between @writerdad or @seanplatt. I still don’t know if I made the right decision.
Angel…I so agree. Spammers need to be poked in both eyes and sent to the moon….or further.
You know… I always thought of the _ as something the spammers used on Twitter, with only ONE exception that happened to be someone who appeared to be real. Spammers give the legit numbers, underscorers, and naughty named people a bad reputation.
Yes there is that element of trying to suss out what names are real as in not auto generated spam, unfortunately the ones with 4 numbers after them do tend to be the trend in spam accts at the moment. This is a shame for those who have a genuine need for 4 figures after their username.
Say hello anytime @ernmander
Well mine is @shutterbug0324 because Shutterbug was taken and Klutzyshutterbug (the name of my new site) is too long apparently
0324 is my birthday and I’ve had an aversion to that for a long while but apparently shutterbug is pretty popular 
Loved your post, I *just* got off of twitter’s page and blocking some of my followers like jenaCgYb2 who had links to “how to hook up amateurs” or something.
Beth! I love that!!!
I’m @cestbeth, because ” C’est Beth” in French means ” It’s Beth!” My name is Beth and I’m a French professor. Make sense?
Dammit, John–I’m so out of the loop with the porn star names. Did they make you any offers? lol
What if you share the same name as a porn star? I’ve had a couple of follows due to that. Puts a whole new light on the term “off by a yard”
I love the names you made up: maybe you can make up ‘handles’ and sell them (like buying up URL’s). OK, if that is possible, we split 50/50.