Has your Twitter username turn out to be a relic? If you happen to arrange your account years in the past and your username (or “deal with”) not displays your agency’s model, it might be time for an replace. Happily, 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. Beneath are two choices for altering your Twitter username, in addition to finest 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 sensible based mostly on your corporation. Ideally, it must be constant throughout your whole social media accounts to make it simple for folks to seek out you and tag you in posts.

Why You May Want an Replace

Even when you’ve been utilizing your Twitter username for years, there are a variety of the explanation why it might have fallen old-fashioned. Happily, Twitter means that you can change your username with out shedding any of the posts and interactions you’ve shared together with your followers. To make sure that your on-line presence is present, take into account updating your username if any of the next applies to you:

• You’ve modified the title of your corporation or have finished substantial rebranding.

• The evolution of our business has led to a change in your shoppers’ wants, and also you’d like your profile to replicate that change.

• Your present username just isn’t strategic (e.g., it’s too lengthy or appears unprofessional) or features a mistake.

• Your Twitter username is inconsistent with usernames you utilize on different social media accounts.

Make certain it’s one of the best transfer. Whereas it’s easy to hold out, the choice to vary your Twitter username must be thought-about rigorously. Some manufacturers can lose greater than they achieve 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 tougher to recollect and embody in tweets.

Make the Proper Name on Your New Username

If you happen to’ve determined it’s in your finest curiosity to vary your username, you’ll wish to preserve just a few finest practices in thoughts. Take into consideration what a great username can be not simply at the moment, however for years into the long run; this may enable you to keep away from having to undergo the renaming course of once more.

If the username you need is taken however not energetic, attempt reaching out to the account proprietor on to ask if they are going to assist you to use it. Often, you will discover a approach to contact the particular person by means of a easy Google search. Twitter has a strict rule in opposition to paying for usernames, so if the account proprietor desires you to pay, bear in mind that doing so places you prone to being kicked off the platform.

If you happen to’re unable to safe the username you need, an alternate is to switch it barely to seek out one thing that’s accessible but nonetheless memorable and related. For instance, you might 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 through 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 shedding your followers:

Choice 1: Replace your username inside your current account. The best approach to change your Twitter username is just to edit it within the settings of your current account.

1. Log in to your Twitter account, click on in your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.

2. Enter your required username within the corresponding area. If the username just isn’t taken, “Out there!” will seem.

3. Save your modifications to substantiate your new username.

4. Ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username, and resume tweeting as traditional!

Choice 2: Create a brand new account to “squat” in your current username. This second, extra advanced possibility is beneficial when you desire 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 essential except you could have particular issues, equivalent to that one other consumer would possibly take over your outdated dialog historical past.

1. Create a brand new Twitter account with any accessible username (e.g., @TemporaryUsername). As soon as the transition is full, this account will host your @OldUsername. So for now, any username will do.

2. Log off of the brand new account, then log in to your current Twitter account, click on your profile image, and choose Settings and privateness.

3. Enter your required @NewUsername within the corresponding area. If the username just isn’t already taken, “Out there!” will seem. Save your modifications.

4. Log again in to the @TemporaryUsername account and choose Settings and privateness. Replace the username to your @OldUsername and save your modifications.

5. Ship a tweet from this account to let guests know you could have a brand new username. Pin the tweet and log off.

6. Log in to your @NewUsername and ship a tweet to let your followers know you’ve modified your username. Start tweeting as traditional together with your new account and username!

Goal 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, equivalent to your web site, different social media pages, e-mail signature, enterprise playing cards, and advertising supplies. And preserve this train in thoughts anytime your messaging or model must shift course. The content material and tone of your messaging, throughout the numerous interactions you could have together with your shoppers and prospects, ought to at all times match up.

Editor’s notice: This put up was initially printed in October 2018, however we’ve up to date it to carry you extra related and well timed data.