While it may seem that this post is directed to users that are just starting out on the internet, it does pertain to veteran users as well. Since there are new websites popping up all the time, you never know when your username will already be taken. Perhaps this is a result of being a late adopter of the platform. In any case, a taken username can be quite the conundrum when you are attempting to manage your online reputation. Have no fear, we have a list of things that you can try to preserve some of your continuity amongst your online profiles.
In the face-paced world of today, when a new website pops up, you must be ready to spring into action. There are several people that make a living off of securing the best names and then sell them to the highest bidder. If you are not wanting to do that, you will have to modify your name. This can pose a threat to your brand, but we think that you can adapt an overcome. After all, this is the key to brand marketing.
Additional Problems
Sometimes it is not only the name you have chosen but several different factors. Some of these can be seen below.
- Too Many Characters – This is not as big of a problem as it used to be, but you may still run into it. Each platform has a specific way that they want you to format your username. Due to a large amount of space it takes to store millions of usernames, they tend to put a character cap on these. We will discuss this later in the post.
- Common Names – There is no way of getting around it, we have a lot of people on the internet. Some parents tend to choose the same set of names for children in any given year. Add that to the limited number of last names and this can be a recipe for disaster. You may think that your name is not as common as John Smith, but over the years you will be surprised. We have a fix for this too.
Taken Name
As we discussed, there are several things that you can do if you have a username that you want that is already taken. This is the section in which we are going to discuss the things that you can do in order to rectify that.
- Middle Initials – Using the example of John Smith from above, we can modify that slightly by using a middle initial. So instead of @JohnSmith, try using @JohnDSmith. This might be just enough to differentiate yourself from the other John Smiths that are trying to create similar usernames.
- Prefix or Suffix – Since most people do not use prefixes or suffixes anymore, this may be the opportunity for you to set yourself apart from others. Consider using @DrJohnSmith or @JohnSmithMD. Remember, the prefix or suffix should be relevant to your field of work. You do not want to mislead anyone into thinking that you are someone that you are not.
- Shorten or Lengthen Your Name – This might not be possible in all cases, but there are some names that have a shortened or elongated version. Sticking with the John Smith example, this fictitious person could use the username, Johnathan or Jo. Don’t be surprised if these methods are already taken as well. If you try one on this list and it is unsuccessful simply move on to the next one and give that a try.
- Brand Incorporation – Not only will this help you to further your personal brand, but it also has the potential of furthering your corporate brand as well. Take for example @JohnSmithLaw. As most attorneys are representing themselves, this will help to further your name within the community.
- Underscores, Periods, or Dashes – If you can use special characters, this is your go-to method of getting the username you want. Since Google will not recognize them as different, this will be the first step you want to take. These special characters are known as placeholders. In other words, they take the place of a space. This is especially useful on sites that do not allow spaces in usernames.
Continuity
Since you have taken the time to read this article, we don’t feel that we need to tell you the benefits of continuity. However, if you are in doubt of the benefits, allow us to reiterate the importance. If you are building your online reputation, it is very important that you have all your usernames the same. There are a few websites that are dedicated to username detection. It will not only allow you to see the requirements for a username, but it will also allow you to see the names that are already taken. This will allow you enough time to think about the username that you would like to use. Once you have decided on the username, you simply apply it across the board. Some of the benefits of continuity are as follows.
- Google recognizes this continuity and rewards you for your efforts. They do this by linking the same usernames together when someone is searching for your name. You will see an increase in profile rankings and search results.
- It will make it easier for family, friends, and employers to find you across many different platforms. You will simply be able to tell them that they can find you on all the major social media platforms under that one name. This will allow them to add you as a contact much easier.
Conclusion When people think of their online reputation, they rarely think of the impact of a username. Well, we are here to tell you that usernames are likely the most important part of maintaining your online reputation. Following the above methods, you will be able to find a username that is professional and unique as you are. Employers will have an easier time to find you on all platforms and decide on if you are right for the job. We wish you all the best in your quest to secure the username of your choice.