The username. One of the most simple, yet most crucial factors of your online identity. With social media being a significant tool in today’s world, it may be time for you to re-think even the slightest details of your profile – starting with the username.

But how do you come up with a good and creative username that not only represents your online identity, but also makes you stand out?

Let’s first talk about WHY usernames are so important.

1. Your username serves as the first impression.

I don’t know if I would go as far as saying that your username defines who you are, but it does give the world an idea of who you are. According to Leap Frog, your username can act as a calling card to your real identity. It is the first glance into who you are, and most people will see your username before they even see your profile. You’ll want something that is appropriate, while still being creative enough to draw people in.

2. Your username could impact your professional future.

We all know that potential employers have used social media to get a glimpse into who you are as a person. If you have swear words or inappropriate phrases in your username, you will be off to a bad start, well… from the start. As Career Builder states, about 70% of employers snoop their candidates social media profiles. It is best to have a professional platform, starting with your username.

3. Your username can help you be found.

As I’ve learned in my Strategic Social Media class, your personal brand is very important. The search results that are shown when searching your name are also very important. It is important to incorporate your name into your username so that you will be found when you are searched for.

So now you have a good idea of WHY your username is important, but how do you make your username personal, and one that will stand out?

If your face looks anything like this photo, don’t worry. It is okay to not know how to create a username that will have a positive impact on your personal brand. That’s why I’m writing this blog. Based on my experience with social media, I found a few simple things you can do to make your username stand out, while still remaining personal to you.

1. Use your first and last name.

As I stated above, your username is your first impression. It helps you to be found by all kinds of people. It is important to use your first and last name in your username. Do you have a common name? Don’t stress! There are many fun things you can do to still make your username stand out, such as…

2. Add numbers.

One of the simplest things you can do is add numbers in your username. For example, my Twitter username used to be ‘tayloreck14’ until I changed it to just ‘taylor_eck.’ Adding numbers is an tasteful way to spice up your username. I chose 14 at the end of my username because my birthday is October 14th, but you can add your favorite number, your sports number, or even your mom’s favorite number. The possibilities are endless.

3. Use underscores or periods.

As I stated above, I changed my Twitter username to ‘taylor_eck.’ While not all social media platforms allow underscores and periods in your username, it is still a fun way to add a little something extra to your profile. Here is what my personal Twitter looks like:

4. Add “iam” or “the” to show it’s you. 

I found a lot of celebrities doing this with their usernames, so while I was trying to come up with a creative username for my Instagram I tried incorporating this – and I love it. Not only do I love it, but I have received a lot of good feedback on my username. It incorporates my first and last name, while still allowing me to stand out.

5. Be creative.

This one is self explanatory.  Being creative is thinking outside the box, and I think it is something I did well with my Snapchat username. I found a way to incorporate my nickname into a word, by making my username ‘yestertay.’ With Snapchat, I didn’t include my first and last name because I try to limit my Snapchat to only my friends and family. My Snapchat, to me, is a place where I can post funny things and show off my personality a little more.

So what’s in a name? Quite honestly… a lot. But if you just take a few extra minutes to come up with a great username, it will help you in the long run.

I hope this blog was helpful. Did it make you think twice about your username? Is there anything you can do to make your username more personal? If so, what is one think you would change or add?