How To Choose A Twitter Name

Knowing how to choose a Twitter name that best represents you will pay dividends when you want to develop your online credibility.  Your name is the first thing by which others will judge you, and it serves your best interests to learn how to create one.  Consider the following before you begin sending tweets under your new Twitter name:

1. Know your limits.  If a name has already been taken, you cannot claim it unless that user gives it up.  The number of characters you can use is limited to fifteen, but there is no limit to the quality of words you use.  That being said, be aware of the audience you want to attract before choosing vulgar language to "reveal" who you are.
2. Uniqueness counts for something.  Every person is different, and your Twitter name is the same way.  Some users like to go by their real names, but simply adding numbers at the end of your name doesn't say much about who you are.  Decide how you want to be perceived, and use the names or words that will portray that image.
3. What kind of Twitter account do you want?  If you are going to tweet about your personal life for the public, then your Twitter name should be as close to your real name as possible.  However, if tweeting is going to be part of your profession, reflect your company or job title with your online handle to make it easy for people to search for you.
4. Tweeting can be private, too.  Not only can you use Twitter under specific privacy settings to share with only certain followers, but you can choose any Twitter name you want to ensure your personal privacy isn't violated.  If you're going to be tweeting incognito, the name you choose doesn't need to let followers know anything about you—pick a Twitter name that reflects how you want others to perceive you, not necessarily how you really are.
5. Testing and re-testing.  Don't worry if you've made your name choice and aren't satisfied with it.  Once you've created a Twitter account, you can change your username as many times as you'd like.  Toy around with different online handles until you're comfortable with the Twitter name that is right for you.