Choosing Your Name And Setting Up Your Profile – Twitter For Beginners Part 1

The first thing to tackle when coming into the world of Twitter is choosing your username (twitter handle @xxxxxx) and setting up your profile.

Ideally your username will be the same as your business name. If the name you want has already been taken, consider a relevant variation. For example, if @janessalon is unavailable you could try @janesbeauty or @janeshair. Other examples to consider are any recognized ‘handles’ or straplines you have on your email or website; if your email is styleme@example.com, you could use @styleme as your Twitter username. Be careful though, don’t get too creative as your Twitter presence can influence your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). A relevant keyword or your business name will have a positive impact, something completely random such as @jshab (Janes Salon Hair and Beauty) will only hinder!

A couple of other things to consider when choosing your Twitter name: Be sure to make it as short as possible. Twitter currently only uses 140 characters, so if you want others to respond and network with you, don’t take up half of their content space with your name; Be professional. Don’t choose rude, offensive or questionable names. They might seem clever at the time, but if you want others to interact with you, keep it clean!

Once you’ve got your name, you need to get the rest of your profile set up. Select the ‘Edit profile’ button on the right hand side – just below your header photo.

You’ll need to choose a profile picture and a header photo. Obviously, one is much smaller than the other, so we recommend using the profile photo space for your logo or other distinguishable brand image, and the header photo (much larger) to visually convey what your business does. For example, if you’re a restaurant you might consider using a good quality (visually appealing) image of your kitchen / counter / tables / patrons.

Next, on the left hand side, you will need to choose your name. You have 20 characters, so if your business name is less than this, great. If not, it’s time to get creative again. But remember, don’t make it too ‘clever’, otherwise you run the risk of not being found when others search for you.

Then, complete your bio – this is really important. You need to concisely show what your business does in 160 characters or less. Keep it simple, look at similar companies for inspiration and use hashtags (we’ll talk about these in a bit more detail in the next blog) for any key service or product offerings. Just below, you can also populate your location and your website address. Finally, don’t forget to choose a theme colour that links to your brand and business colours.

Now you’re ready to go! If you’d like any help, support or advice with getting started on Twitter, we’d love to hear from you. Email makeithappen@mbsmih.com or call us 01903 688789.