Your Social Media Name
by Denise Vogel

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It doesn't have to be today, or tomorrow, or even the next six months. But, when you can, please go to your computer and secure your desired user name for these accounts. There's always the possibility that you could lose the name you want to use to someone else! You will need to sign up and register your name now on these various sites now in order to secure it. I've included the links below so you will have no excuse!

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_home
  
  
• Twitter: http://twitter.com
  
  
• Facebook Business: You must set up a personal page first at http://www.facebook.com/login.php

It happened to me - I was too late in securing the name I wanted to use! The name "Denise Vogel" was already taken. So was "DVogel" and so on, for about an hour of trying. Then, I got creative. I combined my business name and my own name. I've now finished switching over my social media networking accounts to the new name (on Twitter, it is @dvClicks). Remember that your name and your business name are your online real estate - do not lose them!

Here's another tip: When you create your username, do not use an underscore. It is too difficult to type underscores on some cell phones such as the iPhone, because you must switch from the letter keyboard screen to the symbol keyboard screen back and forth just to enter the address! Even small inconveniences such as this could cause your clients to skip over you to use a different username or site.

Also, avoid using numbers in your name unless it's absolutely necessary. Many spammers use numbers in their names, and I'm sure you don't want your social media presence to be rejected because your name looks like you might be a spammer.

Well, I could write volumes, but as usual my space has run out. You can keep up with my online tips by checking the OSSN Blog and reading my articles that appear each Monday in the "OSSN Daily" newsletter for OSSN members. Also, you can "tweet" me at blog-admin@ossn.com.

(Credits: Denise Vogel, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)