Twitter username ideas - help

[banny]

Hi

We are a small firm of Chartered Accountants and are improving our online presence (hopefully!)

I am trying to decide on a twitter name and my head is spinning :|

Ignoring the arguments for and against local accountants using twitter, should we go for something including the firm's name (Haywards) or something more general like wiganaccountant, or something nationwide like accountantuk, topaccountant? (Haven't checked if they are available).

Should I use my own name? I am guessing not as I am not a brand like @BookMarkLee.

Bear in mind most of our business is local, but maybe a non-local twitter name would bring in some unexpected nationwide clients - could then incorporate online accounting etc (leave that for another day)

Cheers

Paul

 

[NextPoint]

A big thing to remember about Twitter names is that it is best to keep it short - this helps make it easier for people to retweet and reply to what you say because Twitter messages can only be up to 140 characters.

Also, Twitter generally isn't good for making sales for small businesses, but is great for making contacts. I don't know how you intend to use Twitter, but certainly don't make the mistake that most people make in only talking at people - talk to people and you will get a better response. Tips for this are:

* Use the @ to talk to specific people - talk to me using @NextPointUK then your message. This shows up on my account and I will reply using @YourName. Target specific and relevant people to talk to and build a relationship with them.

* Use the # to engage in specific conversations. This is the hash tag that people use to label conversations. It's a good way to get to know people and share your expertise. Hash tags should be used with topics like #iagreewithnick .

Also, you only get as much of online social networking as what you put in. Social networking isn't a short term marketing strategy - it's all about building relationships with people where there can be a mutual benefit, not selling to people.

 

[Faevilangel]

Something short and sweet but that tells people who you are, so your company name or company name_accountants

 

[MASSEY]

Something short and sweet but that tells people who you are, so your company name or company name_accountants

I think your only aloud 8 characters so that might be a bit hard,

 

[Faevilangel]

I think your only aloud 8 characters so that might be a bit hard,

Mine is my full name with a _ which is 13 characters long

Your real name can be 20 characters long. Although your user name may contain only 15 characters, many real names exceed 15 characters.

http://help.twitter.com/entries/14609-how-to-change-your-username

 

[justinmarch]

I would go for branded options "haywards" sounds good to me.

 

[loubycee]

I would go for branded options "haywards" sounds good to me.

Definitely agree, its nice and formal but your tweets don't particularly have to be formal, like this idea

 

[DuaneJackson]

I would go for branded options "haywards" sounds good to me.

I disagree. If you're doing the tweeting, use your own name. AccountantPaul would do if it's available.

 

[loubycee]

... true, it may make you more approachable using your own name

 

[QVA - Emma]

I disagree. If you're doing the tweeting, use your own name. AccountantPaul would do if it's available.

I'd pick up haywards anyway to protect your brand see http://adage.com/columns/article?article_id=142108

Regards

Emma

 

[maxine]

I agree with Duane about using your own name as people connect with you first then the company. Can you not have say your name and company short name?

 

[justinmarch]

I'd pick up haywards anyway to protect your brand

I agree with this.

I disagree. If you're doing the tweeting, use your own name. AccountantPaul would do if it's available.

I am also not going to disagree with this.

Possibly the question to ask first is what are you trying to achieve, if its branding then how will the brand feature on other sites if at all, what you need is a strategy.

 

[SEO Lady]

I've been using Twitter very very successfully for around 6 months now, I knew nothing at all .. then one day I just 'got' it and wrote an article.

It's called "How To Make Twitter Work For Your Business" but really it should be called "Twitter basics for beginners"

Hope this helps in any small way..