Introduction
Twitter is a social media platform that allows users to post short messages or “tweets.” One crucial aspect of Twitter is the handle, which is the username that appears in a user’s profile URL and on each of their tweets. Changing your Twitter handle can give your profile a clean slate or attract a new audience if you’re rebranding or promoting a new business. This article provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to change your Twitter handle, explore reasons for changing your handle, and provide creative ideas for a new handle.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Change Your Twitter Handle
To change your Twitter handle, you will need to access your Twitter account settings. Follow the below steps:
1. Log in to your Twitter account:
On a desktop, click on your profile picture, and it will give you a dropdown menu, where you’ll find the option to click ‘Settings and privacy.” On mobile, click on your profile icon located at the top left corner of your screen.
2. Click on the profile option in the menu on the left side of the screen.
3. Locate the ‘username’ field and click on ‘Edit.’
4. Type in a new username.
5. Click on ‘Save Changes.’
Voila! You have successfully changed your Twitter handle.
It’s essential to keep in mind that if your old username was used in any links you have shared, all those links will break, and they will no longer direct to your account.
Reasons to Change Your Twitter Handle
There are various reasons why Twitter users choose to change their handles. Some of the popular reasons are:
Starting a new business
If you’re starting a new business or rebranding an old one, you’ll want to align your Twitter handle with your new brand name. Changing your handle can help you rebrand yourself by giving your Twitter profile a fresh start with a new handle.
Rebranding oneself
Suppose your interests or brand have evolved, or you want to revamp your personal image. In that case, changing your Twitter handle will ensure that your username reflects your personality. This change can also be a great opportunity to start fresh and approach new followers with a new brand name.
Changing preferences
As time passes, personal preferences can change, including usernames on social media. By modifying your Twitter handle, you can make sure that it represents you and your interests accurately.
Repercussions of Changing Twitter Handle
Changing a Twitter handle can result in a variety of repercussions. These include the following:
Potential impact of changing a Twitter handle
If your followers are familiar with your old username, changing it may be confusing for them and may test their loyalty and willingness to re-engage with you. Additionally, the change may mean a loss of momentum- likes, retweets, etc.
How it can affect followers
Changing handles can also impact a user’s followers. If you’re lucky, your followers will notice the change and proceed to follow you; for other followers, however, they might not notice and may assume that the old account has been abandoned or hacked, leading to a loss of followers.
How it can impact engagement and online identity
Changing your Twitter handle can also impact your ability to build on the engagement and online identity that you’ve amassed over the years. Your new username will take time for Twitter users to get used to, and you’ll have to invest time and effort building your new brand identity.
Creative Twitter Handle Ideas
Naming a Twitter handle can be exciting and daunting because it’s the first thing people will notice about your account. Here are a few creative Twitter handle ideas that may inspire a new handle that reflects your brand and personality:
Puns
Wordplay and puns are a great way to create a memorable handle. An example is the account “@LounginInMyCar” which is a twitter handle that belongs to a popular Virginia beach rapper.
Pop Culture references
Incorporating references to your favorite books, movies, or tv shows can be a way to show off your personality and make your handle more relatable.
Name Plays
Nameplays can be incredibly catchy because they play on people’s real names creatively. With a nameplay, you can make a pun or wordplay with your name. E.g., “@hollywouldifshewerefree.”
Best Practices when Changing a Twitter Handle
Here are a few tips to ensure that you have a successful handle changing process:
Important things to keep in mind
Before making the switch, consider the impact it will have on your followers, engagement, and online identity. When you choose a handle, go for identities that are not too similar or identical to another user’s name and avoid handles that are long. The ideal handle should be easy to type, instantly recognizable, and should capture the essence of what you’re about in less than 15 characters.
Make sure the new handle is available on other social media platforms
When looking for a new Twitter handle, be sure to check the name’s availability on other social media platforms you use. Social media handles provide brand consistency, making it easy for people to locate your business or brand across multiple platforms.
Inform followers of the change through a formal announcement
Notify your followers of the upcoming change to your Twitter handle two weeks in advance so that they can adjust to the switch.
Conclusion
Changing your Twitter handle is a significant step, and it’s essential to be completely aware of the impact it can have on your followers. This tutorial outlined the steps required to change your Twitter handle, reasons why someone may choose to change their handle, potential consequences of changing handles, and suggestions for a new Twitter handle. By considering the given tips, you can confidently change your Twitter handle, giving your online identity a fresh start.
