Username Branding

While I was on Twitter today (follow @ahnternet and @Static!) I noticed a reply that was directed to Static, my account. I won’t mention the person on here, but the individual was interested in buying my Twitter account. I actually went through a rough patch to get that Twitter username, with the Twitter staff giving it to me after the original @Static had no updates in six months. Anyways, where am I going off to with this post? Username branding. On many sites, I will first go by Static, and if not available, I will go with my second brand, -AM-. If both are not available, I’ll often just go with ahnternet–something super unique. Obviously, Static isn’t; hence, I often don’t get what I want.

I probably will stick with Static, as that has been the username I have been using since 2003. However, I’m always on the lookout for something creative, catchy, and connectable to my life. So, for anyone out there searching like me, I decided to look a bit into this username branding–after all, usernames are quite important!

Types of Usernames

There seems to be three clear categories that usernames fall into. It is either one’s real name, something that is “connectable” or memorable, or just plain random.

Real Name

You’ll see a lot of people just using their real name. Actually, most people in the MMO niche use their real names. It has overwhelmingly more pros than cons in that:

• You simultaneously build credit and integrity
• You look very real and serious
• You seem professional
• You never consider having to change your username… or name
• You are attached to it immediately

Although people might worry about your personal information being released to the entire web so much and things along that line, if you are worried that much, you shouldn’t be on the web in the first place. Especially owning domains and working in this Internet marketing field, you can’t always be behind the mask.

Something Connectable

Some people, like myself, use something connectable or memorable as their username. Obviously it doesn’t look as professional and as real. I still recall a member on WebHostingTalk that once PMed me saying that I was a teen in a man’s industry acting as if I was Flash, but instead, Static. No, it didn’t hurt, but it did teach me about the importance of usernames.

Complete Randomness

Some just use really random stuff. My first ever username was actually “dumb_eldore554″ over at the Legends Alliance forums. Later I had it switched to Static–something more memorable and connectable–but dumb_eldore554 was just a really random name. Alright, dumb_eldore slightly resembles the character from Harry Potter, but where the heck did 554 come from!?

3 Ways to Brand Usernames

I’ve quickly realized that usernames can be branded in multiple ways so that you really make that username yours and make any other people using that username a copycat.

Get a Domain

Obviously I can’t own Static.com. It was registered back in 1994. Yeah, I don’t think I even knew about the Internet or even computers then! Heck, probably not even computers DOS games! Yeah, that doesn’t work. However, what if your username was your name? Let’s say… Johnny Sampson II? JohnnySampsonII.com is available right now. Register it, use it, and you are immediately branding it.

Quickly Signup on Many Popular Sites

Recall that reply and the story about @Static on Twitter that I hold right now. I hold the username, Static, on most huge webmaster, Internet marketing, web hosting, and social networking sites. I was quick enough to get hold of them. However, I still don’t have the username on all sites. Why? Someone beat me to it. Obviously, this hurts me when it comes to me wanting to brand my username. As “Static” is a word itself, my branding task is impossible, but if it wasn’t a word, if you hold the username across every site, it makes your branding job a lot easier.

Make It Graphical!

No, not obscene or gore, but I’m talking about a logo. One of my favorite logos is Shoemoney’s. The “S” is very similar to Superman’s “S”, making it extremely memorable and at the same time, interesting. This pretty much solidifies your branding. People remember images better than words after all!

Conclusion

Do you face similar situations? How do you brand your username or yourself?

By the way, I just received another reply on Twitter from a random person saying, “@Static wuzz good bra? whut about that trip friday?!?! Holla @ ya boi.” What?! Oh the fun and joy of having a word as your username.