As your Twitter account evolves, it’s natural to make some changes to keep things fresh and engaging. From updating your profile picture to refining your bio, every tweak can help attract new followers and maintain your influence with current ones.
But sometimes, you may need to go even further and change your Twitter handle (the name that starts with ‘@’) and display name. This guide will show you how to make those changes smoothly and effectively and how to avoid mistakes!
Keep in mind that any change you make to your Twitter account sends a signal to your followers and visitors. For example, a new profile picture could signal a shift in aesthetics or content, while a revamped bio might attract a different type of follower or celebrate a milestone in your journey. And speaking of milestones, adding one to your bio is a great way to hook newcomers and showcase your achievements.
Your Twitter handle and name are no different. Changing them should be done tactfully and as part of your growth strategy.
Here’s what we are going to cover in this article:
- Why your username or handle is important
- Reasons to change your Twitter Handle
- How to change your Twitter handle on mobile
- How to change your Twitter handle on desktop
- 4 tips to change your Twitter handle
Why your username or handle are important
Your Twitter handle is important for one key reason, branding.
Your Twitter handle is more than just a name. It’s an essential element of your brand, a calling card that represents you and your online presence. Choosing the right handle can be a game-changer for your success on the platform. It can make it easier for people to find you, remember you, and engage with you.
When you’re choosing your Twitter handle, it’s important to think about how it will represent you and your content. A good handle should reflect your niche, your personality, or your brand. It should be easy to remember and easy to spell. It should also be distinct enough to set you apart from the thousands of other Twitter users out there.
Once you’ve settled on a handle, it’s crucial to stick with it, unless I you have a real reason to change it. Changing your handle frequently can lead to confusion and a loss of engagement. Your followers may not be able to find you anymore, and new followers may have trouble discovering you. Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong Twitter presence.
Your handle is also an important tool for building your reputation and your community on Twitter. It’s how people will refer to you and how they’ll tag you in their tweets. It’s how you’ll be identified in Twitter chats and conversations. Your handle is a key part of your Twitter identity, and it can help you build a loyal following of engaged fans.
Reason to change your Twitter handle
If you feel like your Twitter handle just isn’t cutting it anymore maybe it’s time for a change. Sometimes we outgrow our old online personas, or we just want to switch things up and try something new.
Here’s three reasons to change your twitter handle:
Rebranding
One good reason to change your handle is if you’re rebranding. Maybe your business has a new name or logo, and you want your Twitter handle to match. Or perhaps you’ve pivoted to a new career or passion project and you want your handle to reflect that. Whatever the reason, a new handle can help signal to your followers that you’re moving in a new direction.
Establishing a brand
Another reason to consider a handle change is if you’re trying to establish a memorable online brand. Let’s face it – some Twitter handles are just plain forgettable. If your handle is too long, too complicated, or just not catchy enough, it might be time for a change. A memorable handle can help you stand out in a sea of tweets and make it easier for people to find and follow you.
Personal growth
And finally, sometimes we just outgrow our old handles. Maybe you created your Twitter account in high school and your handle reflects a long-forgotten inside joke. Or perhaps you’re no longer a fan of the band or TV show that inspired your handle in the first place. Whatever the reason, a new handle can help signal to your followers that you’ve grown and evolved as a person.
So don’t be afraid to mix things up and try a new handle on for size. Just make sure to keep it professional and relevant to your personal or professional brand. And who knows – your new handle might just be the thing that takes your Twitter game to the next level.
Note to remember: It’s crucial to let your followers know about any changes to your Twitter handle. If someone tries to @ mention your old handle, they won’t be able to reach you, which can be frustrating for both you and your followers. By announcing your new handle and encouraging your followers to update their contacts, you’ll avoid any confusion or missed connections. Plus, it shows your followers that you value their engagement and want to make sure they can continue to interact with you on Twitter under your new handle. So be sure to take the time to let your followers know about the change, and you’ll maintain a strong online presence and keep your connections intact.
How to change your Twitter handle on mobile
To change your username on mobile, open up the sliding menu to the left of your screen.
1. Select “Settings and Privacy”
2. Select “Account” then “Username”
3. Type in your new username and click “save”
Your username will now have been changed and people won’t be able to find you using your old handle.
Changing your display name
To change your Twitter display name, click on your name at the top of the sliding menu to bring up your profile page.
From your profile page, you can make changes to your bio, profile pics, and add links as well any other info you want to show up as part of your profile.
Once you’ve opened up your profile page, you’ll see a page like the one below.
1. Click on “Edit profile” just below your header.
2. Make the changes you want.
3. Once you save whichever changes you’ve made will now appear as part of your new profile.
Quick read – How to use TweetDeck to manage your Twitter
How to change your Twitter handle on desktop
Changing your Twitter handle and display name is as easy to do on your desktop as it is on your phone. To make any changes to either your username (@) or your display name simply follow the steps below and you’ll be good to go.
1. Click on “More” in the Control Panel to the left of your screen. The pop-up below will open.
2. Select “Settings and Privacy” from the list of options
3. From the new window, click on “Username”
4. Type in your new username or select one of the suggested names available.
5. Click on “Save” and your changes will be done.
Changing your display name
That is how you change your Twitter handle. To change your display name, from the same control panel to your left you click on “Profile” as shown below.
1. From your profile page, click on “Edit Profile’ to change your username.
2. In the window that opens, you can type in your new name.
You can also edit or add additional info about yourself from the window shown above. You add updates to your bio, change your header or add your location. You could even add a link to a website or your content outside of Twitter in your profile.
4 tips to change your Twitter handle
If you do decide to change your username or handle here are some tips for you to keep in mind;
Keep it simple
Your username should be easy to remember and easy to spell, so people can easily find you and share your content with others. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a username like @danyboy156368832356 – it’s not only visually not pleasant, but it also looks like a password that your computer generated for you. If the username you came up with isn’t available, spend more time thinking rather than opting for something like that.
Keep it simple, keep it memorable, and most importantly, keep it you!
Build a brand
Your name is more than just a label – it’s a crucial part of your personal brand on Twitter. While it may be tempting to change your username every time you feel like it, it can actually hurt your chances of building a loyal following. The last thing you want to do is to get your followers confused!
Your name is one of the first things people see when they visit your profile, and it can communicate a lot about your personality, interests, and expertise. So if you want to make a great first impression and attract the right kind of followers, choose a name that accurately reflects who you are and what you have to offer.
Of course, it’s not just about the name – you also need to deliver valuable content that resonates with your audience. Consistently sharing high-quality, engaging tweets will help you build a loyal following and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, but it all starts from your name!
Have some personality
Incorporate elements of your personality into your name or handle. If you’re funny, for example, consider using a pun or a clever play on words. If you’re a pop culture fanatic, use a reference to your favorite movie, TV show, or band. The key is to choose a name or handle that’s memorable and unique to you.
Another thing to consider is the competition. If your name or handle is too similar to others, you may get lost in the crowd. Avoid using common names or handles, or adding numbers or special characters to make it unique. Instead, try to come up with something that’s truly original and reflects who you are. Sometimes you’re real name may be the best option, in particular if you are building your brand around you. Same thing can be said for the name of your business or project – remember, keep it simple!
Tell people what you’re about
Another way to utilize your names is to share right away what people can expect from you. Including what you mainly talk about in your names will help draw followers to you and improve the quality of your audience. If they know what you’re about and they follow you, you can confidently count on some engagement from them. Try not to make it too long, you also have the bio to share information about you and what you do.
Conclusion
Now you know you can change your Twitter handle or name so it has the positive effect you want for your account.
Whenever you do feel like changing your names have fun it. Create some buzz with it or leave people in suspense. Whatever you don’t just make the change and leave it at that. Have the people know and make a noise about it. Give them something to be excited about and keep them on the lookout for your content. Impress them with your Tweets!
If you fail to do that your engagement will suffer and the plan you had for your swooping rebrand might fall to the ground, as well as your whole strategy. But that’s not something you have to worry about, not only you now know what to do with your Twitter handle and name, Hypefury can help you with so much more – why not giving our free trial a go?
