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Business

Posted by Unsubscribed User
Unsubscribed User
1,512 Points

Questions regarding personal branding and your name versus an online handle.

There are a few scenarios I'm not sure how to address that weren't discussed in the personal branding section:

  1. Some sites like Dribbble have you type in your real name AND a username. Many people just use their name (such as codysayre) as their username. Is it better to have a unique online handle to go by as your username or should you just use your real name?

  2. However as the web grows you often aren't able to get the username you desire even once you've decided on one. For consistency it's best to use the same handle everywhere, so how do you handle this situation when you can't get the same one everywhere?

  3. What is the preferred format for email addresses such as using a period in-between your first and last name, no separator, etc.?

Thanks in advance!

1 Answer

Dan Gorgone
STAFF
Dan Gorgone
Treehouse Guest Teacher
Dan Gorgone
Dan Gorgone
Treehouse Guest Teacher

A good rule of thumb is to always try to use your real or professional name, be consistent, and provide access to all these various identities when and wherever necessary.

If you anticipate using the work you do to, at some point in the future, get you more work either freelancing, for clients, or for a job, it is best to use your real name. That way, there's no confusion from platform to platform about who is who, and if you are "johnsmith" on one platform, but "codemasterZ3R0" (or other random/clever/amusing handle) on some other one.

It is true that common names will have competition for the One True Version of that name. And so you might see johnsmith, johnsmith1, thejohnsmith, johnsmith92, and other alternatives. My advice is to TRY and be consistent whenever you can. Usernames have been around long enough that people will understand if there's a difference between platforms, so don't sweat it if you have a slightly different username in different spots. It's not a big deal, however....

People need to be aware of what your specific handles are on platforms, email, domain name, and more. All of these should be listed together in various spots, such as: social media platforms that allow you to list all these connections; your official website on a contact page, and/or the footer of your site; branding elements like Twitter page backgrounds; and anywhere else people might look for your contact/social info.

Unsubscribed User
Unsubscribed User
1,512 Points

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive response Dan. I'm loving the Careers Foundation course and Treehouse as a whole!