Twitter Handle: Your Virtual Signature

Tips for appropriate and effective naming of Twitter handles

First impression is the last impression. Be it real world or the virtual world.

It is seen that the decision to follow any handle is taken within first 4 to 5 seconds. Although there are many other factors influencing that decision (like the bio, the interests, the no of followers, the DP etc) but the most important function of getting a person on your profile page is done by your handle. It is your brand ambassador.

People conclude a lot of thing about you, just by looking at your handle. Like -

• Your Personality and style
• Your Originality
• Your Creativity
• And the most important, your brand

The most common format of any personal handle is “First name – Last name” and any corporate handle is “Company Name”. But sometimes, it makes the handle look bland.

Here are a few tips that will help make your handle appropriate and effective.

Tips: The following points may be considered while deciding your handle.

The attitude

Your handle is your attitude. The twitter protocol gives us the flexibility to choose any name as a handle. (And not necessarily the email protocol, which is first name – last name). Hence, you can choose and pick from the available list of names. But like your tattoo, it should define your attitude. It may be simple, responsible, mature, arrogant or angry. Like the handle @BeingSalmanKhan highlights the aura of the well known actor.

The Handle Name – Dos and Donts

1. Under scores – They are a total no-no. You may use it to differentiate first name and last name, but anything beyond that is a total turn off. And yes, not more than one underscore. (unless creatively used)
2. Numbers – Adding a number beyond your handle gives an impression that you are not creative enough and a novice on twitter. Like @Ralphsmith07
3. Repetitions – To get somewhere near to the particular handle, many tweeps repeat some alphabets. (just to sound like the handle). Eg - @TechnoGuyyy. Totally Avoid as it gives an impressions of a wannabe.
4. Capitalise – Although twitter is generally not bothered about capital letters in a handle, but i personally recommend that in case the handle contains two words, we should capitalise the first alphabets of both the words for better making the handle simple. Like instead of @barackobama it is aptly named as @BarackObama

The length

The length of the handle should ideally be within 10 characters. This is because the limit of any tweet is 140 characters. In case anyone wants to retweet you, you eat up their much needed space. Also, ideally, ever tweet needs to be well within 120 characters for the ease of ReTweeting.

Creativity

Finally, you may not get the handle you plan for. But that shouldn’t drive you to resort to using any of the easier ways (mentioned in point 2). Be creative. Think of some handle that explains your purpose and attitude. There are many, we just need to think out of the box. As mine is a casual handle, i ve named it a pure waste! (which also rhymes with my name). and the casual @MischievousMonk shows how the handle is a white mischief (Vodka) and old monk (Rum) lover!

Conclusion

Twitter has a casual way of being. And the handle acts as your signature on this virtual world. It defines you. Be it official, informal or purely casual. And dont worry if you already have a handle. You can change it at any point in time, to suit your style. After all, It is the virtual world’s first point of contact with you.

As they say, “Well begun, is half done”

Follow @PureWaste

Twitter for Dummies

How To Effectively Use Twitter

What is Twitter. Today we live in information age. To stay ahead, it is important and imperative to have the right information, at the right time. So, what are the tools to help us stay ahead of the crowd? Twitter can be one of them, if we can use it effectively and to our advantage.

Twitter in India. Generally in India, Twitter is used rarely. Use of FaceBook/Orkut is Rampant, as we like to see the information with pictures, videos and animation. Twitter is just plain Tweets. So, it is comparatively less interactive. Here in India, it is used generally to follow celebrities.

This article will explain how to use Twitter effectively and as a source of information by covering the following topics:

1. Uses of Twitter
2. Effective ways to use Twitter
3. Ways to use Twitter from various devices
4. Lastly, some Tips (Dos and Donts)

Read on for complete article.

Uses of Twitter. Twitter can be used for obtaining information on

• 1. Regular updates on popular current topics
• 2. Popular and unbiased “public” opinion and views on any topic
• 3. Regular updates on technology, News etc

* Twitter can be used to follow either a person (to know about his views on various topics) or follow a specific Topic (To know popular public opinion on that specific topic)

* The only thing (Actually, the most important thing) to be noted while using Twitter is that the shelf life of any information or update on Twitter is not more than one day (sometimes even as less as 2hrs)

Effective ways to use Twitter

• 1. Following interesting people

a. Follow political views follow @BarackObama, for Apple/Technology News follow @ceoSteveJobs, For Football/Barcelona news follow @imessi or whoever interests/inspires you the most

b. Special offers/Discounts for the day - @BestBuy

c. To know about what’s on at a place near you – like @NCPAmumbai, @JazzByTheBay

d. Local News – Like @Mumbaikar (These guys give more information than a local news paper. Moreover, all the Tweets have a link for complete story. So, pick and choose)

e. Know more about things happening in the life of your favorite celebrity. This is purely entertainment purpose. @imSRK, @JuniorBachchan

• 2. Following links (posted by people) for in-depth information

a. A Tweet may have a link for the full story. Like a review of Yokos Resturant in Powai may have a link like http://xn--r2b.ws/fYtpEv. If you are interested in know about the review, click on the link to find out more.

b. You can even post such links in your updates by shortening the lengthy website addresses. Use tools like http://www.bit.ly for shortening web addresses. My profile page on FB (which has some absurd link) can be shortened to http://on.fb.me/fd2png.

• 3. Solving your queries on any specific topic

a. Even though you may not be following some person, if you think he may have the answers to your queries, mark a tweet to them.

b. Like, if you have to report a traffic snag or ask them to look into it, mark a tweet to @MumTraffPoilce or any for any Hacking related queries ask @ankit_fadia

c. If you need to find out the recipe for Mushroom, Tweet asking for a link. Somebody will surely respond with a useful link. (considering that internet is now full of clutter, and finding useful information needs special skills) But make sure you have enough followers before you post such queries.

• 4. Promoting our interest/business

a. Can be used as a Marketing tool

b. Post updates with links to your website, special information

c. Mark it to interested people, if you think they may be interested in the info

Effective ways to use Twitter from various devices-

• 1. PC/Laptop

a. Always use an Twitter ready browser (eg RockMelt browser)

b. Get real time updates, no need to log into Twitter account to see new tweets.

c. Going through the update should not take more than 2-3 secs per update (In fact don’t waste anything more than 3-4 secs on a tweet. If found interesting, then follow the full story)

d. If found interesting, open the link in another Tab

e. When you have spare time, open the Tab and go through the information

• 2. Smart Phone

a. Subscribe to unlimited access to net on Smart Phone

b. Get real time updates on smart phones

c. Click on short links on the tweets for the whole story

d. Refresh the updates every 2/3 hrs to avoid disturbance in regular work

e. Check out the tweets to utilize the time while travelling

Lastly, some Tips for effective Tweeting:

• Do’s
  1. To start with, Sign up on Twitter
  2. Fill complete details on profile page
  3. Search for friends already using tweeter and follow them (who you feel have like views)
  4. Search who your friends are following and follow them
  5. Search for your interests, start following a couple of tweeters in your area of interest
  6. Follow Websites.
  7. In fact, you can link up your Tweeter and FaceBook accounts to maximize the reach of your Tweets.
  8. You should definitely Tweet, Reply to Tweets (addressed to you) and Re Tweet (RT) if you find anything interesting. Remember, knowledge grows only when it is spread.
  
  
  Dont’s
  1. Don’t follow unnecessary people
  2. Don’t follow more than 2/3 people on any specific interest
  3. Don’t follow someone just because he is a celebrity/public figure, unless you have specific interest in him
  4. Don’t Tweet unnecessarily. Nobody would be interested what you had for lunch (unless you are SRK)
  5. Don’t use Twitter in Business hours, it will be a waste of time. If you find any interesting topic, save it in a new tab and open it when you have spare time. Pls treat this as a warning, as Tweeting and Following is highly addictive.

Now you are equipped to Tweet effectively. Get wired and Stay Ahead.

And lastly, post your feedback on the article. ReTweet this article. Post it on Facebook. Spread the knowledge. Like it has been said, knowledge grows only when it is spread.

Follow @PureWaste