New Twitter ID and Survey Results

7 Comments

twitter idA few weeks ago I wrote about changing my twitter ID. Since I started on twitter in 2008 I’ve been using @pastdue, the brand of my first radio show.

Since I don’t host that show any longer, it was starting to make less sense to use it, and it doesn’t have as much meaning the years go on.

So I asked you, my faithful friend, to help me think of a new name. Above are those results.

30% said I should use a brand name. Since twitter is personal, this was the last thing I wanted to do. I follow very few brands, preferring to talk to real people. There’s a lesson here if you’re using a brand name.

12% said I should inclue the word coach in the ID. I’ve always hated that word, even though it’s in the name of my website. I’m more of a guide who goes the distance, rather than a teacher. Everyone knows the word coach though, which is the reason I used it on my site.

I also didn’t want to get locked into a word for the rest of my life. This is the only time I plan on changing my ID.

Interestingly, 21% said to use JustinLukasavige, even though it’s five characters longer than Lukasavige (which I mentioned was available). That was the number one suggestion, even though twitter’s 140 character limit is the name of the game.

My New ID

Last week I changed my id to @Lukasavige. It’s three characters longer than my old ID, but it’s my name and not a confusing word. While it is confusing to spell, most of the time people are clicking links rather than listening to a word.

I hope this helps you pick or change your ID.

How to Change Your Twitter ID

One important note: it’s easy to change your ID. Log into your twitter account, then click settings. Highlight and change your ID from there. Your current followers will still be attached to your account when you make the change.

Sign out of twitter and use another email address to create a new account. Grab your old ID and update the bio to alert people of the change. I also made an annoying picture to help tip people off.

Do you like your twitter ID or do you want to change it?

Posted on February 6, 2012

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Good job Justin! I know when I changed my twitter ID to my full name, JosephLalonde, I was concerned about people being able to spell my last name. So far it hasn’t been a problem and shouldn’t be for your name either.

  • http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

    Thanks, Joe. That’s encouraging to hear.

  • http://www.48dayrebel.com/ Jonathan Brown

    Awww Go ahead and be yourself!

  • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

    Glad it wasn’t as scary as you thought it would be to change names! (We like to fool ourselves sometimes don’t we!) 

  • http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

    We sure do, Jim. Certainly wasn’t a big deal though.

  • Terissa Miller

    Yeah, I still can’t figure the whole twitter thing out.  I think I have some original account from a couple of years ago…but don’t even know how to access it….
    There’s just not much point for a stay-at-home Mom-blogger, y’know???

  • http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

    Sure there is, Teri. I know a few stay-at-home moms with huge twitter presences. If it’s not your thing though, it’s the last thing you want to do.