What Is a Social Media Handle?

Everyone on social media, be it a brand, public figure, or regular person, has a social media handle. A social media handle is a name someone uses on a particular social media platform.

It’s important to choose a handle that represents your brand or personal identity accurately. But if you don’t know how to go about this, don’t worry – we’re here to help.

This intuitive guide will answer the question; what is a social media handle? Also, you’ll learn everything you need to know, from how to choose the perfect one for your needs to why consistency is key.

By the end of this article, you should be able to create a banging social media presence with a catchy, cohesive handle. Let’s get started!

And when your done check out our other Twitter guides:

Table of Contents

What Are Social Media Handles?

One would often hear internet newbies asking, “what is a social media handle?” A social media handle is your username on a social media platform. It is how people would address or refer to you online.

Your social media handle should be consistent across all platforms. This makes it easier for people to find you and builds your brand.

Your social media handle should be reflective of your brand. It could be your name or a creative play on words related to your product or service. For example, if you are a travel blogger, @wanderlust would make an excellent social media handle. Also, try to keep it short and easy to remember.

What’s the Difference Between a Social Media Handle and a Username?

A social media handle is a name that you choose for your profile on a social media platform. It is typically used to help identify you and your content and may be displayed alongside your profile picture. On the other hand, a username is a unique identifier for logging in to a specific account.

The social platform usually assigns it, which may differ from your social media handle. For example, your social media handle on Twitter can be up to 15 characters long, but your username is typically your full name or email address.

On Instagram, your social media handle can be up to 30 characters long, but your username must be unique and cannot be changed once it has been set. Therefore, choosing your social media handle carefully is important, as it will be the name that others see when they view your profile.

Why Should Social Media Handles Be Consistent?

In an age where social media is king, it’s more important than ever to have consistent handles across all platforms. Here are the top reasons why:

It makes you look more professional. If potential clients or customers see that your handles are different, they may feel that you’re unprofessional or disorganized.
It’s easier to remember. If your handles are all the same, people will have an easier time remembering them and finding you online.
It helps you build brand recognition. Consistent handles make it easier for people to recognize your brand and remember your name.
It makes it easy for people to find you. People will have difficulty finding your handles on social media if your handles are different. They’ll have to search for you on each platform, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
It allows you to cross-promote your platforms. If your handles are the same, you can promote your other social media platforms on one platform and vice versa. This is a great way to grow your following and reach new people.
It looks more polished and put together. Inconsistent handles can make you look like you’ve not really invested in social media or don’t care about how you’re presented online.

How to Choose the Perfect Social Media Handles

When it comes to social media, your handle is your identity. It’s how people will find and recognize you, so choosing a good one is important. But with so many options and factors to consider, it can be tough to decide on the perfect handle. Here are ten things to keep in mind when choosing a social media handle:

Keep it simple and easy to remember: Avoid using numbers or special characters that people will have trouble typing or pronouncing.

Make sure it’s available on all the platforms you want to use: You’ll want a consistent handle across multiple social networks if you’re active on multiple social networks.

Keep it short: The shorter, the better. This will make it easier for people to tag you in posts and comments and make your profile more visible in search results.

Use keywords that describe what you do or are about: This will help people find you when searching for topics related to your industry or interests.

Avoid using your name or initials unless they’re unique and not likely to be confused with someone else’s. For example, if your name is John Smith, there’s a good chance @johnsmith is already taken. In that case, try something like @jsmith instead. You can always count on a social media handle checker to see what’s available.

Be mindful of how your handle looks when written out: Avoid awkward spelling or spacing that could make it look unprofessional or difficult to read.

Be cautious of using slang or jargon that could date your account or make it difficult for new followers to understand what you’re talking about.

If you’re representing a brand or business, ensure your handle is consistent with the company or organization’s name. Don’t be too clever – stick with something straightforward that people will recognize and associate with your brand.

Avoid words that could be offensive or insensitive – remember that social media is a public platform where anyone can see what you’ve posted. Consider how different groups of people might receive your handle before committing to it.

And finally, don’t sweat it too much! At the end of the day, as long as you’re happy with your choice, that’s all that matters.

While it may seem small, having the right social media handle can make a big difference. Here are the benefits of having a handle that represents you well:

First impressions matter; a good social media handle will make a great first impression with potential employers, new/potential customers, or networking contacts.

A strong social media presence can make you more searchable online and help you build a personal brand.

A good social media handle can make it easier for people to find and connect with you online.

An optimized social media handle can help improve your click-through rates (CTRs) and boost your SEO efforts.

Having the perfect social media handle simply looks good and shows that you have taken the time to invest in your online presence.

Conclusion

There you have it – social media handle meaning and how to create the perfect one for your brand. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be sure to create a handle that makes a great first impression and helps you build a strong online presence. Remember, you can always use a social media handle generator to help you brainstorm ideas if you’re stuck. And don’t forget to have a little fun with it – after all, your social media handle is an extension of your personality! So go out there and make sure it represents you well.

Do you need help with your social media marketing? Get in touch with our team of experts today! We can help you create a social media strategy that gets results. Contact us now to learn more.