Question Do I use my real name or business name? - Virtual Assistant Forums

ShanteM · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Right now I am in the beginning stages of launching my business. I would like to register with Myspace, Twitter, and maybe Facebook. I am currently registered on LinkedIn under my real name. When I register on the other social network sites should I use my company name? What have your experiences been? I am thinking that since these sites will be used for networking I should use my business name.

Thanks in Advance!

Virtually Assisting You · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Hi Shante'

I'll see if I can give you a little insight on this. I'm sure other's with more social media skills will jump in and give you feedback as well.

MySpace - I don't use it, not much help there - sorry!

Twitter - I would say go with your first and last name, your business name is too long to use as your username. With that said if your first and last name is taken try a variation of your business name or your name. Just use good relative Keyphrases in your Bio so they can be found by search engines.

Facebook - I'm assuming you're going to set-up a FanPage so you will want to use your Business name. And, become a fan of yourself

LinkedIn - My account is in my Name. I've noticed when I do a search by company name, the results list is huge. Now if you type in the persons name search results are narrowed. Someone else might have more insight.

Hope this helps you some!

ShanteM · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009

Thank for the advice Kena! Signing up for Twitter and Facebook are on my to do list for this week. I wanted to make sure I had the correct set up.

divineva · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009

I personally use my personal name for Twitter. Linkedin and Facebook (with a business page) since it fits in with the personal nature of social media. I don't have a MySpace account.

The Office Virtuoso · #5 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

I'm only on Linkedin and Facebook and I use my name but mention/advertise my business.

JKVirtualOffice · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

I recommend going with your name for Twitter (wish I had but didn't as a newbie). Use your real name for a personal profile on Facebook and use your business name for your Facebook Fan Page and be sure to include some keywords in the title of your fan page (again, I didn't do this at the time b/c I didn't know about it...now I make sure to do it for all my client's fan pages.)

I have a myspace with my business name....but NEVER use it...don't even have any "friends" on it

LinkedIn should always be your real name with your business name listed as where you currently work.

Try and brand your IDs for different social networks to be the same as closely as you can...for example, almost all of my social network accounts are jkvirtualoffice- this includes Stumbleupon, YouTube, Delicious, this forum and others.

leedrozak · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

I use my real name for all (except myspace which I never use and started when my children used it). I also have a business page on Facebook.

VADeb · #8 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

Good advice! I'm never sure if I should promote my name or business name with social media sites. I use Facebook for family and friends. LinkedIn is business only. Still not Twittering, yet.

ShanteM · #9 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

I will use my real name with Twitter and Facebook. I am not familiar with how Facebook works, I have made a note to make sure that I have a fan page with my business name on it.

AboveParr · #10 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009

I tend to try and use the same user name for any "work" forums etc, including Twitter mainly so I remember how to sign in! I use my real name and have a group on Facebook for the business, but haven't done a "fan" page which sounds like a good idea...