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For example, Facebook allows you to have a customize the website address for both your PERSONAL PROFILE and your PAGE. It creates a shorter address in the format www.facebook.com/____________.
However, without reading following the tips below, you might get stuck with a name that is not in line with your brand.
The PLAN part here starts with making a decision about what your “username” will be across EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE AND YOUR WEBSITE. I’m Virtuallinda EVERYWHERE online. I made this decision back in 1998 and have consistently secured this username at every new site – and got the domain name to match.
The reason is that it’s about my BRAND everywhere, not just on Facebook. The username becomes part of my business identity and I use it to COMMUNICATE on every bit of marketing I do both online and in-person. You want people to easily remember your URL and not have different usernames for different sites. Imagine promoting it in passing at a networking event. I say “I’m Virtuallinda on every social site.” My URL is also www.virtuallinda.com.
Pretty easy to remember, right?
In order to select a username, consider what your business is now and where it it going. For example, had I selected “CirquelWebDesign” (my old business name) then I would have been limited as I expanded my business. Instead, I focused on my personal brand as Virtuallinda.
On Facebook, you also can create a shortcut to your personal profile. I selected my name, so it is www.facebook.com/linda.schenk. I have the URL of www.lindaschenk.com which you can forward to your website or use with a very simple “profile hub” which will link to your other profiles.
If you have several businesses, lock down the usernames for ALL of them, even if you don’t use them as your main account. It’s better to have one and not promote or use it than let your competition steal it. They will.
This is a very important decision and if you need more help than just reading this blog post, schedule a Marketing QuickHelp session!.
Often I do “clean up” with my clients because they have read something online that they then follow and it doesn’t optimally set themselves up.
For example, had you just followed the instructions of “go to www.facebook.com/username” and typed something in, you could have chosen a name that you might not be happy with now.
I have 23+ years of experience in web design, technology, strategy, branding and marketing online. I can’t possibly write instructions that will cover all of my knowledge. I use this to give specific advice to my clients. I can point you in the right direction and make sure that you don’t make critical mistakes. I will do the more difficult parts of technical setup combined with DIY instructions for maintaining and using the sites.
Your business will be online for many, many years to come. It’s not worth taking a risk of building a shaky foundation. Think of your brand as a house. The blueprints and foundation are what make that house stable and easy to expand.
I also have a few other tricks that are not included here (a girl has to keep some secrets, right?) Other social networks have tricks that I use to best setup them up. I have a process that use that is quick for me to do, but it would take you at least a valuable hour of your time to sort through the many steps I take.
The full process I use for all my clients starts with your business goals. We will work through a “PLAN, BRAND and COMMUNICATE” process to assure that you are ACTING when making decisions about your brand, not REACTING to reading one quick tip.
I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed by reading blog posts full of ideas, tactics & tools. Be honest...
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To your success,
Marketing Strategist & Designer
I work with service-based entrepreneurs to attract more ideal leads, 24/7. I use a practical and flexible approach to adjust to the new normal…and beyond. I offer a blend of 26+ years of expertise in marketing, websites, brand identity, strategy, tech solutions and more. My skills link together like blocks to create a custom fit for you.