When it comes to branding, ideally you'll want your name/username to be consistent across all social media sites.
Whether you're creating a new site or a new product, or you want to more firmly establish the one you've already got, a great tool to check if and where your desired name is available is called KnowEm.
From the site:
KnowEm allows you to check for the use of your brand, product, personal name or username instantly on over 550 popular and emerging social media websites. Grab your name and secure your brand before someone else does.
They have paid-for plans for serious online types, but you can do a basic search for free.
For example, here's the results I got when I typed in AmyLynnAndrews:
It will also tell you domain name availability and whether or not your chosen name is registered as a trademark in the USPTO (a good start to your trademark search):
Handy! Check it out here. And check out my other branding tips too.
This didn't work the greatest for me. Maybe because Heavenly Cent is 2 words, but as my website address, it is 1 word? I tried both. In both instances, it says 'Facebook" is available, but I already have Heavenly Cent on Facebook. Using it as 2 words, it says my website domain is for sale (which I suppose makes a little sense, since it's 1 word there).
I can trademark the name, but it looks like it would cost $500 or so. That seems like a lot of money…
Yes, trademarking does cost a lot of money. I don't necessarily recommend doing so and shelling out the cash. I'm not a lawyer, but as long as you can prove "first use" I think you still have trademark even if it's not officially registered.
Thanks for the info about one vs. two words. That's good to know! Thanks, Cheryl.
Also did not work so well for me. It said Studio Julie Snow was available on facebook but I clearly already have that page on facebook – is this very accurate?
Thanks for letting me know, Julie. I think the trick is to remember this is for handles (as opposed to just general names). So for example, I notice if I enter "juliesnow" it shoes FB is not available. However, "julie snow" *is* available on FB. Does that make more sense?
Thanks so much for this! What an awesome tool. This is something I can use to make sure all areas are covered for my Brand. (To answer those above, I believe you have to have this as all one word as it would be on these social media sites… ie. http:://facebook.com/yourbrandhere is what your Facebook Direct Link would be so I would try it that way.) Thanks Amy!
Thanks Amy! I just checked my site and it says on Facebook it's not available which would be correct because I have a page already. When I checked my name it says it is not available on Twitter. I own my first and last name dot com after seeing your other post about registering your name domain. I do not have a Twitter account. Do you recommend getting accounts for Twitter and other social media sites so I can secure the handle in case I need it in the future? I checked and my first name middle initial last name is available on Twitter. Let me know if you get a chance. Thanks again for all of your helpful info.!!
If you think you'll use it, I would. But if an account is inactive, you can lose it too. It probably doesn't hurt to go for it though.
Thanks Amy!
I have been reading through your blog for the past week and still haven't made it through all of it! I LOVE it and it contains such great information. I haven't put any tips or advice to use yet, right now I am still reading, researching and writing things down. I am feeling a bit overwhelemed but realize I just need to take it one step at a time. Thank you for your help!
Yes, one step at at time. It is overwhelming otherwise! Glad you stopped by and stayed a while, Ehrica.
I'm almost ready to set up my name for my first blog. Thank you so much for your insight!!! Your website has been sooooooo helpful and is my "go to" site!! I want to make sure I understand all of these name things. My brand name and blog name are two different things right?
Not necessarily. They may be the same.
Thanks Amy for all your awesome finds!! BTW I love your site and can not tell you how much time and energy you have saved me during the last few months while getting my blog up and running! THANK YOU!!!
Thanks Amy I am thinking of starting a new blog so that is very helpful.
I'm sorry but this in particular confuses me somewhat. Is there a place on your site that discusses this in detail. Your site is bloggingwithamy.com but your brand name is amylynnandrews. I'm thinking if I do more than one blog I would need my brand name to follow me so I probably don't want it to be my website name. Is this correct?
Oh Peggy, I'm so sorry. I wasn't even paying attention to what I was typing in. I didn't think about the fact that it might be confusing. I have several sites so yes, for this site, my brand would be bloggingwithamy, but I also use amylynnandrews as well. I apologize! So, since I use both bloggingwithamy and amylynnandrews, I would check both of them. I hope that helps clear things up.
Hi there, if my username is already taken on a particular website. Whats the best plan of action to get my username on that site. Should I try to alter the name a bit, or is there anything else that I can do to secure the exact username on that site.
Thanks
Regards
David.
It depends on the website, but you might do some googling to see if there's anywhere you can get a hold of an account with your desired username. For example, on Twitter, I believe, you can request a specific username if the current owner has not used it in a while. You might also simply ask someone if they'd be willing to part with the username (you never know). Otherwise, I'd find a good variation.
Thanks a lot Amy. MySpace, Hi5, Delicious, Youtube, these are the sites were I was not able to secure my username. Do you have any tips on these sites specifically as to how I can secure my exact username.
Regards
David.