AJ Vaynerchuk

Introduction

Twitter is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for communication. Unlike Facebook, you can choose a “handle” for your account name on Twitter. Personally I am using “ajvchuk” as my twitter handle. I use this handle because I am hoping it is a little easier than spelling out my whole name “AJ Vaynerchuk.”

So What’s Your Point?

Twitter accounts will soon be like (but not on the same level) domain names. Your name is your personal brand, and if you do not own the Twitter handle for your full name you are setting yourself up for a fall, just as if you did not own your full name dot com. Shel Israel is paying dearly for this mistake.

Examples of Protecting Your Personal Brand on Twitter

Darren Rowse, owner of ProBlogger tweets from the Twitter handle, “ProBlogger.” Even though he is twittering from his blog’s brand, that doesn’t mean he can’t protect his personal brand:

Gary Vaynerchuk, my brother and host of Wine Library TV twitters from the handle “Garyvee. That doesn’t mean he isn’t protecting his name:

It’s Not Too Late

I actually just realized this mistake this morning! As of this post, I registered my full name on Twitter just 2 hours ago. Twitter is still relatively under the radar, so if you do not own the twitter handle with your first and last name, go out there and go get it now!

“Often, people will blog about the conversations that happen in twitter, the conversation shifts back to blogs.” - Jeremiah Owyang

To keep track of these conversations you only need to follow a few simple steps:

Step 1) Go to Google Alerts

Step 2) Set up your personal google alert by adding your Twitter Handle.

Step 3) Create the alert and never miss another conversation!

Have you been utilizing this great little Twitter tip?