Maybe you’re the kind of person that hates social media. You despise Facebook, you think Twitter is dumb, and you don’t even know what Foursquare does. Or maybe you’re interested in social media but your burgeoning business doesn’t have time to create content and manage multiple social networks. Whether you’re not into it or not up to it, you should claim your name anyway. Here’s why:
As you all know, Netflix recently split into two operations. The streaming side of the business is keeping the Netflix name but the DVD mailing side was dubbed with a new title: Qwikster. Well, someone had already claimed the name Qwikster, at least on Twitter. And he’s a foul-mouthed man who tweets riveting updates like “U.S.A U.S.A U.S.A YEAH BUDDY.†Idiot.
Unless you want to confuse your customers and freak out your friends, it’s best to lock down your social identities even if you’re just going to lock it up and never visit the site again. Sites like KnowEm run your name or business title through hundreds of social networks and report back on where your name is or isn’t available. When it comes to claiming you online identity it’s use it or lose it.
