Everything you do affects how people perceive you, and the brand you wish to build. All the details count, the smallest detail can affect your credibility.

I just recently created a TWITTER account, and was excited to create a moniker that branded who I am, instead of just using my name. {Your name is can always create a good brand, but if there is “stickiness” to a moniker, then even better } First step, create my account….simple enough, right? Pick a username and away we go.

However I came up against the challenge of creating a new username for my TWITTER account. The username I usually use online was no longer relevant for the topic I want be seen as an expert on: brand building.

I started with something obvious: BrandGirl. Problem: username not available. Hmmmmmmm……..okay, how about: BrandChick. Available. But then I got to thinking……. is “chick” credible enough for the brand I wish to build. No. So I hopped over to one of my favourite tools thesaurus.com, and it kicked up a slew of options:

Brand_Babe: catchy, but not quite credible enough
Brand_Broad: too brash, and makes me sound like a 50 year old in leopard print, *shudder*
Brand_Dame: not catchy enough, doesn’t roll off the tongue well
Brand_Gal: too casual
Brand_Lady: dunno know why, makes me feel like a realtor
Brand_Lassie: well, as much as I have Scottish blood, too young sounding
Brand_Minx: ummmmm, a little too sexy-edgy for what I want to convey
Brand_Queen: getting closer, provides fun options for a logo, not quite there
Brand_Skirt: neat, a little different, but still not it, too much “huh?” factor
Brand_Wench: ha! need I say anything?

hmmmmmmmmm………….*think*think*think*………..and then something not even in the list, but it definitely lead me there…….

BrandMaven!

A quick check, on another favourite tool, dictionary.com.

Maven: (m?’v?n) n.
(1) A person who has special knowledge or experience; an expert.
(2) Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field.

PERFECT!!!
In two words it identifies what my focus is, credibility, with a little bit of edge.

So there you have the answer, to “What’s in a name?” A LOT!