So many of us are using Tinder, Bumble, and similar apps these days that we don't think of "usernames," or handles, on a dating site since all of these apps just pull our real first names from Facebook. But, on sites like JDate, OkCupid, and Match.com, we still have to be more creative than "Erika123."
Sherry917
283834390
ClassyTennisGal
TravelTerpsFan
If I gave you these four usernames (all made up, of course), whose profile do you think you'd click on first? I'd venture to say No. 3 or No. 4. While the username is sometimes an afterthought for many online daters, I encourage you to think of it more as an executive summary. It is one additional chance to share an extra tidbit about yourself in online dating land. Using the computer-generated number or something like your initials and some numbers is analogous to wearing a black suit and white shirt amidst a line of others in a black suit and white shirt. Having a fun, clever username adds some flair, like a pink scarf or a purple tie.
Let's say you walked into a bookstore, and there was a book called, "The Scientific Answer to Your Most Common Questions." Would you buy it? Now, what if it was instead "Why Do Men Have Nipples?: Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini" that graced the shelf? Perhaps some of us, solely out of embarrassment, would opt for the first choice, but I guess that more of us would at least be intrigued by the scandalous title of the second choice. (And for the record, this is a real book. I own it. Don't judge.)
Now, back to usernames.
When online dating, one objective is to catch someone's attention quickly. There are so many options out there that it's important to take every opportunity to differentiate yourself. As an exercise, think of two or three words that really define you _ nouns, verbs, adjectives, anything. Then, try to string them together into a username. For example, mine used to be "LovesLifeDC." For anyone who knows me, you know it's rare to see me without a smile on my face. Another former username of mine was "SassyScotchLover." You get the gist. I'd much rather date a "TravelTerpsFan" over a "283834390" any day. If anything, your potential matches know that you put in the extra time and effort to come up with something creative, even if it only takes a minute. Let's also try to avoid anything negative, like "LonelyGuyinNY" or "NotIntoOnlineDating."
Before you take the leap and post your username, though, make sure it doesn't have any undesired meanings that you didn't intend. For example, I'm pretty sure the buyer at Macy's didn't mean "NiceRack" in the way it comes off. Or how about "buttongirl," who loves her collection of vintage buttons and brooches? It's probably best to leave anything that might be misconstrued as a body part out of your name.
Now, get to the drawing board, and come up with some names! Want to run yours by me? Email info@alittlenudge.com.
