Your TikTok username is one of the most important decisions when creating your account. With over 1 billion monthly active users, standing out from the crowd is essential. As explained on DailyDot, “If you are seeking TikTok fame, however, your username is massively important. You have to consider how people will find you, and what they will remember about you.” In this article, we will provide tips on brainstorming memorable keywords, researching competitors, optimizing username length, incorporating humor and creativity, checking availability, choosing a profile photo, writing a catchy bio, and properly setting up your account. Follow these steps to give your TikTok account the best chance of being discovered and gaining a loyal following.
Brainstorm Meaningful Keywords
When brainstorming possible keywords for your TikTok username, focus on words related to your interests, personality, and the content you plan to create. Thinking of relevant keywords will help generate username ideas tailored to you.
Make a list of words describing your hobbies, talents, interests, and quirks. If you love baking, jot down words like “bakergirl” or “sugarcookie”. If you’re into fashion, note words like “stylestar” or “runway”. If you plan to post comedy skits, add words like “lol”, “funny”, or “laughs”.
Additionally, consider adjectives that describe your personality and vibes. Words like “happy”, “confident”, “silly”, or “creative” capture positive traits. You can also include words related to your aesthetics, like “sunshine” or “starrynight”.
Brainstorming a wide list of potential keywords provides plenty of fodder for putting together a meaningfully customized, catchy username.
Research Competitors and Influencers
When brainstorming username ideas for your TikTok account, it can be helpful to research competitors and influencers in your niche. This allows you to see what types of names are popular and gives you inspiration for your own unique username. Here are some tips for researching other TikTok users:
Search for top creators in your niche using relevant hashtags like #cookingtips or #beautyblogger. Look at the usernames of popular accounts that align with your interests or industry. See which names stand out and make a strong brand impression.
You can also search directly for keywords related to your niche followed by “tiktok” to find top accounts. For example searching for “fitness tiktok” or “baking tiktok.” Study the usernames you find for patterns or creative approaches you may want to emulate.
Pay attention to which relevant usernames are already taken on TikTok. Search directly for some of your top name contenders before committing to avoid duplication. While referencing others in your niche is helpful, you want a name that uniquely represents you.
Researching competitors and influencers allows you to align your username with your niche while also differentiating yourself. Look for inspiration from others but make sure your name reflects your personal brand identity.
Mind Username Length and Simplicity
When choosing a TikTok username, it’s best to keep it short and simple for maximum impact. According to https://charactercounter.com/tiktok, the TikTok username character limit is 24 characters. Shorter names are often better for branding purposes, as they are easy to remember and fit nicely on the small screen.
Aim for a username with 1-2 short, memorable keywords that communicate your brand. Avoid long, confusing jumbles of words or numbers that people will struggle to spell or pronounce. You want your name to stick in people’s minds, not baffle them. Steer clear of confusing spellings or obscure references in your username that only make sense to you.
Keep it simple like “@dancevideos” or “@foodielife” rather than something like “@x0j4n3d03x0.” Not only are simple names cleaner and more professional looking, they also leave room for you to add useful keywords in your bio.
Incorporate Humor and Creativity
Puns, alliterations and unique phrases stand out as memorable usernames that show your fun side. According to Adobe, incorporating humor into your username is a creative way to grab attention and leave a lasting impression.
Don’t just use your real name or a basic descriptor. Adobe suggests getting inventive with puns, rhymes, alliterations or fun cultural references. For example, names like “DancinQueen”, “ShufflinShawn” or “KeenJeans” are more likely to be remembered than “JohnSmith123.” Hootsuite also recommends brainstorming descriptors for your content niche or personality traits.
Some examples of humorous usernames from the sources include:
– LilFoody – for a cooking niche
– BookBreather – for a book reviewer
– MeloDeelish – for a singer
The goal is to come up with something unique, catchy, and creative. Stay away from boring or vague names that blend in. Stand out with a TikTok handle that sparks curiosity and intrigue.
Check Availability
Before setting your heart on a TikTok username, it’s important to check if it’s available. Search TikTok directly to see if someone else already has your desired username. You can also use third-party username checkers like BrandSnag and MediaMister to quickly check availability.
If your first choice isn’t available, try slight variations by adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens. Getting creative with prefixes and suffixes can also help you find an available name. The key is checking a range of options to find a username that represents your brand while still being available.
Choose a Profile Photo
Your TikTok profile photo represents your brand and content, so select an image that aligns with your niche and personality. According to Simplified.com, use a high-quality, clear photo of yourself that shows your face and expression (source). The image should be well-lit and ideally capture you mid-action doing something fun or interesting. Fotor recommends choosing a friendly, approachable facial expression and playing with angles to find your best side (source). Avoid overly edited or filtered photos—go for natural beauty. Pick an image that invites viewers to click and makes them excited to see your videos.
Write a Catchy Bio
Your TikTok bio is a great opportunity to give followers a preview of the content you plan to post while also showing off your personality. Keep it short and catchy to pique interest. Consider including a few relevant hashtags to help people find your content. For example, if you plan to post dance videos you could include #dance or #fyp. Show your personality by adding a witty or funny line that gives a taste of your sense of humor. Quirky and creative bios tend to gain more followers. Just make sure it’s representative of your brand and content.
According to sources like Publer and Oberlo, inspirational or motivational quotes in your bio can be a great way to intrigue new followers. Some examples are “Kindness is magic!” or “Stay humble!” (Publer). Asking an interesting question in your bio is another approach to stand out while prompting users to engage, such as “How will you be better today?” (Oberlo). The key is crafting a bio that invites curiosity about you and what you post.
Set Up Your Account
The final step is to actually set up your new TikTok account. First, you’ll want to claim your desired username if it’s available. According to the TikTok Help Center, “Usernames must be between 4-15 characters. They can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.”
Next, upload a fun, creative profile photo that represents your brand. TikTok recommends using an image that is 720×720 pixels. You can take a new selfie or find a relevant stock image.
Then, populate your bio with a short description of your account and include relevant hashtags that are commonly used in your niche. You can also link other social media profiles or a website in your bio to drive traffic to those platforms.
According to a guide from Hootsuite, “Your TikTok bio can have up to 80 characters. Use them wisely to share your value proposition, important links, and any calls-to-action.”
With your username set, profile photo uploaded, and bio completed, your TikTok account is ready to start creating and sharing videos!
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect TikTok username takes creativity and strategic thinking. Start by brainstorming meaningful keywords that describe your brand and interests. Do your research to see what names are already taken and get inspiration from competitors and influencers you admire. Aim for a name that is short, simple, humorous and unique if possible. Check availability across platforms to make sure your preferred name is available. Pair your new handle with an eye-catching profile photo and bio. Once your account is set up, stay consistent and engage with your newly branded content.
Most importantly, choose a name you feel reflects your identity and passion. Putting thought into your username will pay off by boosting discovery and views. Don’t stress too much about creating the “perfect” name right away. You can always rebrand later. Have fun brainstorming creative options until you find the one that clicks!
