I’ve made a change.
A BIG change.
Well, in my social-media-obsessed mind it’s a bold, italics change.
I would’ve added underline as well but I couldn’t find it on the WordPress toolbar. (please note that wordpress designers. i know you read my stuff.)
Ok, cue the violins.
Wait for it…
I’m saying goodbye to @NaynaDub.
Oh, wait, you’re not on twitter?
You have no idea what I’m talking about today?
Why is there a symbol before that strange name?
If you answered no, no and you’re nodding your head about the symbol question – have an awesome day and no need to read further. We’ll be back to my regular parenting mishaps Tuesday.
For the rest of you…
I’ve been thinking about this change all summer long.
Sleepless nights.
Cold sweats.
Pacing back and forth.
It was basically Sophie’s Choice of the Twitterverse.
Do I or don’t I?
One thing that sparked this discussion in my head (and numerous chats with Charlie) was the fact that a LOT of people ask me why my twitter handle has nothing to do with my blog.
The reason for that? I’ve been tweeting since before I started blogging.
I know. I really am cutting edge. I should add that to my resume.
I created a Twitter account back in 2008, when it became apparent it was the only way to still get attention from my social-media-loving husband.
If the boobs I had out all the time nursing our son weren’t commanding it, Twitter certainly would.
I created a handle that was actually a bit of a joke.
Nayna (a nickname from my family derived from Elena) and Dub (something my students called me back in my first year of teaching since my last name starts with a W). It just kind of stuck.
At that time, all I did on Twitter was follow my husband and mildly-stalk Ashton Kutcher.
Then last summer I became more active on it and started my blog in January.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately though about personal branding. Thanks, Hajj. BrandCamp made this girl think.
I saw a friend of mine from the Detroit Social Media Community, Nikki Stephan, take the plunge by changing her twitter handle from something fun to her name. (Not that your name’s not fun, Nikki.)
I went back and forth on whether to use my blog name as a new handle.
The ones that I thought made the most sense were either taken or didn’t fit. Twitter’s big on setting up character limits if you hadn’t noticed.
The other deciding factor was that I do a lot of things outside of my blog. For example, TEDxDetroit, Detroit Bloggers and VlogTalk. I realized that my blog is a big part of my social media life, but not the whole thing.
I also have a few more ideas up my sleeve because I guess I don’t remotely value sleep.
I decided that all of these items fall under one umbrella: Me.
I will miss NaynaDub. That handle encompassed my personality. Kind of cheeky. Kind of goofy. But, I feel like I have to be a little bit more serious with my brand if I want to make a few things happen.
So, I’m now my name, @ElenaWollborg. If you were following me before, you’ll still be following me now.
Different handle. Same lobsters.
Peace out, all.
Oh, wait, one more thing. Some helpful hints…
Great tip for changing your handle and not leaving people lurking to find you (as suggested by my oh-so-smart hubby).
I have actually owned @ElenaWollborg for a long time. I highly suggest to anyone GRAB YOUR NAME. Even if you are just holding on to it. You never know if you’ll want to switch from what you have now and you don’t want someone else to take it.
I did worry though that people would tweet to @NaynaDub if they didn’t read this post (I know, the nerve of someone ignoring my blog) and I would miss those tweets.
This is how I am ensuring that won’t happen.
I went into the @ElenaWollborg account that I had and changed it to @ElenaWollborg2.
I then hopped on the existing @NaynaDub account and sat there, tapping my fingers on the desk, feverishly trying to snag the now open @ElenaWollborg. (I guess I thought it was in high demand or something). After about five tries, I got the green light!
I then went back over to @ElenaWollborg2 and changed that to the now available @NaynaDub. I put it in my bio that you can now find me @ElenaWollborg. I will also check that account for the next few months and tweet back to anyone who tweets me there that there’s been a change.
Good tip, Charlie. He’s definitely a keeper. If nothing else but for his social media advice.
August 21, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Those are some serious Twitter Ninja moves girl!
Julie @ mamamash recently posted..Take me down to the little white church
August 23, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I know. I owe all those ninja skills to my husband.
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
Says:
August 21, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Yay for @ElenaWolberg!! I always wondered how @NaynaDub came about. When I first started on Twitter, my handle had my son’s name in it. As soon as I started blogging, I changed it to my blog name. I’m also happy I snagged @MamaWantsThat as my alter ego, hee hee!
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Guest Star: Jessica of Four Plus An Angel
August 23, 2011 at 5:38 pm
I’m glad you snagged that as well. It’s a very funny alter ego!
Twitter: TheDanaK
Says:
August 21, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Nice job! It’s been the week of twitter handle changes. I’m not going to squat my name, though. It’s longer than twitter allows, so there’s no point. My last name alone might be longer than twitter allows. Huh.
Now I need to count out the letters but I don’t have enough fingers & I can’t see my toes.
Dana K recently posted..Eli Rose Social Media Blog Assessment
August 23, 2011 at 5:38 pm
It really has been the week of change! I’m curious if your last name fits.
August 21, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Way to take the plunge! People who aren’t on Twitter may make fun of us for sweating about such a “pithy” change, but it’s a big deal in the social media space. I had secured @nikkistephan awhile ago (just like Charlie suggested), and Brand Camp last year is what pushed me over the edge to make the switch. And I haven’t looked back once.
I think it was wise that you chose your real name versus your blog name. While I am sure you will be blogging for many years to come, your style may change and the name may change. Your real name is NOT changing. So smart move going with your name as your handle.
I’m about to make my second Twitter handle change, and of course I’ve been slightly stressing about it. I learned firsthand that a switch to your real name can be done successfully. But I’m switching last names, so that’s a stressor in and of itself! I’m also not thrilled that the person with the handle I want barely tweets, but I’m still planning on working on her a bit to give it up.
Nikki Stephan recently posted..One Thing That Should Remain Constant As Our Loves in Life Change
August 23, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Thanks, Nikki! I do remember you doing it right last year around BrandCamp. That’s what I thought as well – you never know if I’ll change the name and I don’t want to go through the whole twitter change again. Maybe I’ll start tweeting and begging her to give it up.
Twitter: trombone13
Says:
August 21, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Great idea about reserving the name. I certainly don’t think my name is popular enough that anyone would take my name before I got to it, but you never know, so I’ve just registered @KurtTrowbridge (shame about the long last name, but I don’t want to shorten it to @KurtTrow or anything) just in case I do decide to switch eventually.
I’ve followed Charlie for a while…looks like I need to follow the other half now as well!
August 23, 2011 at 5:40 pm
That’s right – you never know. I have a very odd first & last name – but you still have to snag it just in case!
August 22, 2011 at 12:04 am
Congrats on the growth spurt.
I don’t think I’ll change it, since I’ve been literally been watty online since 1997. I guess I shouldn’t say never though. I didn’t see myself going back to school, yet someone put her application in…
Angela Watts recently posted..two three three
August 23, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Thanks.
Yours definitely makes sense though because it’s so similar to your last name…mine was just some goofy joke. Interesting about the application…can’t wait to hear more!
Twitter: Mytimeasmom
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 2:32 am
I can’t believe you didn’t inform me of this change by text message when it was happening. I was a sad panda to see it on Twitter.
I’m glad you made the change. It will take a little while for Klout to catch up with it.
Now, I just need to remember this change. This might be hard.
Jessica recently posted..A No Bummer Summer
August 23, 2011 at 5:41 pm
This is me keeping you on your toes. I think you’ll remember just fine with as much as we talk on twitter.
August 22, 2011 at 4:53 am
Thanks for explaining the history behind NaynaDub, although it’s history now. I’ve always wondered although I still don’t get why ‘Dub’.
I’ve just changed my name too…to my name. Mom2kiddos to Germaine. I figured it’s getting confusing.
You are a real trendsetter for being on Twitter way back in 2008. I was still very much immersed in being a cow to my son.
Kiddothings recently posted..When Yang Met Yin
August 23, 2011 at 5:42 pm
It was funny – students called me “Dub” my first year and it went away. They have other nicknames now. None that I’m using on twitter.
I signed up back in 2008 but didn’t really tweet until last summer.
Twitter: babspinfrance
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 5:08 am
I was wondering about your original twitter handle. I think the change will be good for you!
Barbara recently posted..All over the place
August 23, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Thanks! We’ll see how it goes…I may have NaynaDub withdrawals.
August 22, 2011 at 8:42 am
I think it was a great change. I went ahead a reserved my real name on Twitter after reading your post.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Muffin Tin Monday- Happy Tooth Fairy Day
August 23, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Thanks! Good for you! Always good to have it just in case.
Twitter: momgosomething
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 8:43 am
Are you going to be like Prince or P.Diddy and change your name more than I change my underwear…which I do daily unless I had food poisoning and couldn’t make it to the bathroom in time but that’s not what this comment is about…
Kimberly recently posted..A Tale Of Stepping Out Then Stepping Into The Public Bathroom
August 23, 2011 at 5:44 pm
It’s funny because I almost wrote a whole post about turning myself into a symbol…but then I just got lazy and it was stressing my brain out. I’m glad to hear there are underwear changes – especially after food poisoning.
August 22, 2011 at 9:03 am
I was wondering about that too…thanks for the clarification! I’ll make sure I’m still following you in twitter world!
Natalie recently posted..Life’s Lessons: Where Did This Year Go Edition
August 23, 2011 at 5:44 pm
You should be – as long as you were following me before, you’re all set. It’s all under the old account so I didn’t lose anything that way.
August 22, 2011 at 9:22 am
Like the change. The original name was nice but the new one feels more person and direct. Change is good in this case.
August 23, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Thanks! I will miss the old one, but like I said, guess it was time to grow up!
Twitter: notmommyofyear
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 9:32 am
Oh it’s like you’re in my head. I actually have my name. Sort of, first initial last name – that I use for more “professional” stuff, but I almost never use that account. So I’ve been thinking about combining the two. But for some reason I feel nervous about combining “mommy blogger” with “professional working person”. SIGH.
Krista recently posted..Coach Chessa
August 23, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Yes – that part is hard. I’m actually starting an account for work but it’s also because I’m a teacher and I don’t want my students following me on my personal twitter. I think whatever works for you is what to do. But, if you think the two could just be a combo, do it! Then you only have one account to worry about.
August 22, 2011 at 9:39 am
That makes a lot of sense.
I chose shellthings as a combination of my name and my blog’s name.
I do get confused when someone has a twitter handle that has nothing to do with either. I might tweet with them and not make the connection from their twitter account to their blog… even though I follow both!
Shell recently posted..The Hot Seat
August 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
I have always liked your combo. Now you’re going to have me pacing wondering about @ElenaTimeout.
August 22, 2011 at 9:45 am
At first I gasped because I thought you were saying goodbye to Twitter!!! But a name change I can handle. Phew!
Rach B recently posted..Knitted Together
August 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Oh gosh no. There isn’t a 12 step program that could cure me of Twitter.
Twitter: laurenweber84
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 9:52 am
Congrats, girlfriend! I, too, think it’s a wise change. After already doing one handle change, I can honestly say the transition is much easier than you anticipate. Cheers to @ElenaWollborg!
Mrs. Weber recently posted..‘Knee Deep’ in Country
August 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Thanks, Lauren! @ElenaWollborg gladly accepts your cheers.
August 22, 2011 at 9:53 am
Ok, not that I didn’t have *enough* to do after BloggyBootCamp, now I have to grab my name on twitter too?!
Great advice… and I’m seriously thinking about changing my handle as well in the not so distant future.
Julie recently posted..Wisdom Wednesday: Do what you want to do…
August 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Yes – I’m adding to your list! Well, let me know when you do.
Twitter: EverythingEvie
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 9:57 am
Good for you, Elena! I can’t believe you just started blogging in January. It’ll be hard to remember this change, but I’ll get the hang of it!!
See ya in the Twitterverse….
Eve recently posted..Cool Kids’ Table – Home Is A Work in Progress
August 23, 2011 at 5:58 pm
I’ll just tweet you a lot – then you’ll remember.
August 22, 2011 at 10:14 am
Good for you on making the change! My twitter handle has nothing to do with my blog because I hadn’t planned on linking my blog. Then I did, and I just haven’t changed the name. After reading this, I might just do it.
Jackie recently posted..Life’s Lessons: Back to school and more edition
August 23, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Glad to have helped! Who knew this post would be remotely influential.
Twitter: amandaaustin
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 10:39 am
This is exactly why I stuck with @AmandaAustin. I was tweeting WAY before I was writing my blog. I have had people suggest I change it to match my blog and I could never figure out a good excuse why other than “I like my name”…but I do…there is only ONE AmandaAustin without any other numbers/letters on Twitter. I guess I could reserve it on another Twitter name like you did, but I’m also so much more than just my blog and use my Twitter for other things, too. It doesn’t make sense for me to have one for work and one for my blog because I’d just end up using one of them all the time anyway. This was a great post!!
Amanda recently posted..Crib Sheets
August 23, 2011 at 5:57 pm
It definitely makes sense if you’re doing more in social media. I thought about doing a blog one as well – but then that’s just one more twitter account that I have to run. read: forget about.
August 22, 2011 at 10:43 am
You will always be my Nayna.
And that stuff at the end? Kinda made my head hurt.
I’ll link to this when I do the post for Friday.
liz recently posted..Introducing: iPhone Photo Phun
August 23, 2011 at 5:56 pm
It made my head hurt, too. I just had Charlie hovering over me, telling me exactly what to do because I would’ve messed it up without supervision.
Twitter: Therealdanig
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 11:30 am
Different name, same lobsters! Made me giggle.
Gonna go grab my real name (whatever that is)
Dani G recently posted..ColoRADo!
August 23, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Couldn’t let go of the lobsters just yet.
August 22, 2011 at 11:32 am
Great advice! I never thought about using my name. Twinisms was already taken when I started blogging. I thought about hunting down that loser and forcing her to give it to me, since she wasn’t using it anyway, but decided that was kind of immature and stupid. Like me.
Bridget recently posted..Superiority Complex
August 23, 2011 at 5:55 pm
I would’ve hunted her down. Apparently, I’m even more immature and stupid.
Twitter: spitupchronicle
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 11:59 am
I was wondering about the name change!
Thanks for the information, Ill be going to reserve my name although its so common Im sure someone already has it.
Jessica recently posted..Summer Smashed
August 23, 2011 at 5:55 pm
No problem!
Twitter: suitcasetricks
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I OBJECT!!! Whatever. I’m starting a new hashtag #NaynaDubWasMoreFun
Ali recently posted..2nd Grade Stinks, But My Kid Doesn’t
August 23, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Oh my gosh – I love that hashtag!
August 22, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I was wondering about your former twitter handle some days ago. Thanks for explaining, and I’m glad that the switch was so easy for you. I hadn’t considered grabbing up my real name as a twitter handle, but your words have convinced me that I should. Thank you!
August 23, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Good to hear! Glad to see a lot of you are grabbing it after reading this post. Geez, I wonder what else I could post about to influence people on?
Twitter: closetwriter
Says:
August 22, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Elena,
I have been contemplating this for months too. Thanks for the tips!
Christina recently posted..Juice deal of the day- Phil’s Icehouse
August 23, 2011 at 5:48 pm
No problem! The tips were all Charlie.
August 22, 2011 at 6:11 pm
So that’s why when I was trying to find a tweet from you recently, I couldn’t find it!
Hope your travels back to MI were smooth! It was so nice meeting you!
Kmama recently posted..Proud Mommy Moments: The Best and the Worst
August 23, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Yep! I actually wanted to change it for the past few weeks, but I waited because of BBC. Didn’t want to have to get new business cards. It was so great to meet you as well!
August 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Congrats Elena. I will miss nayna though.
Leighann recently posted..Ugly Thieving Trolls
August 23, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I know! Maybe I’ll bring her out for wineparty!
August 23, 2011 at 7:20 am
Nice to hear the story behind Naynadub and though I will miss it and am not good with change I can handle it I guess
.
Jessica recently posted..The Hot Seat
August 23, 2011 at 5:46 pm
I’ll miss Nayna, too. I still actually have that account – so I can always tweet from it if I need to. Maybe I need to throw a cowboy hat on that avi as well.
August 23, 2011 at 10:08 am
yea for change
& you know, i have always wondered the story behind Naynadub – thanks for sharing & glad i read this post or i might have gotten confused & wondered where you went 
Devan @ Accustomed Chaos recently posted..Top Ten Ways To Get Rid of Baby Fever
August 23, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Glad I could clarify. I wanted to do the post with it because I know a handle change can be confusing for sure!
August 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm
I always wondered about NanyaDub. Great to hear the story behind the name.
Cam – Bibs & Baubles recently posted..Down the Aisle
August 23, 2011 at 5:45 pm
That’s the history of Nayna!
August 23, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Okay, congrats on taking the plunge. But wait just a second.
You’ve only been blogging since January?
HOLY CRAP woman! You are amazing.
And p.s. I never told you this but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name Elena – so much so that I wanted to name my daughter that. BUT my sister-in-law (who got pregnant after me) said she wanted Elena and I deferred.
THEN she didn’t even name her daughter that. (grrrr.)
Don’t get me wrong. I love my girl, Karly. But I wanted her to be Elena. Bad.
Instead, one of the main characters in my in-progress book is Elena. She is hot, sexy and smart. Of course.
True story.
julie gardner recently posted..Today call me wedded.
August 23, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Thanks! Yes, starting in January. Thank you for saying that – very nice compliment. Wow, I never knew you loved the name so much. I’m so excited that the character is named Elena in the book – I can’t wait to read it. I’m also glad she’s hot, sexy and smart.
Twitter: sheswrite
Says:
August 24, 2011 at 1:52 am
Yay! Good for you on taking the plunge. I had a Twitter account before I had a blog too. I was @melaniecoffee and then I launched my blog and so I signed up for another Twitter account where the name matched my blog. I tweet from both handles. It was great meeting you this past weekend at BBCCHI. Looking forward to following you.
She’sWrite recently posted..Rockin’ at Chicago’s Half Marathon
Twitter: LittleMsP
Says:
August 24, 2011 at 9:43 am
First, love it.
Second, thanks for the explanation of your twitter handle before. I really thought it was a play on None Ya Damn Business, or something like that.
Third, Now you got me thinking if I should change mine. I too started tweeting before I blogged. I created LittleMsP cause duh that’s my nickname from the family. THEN I made MsPDrama for back up in case I should ever end up in twitter jail. BUT both those came before my blog. It makes my head spin. Do I change main to MsPDrama or leave it? Do I change MsPDrama to my actual name which is way long? See what you started. *sigh* I could be up for days and days debating this.
Twitter: bestoffates
Says:
August 24, 2011 at 10:55 am
It might not be as fun but I love when people’s Twitter handles match their name/blog/brand – it’s so confusing when it’s something completely out of nowhere!
Megan (Best of Fates) recently posted..I Want You To Stalk Me (And Want Me)
August 24, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Whew. That IS a big choice. Such sneaky moves, too! Great tips, thanks for sharing that – I’ve always wondered how people manage it.
Oh, and “Sophie’s Choice” reference = pure genius. I LOL’d.
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..It’s The Great Pumpkin, Mrs. B!
Twitter: galitbreen
Says:
August 24, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Such a big change- and a good one at that!
Also? Charlie’s trick there- so, so very clever!
XO
Galit Breen recently posted..iPhone Photo Phun
Twitter: MrsMommyMatters
Says:
September 1, 2011 at 2:33 am
I’ve debated on whether or not to change my Twitter handle to my full name. When I was just blogging, it made sense for my handle to match my blog name. But now that I own a business and am looking to expand my writing and social media base, I think it’s time for me to grow up, too. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Courtney @ The Mommy Matters recently posted..I Yell at my Kid…Guess that makes YOU a better mom
September 5, 2011 at 12:09 am
No problem! It’s definitely tough to figure out what to do. A lot of people suggest I change to my blog name but then do a new account for my name. I don’t think that’s a bad option either – but in my opinion, I just don’t have the time to run all these different twitter accounts!