Did you know that some Instagram usernames out there are worth thousands of dollars?
It may seem surprising that someone would be willing to pay such money for a simple online handle. However, if we examine the situation more closely, it becomes clear just what value an Instagram username can represent.
In fact, having a cool Instagram username is one of the key factors in establishing and growing your personal brand as an influencer or a company.

1. The username speaks for the whole brand
If someone comes across your brand on Instagram for the first time, your username will be the first thing they see – and, by extension, the initial indicator they have for judging your brand.
Your username on Instagram is, in the context of the platform, the face of your brand – or the initial calling card that potential followers will see. If it’s a cool and original one, successfully conveying what you’re about, visitors’ initial reaction to your brand is guaranteed to be more positive.

2. Easy to remember
Being memorable is one of the defining features of a good Instagram username – and cool names are much easier to remember than dull or overly complex ones.
A memorable username will make it easier for potential new followers to find you. It will also make your networking and marketing efforts more effective – getting an audience to see a mention of you is only half the battle; they also need to remember your name to be able to find you later on.

3. Original username, original brand
If you’re trying to make it as an Instagram influencer or brand, chances are you have something original and unique to share with the social media world. Whether it’s your perspective, fashion sense, personality, or any other aspect of what you do, you have to be unique in some way to draw in a wide audience.
A cool Instagram username will reflect this, communicating to visitors to your profile that there is something extraordinary about you.

4. Intriguing username = more profile views
Put yourself in the shoes of the average Instagram user, casually browsing the platform. Which would be more likely to pique your interest: a cool, original username or a generic nickname, like xjohn_doex_123?
By using a cool username on Instagram, you’ll make your account eye-catching and intriguing enough to attract additional visitors.

5. A good username will make you look professional
Generic, boring, overly long or complex usernames – such as modifications of your real name to find a username that’s not yet taken - look somewhat lazy and unprofessional. A sleek, cool username that matches your brand, meanwhile, shows that you’re serious about your Instagram presence. This can help you draw in new followers, as well as make it easier to establish professional connections.

6. Usable across all platforms
Your Instagram username is more than the string of characters you use to sign into your account – it’s your online signature. If you choose a unique, cool username to represent your brand, you can also use it on other outlets (such as other social media platforms or your official website’s URL) with consistent branding.

7. Easier to build connections
With a cool username, it’ll be easier to connect with other influencers and companies. Connections are crucial to promoting and growing your brand. Collaborations with other influencers or taking part in podcasts, for example, expose a whole new audience to your content.
Brands with an Instagram presence aren’t likely to want to collaborate with someone who hasn’t got a professional, sleek Instagram profile – and a cool username is a large part of that.

8. Increase your chances of getting marketing deals
Similar to connections for collabs, companies looking for influencers to promote their product will also pay attention to every detail of your profile and content – including your username.
If your Instagram handle suggests you’re a professional with an established brand and a good idea of what you stand for, your chances of securing a marketing deal are considerably higher.

9. Confidence boost
Having an Instagram username that matches your brand and makes you stand out from the competition is sure to give you a confidence boost and help you find your voice.
Getting the perfect username on Instagram is no small achievement – given that there are over a billion active users on the platform, it costs a lot of effort and/or money to secure a relevant, unique, high-quality handle.
Once you’ve invested into getting the best username for your brand, you’re much more likely to find the motivation to keep working on expanding your presence.
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10. Choosing a username that can grow with your brand
Picking a username ‘for now’ and having to rebrand your Instagram once you’ve grown an audience is not a good idea. Although changing your username with a decent following is certainly possible, it’s inadvisable simply for the confusion it can cause – and confusion costs you existing and potential followers
A unique, cool Instagram username picked right at the start of your Instagram career will still be relevant a few years down the line, enabling you to consistently work towards your goals without setbacks caused by mixed branding.