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How do I politely ask a user if I can have their username?
Hello.
I run a website called (let's say) Sitename. Someone's (very kindly) set up a sitename account on Twitter which pulls in a feed of stories from the website.
I've set up my own account (at _sitename) but it'd be great to see if the original sitename user would mind handing over that account name so I don't have to bother with the sense of shame I feel from having an underscore in my username.
I've started following them - is there anything else I can do to let them know I exist? I think they must be a fan of the site if they've set the Twitter account up for it...
Thanks!
I run a website called (let's say) Sitename. Someone's (very kindly) set up a sitename account on Twitter which pulls in a feed of stories from the website.
I've set up my own account (at _sitename) but it'd be great to see if the original sitename user would mind handing over that account name so I don't have to bother with the sense of shame I feel from having an underscore in my username.
I've started following them - is there anything else I can do to let them know I exist? I think they must be a fan of the site if they've set the Twitter account up for it...
Thanks!
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Inappropriate?You can send them a direct message via either "@Sitename" or via "D Sitename Message" If you use "D Sitename message" your message will be sent to their Email Address and placed in their inbox as well as being sent to there mobile. Using "@Sitename Message" will only send the message to any Twitter clients / update programmes in use and the web interface. I would also check to see if they have any URL's set in the profile box, As you may be able to find a direct email address which would allow you to contact them without having to use the Direct message command.
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Inappropriate?Another alternative is to log a support request with Twitter at http://twitter.com/help. I think they can contact the current owner of the account on your behalf. -
Inappropriate?The most important part: thank them for their support and ask nicely. Assume good will and avoid legal threats. You can also offer them a little reward for turning over the account, like a free premium subscription or a company t-shirt.
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Inappropriate?The main hurdle I see is that there's no way to directly contact the occupant of the username. In many cases, it's an 'abandoned' account; someone just didn't take to Twitter like some people do. Then, they've probably got their notices going to a 'dummy' spam account and never see that they've been asked questions. *sigh*
I think I'm going to try a support request with Twitter, but I'm not holding my breath. I think it'd be cool if social sites such as these had a 'new member' period of, for example, 30 days. Your new account expires after 30 days unless you manually continue it within your account settings, profile, or other method. That would automatically purge the inactive and abandoned accounts.
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Inappropriate?I know of one case like this where things turned out okay, although the entire process took 10 days. I hope in your case there is a happy ending as well.
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