Tips for naming your page
Last week we talked about the difference in LinkedIn pages vs. groups. Today we’re talking about naming conventions for your different social media accounts. With LinkedIn, this topic isn’t AS important as it will be when we get to Instagram, X etc. because those require a “handle” while LinkedIn does not. You can change the name in LinkedIn pretty easily without having to create an entire new account like you would if you wanted to change your Instagram handle (that is, the word that comes after the @). Today we’ll focus more on naming for LinkedIn pages but some of these tips can apply across the board with other social media accounts as well. But for instance, like with tip #4, the opposite may be true for use on Instagram. For the others, we’ll get into specifics for those in coming weeks, we’ll just focus on LinkedIn today.
Choosing the right name for your page is more important than it may seem. Your page name is the first thing people will see and search for when looking to connect with your Chapter, so it needs to be clear, professional, and easy to find. A well-chosen name not only strengthens your Chapter's branding but also ensures members and potential members can quickly locate and engage with your content.
1. Keep It Simple and Descriptive
When naming your LinkedIn page, simplicity and clarity are key. Your Chapter’s name should be instantly recognizable to members and align with the broader ASSP identity. Avoid using overly creative or abstract names that could confuse people. Stick to what works, like "ASSP [Chapter Name]" or "ASSP [Region] Region 6." This makes it clear that the page is associated with ASSP and the specific chapter or region it represents.
Side note - while it might seem natural to include the word "Chapter" in the name, such as “ASSP [City] Chapter,” it's often unnecessary and can make the name feel clunky. Your audience already knows that you’re representing a local group. Including "Chapter" is like saying, “You are in Safety 101 Training” when simply saying, “Safety 101” gets the point across. The context is clear, and the extra word adds little value.
By keeping it concise—like “ASSP [City]” or “ASSP [Region]”—you make the name cleaner and easier to find. This also aligns with modern branding practices, where clarity and brevity are prioritized. It reduces redundancy and helps keep the focus on the content and purpose of your page, rather than cluttering it with unnecessary labels.
Shorter names are easier to remember, type, and search for, improving the user experience for members trying to locate your page. Ultimately, the name should provide immediate recognition without excess words that detract from the professionalism and focus of your LinkedIn presence.
2. Include Location or Region When Appropriate
If your Chapter serves a specific geographic area, be sure to include that location in the name. This helps members in that area quickly identify the page, especially if they are looking to engage locally. For example, “ASSP Southern California” or “ASSP Houston” makes it easy for users to find the right page when searching based on their region or location.
For Regions, you will have to decide whether to use numeric or roman numerals in your name. For Region VI, we decided to use roman numerals to align with how its represented on society’s website and other places. However, our website is region6.assp.org so I can understand the confusion across different platforms. With whatever route you go, stay consistent across platforms, which is a good lead into…
3. Ensure Consistency Across Platforms
For chapters using multiple social media platforms or websites, it’s important to maintain consistency in your naming conventions. If your LinkedIn page name is different from your Facebook, Instagram, or website URL, it can confuse your audience. Consistent naming across platforms reinforces your brand identity and makes it easier for members to find you no matter where they look.
4. Avoid Acronyms or Abbreviations
While it might be tempting to shorten your Chapter’s name to save space, using acronyms or abbreviations can make it harder for people to find your page. Most people searching for your Chapter will use the full name, so it’s important that your LinkedIn page reflects that. For example, “ASSP Greater Chicago” is more effective and searchable than “ASSP GCC”. Another example is ASSP Greater Tidewater. People in that Chapter may know it as GTC but for a new member, or intuitively when searching online, most are going to start typing in Greater Tidewater instead. This goes the same for chapters that are named after states, e.g., North Carolina, spell it out rather than saying ASSP NC.
5. Use Keywords for Searchability
LinkedIn's search function relies heavily on keywords, so it’s important to think about what terms people might use when looking for your Chapter. Including "ASSP" and your Chapter’s name or location helps ensure your page shows up in relevant search results. Additionally, avoid unnecessary words or characters that could make your page harder to find.
You will have to decide in what order the name [Chapter] and where “ASSP” will go in your name. For Region VI, I decided to place, “Region VI” at the front. I wanted to try and differentiate when someone was to search for us from Society’s page. If someone where to type in “American Society of Safety Professionals” or “ASSP”, they are likely to get a number of results first over Region VI’s page. That presented a problem for me. Instead, if someone searches just “Region VI”, the likelihood of our page coming up first in the list is much higher.
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Choosing the right name for your LinkedIn page is a small step that can have a big impact on your Chapter’s visibility and engagement. By keeping it simple, including your location, and using consistent naming across platforms, you can ensure that your page is easy to find and effectively represents your Chapter. Taking the time to get it right will pay off in increased visibility and a more engaged membership base.
Until next week 👋🏻
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