May 2, 2008
Your Name Your Blog
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How do you feel about associating your name with your blog? Obviously, I went whole hog with this blog and even used my name as the domain name. Quite a few others have done so too. What was just a way to post questions to other bloggers has turned into a whole business all by itself.
The question is: is it right to do so intentionally. If you're virtually an unknown is it going to impact either way the ability for you to draw in new readers?
I get the impression when people see my domain name, it isn't clear what this blog is about. I didn't (and still don't) have the name recognition of a Terry Dean or Michel Fortin. If I had to do it over I would probably choose a domain name more appropriate to the target audience or keywords. I usually use the domain name as a quick judge of what the site is about. Someone's name, just doesn't give much unless I know the name. Which usually isn't the case in my instance.
But on the other hand, if I want to get my name out there and create a brand "Steven Lohrenz", then maintaining this blog is the best way to do it. I don't think this path is the way I want to go with my business, but at this point I'm still finding my feet and working on shorter term goals, so I'll let this blog develop as it may.
But back to the original question - how do you feel about associating your name with your blog. Pros? Cons?
Popularity: 49% [?]
Filed under Blog, Internet Business, Traffic by Steven Lohrenz
Comments on Your Name Your Blog »
Ala @ 7:47 am
Steven,
I'm not quite sure if want to associate your name with a blog since it doesn't directly relate to the business. These were my initial thoughts. I thought that you intentionally made this choice as it could have been suggested by one of the marketing gurus. I would say that you should definitely keep your website name as a domain name - so that when you do get popular no one would steal it from you. I think that you should change your name soon if you decide to do this since you’re driving a lot of traffic to your site. I would imagine that if you choose a new domain name, you can redirect your visitor from this domain name to the new one. I’m not too sure about this. Does anyone else have any suggestions on this? I would be interested if someone who have more insight on this. I just wanted to give you thoughts.
Ala
Stephen Dean from Copywriting @ 12:51 pm
One problem with building a business around your name is that it's harder to sell later if you want to… and will probably sell for less than if you created a brand.
For me, as a copywriter, it makes sense to brand my name because my clients will be hiring "Stephen Dean." Too bad the domain was taken.
Robert from Make Money Online @ 6:38 pm
I chose not to use my name not just because the domain name was taken but mostly because if I wanted to sell it later, I didn't want it to be based on my name. I'm not in love with the "make money online" market to begin with. I basically started my blog just to see what would happen and I owned the domain cybercashology.com for about a year before I ever put a blog up on it. I own several domains with my name in them but chose not to use them for my blog.
Tony Murphy @ 4:31 am
Hi,
I think its a good idea to own your own name blog for one main reason: its a positive statement of intention that you are going to succeed and your name will become a brand. I've just bought tonymurphy.org but have not started it.
I have already started with http://www.webbusinessarchitecture.com as and have structured it so that it gives me flexibility to build the various areas that I am interested in. As soon as I decide to focus in on one key profitable area I will focus my own name blog on it.
Thats my plan anyway
cheers
Tony
Tony Murphy @ 4:39 am
Hi again,
a bit off topic, actually a lot off topic, but I'm thinking you are an expert so heres the question:
why is your software better than Artemis Pro? I'm guessing that you started with Artemis Pro but decided to use your own software instead?
I'd be interested in your reasoning?
cheers
Tony
Ed from web marketing @ 10:01 am
Hi Steve,
I decided to go for my name because it's my intention for my name to become something of a brand for small UK businesses looking to get better results from the web.
So although I like the idea of being top ranked for phrases like 'web marketing', I felt my name was more appropriate.
(But hey… I love your KeywordLuv so I'm not going to ignore that
Cheers,
Ed.
Tim Gary from Internet Business and Personal Success @ 2:15 am
Ahhh… the gray zone I live in.
I've been struggling with the same question, and am basically doing the same thing as you. Just moving on, and seeing what transpires.
My plan for the future is to separate the business and training "me" from the website (timgary.com) me, such that I share more of myself personally in the timgary.com site, and more of my helpful personal and business information self on another site (like http://www.successunstuck.com).
I expect either to work well… regardless of intent…
Why?
Because if you brand yourself first, you can always use the power of that brand to move into a new domain and business structure. You'd be able to create a non-personally-named brand based on your influence. This brand could continue regardless of who is at the helm.
If you use a non-personal brand, you can always do the reverse and start promoting yourself, and your name if that's the direction you want to go. Take Tim Ferriss and the 4-hour work week. No-one knew who he was until he *first* branded the 4-hour work week. Now his name is also associated with it, and his personal recognition has increased to th highest levels. An extreme example, but nonetheless…
So, my best guess is that you can do it either way, and there is no "right" way. The primary thing that needs to happen is the building of your business, brand, and recognition. Without those, there's not even a valid question in play. It just won't matter–for entirely different reasons!
Thanks for another great thought exercise!
Take it easy,
Tim