DISQUS

servantofchaos · 9 months ago

If only I had read this when I started my blog three + years ago. Until recently "gavinheaton.com" was unavailable - so I was stuck with servantofchaos ... but you know, I am used to it now - and it feels like a comfortable suit all worn with use.

CADbloke · 9 months ago

If you're registering domains then don't forget there's .com, .net, .info, .biz, .org, .tv, .com.au, .co.uk (you get the picture) that you need to commandeer too. I know at least one high-profiler who should have known better who is being held to ransom for Tens-of-thousands for a .com version of their localised URL.
Then there's Gmail, hotmail / Live (good luck!), Yahoo, Skype ... (you get the picture).

Personally I maintain 2 brands, my professional one & my private one - just in case someone makes me an offer I can't refuse for my professional brand & product. The real 'me' is not for sale.

tiphereth · 9 months ago

Great points about domain registration. I aways advised clients to register as many as they could get/afford because ultimately it is your brand and you should protect it just like any IP.
There's a whole other post about the professional vs private brand - its great that you personally can make the distinction so the "commercialisation" of the professional brand makes it easy to offload it, its much harder to "sell" your own personal identity.

Stan Lee · 9 months ago

Top tips Tip. Useful for small biz and start ups too, as these rules apply across the spectrum.

heather · 9 months ago

it's funny about mine: i've been blogging (and "blogging") for years, and there was a point in NYC where i decided i was over my old 'brand' (fauxy.net) and wanted a change.

when i registered likeomg.org it was on a whim. i do say "like" and "omg" a lot, but never in tandem; for some reason, it was stickier than i could have ever imagined. just have to get over the whole "this is LIKEOMG" intros when i first meet people :)

@ArmyofDolls · 9 months ago

Ok, you've dragged me out of the woodwork. 8) Good post Tiphereth!

Firstly, to jump on the brand wagon *sigh*, an important point to make is about consistency, be who you are everywhere you go, people will recognize you. Brand recognition... So keep those avatar consistent and on message, they are your logo. But let it evolve.

Now, on the domain/real estate thing, I say go wild, grab as much as you can around your brand. At Kazaa, we had more than 1300 domain's on the books. And yes, the cost of a $25 domain vs lawyers, UDRP ,etc for acquisition is well worth it if you think your brand is valuable!

Lastly some general good advice on personal branding: Be Yourself! Apart from authenticity being the new black, it's the easiest brand to maintain. 8)

*steps back into the shadows*

Annik · 9 months ago

Sometimes having a unique name is a pain in the arse. It makes you very transparent...

Having said that, I'll still sit on everything "annikskelton" in case one day when I can be as truly heinous as I like without fear of retribution, I'll be ready. :)

Cathie, aka acatinatree · 9 months ago

Great post Tiphereth! In spaces with narrow bandwidth, a 'branded' av means you can communicate more with less...
It's ridiculous that I check and secure all possible branded usernames for work even in networks where we don't maintain an active profle, partly for risk / reputation management and partly because I don't believe you can accurately predict where the next burst will occur - Twitter was a real Black Swan - but until recently had never thought to do that for my own name.
Recently discovered that twitter features acatinatree1 and acatinatree2 - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I suppose.
#Lazyweb tip: username dot com is v helpful

Katie Harris · 9 months ago

Great post!

You'll be pleased to hear that the very kind Gaby Alveraz returned ZebraBites to me a while back. Thank goodness. Will never, ever mess with my handle again.

Feels so good to be *me* again! Right on brand.

; )