Last Name Blues.. Branding Yourself

[Tom Trotts]

I'll get right to the question..

I want to start branding myself and I have some great ideas. But my last name is less than desirable and to make it worse.. it also is used commonly as "slang" for "having the shi#t$"

I know, I know.. I was cursed.

So, like entertainers and actors and their "stage names" - is it ok for an Internet Marketer to use a more neutral and appealing last name?

Or would this be viewed as dishonest and unethical?

Because I don't want to be associated with either of those labels.

Thanks for any feedback on this.

Tom

[Neil Morgan]

Hi Tom

I see this all the time from my customers, with all the parts of their name.

It only becomes an issue when they're not consistent - either the name in the "from" part of their email address isn't the name they use to sign the email. Or they use different names in different emails in a thread, then I don't know what the heck to call them.

As long as you're not out to deceive, it's cool.

Cheers,

Neil

[pavondunbar]

Tom:

One other thing you can do is brand yourself by your first name and your last name can be something that is honest...

For example...

If you live in California, you could brand your name as:

Tom California

or if you live in Long Beach, it could be...

Tom Long Beach

(I think you get the picture)...

Just be consistent. If you write articles, blogs, hubs, videos, etc...always put your brand name at the end...

So people can google your brand name and all your articles, videos, etc...will pop up in the first few pages...

Hope this helps. Have a great day and much success.

Pavon

[Chika Nwoko]

Hi Tom,

I agree with Pavondunbar, why not just use your first name, or associate it with something, perhaps you like pets, you could say Tom the pet friendly guy, or whatever niche you may be in.

What's in a name, I don't think people will get too hung up if you dont use your last name. Only when it matters.

Maybe now it's time to think about a brand for you....Tom the whatever guy, person etc...I think you catch my drift...

[Chris Kent]

Nothing wrong with a pen name. Lots of people use them. It will even protect you.

[Michael Silvester]

Dude,

You have the perfect opportunity to have
a memorable name. Seriously...I get Sylvester
the Cat or Sylvester Stallone all the time.

Dont be embarrassed by your real name.

Take Care,

Michael Silvester