From 'brand name' to 'personal name'... again...

13 replies
Hi,

I just would like to know your opinions on this matter.

Freelance web developer myself. And I've been using my personal name as my brand and domain. Now recently I created a brand name (i.e. studio, agency).

I created my twitter/FB/linkedin profiles for this new brand. Also spending money on AdWords.

Well, the situation is that I'm getting NONE work since I look like a studio or agency.

Why do you think is this happening?

Thanks in advance to every one that replies!
#brand #personal
  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    I think people thought a company always charge higher than the individual. Just my opinion...and personal experience as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author ATAC
    I know when I am looking to hire a freelancer to do work that I do not want to deal with a agency !
    I want to deal with a individual ...
    That is a no brainier ...

    Agency's cost more ...
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  • Profile picture of the author alvinhy
    Put a face to your agency's name, maybe have an about us section with your picture?
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    If it was working before then go back to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author FrasserBeecroft
    People always look to individuals - they think agencies and corporations cost more because they have more overheads.

    Become the customer - what would you like to see when you're searching for the services that you provide ? Like alvinhy says above put a face on your site - people like to see who their dealing with.

    Make it more personal and you won't go far wrong.

    Hope this helps.

    Frasser
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Crosbie
    Hey @carloshermoso,

    Hope you are having an awesome day!

    Your thread is an interesting one to me, as I'm doing exactly what you have recently done. I'm moving from directly freelancing under my own name, to launching a creative agency.

    Without having any hands on experience on this, here's my opinion:

    It's 2014, and people are sick of businesses. A lot of people have had one too many bad experiences, whether it be through poor customer support or just a really bad product in general.

    Chris Ducker explains it well in one of his products, people want to do business with other people. They feel safer that way, that there's more trust and communication will be better.

    Businesses on the other hand, are quite happy to continue doing business with other businesses.

    Does this mean that everyone should do things in their own name instead of launching a business? No, I don't think so.

    I think there's a lot to learn on how you should brand yourself, this is something I'm spending a lot of time on. You don't want to come across as a massive corporation or a business that is filled with too many people which will result in the customer not being satisfied.

    What's your brand like? From a customers point of view, are you coming across as a 'classic' business? Or, are you marketing yourself as a business run by real people, who's sole intention is to provide the customer with outstanding results.

    Hopefully this will help

    And don't be afraid to reach out if you need any more advice! I'm always happy to help!

    - Joe
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    I chose entrepreneurship over further education despite being laughed at by my friends and family..

    I recently hit the "RESTART" button on my life, read my personal blog to find out how I did it :)
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  • Profile picture of the author keithb89
    Stick with the brand name, its your baby now you have to make it grow. As far as coming across as more expensive, maybe you could try using this in correspondences with potential clients:

    Your Name
    Business Name
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  • Profile picture of the author carloshermoso
    It's balls cause you could be an individual and also liking to brand yourself as (whatever)Studio. But it seems that clients, as soon as they see your brand name isn't your personalname, they think you charge higher.

    Also, when looking for incoming work in twitter, it's mad the amount of projects posts saying 'strictly NO agencies'. And I'm sure that some of the ppl getting rejected are just as individuals as anyone else. Only they like to brand themselves not using their personal name.

    More opinions on this? Really appreciate all responses of any kinds. Thank you all
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Crosbie
      Originally Posted by carloshermoso View Post

      It's balls cause you could be an individual and also liking to brand yourself as (whatever)Studio. But it seems that clients, as soon as they see your brand name isn't your personalname, they think you charge higher.

      Also, when looking for incoming work in twitter, it's mad the amount of projects posts saying 'strictly NO agencies'. And I'm sure that some of the ppl getting rejected are just as individuals as anyone else. Only they like to brand themselves not using their personal name.

      More opinions on this? Really appreciate all responses of any kinds. Thank you all
      Yep, it's exactly that.

      The trouble is, a lot of people have been burned in the past, and some just like stereotyping.

      As I mentioned earlier, I think the key is to brand your studio/agency in a personal way. Be clever, and don't pretend to be something your not.

      Also, I thought I'd mention. Even when people state 'strictly NO agencies', that doesn't always mean they won't be willing to consider one. Just be smart when you approach them.

      - Joe
      Signature
      I chose entrepreneurship over further education despite being laughed at by my friends and family..

      I recently hit the "RESTART" button on my life, read my personal blog to find out how I did it :)
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  • Profile picture of the author moneymagneto
    You need to get clients through networking with real people, not e-mailing for dollars. I have an agency and get my work through personal contacts who know me by face.
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  • Profile picture of the author EmpireMarket
    Originally Posted by carloshermoso View Post

    Hi,

    I just would like to know your opinions on this matter.

    Freelance web developer myself. And I've been using my personal name as my brand and domain. Now recently I created a brand name (i.e. studio, agency).

    I created my twitter/FB/linkedin profiles for this new brand. Also spending money on AdWords.

    Well, the situation is that I'm getting NONE work since I look like a studio or agency.

    Why do you think is this happening?

    Thanks in advance to every one that replies!
    Agencies seem more daunting and less personal.. If your personal name was working before stick with it.. you dont have to create a brand since your name is the brand.. Think Vera wang, chuck taylors etc..
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  • Profile picture of the author C. Sierra Love
    Originally Posted by carloshermoso View Post

    Hi,

    Freelance web developer myself. And I've been using my personal name as my brand and domain. Now recently I created a brand name (i.e. studio, agency).

    Well, the situation is that I'm getting NONE work since I look like a studio or agency.

    Why do you think is this happening?

    Thanks in advance to every one that replies!

    Your results tell you all you need to know.

    You were getting work under your own name. You're not getting work under the brand name. If you're doing the exact same types of marketing for both websites, the brand is most likely the problem.

    But you need the brand. Here's why...

    You were in the trap of the highly regurgitated attraction marketing spin; using your personal name as the face of your business. BIG MISTAKE!

    Because...

    What happens to your business if something happens to you?

    What happens when you're ready to sell your business? You can't sell yourself, right?

    What's your exit strategy?

    Now, if you're like a Dan Kennedy GKIC, the brand of the business has already taken over (to a significant degree) and will live on way past the great Dan Kennedy.

    However, if you're like a MariaLeeMarksSusan dot com
    (not a real domain name) that's probably not the case.

    So how do you get out of the trap of being locked in to your business so you can build your brand and leave a legacy far beyond your twilight?

    Simple. Your front end remains the same...initially.

    Then once you get a customer, you let the customer know every communication from that point forward will be coming from the brand name of the business.

    Of course, your story has to be a part of the company brand so there's no disconnect when your brand starts communicating with your customers.

    How do you make this happen?

    Transfer all your personal qualities that initially sold the customer on working with you to your business brand.

    If you're direct and to the point, the brand of your business is direct and to the point.

    If you're laid back, the brand of your business is laid back.

    If you're a ball of energy, the brand of your business is a ball of energy.

    The key here is consistency.

    This is a long term strategy. It's not going to happen overnight.

    But if this is a challenge you want to take on...

    Here's what I recommend.

    Go back to what was working immediately. Not just because you need to keep your cash-flow going, but because you need to keep validating your current success while you're going through this transition.

    (you're mind plays terrible tricks on you when you're starting something new so having your current success as an anchor is very important)

    Then, inject your personality into the brand of your business so your customers transfer their association with you to the brand of your business.

    As the brand of your business radiates more of you, you will be able to slowly withdraw as the face of your business because your brand will get its own pulse and evolve into having a life of its own.

    If you do this religiously, you're brand will quickly replace you, get its own market value that a loved one can inherit and/or be your exit strategy, if that's the way you want to go.

    Hope this helps,
    Rainee
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  • Profile picture of the author slideworld
    If u want to run your business I suggest you to go with your brand name. Just do some online promotion and provide quality services and support to the clients under the brand name. It will Increase your brand goodwill and helps to grow your brand.
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