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A popular columnist shares my full name?

by zenmn
15 replies
I heard that it is never good to use a name (biz or personal) for your URL if it is already used in one form or another?

Unfortunately, myname.com was my first choice to build an authority site about business and inventing.

This guy dominates 10 pages and more in google with my.....um......er, his name.com

He is a famous political columnist and blogger. No way I can compete.

I am thinking of a pen name and maybe a clever/easy url describing what the website is.... instead of my name.

Is his name a help or hindrance?

Opinions?
#columnist #full #popular #shares
  • Profile picture of the author write-stuff
    You know, if you could get a similar domain, maybe bobsmith.com where his is robertsmith.com, you might be able to use it to route traffic to the site of your choice.
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    • Profile picture of the author zenmn
      Originally Posted by write-stuff View Post

      You know, if you could get a similar domain, maybe bobsmith.com where his is robertsmith.com, you might be able to use it to route traffic to the site of your choice.

      Good suggestion. But for an authority site it may not be prudent.

      And let's say they were looking for my nemesis (the prolific writer and columnist of everything political) and got me.

      Would his kind of traffic even be interested in my links or content?
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    I know how you feel.

    George Wright is a famous musician. My name is not found at all on google, unless you put George Wright Warrior, then I'm there.

    This is another reason to use a pen name.

    George Wright
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Klatt
      George, so is Tammy Wright, too.

      I bet you get people saying all the time, "Aren't you Tammy Wright's dad?"

      Warmly,
      Dan
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      • Profile picture of the author zenmn
        I have been asked many times if I am that writer.

        My response is, that, although I aspire to be a writer we just happen to have the same name.

        I imagine that this is going to create problems one way or another if I start blogging with my name; or have my name in the URL.

        -zenmn
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      • Profile picture of the author George Wright
        Originally Posted by Dan Klatt View Post

        George, so is Tammy Wright, too.

        I bet you get people saying all the time, "Aren't you Tammy Wright's dad?"

        Warmly,
        Dan
        Worse than that Dan,

        I used to be known in my circle as George Wright. After my daughters reached there pre teens till now (5 girls one boy) People call me the Wright Girls or the Wright Kid's Father. "I'd like you to meat the Wright Girls Father," or "Hey, I know you, you are, uh, don't tell me, you are the Wright Kids father, right? :confused:

        Or worse, when they get my name wrong. "Are you Mr. Smith?" Me. "Wright." Them, "Ok see you later Mr. Smith." Me, "Wright." :confused:

        I'm George,

        George Wright
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        "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles H Smith
    A popular _________ (you fill in the blank) shares my name, and you'll probably be right. That's the trouble with common names.

    Although not popular, another option is the .name domains. They are fairly new.

    Charles H. Smith
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    .
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  • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
    my name is shared by a paper designer who is wellknowin in the uk
    rachelgoodchild.com - English Contemporary greeting cards and gift wrap

    my blog is Rachel Goodchild Writes

    I used to go by the pen name rubykate, until I found I shared THAT with a porn writer

    prefer to be mistaken for a paper designer
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    • Profile picture of the author Jose Delgado
      google Jose Delgado.

      It's taken. And the site is total crap.

      how about getting a domain along the lines of: thejohndoe.com

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    • Profile picture of the author zenmn
      Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild View Post

      my name is shared by a paper designer who is wellknowin in the uk
      rachelgoodchild.com - English Contemporary greeting cards and gift wrap

      my blog is Rachel Goodchild Writes

      I used to go by the pen name rubykate, until I found I shared THAT with a porn writer

      prefer to be mistaken for a paper designer


      No, you do not want that confusion! (laugh)

      Someone asked me what my porn name was at a party?

      Apparently, you take your very first pets name and your mothers maiden--add them together.

      Ready for this?

      "Bootsy Malone"

      Hilarious, huh?

      We went around the room making people fess up....we laughed so hard we were crying.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Write
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author zenmn
      Originally Posted by Mr. Write View Post

      I completely understand what you're saying, Zenmn. Even if you are able to snag a domain with your name in it (yourname.net, yourname.info, THEyourname.com), there is still going to be that confusion.

      Personally, I think it would be a hendrance. On the other hand, you may not want to use a pen name if you have already developed any sort of following with your real name. So my best suggestion is to use a URL that is website-specific, rather than your name.
      Agreed. At least for the URL.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles H Smith
    Here's another thought... TheOtherYourName.com. Then you're definitely distinguishing your self in the domain name.

    Charles
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    .
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    • Profile picture of the author zenmn
      Originally Posted by Charles H Smith View Post

      Here's another thought... TheOtherYourName.com. Then you're definitely distinguishing your self in the domain name.

      Charles
      An option, yes, and kind of humorous.

      Like "The other White Meat."
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  • Profile picture of the author Jen McVey
    For what it's worth, Zen...I never topped the results with my own name (was Top 10, though) until I started blogging here at WF three whole days ago.

    Nice to be ahead of the spiritual advisor and speech therapist for a change
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    • Profile picture of the author zenmn
      Originally Posted by Jen McVey View Post

      For what it's worth, Zen...I never topped the results with my own name (was Top 10, though) until I started blogging here at WF three whole days ago.

      Nice to be ahead of the spiritual advisor and speech therapist for a change
      Hmmmmmmmmm.......
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