An Easy Way to Avoid Brand Confusion
We’ve already established the importance of a brand for a freelancer or contract worker. Aside from the power of a name, building a powerful brand is a great way to increase your exposure and visibility. Not to mention it makes it easier for people to know exactly what you’re about and what you can do.
And freelance photographer Luis Cruz laments the perils of having seven names:
Even now, I have friends who, despite being in the same circle of friends, choose to call me by different names. Rico, for example, calls me Elber, while Sasha calls me Luis. What would happen if and when I come up in one of their conversations
Yup, I guess you’ve figured it out by now - I will be stricter about using Luis Cruz from now on - especially when it involves creative work. Yes, that includes blogging, and it definitely includes photography.
We should all learn from Elber’s mistake—when we start making a name for ourselves as freelancers, we should choose one name and stick to it. Though I can understand all the issues Elber raises: how can you use your real name when friends know you by your nick? And nicknames aren’t on the official documents you need to prove your identity when claiming copyright for example. I guess the only solution is to use your real name for business, and your nick name from friends…and hope everyone’s astute enough to realize that both identities are one and the same.
What do you think?
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POSTED IN: Great Advice, Ramblings of a Freelancer
7 opinions for An Easy Way to Avoid Brand Confusion
Vyoma
May 8, 2007 at 11:22 am
Now that you have explained, I am getting worried.
My actual or legal name is Mahesh Bhat. But on the internet I go by the name “Vyoma”. So, you think I should chuck the legacy of 7+ years of going by the name Vyoma?
Rico
May 8, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Now that I think about it, I don’t think you should just drop Vyoma, unless nobody got to know about it over the past 7 years. Just make sure that the client knows your real name! So that there will be no problems when he cuts your checks.
Luis Cruz
May 9, 2007 at 5:20 am
Vyoma: I’m not sure if Vyoma is your nickname, or if you treat it like a trade name. I don’t suggest you get rid of it though. In my case, Elber is a nickname that I grew up with - the thing is, when I started working, I used Luis. That caused confusion with clients, co-workers, and even some friends. That’s why I’m sticking to Luis.
Rico
May 9, 2007 at 6:53 am
I think that’s his online nom de guerre. So yes, he should keep that name.
And may I suggest drivebyshooter, instead of Elber, Luis, or whatever? You’re a freelance photographer anyways, and like I said, you can always make sure the clients use your real name when it counts
Vyoma
May 9, 2007 at 7:08 am
Yes Rico. Long back, when privacy was a issue taught to kids to be careful about (which is the case even today), I put up an alter ego on the net and went by the name “Vyoma”.
I used it in everything - my old Yahoo email, my logins in forums, my MMORPG characters :P. I was so good at it that, at times I had to tell my name is Mahesh Bhat. (I mean, now I know how much of personal information can be divulged, but long back - I guarded it as a “to-death” secret.
Now on issues, as to how I brand stuff and all… I keep drawing artworks and publish on the net. What do you think would be appropriate to put on the copy right notice? Vyoma (C) blah blah OR Mahesh Bhat (C) blah blah.
Since it is a legal binding, I am puting Mahesh Bhat (C) 2007 or something like that.
Rico
May 10, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I’m no copyright lawyer, but to maximize the Vyoma brand, you’ll have to use it in copyright statements. I think you can specify on official documents (depending where you are of course) that Vyoma is an alias for you.
Use Your Real Name to Make Life Simpler
Jun 8, 2007 at 2:16 am
[…] Many names are confusing; freelancers should use their real names when promoting themselves because it simplifies their lives. […]
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