Use your Blog Comment Name for Personal Branding
Use a consistent name when leaving comments on blogs. Consider appending a tagline, perhaps your blogname or other personal brand name.
When I leave comments, I'm now "Ted Demopoulos, The Blogging for Business Guy."
Before I was just "Ted Demopoulos" or sometimes "Ted Demop" or even "teddemop." Long ago I decided I needed a consistent name when leaving blog comments, so I started exclusively using "Ted Demopoulos" even though it's looooong.
A few months ago I noticed others adding "tag lines" to the name they used for leaving blog comments, and decided to append my blog name, making me "Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business." I like this much better than just my name!
Friends sometimes introduce me as "The Blogging for Business Guy" -- hey, I did co-author the Blogging for Business book. My blog comment name is now "Ted Demopoulos, The Blogging for Business Guy."
So, if your name is Joe Smith or even Zaphod Beeblebrox, consider using a consistent name with a tagline when you leave comments on blogs.
Effective Internet Presence: Now required for success in business and life



What do you do when you leave a comment that has nothing to do with business blogging or on a site that has no real business connections? On a sports chat site for example. Do you still want to leave people with that image? perhaps so since if you are reading there potential business connections might well be there.
Lately I have had a number of people refer to me as "the famous Alfred Thompson." I'm not sure I want to use that one but it might just stick in people's minds and isn't that part of the goal?
Posted by: Alfred Thompson | 02 August 2007 at 03:25 PM
Greetings famous Alfred,
I frequent some wine sites, where I am simply "Ted Demopoulos."
I suppose I could always change my name if I pleased for certain blogs where I comment, but I always fill in the URL to this blog so some related descriptor makes sense.
Now if (for example) I start reading a lot of cooking blogs and leaving comments, and I LOVE to cook but just don't have time these days, I might use another tagline, perhaps "Ted Who Wishes He Could Cook Better"
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 02 August 2007 at 03:45 PM
I started adding "Idea Seller" after my name on comments several months ago Ted. It's simply a part of my personal branding process. I have learned that it is often not the big things that make the biggest difference, but the sum of all of the little things. A tag or descriptive phrase is one of those smart little things!
Posted by: Daniel Sitter, Idea Seller | 03 August 2007 at 01:02 PM
great tip!
I always end my post with my full first name and my podBlog address...
And I've become the personal brand marketing guy around Long Island. In my off-line world, I refer to my blog as ViksMarketingBlog.com; it's more personable.
~ Vikram
PersonalBrandMarketing.com
Posted by: Vikram Rajan | 04 August 2007 at 09:42 PM
I started using Gaje Master for my comments, this is also the name of my blog, after my son passed away. I got a few comments back telling me that I shouldn't brand myself when posting a comment. I let it slide and now everyone knows me as the Gaje Master. I like the idea that you use as a branding tool, it kind of makes you want to click on your name more. Great tips and thanks.
Posted by: Gaje Master | 05 August 2007 at 01:22 AM
Hi Daniel,
"Idea Seller" made me want to immediately click!
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 05 August 2007 at 09:13 AM
My initial thought when you suggest a tag line was one of my favorite saying back when I had a paying job:
"Paranoia is important."
I don't think I'll be using that one, if I use any at all.
Good post!
Posted by: Mike Goad | 05 August 2007 at 03:43 PM
This was such a great idea. Thank you for helping me 'tweak' my blog ;)
Posted by: Danielle B. | 06 August 2007 at 11:51 AM
Okay...now how is that?
Posted by: Danielle B., Blogging for Balance | 06 August 2007 at 11:52 AM
Vik,
Love that talking "you" in the bubble that pops up on your blog.
Gaje Master,
Your name sticks out, although it's not immediately obvious to me what it means.
Mike,
Thanks -- "Appropriate" Paranoia is Appropriate :) Or perhaps, "Trust, but Verify."
Danielle B,
Love it!
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 06 August 2007 at 08:39 PM
I hadn't thought about branding as a tag line before. I guess I should have. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: John Hewitt, Friendly Neighborhood Writer | 07 August 2007 at 09:24 PM
John, Your new tagline makes it obvious what you do. Since I (hopefully obviously?) love writing, I just spent about 20 minutes reading your site and laughing.
So, you have clients who are detectives and mental patients :)
I'll admit it, your tag1ine make me more likely to visit your blog.
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 07 August 2007 at 11:41 PM
Great idea, will think of one for myself and use.
Thanx
Lola
Posted by: Lola Fayemi | 10 August 2007 at 08:36 AM
Excellent Idea!!
Posted by: Dave Forde - The Connector | 11 August 2007 at 10:57 AM
Hey, great idea! Thanks.
Posted by: Photowalking Trevor | 13 August 2007 at 03:30 PM
Lola, you are lucky as am I as we have somewhat unusual names! Still, a tagline will make you more memorable.
Dave and Trevor, or I should say Dave Ford - The Connector and Photowalking Trevor, I like it!
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 13 August 2007 at 08:08 PM
A good idea Ted. I recently started calling myself The Old Vic ('cause I feel old) - but reader numbers seem to have fallen off, so maybe I'll come up with something a bit snappier !
Posted by: The Old Vic | 15 August 2007 at 11:09 AM
Greeting Old Vic,
I think that's because there is a disconnect between "The Old Vic" and "Net Monetization."
"Net Monetization Vic" might not have much pizzazz (or maybe it does?) but something similar should work better,
Posted by: Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business | 15 August 2007 at 10:58 PM