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.

Comments

[Alfred Thompson]

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?

[Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business]

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"

[Daniel Sitter, Idea Seller]

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!

[Vikram Rajan]

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

[Gaje Master]

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.

[Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business]

Hi Daniel,

"Idea Seller" made me want to immediately click!

[Mike Goad]

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!

[Danielle B.]

This was such a great idea. Thank you for helping me 'tweak' my blog ;)

[Danielle B., Blogging for Balance]

Okay...now how is that?

[Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for Business]

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!