Comments on: Some Questions on Personal Branding

By: Trace Cohen

Trace Cohen — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:29:13 +0000

I dont think that alias is the right word. When i hear that word it makes me think of James Bond, or someones online chat name, which is used to cover up their true identity. What you are doing is just changing your name to something that is more satisfying, that will give you more confidence when you introduce yourself. As long as you can build an authentic brand around “Jeremy Delane” and people know you as Mr. Delane then there is nothing wrong with it what so ever.

By: Chris Lunt

Chris Lunt — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:38:38 +0000

My first name is very common for my age group, and for years I’ve worked side-by-side with other Chrises, which has caused confusion on a number of occasions. I couldn’t really bring myself to give myself a new name, because I feel like people do judge you for doing so. It seems “fake”, and people question my motivations. If you’re going to do it, really commit to it, and get some friends involved early on who will introduce you with that name.

By: jeremy

jeremy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:52:09 +0000

@Erik – Nice examples, I never would have guessed on Tiger Woods. Using the name in business, that really is one of the major hangups I am having, it seems like in explaining my use of an alias I would end up having to get more personal then if I had not used an alias in the first place.

@Craig – Very true I could definitely maintain the same transparency that I have been but it seems to me that doing so raises the question – why use the alias in the first place if you have nothing to hide?

I would love to hear more about the personal branding forum, hmm time to check out your blog.

@Dan – I like your attitude and approach, I think ultimately what matters is “the product” behind “the brand”, in this case it would be skill, knowledge, expertise etc.

After reading your comments I think that maybe I am trying to dissect this quite a bit more than need be, but either way it brings up some interesting conversation. Thanks again.

Oh and here’s another good one:
Twitter (garyvee) – Real Name (Gary Vaynerchuck)
Slight variation on the name but he has been mega successful.

By: Dan Schawbel

Dan Schawbel — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:01:52 +0000

Reinventing your brand is standard practice. We all need to adjust our brands throughout time to reflect the current market conditions and new skills. You really should take time to figure out what you want to do with your life and success will come straight out of that!

By: Craig Fisher

Craig Fisher — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:10:22 +0000

Jeremy, these are great questions. I think people build brands around aliases all the time. I’m pretty sure that many of the “people” I interact with or follow on Twitter or MyBlogLog and other places are really just one or a few sneaky marketers.

How successful can you be doing it that way over the long term? I participated in a personal branding forum with several top staffing industry professionals at recruitingblogs.com a few weeks ago. The consensus was that one of the key elements to successful branding is transparency. Take that for what it’s worth.

I think you can keep your alias and your transparency intact. Hollywood does it all the time.

Sincerely, Archibald Leach (aka Cary Grant)

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:47:37 +0000

Mark Twain – Samuel Clemens
Dear Abby (Abigail Van Buren) – Pauline Phillips
Eldrick Tont Woods – Tiger Woods
Ocho Cinco – Ocho Cinco
Prince – Symbol – Prince

But you are right, once they went with their pen name they stuck with it. I think if you’re going to advertise as Jeremy Delane you may need to just refer to yourself as such in business meetings. And maybe it would get confusing. Maybe, though, it would be nice to have some separation from your personal and work life.

I think it adds a little bit of mystery. Plus aren’t you artistic types supposed to have like 8 different names?

Guess I didn’t help at all.