Claim Your Name
July 12th, 2009 | 
Author: I had a woman email me this week wondering why she’s not much on the Google radar for her name. She had made a name for herself on the speaker circuit, etc. Now she’s taking it all online and didn’t understand why her profile wasn’t dominating on page 1. Problem is, she didn’t own her own name domain! And she’s not the only one who emailed me about this very topic this week.
I don’t care what niche you’re in, how successful (or not) that you are, go claim your domain right now – the dot com version. If it’s gone, claim a hyphenated version. I’m really glad I claimed TiffanyDow.com when I did because there’s an up and coming artist with the same name. Yet when you Google me, I pretty much dominate the first page or two.
You need to brand your name as an expert. Don’t wait until you have success to claim it, either. Did you know I got almost every freelance job I bid on back when I just decided to give myself the title of “ghostwriter to the gurus?” At the time, I had only written for 1-2 gurus, but that was good enough for all the others to come to me, too.
Did you know I had only written a small 14-page report when people started saying I was the Squidoo Queen? (Now we all know someone else uses that as a branding tool and I’m fine with that – but I’m talking about early on when I was the only go-to person for the subject).
You don’t have to be living beachside, with 12 girls hanging off your arm (or poolboys for us girls) – you just have to start tooting your own horn. You don’t have to say, “Hey I made $1 million off of Squidoo!” You can say, “Hey I know how to use Squidoo!” and it’ll be good enough for SO many people. They’ll turn to you because you’re the one making a claim.
Now if you fall short on knowledge, then you might make a fool out of yourself – that’s why I never say I know more than I do. I fess up to my shortcomings – especially when it comes to technology.
Go grab your domain now, please.
tiff 
Posted in Internet Marketing
Tiffany, This was a real Chin-Dropper for me personally! Why? Well, ironically I’ve been practicing very hard at Ranking Highly for “Other Peoples” names! I.E. I used to OWN the front page of Google for “SoldierKnowsBest” and/or “Soldier Knows Best”(he’s cool btw). But I’ve slacked off, so now I only have the TOP spot, not the whole front page
hehheee
Also, I “Often” have the “Top Spot” for “Overpriced Macs”. This [Super Cool Ninja SEO Knowledge] that I’ve gained over the past year is, Well, To put it Humbly, “I’ve Amazed Myself!” ←(hint!)
In fact, as of this comment, I have the #5 Spot for “Tiffany Dow”(GASP!) on YouTube with a 4 day old Video!
Thanks Tiff! I now feel like I’m good enough at SEO that I can write a “Stellar” 14 page report! (How much $ you think I should Charge?)
Gary (From TN)
P.S. When I “OutRank” you for your own name (Snicker snicker), I will also make sure YOU get benefit from it (coz I luv “Tiffany Dow”, Awwwww
P.S.Again: Wow! I never talk to Confidently about myself like this do I? See what you made me do!
LOL Gary I double dog dare ya to try to outrank me for my name – um, no I don’t.
That’s easier said than done for those of us with common names. There’s more Mike Collins’s’s’s out there than you can count!
I did register a domain with my name in it to serve as a portal similar to your home page and my blog is ranked in the top 15 for my name, but its a bit more competitive than most other names.
True Mike! You might have to add on something if your name is gone – maybe a middle initial, or MikeCollinsBlog.com or something. That would suck if your domain was already gone with and without hyphens.
Hey Tiffany, good idea. I like the idea of branding your name. Your right it is never too soon.
Hey visit my latest post I gave ya a plug because I really like your style.
Thanks Scott! I saw your blog
http://www.ScottThrall.com – you’ve got the branding down!
Hey Tiff,
I had checked my name a while back and it was taken by someone in FL. I never thought about using a hyphenated version. I went to godaddy even before I finished reading your post. Mary-Blackburn.com now belongs to me.
Thanks for your advice. It is greatly appreciated.
Mary
I didn’t realize this but when you use a name or in this case a nickname on sites like Twitter, Facebook, or Linkedin, it actually registers in Google. I dominate the 1st page of google with 8 out of 10 places for my nickname that I have used. (Not going to give it until I own it.) Guess I better go get that as a dot com also.
Am I the only idiot that didn’t know this?
Mary
Good for you!!
I hadn’t even thought about my nickname – I haven’t used one in a long time but I checked it and I’m showing up. Good call