Branding your blog is a big job…And it ain’t easy!
“Personal branding” is a buzz word that gets thrown around a lot and most of the time, it makes me cringe a little. It’s often misused and abused… And really, do you expect someone to sit down and complete branding exercises about themselves?! I’m a big believer that companies need outside perspectives when it comes to branding and I think the same thing for yourself. After all a brand is not what you think of yourself, it’s what others think of you…
So I’ve never given it much thought really… until it came to this blog. This space has always been my online “sandbox.” That means I don’t take it to seriously, I play around, experiment, try new stuff. If it doesn’t work I move on, if I get busy with work or life, it gets ignored for a while, but eventually I jump back on board and try again. It’s a learning tool and has taught me so much outside of my work these last four years.
However, now as a consultant, I have to take my blog a little more seriously. For the first time ever, it’s on my business card. I recently changed the URL so now it’s directly tied to my name. Time to get serious!
Wow, it’s actually a lot harder than it sounds, as you can tell from the current (non) brand. I have a fabulous designer at 76design all ready to re-design and make this look great, however, before she can get started, she needs direction.. That I have to provide… But. I. Don’t. Know!
Over the past weeks I’ve been trying to create a name/image that defines this blog. I’ve done brainstorming with colleagues and friends, talked about colours, lines, fonts, etc. but I feel like it just won’t come together until I think of a brilliant name. Naming is tough for me, just ask my cat, who we call Kitty… Real creative, I know.
So bear with me while I work through this! I know the look of this blog is a little, uh… minimalist right now, but I’ll get there. Any suggestions, tips or advice appreciated too. 
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Best of luck with the re-branding. My one piece of advice is to telegraph what you do, what you consult about, what someone would hire you for. Make sure that before a new visitor even reads a word, they know exactly what you do and why they might hire you. That might also include some intangibles (such as whether you appear to be an SMB consultant or a Fortune 500 consultant, for example)
“Diamond In The Rusk”! COME ON!
I’ve struggled with the same issue for years.
Go with your name. Look at many other successful consultants, analysts, and experts. They use their names: Seth Godin, Chris Brogan, Brian Solis just to name a few. Even Jeremiah Owyang uses his name prominently in his blog title. Your name never changes. As a consultant, I think people should get to know your name, what you do and what you stand for. Because when they need help they can call Kelly and not ‘A Witty Blog Name’ name.
Save blog names for other projects.
As for me, I’ve decided to stick to using my own name.
Faced with the very same issue a few months ago, Kelly, it really was clear to me that the only sensible option for a consultant who wishes to build a personal brand is to go the own-name route.
It really is all about you!
Can’t wait to see the new look and direction. Best of luck with it.
-Francis.