Hi Guys, 
 just wanted to ask i have a dilemma – Im a freelancer and have setup two platforms for my business on social media one advertising my name as a social media consultant and the other i have chosen a business name to advertise my social media consultancy . I just wondered which one would be best keeping your own name and growing the fanbase or go for the company name as most people tend to trust a company more than an individual especially if they are just starting out. Thanks in advance

I am interested in this subject too as I am starting my own consultant practice. I am already known on LinkedIn and other social media by my own name. I also read an article that said it was a good idea to use your own name and have seen other successful business people do so. I would like to see what others have to say on this subject too.

@ravishukle Think long term. I started Conquer Publishing to publish my own novel. I’m working on my 2nd novel now. But eventually I plan to expand into publishing other authors. Long term, if you get big enough and have to expand and hire employees, you’ll have to start your own business anyway.

@ravishukle I also agree with the “Go with your name” school of thought. However, I agree with those you say you should think long term in order to make the proper decision. If you intend to build a company and sell it off in 5 years from now to turn a killer profit, then that’s that. But more realistically, building your own brand is a better option in the long term, whether you eventually decide to join in a company, create a new one or whatever. If you have established yourself as an expert in a specific field, that is equity you can leverage later down the road….

Cheers,

I am a Virtual Assistant and often I have clients come to me and my Company as they have used “freelancers” who were there and then weren’t there.  Although many freelancers are in it for the long run and provide ethical and professional services, many come and go and it gives that term a negative reputation.  There are exceptions as mentioned above – the Mari Smith’s and Chris Brogan’s of the world – but those starting out have to brand themselves or their company.  in the Social Media Industry many have made their way by nich’ing themselves and branding their name with a tag, e.g. The Wordpress Chick, The Video Guy, The Social Media Maven, etc. which seems to have worked very well for them, even as they have grown, become known as an “expert in their field” and have had to expand to have a team.  I agree that you have to decide based on your future goals and growth.

I have been asking this question recently too, and I have concluded that it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are expert in our field, and which ever route we choose to take that we are consist in both delivery of product/service, and branding.

@dcoville001 Some great points there. I have to agree that for the most part, it’s useful to have branding and a tag. 

As for a company. @erikdeckers is on the money when he says forming a company is for tax reasons. Our company name is very brandable and it’s easy to understand what we do. Of course as the founder I still find it important that the site and services we provide have a personal touch and as such, will use my name quite often. 

I agree with using a company name. In my community my company name is associated with me. People who DEEP3R is. I intend to grow into an agency, and think in this instance, using a name is the way to go.