Do you own your name on Google?
If you’re like me, you’re kind of a cyber stalker. You meet someone new; you Google their name to see what they’ve done, what connections and common touch points you might have. (No? Just me?)
When it comes to your own name, do you know what other people see? Go ahead. Google your name right now. I’ll wait.
And for the Big Question: do you dominate the Top Ten? Each Google search returns ten results per page – if you want to be famous in your field, you gotta own the first page. (Multiple pages are even better!)
When potential partners, clients or influential contacts search for you, it’s important that they find you at the top.
Owning all ten search results is an indicator that you and your business are legit. That you’ve been around. That you’ll continue to be around. That you’re out there, making things happen (publishing, speaking, being involved in organizations, being mentioned in the media and the like.)
The same is true for your business name. Your name and your business name are your brands, the mental real estate that you own in other people’s minds.
As long as they can find you.
Putting my own company name to the test, I’m delighted to own the top search result for the phrase ‘Famous in Your Field’ with my website.
Let’s look at the numbers:
#1 is my website.
Famous in your field tip: own Google’s front page
#2 is my LinkedIn Company Page. (Maybe time to give that a little more love!)
#3 is a presentation I did with Famous in Your Field in the title. (Happy dance.) I also have several other mentions in the top ten search results list.
Wait a minute! Ouch, #6 is not me! A book published in 2003, called Get Slightly Famous: Become a Celebrity in Your Field is disrupting my Google page domination. (Note to self: must publish a book to take advantage of Amazon’s monstrous Google-juice.)
And if your Google results are a little sparser than you’d like, here are a few ways that you can beef them up:
- Grab your name and your business name on all the major social media sites. High traffic sites like LinkedIn will often be the first or second search result for a person’s name.
- Buy your own name as a domain. (You can always redirect it to your business website, if that has a different name.)
- Get listed in professional directories or resource sites. Associations and Chambers of Commerce often allow members to post business profiles.
- Upload presentations, article, white papers and the like to sites like Slideshare.net, Scribd.com and Docstoc.com.
- Guest post on other websites. This is a great way to grab more Google real estate, while sharing your expertise with a new audience.
- Personal web page services like Branded.me are an easy way to boost your Google domination.
Your fame boosting assignment:
Google your name and your business name. Like what you see? If not, get busy beefing up your listings!
I own it, baby! This was a fun exploration. And I love your tips on how to dominate the top ten.
You do own it, Nancy!
YIKES ~ exciting and intimidating all at the same time but you certainly make it easier to follow the flow here. I have a friend who spends lots of time and resources protecting her name. Guess it’s time to step it up. Thanks!
This was such a fun exercise! Name: nailed it. Business name because is “Task Complete” gotta do some work! But I so loved this assignment!
C’mon, Kelly – you’ve got tons of content for Task Complete. Soon, you’ll be dominating Google.
Great assignment – thanks!
Whohoo! Owning it. Name & Alter ego name & bizz is coming along nicely
Thanks for the tip
Way to rock it, Janice!
I did just what you suggest and Googled myself. Much to my surprise, my website is 4th on the 1st page. Then again, I have an unusual name (its spelling, at least) that there are not too many of us there. And I was surprised to find that the name of my biz is #1 on the first page.
Although I own my namesake domain, I never thought to forward it to my business’ site. That is a great tip.
Thank you for this post and all the information in it.
Good work, Lilia!
I have always wondered how to get up in Google rankings! I have a local Dorothy Pang that works nearby, so we share the results.
You might start using a unique version of your name, Dorothy. That’s why I use Lori Nash Byron – there are already several Lori Byrons in the world.
Yikes!! Not liking what I see! Time to make some changes. Thanks Lori.
I searched my name but its way too common to dominate existing names. I am a blogger and a photographer. Do i have to choose some unique name for internet?
Yes, if you want to be found (and not confused with all the other people who have the same name) you’ll have to use something unique. That’s why I use my middle name…there are other Lori Byrons in the world!
Kay Kay,
Yes, if you want to be found when someone searches for you on the internet, you will have to use a unique name (unless you generate a huge amount of links, but even then it may not be enough.) That’s the reason that I often use my middle name, Lori Nash Byron, and so do plenty of others, like David Meerman Scott. But you don’t have to use your middle name – you can choose anything that makes sense.
Surely this would be enjoyed
Hey well in that case next blog post could you use me as a reference so that people can see how I am dominating Google “Nightmare Neal” because that would be awesome! I just need some people or companies big enough to start referencing me. in return I will reference you back! Thanks!
Nightmare Neal
Thanks for commenting Nightmare Neal. Good work on becoming “almost famous” on Google.