1. Your full name isn't readily available on your website/blog/YouTube. This is probably the most ridiculous one, but I've seen it twice in the past few weeks. Imagine this scenario: You write a wonderful blog post. Someone you would like to recognize your name (agent? editor? Hugh Jackman?) reads it and loves it. They look up to the top of the page for your name - and it's not there.
I KNOW y'all are laughing thinking you'd never make this mistake, right? But go check. Just to be sure. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me - or Hugh Jackman.
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2. This one is a little less obvious. I, like many people, use Google Reader to read blogs. I've seen at least three blogs, where the name of the blog and writer aren't visible in the Reader window. It frustrates me. I don't want to have to click through every time to figure out who you are so I end up just not reading your posts, or at the very least, not commenting on them.
A lot of people read blogs via Google Reader. Even if you don't, go to the link and subscribe to yourself. Check to make sure your name/your blog's name shows up at the top of each post.
I honestly don't know how to fix this, but if yours is invisible, I urge you to figure it out.
3. I know a lot of people like to use cutesy usernames on Twitter (or in forums) like @YAWriterGirl or something. You think it's OK because your real name is on your profile, right? Here's something I didn't realize until I started using Tweetdeck: Unlike Twitter.com, a lot of twitter apps don't show your name next to your username.
Sure, if someone is really interested in you, they can click to look at your profile - but you're missing out on those repeated impressions that result in name recall.
And if you're not convinced it's important for your name to be out there in the Twitterverse, I should mention that four agents and several more authors have mentioned to me they recognize my name from Twitter. When you send an agent a query or when an editor gets your manuscript in her inbox, don't you want her to instantly recognize your name? I mean, you don't sign your queries "@YAWriterGirl," do you?
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Don't make it hard for people to see your name. As an author, your name is your brand. You don't see Coca-Cola hiding their name under a few clicks, do you?
No. Because it's a dumb idea.
Harsh? Maybe... but tough love seems to work really well on writers. And I love you guys. :-)
So double check. Just in case.
Do it for Hugh Jackman.
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Also, I just wanted to let y'all know I started vlogging solo, in addition to my YA Rebels weekly gig. My last vlog is about "Tired Plots In YA." I'd love to hear what you think over on my YouTube channel!
Great post! I've struggled with my name since I start working to get publish - Kaczorowski is either memorable or unpronounceable. I'm hoping for the former! Anyway, thanks for the reminders. I sometimes forget that readers see things differently than I do online :)
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm not published, I'm wary of putting my last name in headlights. Between identity fraud and e-mail spam, I guess I'm a little paranoid. But you're right- we do need to be recognizable and accessible. AND I FREAKING LOVE HUGH JACKMAN!
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't do for Hugh Jackman...
ReplyDeleteI MEAN
sound advice, Sarah. I've been having to re-train myself to put my name out there, rather than whatever fun username I've devised over the years. It's freaky being that "public."
Mmm...Hugh Jackman...
ReplyDelete*clears throat*
Thank you, Sarah! I need to check out that Google Reader thing. You know I stink at all this stuff, lol.
It's all about Hugh Jackman. *sighs*
ReplyDeleteMoving on! You make a good point on all three counts, Sarah. Authors don't always think about their names being out there. Although I'm not an author, I am a reader and it's nice to see which author's blog/post/tweet/what have you that I'm reading.
Whewww, I was seriously scared there but I checked and I'm all good.
ReplyDeleteHugh can definitely find me. Please, find me.
Well, if it's for Hugh Jackman, of course I'll do it! Who wouldn't?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post....but mostly for that wonderful picture :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteJenny: your name is definitely unique. Though I don't know how to say it and wouldn't be able to spell it, I would definitely recognize it if I saw it written!
Gina: I know, a lot of people are worried about that sort of thing. For the longest time, our very own DJ didn't let anyone know what his last name was. It's just something you have to be smart about, I think. Like, no one can do much with your name - but you don't want your address, phone number, mother's maiden name, etc out there. Oh, and my penname and email address are EVERY WHERE and Gmail does a fantastic job of filtering out the spam for me!
I know, Alex! I've been watching your transition with interest (in a purely academic-studying-social-media sort of way!) Make sure you're ready in case Hugh Jackman comes calling :-)
ReplyDeleteWendy: Haha! Let me know if you need any help, hon. I never mind answering your questions :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks DJL! It's great to get the viewpoint of a reader. It's so true. If I like an author's twitter, I'm more likely to buy their books. But I can't do that if I don't know what their name is!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Marsha! You're ready for Hugh.
ReplyDeleteHeather: I find Hugh Jackman is good motivation for lots of things. And Daniel Craig. Tiffany Reisz rewards me on twitter with pictures of Daniel Craig :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tiffany. I know, that picture with the guy camouflaged in front of the tractor really is something, huh? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHugh Jackman is GREAT motivation.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that's really hard for me is when I click on someone's google profile and like 8 blogs come up and not one is titled something that makes me think - THIS is their writing blog.
Yes Jolene! Another one that's similar is people leaving defunct and long-abandoned blogs up for public view. Especially if they're your high school livejournal - ouch!
ReplyDeleteI have a question that's been bothering me. And it's related to this post I think. Anyways, Peony is not my name, it's not even my pen name. I just use Peony as an online name for now and I've been thinking maybe I should switch to my pen name?
ReplyDeleteI won't use my name (paranoid is one reason) but the other is that my name is too common and generic. So my pen name is what I hope to be more memorable and less common.
Peony: I'm not really sure what your question is, but I always support using the name you want to publish under in your online dealings. A few weeks ago, I tweeted something that got retweeted many times and viewed by 20,000 people. If I get published, that's 20k people who have seen my name before - and are hopefully more likely to buy my book.
ReplyDeleteI use a pen-name too, but for a very specific reason that is completely out of my control. I stuck with my first name though, because I don't want to have to answer to two different names in person! :-)
Sarah: Awesome, thanks! That's what I was thinking. Wow! 20k people! O.o
ReplyDelete