Do customers feel more comfortable with a persons name or company name?

24 replies
Hi warriors,

I wrote a post here a couple days ago about my service business.

I use Fiverr at the moment and its doing quite well. I use my name on Fiverr
but i am looking to transfer my services to instagram & facebook.

Is it best to go by my name or company name? I know some people feel more secure with a business name but others feel more comfortable with an actual person (real name)

Which one is best? i already have a company name n started up an instagram page n fb page already but i seem to never get buyers yet?

Any advice
#comfortable #company #customers #feel #persons
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Marcell
    I would recommend using your own name because people feel more comfortable and it would help in building a clientele for your business.

    You want your name to be remembered by people so that a relationship can be created between you and the customer.

    This is how you should do it for your particular business.
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    • Profile picture of the author lewisjamespro
      Thank you very much, its been on my mind for a while

      i will make it more personal from now on
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Marcell
        Great to hear you made your decision. Let me know how that works for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Your advice may work for you, but it's by no means the truth for everyone.

      You assume I guess, that this is a little one man show and he's never going to amount to much. I'm not sure how you can give him a definitive answer without knowing his goals or his situation.

      Regardless of him, some of us are going bigger than our personal names. In cases like that, your advice is wrong.

      For example, millions of people know Amazon.com but there are far fewer that has any idea who the big man is.

      But you say people would be more comfortable buying from JeffBezos.com than Amazon.com. Or searching the internet on SergeyBrin.com. Okay.

      Mark

      Edit: I know there are a lot of famous people that use their personal names. But there are far more famous and trusted companies that don't use personal names. Every one is different. The guy that starts out on Fiverr may turn into a nationwide network of digital marketing agencies. Whether that is likely or not, Joe Blow or his personal name may or may not be appropriate.


      Originally Posted by Chris Marcell View Post

      I would recommend using your own name because people feel more comfortable and it would help in building a clientele for your business.

      You want your name to be remembered by people so that a relationship can be created between you and the customer.

      This is how you should do it for your particular business.
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Marcell
        I'm just sharing my own perspective of what I think he should do.

        He can choose to take my advice or take someone else's advice here on this thread. It's really up to his own personal preference in the end - is it not?

        If you don't agree with what I have to say then don't take my advice.

        Simple as that.

        I'm just trying to help people figure their stuff out.
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      • Profile picture of the author lewisjamespro
        I understand your point of view but i find it odd when people slander others on here just for asking a valid question. "Hes never going to amount to much" nice bit of advice there.
        Didn't know asking a question made me someone who wont amount to nothing lol
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi Lewis,

    Really, it is whatever choice you are clear on.

    Folks will reflect your clarity - or lack thereof - back to you.

    I go with my name because it seems folks dig dealing with a name, backed by a human being.

    But if I got clear (removing all doubts) around using Blogging From Paradise, folks would buy in to the business name too.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author Mabu Map
    I would say it's your own name.

    Because i did it and all the biggest name out there did it. There must be some reasons

    And you know what, it's works. Sometime we don't even need to know how it works

    It just works.
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    • Profile picture of the author quadagon
      There really isn't a right or wrong answer as it all really depends on yourself and what your plans for the business are.

      In some areas (self help, personal development and jewelry stores etc) a persons name is often used. The questions you need to ask are

      How are you going to market?

      Advertising as a local friendly insurance broker it would be better to choose some like 'Bob Johnson' rather than 'AutoInsure Global'.

      But if the same business wanted to be seen as a big player in the field you'd reverse that decision.

      Are you the brand?

      Are you going to be sticking your face/voice everywhere and be Mr Brand. Are you comfortable and capable of doing this?

      What's your exit strategy?

      Do you have a plan for leaving the business. Will someone buy the business off you if you are a vital part of the business

      Really it's down to you and your plan for the business but as a final thought you can do both Steve Jobs was Apple but Apple wasn't Steve Jobs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Because i did it
    So your name is "Mabu Map?" Or you branded yourself everywhere but here?

    I go with my name because it seems folks dig dealing with a name, backed by a human being.
    That's only if you're trying to convince people you are the one who can really teach them how to make money.

    I think it totally depends on the situation.

    Brent
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    neither matters,

    if you offer value and give benefits, they will buy. At least that is what happens in my business endevours.

    People are after "what IS in it for ME" not your name or some gimmick branding thing.

    Of course branding works, but these days, TRUST is the currency in the new economy.

    If you can get someone to love what you have to offer, they will hand over any amount you request.
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    • Profile picture of the author lewisjamespro
      I agree but i noticed when i approach people on instagram & facebook with a business name, ive had zero response. Ive never put a price in the pitch or anything to sound like a typical salesman so im sure its the name, as i get plenty custom from my Fiverr which i use a personal name and had nothing but good reviews
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  • Profile picture of the author Mario Cristopher
    Hi,

    Using personal names gives a sense of comfort, but the customers would also like to feel that you represent the whole company.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Either way. Examples of both. Pat Flynn brands his name and company name, smartpassiveincome.com

    Same with Derrick Halpern at SiocialTriggers.com

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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    I don't think there is a clear cut answer. I'd say just go with whatever you feel is right for you and your niche. Normally I'd recommend split testing to find out but this might be a little more difficult to do this
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by lewisjamespro View Post

    I understand your point of view but i find it odd when people slander others on here just for asking a valid question. "Hes never going to amount to much" nice bit of advice there.
    Didn't know asking a question made me someone who wont amount to nothing lol
    I think you may have misread this. He didn't say you were never going to amount to much. Mark was saying that the poster he was replying to was making that assumption.

    As far as your question goes, I think it depends on the service you offer and your future plans.

    A lot of people who offer services as a solo act will adopt a high-falutin' business name and speak in the royal 'we' in order to sound bigger than they are. Usually, it's pretty obvious, and such puffery creates trust issues.

    On the other hand, if you have any idea of selling the business in the future, it's easier to pass on "Acme Design" than "Joe's Design Service".

    I think the two main factors, whichever way you decide to go, are transparency and consistency. It's okay to go with "Joe from Acme Design". In fact it might work quite well for your social media, giving the best of both worlds. Joe is personal, while Acme Design tells people you are in business.
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    • Profile picture of the author lewisjamespro
      thank you for this was great information.

      For now i am sticking to personal name as it seems to be working, i get 5 star reviews and also tips now and then. so things are going okay, i just need to scale my idea outside of Fiverr
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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    It doesn't really matter...you said you haven't gotten buyers from either Instagram or FB.

    What matters is learning how to market on Facebook or Instagram like a professional.

    Make sure not to spam your links there but instead learn how to become a person of value that is also social.

    Either one of these social media platforms will take you from 3 full months (being active daily there) right up to a full year.

    Once you understand this then I would say use your name especially on Facebook.
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    • Profile picture of the author lewisjamespro
      Ye thats true. I am really trying to switch over to fb & instagram as i know theres a huge market on the service i provide specially for instagram. its finding how to without being a sleezy salesman
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonTheFreeman
    Maybe you're overthinking this one. Different people will feel differently towards a name. So the best, go with what you yourself consider comfortable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Just make the sale happen. Questions and issues like these are the 20% in the famous "80/20" scenario.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kat Aff
    ì would say make it more personal and use your own name.
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  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    I use both together to create a personal link to me directly, but retaining a professional name for my writing site/company that people can relate to and remember.

    I also use photos of myself to reinforce that personal branding.
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