using an alias versus your name in branding

When I started out using social media, I remember deciding whether or not I wanted to use my real name on all the different sites, or did I want to use an alias. I obviously went with the alias route and luckily that paid off.

Here are the three reasons I chose an alias over using Adam Smith:

1. My name is plain.
Adam Smith. I mean other than the economist that wrote “Wealth of Nations”, it doesn’t really stick out. Now, “jackalopekid” on the other hand sticks out for sure. As with any marketing endeavor, you want to make people notice.

2. I wanted people to know that things from me were going to be more on the random side.
The nickname “jackalopekid” was given to me in high school and it stuck for the online world. Your name should give a tip of what others should expect or your real name of course. If your name is shorter, it will allow for more characters in tweets and in return will be easier to retweet.

3. I wanted to create buy-in and relationships.
Whether you use an alias or your real name online allows for this next step, as long as you let people know up front who you really are. You have to make it easy for your readers to engage with you. Start the conversation. Make yourself available. These are good habits to have in offline relationships easier as well. When things are fluid and conversations are effortless, relationships become real faster. Care about your audience.

How much thought do you put into your online presence and what was the outcome of those thoughts?