• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adam Kirk Smith

- A. Smith Blog - Leadership in Life

  • About Adam
  • The Bravest You
  • Blog
    • Leadership
      • Creativity
    • Communication
    • Relationships
    • Focus
  • Podcasts & Video
    • Podcast: Live Life with Purpose
    • Podcast: Ideas with Adam Smith
    • asmithvideo
  • Coaching & Consulting
  • Speaking

Adam Smith | August 4, 2011 | 4 Comments

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?

Filed Under: Social Media

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason Vana says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    I gave a lot of thought to my online presence, as I knew right from the start that social media or personal web sites could have a huge impact on any employment opportunities. I thought about going with an alias, but figured that I would just stick with my real name, so if someone tried googling me, they would actually get me.

    Right from the start I tried to be as much of myself as I possibly could. Took a while with the blog, as it started primarily as a way to expand on the weekly devotions I send out my email for my college students. After a while I realized I might as well just make it my own, use my own voice and let people see the real me – struggles, triumphs and all.

    I think it’s helped people a lot, as I get comments and emails saying that my posts have blessed them somehow. Very humbling.

    Great post Adam!

    Reply
  2. Jason Vana says

    August 4, 2011 at 10:42 am

    I gave a lot of thought to my online presence, as I knew right from the start that social media or personal web sites could have a huge impact on any employment opportunities. I thought about going with an alias, but figured that I would just stick with my real name, so if someone tried googling me, they would actually get me.

    Right from the start I tried to be as much of myself as I possibly could. Took a while with the blog, as it started primarily as a way to expand on the weekly devotions I send out my email for my college students. After a while I realized I might as well just make it my own, use my own voice and let people see the real me – struggles, triumphs and all.

    I think it’s helped people a lot, as I get comments and emails saying that my posts have blessed them somehow. Very humbling.

    Great post Adam!

    Reply
  3. ThatGuyKC says

    August 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    I thought a lot about branding before “launching” myself online and a number of resources I use pointed out the benefits of not branding on a real name. The two biggest reasons for me where 1) nobody is going to know who I am and 2) a brand can be sold, changed or repurposed while I’m stuck w/ my name.

    I decided on “ThatGuyKC” for Twitter, comments, email and authoring blog posts because it includes my initials and communicates a friendly, average joe persona.

    Reply
  4. KC Procter says

    August 4, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    I thought a lot about branding before “launching” myself online and a number of resources I use pointed out the benefits of not branding on a real name. The two biggest reasons for me where 1) nobody is going to know who I am and 2) a brand can be sold, changed or repurposed while I’m stuck w/ my name.

    I decided on “ThatGuyKC” for Twitter, comments, email and authoring blog posts because it includes my initials and communicates a friendly, average joe persona.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About

Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

[Read More…]

Podcast: Ideas

Ideas with Adam Smith Logo

Podcast: Live Life with Purpose

Life With Purpose Podcast Icon

The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Youtube: ASmithVideo

asmithvideo icon

Latest Posts

  • FREE BOOK… for a limited time!
  • Add Value
  • Books I’m Listening To…
  • Motive Matters
  • Books and Other Stuff

Adam Smith · Leadership in Life · asmithblog.com © 2025 · Adam Kirk Smith's blog on leadership, relationships, communication, creativity, and focus.