Go ahead…do a Google search for your name.
Now ask yourself: Are you happy with the results? Were there any relevant results?
Okay, now Google search your company’s name. Ask yourself the same questions.
Question: What is the point of this excercise?
Answer: To many people this is who you are, like it or not.
- When you apply for a job odds are the HR
department will do a Google search and review the results as part of a background check. - When a potential customer is deciding if they are going to work with you or not, they are probably going to do a Google search on you and your company.
- People even do a Google search before they decide if they really want to be your friend or go on a date. Another form of a background check.
Unlike keywords such as “cell phones” or “cars” your name and company name are something you can realistically own (in most cases). This is very important to your brand and your company’s brand. It is also very interesting to note how many of your search results are social media profiles. In my particular case, Facebook, LinkedIn and Smaller Indiana are all on the first page of results. This is an important extension of extension of your name and brand as well.
So ask yourself: Do you really own your name online? If you do not or if you are unhappy with the results – what are you going to do about it?
Derek
This is something I’ve started doing this year. I’ve moved up to Google SERP two from non-existent. However, my name is hugely popular. I compete with famous persons like the pro golfer and Tom Petty’s bassist. There are also a lot of my namesakes that are selling product and obviously spend quite a bit on SEO. So what do you do in this case?
Thank you for your comment and great question! My advice would be:
Focus on a niche within the Mike Campbell name that you can own. Maybe you can be THE Mike Campbell on Facebook. THE Mike Campbell on Twitter. You should definitely try to be THE Mike Campbell CPA. All of the other Mike Campbell’s you mentioned were associated with something – so focus on solidfying your name as THE CPA of choice.
I would also take a look at your company name and really trying to ensure your association with with your name. Now all of a sudden you are THE Mike Campbell CPA with a company in Lousiville.
This is the exact reason why I put “(in most cases)” in my blog post. Trying to compete with a celebrity or other famous person is not the best thing to do. You may NEVER win. But you can win at making yourself unique within a certain niche. For example, look at other place where they are not and establish a web presence there. While it may not be as good as owning Google, it’s better than trying to compete.
Hope this helps! Best Wishes,
D-Mac
[...] Stepping Right Up! added an interesting post on Google Search Your Name – Do You Really Own It?Here’s a small excerptWhen you apply for a job odds are the HR department will do a Google search and review the results as part of a background check. … [...]
Good stuff. I think I’m on the right track because I’m the top six search results for Mike Campbell CPA. Thanks for the advice.
You are welcome. And Thank you for your comments.
Also, it looks like you are on the right track moving toward 52 blog posts this year…keep it up!
Best Wishes