It seems I have a recurring problem. I have a common name, Bill Anderson. While I don't personally know anyone with my name, they are out there. I know at one time I was one of three in my local phone book with the same middle initial. Yes, there is a country singer with my name, currently he sits at the top of the heap as he owns billanderson.com. If one day I should acquire that domain, then I could (dare I say it?) rule the WORLD!
If you Googled photographers named Bill Anderson, I am sorry to say, I would not be the first one you would find, but I am working on that one.
So, a few months ago, I had created a blog for my long standing portrait business, Pictures of You. I had created the blog, but had neglected to post anything to it before today. I couldn't find it. I thought to do a Google search for it and do you know what I found? There are three other people operating their business under that name. Alas, none of them own the domain picturesofyou.com. So it would seem I have my work cut out for me in climbing the Google search peak for this facet of my business as well.
I have been in business under the name of Pictures of You since 1993. I have documents of name registration in the city of Indianapolis from that same year.
I have secured the domains for picturesofyouphoto.com and picturesofyouphotography.com. When I went to re-create this blog today, I had to again come up with a unique twist to the name for Blogger to accept it. Thus "theoriginalpicturesofyou.blogspot.com is created.
Now I don't have to be the biggest Bill Anderson or Pictures of You in the world. As long as my geographic area recognizes me as the only Bill Anderson Photography and Pictures of You, it will be ok. Who's to say I can't grow that geographic circle of influence over time? Watch out all you newcomers, I'm gunning for you.
