Last week I encouraged you to use your real name--in whatever form you choose--for your art business. If you missed that issue, you can find it at http://snipurl.com/34wq2 . This week I want to give hope to those of you already creating art under a different name or business name.

There are two primary reasons for using a name besides your own (a “Doing Business As” or “DBA” name).

The first is that you are a service business like ArtBizCoach.com and want the benefits of the service to be in your business name. But even with a service business, you should be front and center for your business since we hire services from people we trust and like. If you want to see how this is done, visit ArtBizCoach.com and notice how my picture is on my home page and on almost every inside page. Also, note how I put a personal photo in every issue of this newsletter. I don’t know about you, but when I’m buying services, I sure want to know who is behind them and why I should trust them as an expert.

Artists who also provide services include muralists, wedding and portrait photographers, instructors, and so forth. But don’t think that you need a DBA just because you provide a service. It still might be to your advantage to keep your name as your business name.

The second reason to use a name besides your own is that you have a production line or “less serious” body of work that you want to keep separate from the art you choose to be known for. Reserve your name for how you want to go down in the history books and use a DBA for the other work.

If neither of these two reasons applies and you are already known under a DBA, don’t worry about it. You’re known! If you’re still early in your career and using a DBA, I advise the following.

For your Web site, purchase not just the URL with your business name, but also your own name. Link them together so they go to a single Web site. If you have been using a URL that isn’t your name and you want to switch, keep the old URL active, but start using your new Web address on all of your marketing material and in your emails. If the two URLs are linked, you’ll wean visitors out of the habit of typing in the old one.

Make your name prominent next to your business name. Your business won’t just be “Golden Gems” but “Golden Gems by Sue Henderson” or “Sue Henderson’s Golden Gems.” Make sure your name is on everything and especially at the top of every single page on your Web site. This announces the handmade quality of your work and differentiates it from mass-produced products. It is also a good way to transition out of using a DBA name. Add your name to the DBA when you use it and eventually stop using the DBA.

Use a photo of yourself on your Web site--not necessarily on the home page (that’s for your art!), but on your “About” or “Bio” page. Read this article to guide you with your photos:
http://snipurl.com/actionshots 

One final note. Just because you are incorporated or official under a DBA name does not mean that you have to plaster that name everywhere. In fact, no one has to know until they buy something from you. If their purchase is by credit card, they need to know your DBA because, presumably, it will show up on their statement under that name. For instance, I am incorporated under Stanfield Art Associates, so when you buy something from me, you get a receipt from Stanfield Art Associates, Inc. But my brand is ArtBizCoach.com.