posted 27 May 2004 20:36            

Some people recommend getting a business name different from your own name, a commercial name. I have found that strange, because if I saw a commercial name I would think of an agency rather than of a freelance translator.

I would like to hear your opinions about it as well as tips for choosing a commercial name. I also wonder if one should register that name somehow somewhere.

Regards,

posted 27 May 2004 23:24            

Choosing a business name is a complicated matter. I devoted a whole chapter to it in Selling Your Professional Services on the Web.

For example if you choose a name that comes high up in the alphabet, it will help your Yellow Pages or any alphabetical directory listing.

If you use your own name, you'll be alright with agencies, but it won't sound so good with potential direct clients (at least in my opinion).

As for registration, it totally depends on your country of residence. In the UK, you can trade under any name as a sole trader without registering a name (although you have to register yourself for tax purposes).

You've also got to consider if it's easy to say or spell. If the domain name is available and lots of other issues too.

posted 29 May 2004 04:03            

quote:

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Originally posted by alex:
If you use your own name, you'll be alright with agencies, but it won't sound so good with potential direct clients (at least in my opinion).

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That made me think. Why someone's name won't sound so potential good with direct clients?

Afther thinking for a while, I have realized that if I were a client I would rather approach a translation company or translation agency than a freelance translator - unless I knew very well the freelance translator and think well of him/her. I am not sure why, but I think it has to do with the whole business image that companies/agencies have. And that includes a business name.

If I see someone offering his services under his own name I think of a single individual working alone. If I see a business name I think of a company or agency. I think it is the whole business image, including the business name, website and such, evokes to me the ideas of professionality and efficiency - even though it might not be so at all!

Alex, is that why you think that one's own name does not work so well with potential clients? is having the whole business image, including a business name, much more appealing for potential individual clients than working under one's own name?