Using an Artist name VS. your Real name - What should you do?

[@jessicag5398]

Hi! I'm an artist that's just starting out with building my online presence and brand. Finding a name has been one of the hardest parts for me but this video was sooo helpful and informative, thank you so much for making this. Your work and knowledge is very inspirational!

[@iamdetour]

Jessica Ashley glad it helps🙌🙌🙌

[@Malachi.Manuel]

Jessica G honestly goes pretty hard

[@olivierroubieu]

Good video. We get caught up in the name, but really the important thing is to pick one and run with it. I've changed my name a few times in my career and it's not a good thing to do.

[@ekimtiki]

Detour, thanks for posting about this topic! I have a common name, so I use a nickname everywhere on social media. It's basically become my brand, but I haven't gotten so far as to use it in my online art store. I'm still stuck on which to use for my portfolio and artshop. I post a bit on KZbin using my given name, but my username is the brand name.

[@HEK-E]

hey detour, glad i found your page...dope video thanks. It was very informative and confirmed my confusion

[@iamdetour]

Glad you found the page.

[@IvanBaryshnikov]

Thank you! Made me sure of what I want!

[@iamdetour]

Awesome!

[@Le99.9]

That's one of the best videos on that subject, thank you so much ✨️

[@iamdetour]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FelmeArt]

It is too hard to pick a name. I started using my own initials but I just found out somebody else is using the same initial for their art channel. Now I am thinking about editing and changing mine

[@Xkyrynn]

My question is though if I have an artist name should I use that when creating a DBA (Doing Business As) registration and use it as my company name or can I just keep my artist name as a “nickname” for social media and go by my real name or company name? For example: Real Name-John Smith Company Name-Acrylic Marc Social Name-Penstyle Or Real Name-John Smith Company and Social Name-Penstyle Your thoughts?

[@emilyhodgsonart4146]

Thanks for this awesome video! I'm currently using my real name "Emily Hodgson" with "Art" at the end, but I'm worried my first name is too common and my last name is too hard to pronounce... I like using my name to keep branding simple, but it's hard to know if it works or not :/

[@iamdetour]

You can do that! I would say if you fell comfortable with it, stick with it. you dont want to make things too complicated if you can avoid it.

[@wootwoot5486]

Mine is the opposite... I'm kinda afraid of using my actual name because it's REALLY uncommon.

[@TheDarkness2146]

This video helps for more inspiration about how you can come up for your name :)

[@iamdetour]

Glad this vid can help. I'm sure the name is going to be epic.

[@TheDarkness2146]

@@iamdetour Definetly got a few ideas but going through google or spotify search, man it's not easy to find a name which is not taken yet. May I ask you how foreign "Ewald Miller", for possibly EDM / film music composing / music business in general, is to you? This is my actual german name And I'm kind of concerned about the english pronunciation of my first name

[@iamdetour]

@@TheDarkness2146 I think Ewald Miller is great. I never heard of the name before in the US. When i Google it, i don't see many people using it over here. I think Ewald would be a good choice

[@TheDarkness2146]

@@iamdetour Thanks! Very glad to hear that the name isn't that strange from a direct US perspective 🙏🏻

[@justinwmusic]

I need to snag that Bill Withers painting

[@iamdetour]

😆 the Bill Withers sold pretty fast. He’s definitely a great inspiration to have on the wall

[@Mhz.Hartfield]

Salute. Love your art work.

[@iamdetour]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that!!!

[@Brenda-ev3oe]

I’ve had a user name “so.umidk” since 2012. I use it for everything and now I’m hesitant on using that name for my artists brand. Coming up with a name is very difficult!!

[@iamdetour]

Once you have a name all about giving it meaning but the more unique the better i think.

[@learnartwithme3766]

I'm considering logging my "journey" (ugh) from the start and I'm rethinking the name as I'm unsure,

[@teamart7541]

My name is Siroosh and I thought it was unique enough to be my music artist name but is "SIROOSH" a good name or should I change into something easier to pronounce?

[@queerlando]

Late to this but Jean O’Skoo actually sounds perfect

[@iamdetour]

O'Skoo is super unique!👌👌👌

[@honeyspoonbeewrangler4550]

When you get paid a commission through a check or such, can one get checks cashed if name is different on account?

[@goodnight360]

when it comes to accepting payments you have to use your real name. you can inform your client to make the check out to whatever your real name is. unless you have an LLC with a trademarked business name they can make it out to your nickname.

[@andreojuegosyestrategia1266]

Thank you. This was helpful

[@youlist]

Thank you for this video. What name to use when signing on art / prints? real or stage name or both?

[@iamdetour]

I sign with my stage name.

[@karastudio]

which one is better - Tymoxx or Hoverman?

[@iamdetour]

You are at the top of Google with "Tymoxx". Hoveman has a ton of other people using it so there is competition for the name.

[@CJShopland_Art]

Is there any worry about signing with stage name and how easily it will be connected back to you? Every name I’ve looked into is taken but my real name no other businesses and already on google with using both interchangeable. However I hate my name for art, it’s common and surname is weird. I love KAWS, name and the art. I am detour is awesome too All the names I thought yes that’s it, someone’s famous for it despite never hearing of them 😅

[@blahblahblahpointblah]

I found this article helpful 👍

[@iamdetour]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jver6503]

Heyy, is it okay to slowly evolve your artist name throughout the beginning stages of your art career? For example, I initially started out using my full legal name, but my art style had changed from realism to surrealism. Then I began using my first Initial of my first name along with my middle name, because I thought it would be easier for people to pronounce. Unfortunately this version of my name was too common. Now I am thinking about using my full first name and middle name to add more uniqueness. Is this too much of a drastic change ?

[@unfazedreview3000]

Perhaps do both put some things out under one name and some out under another name, depending on the style.

[@Sayaki.Yuumakou]

liked + subscribed, great video

[@iamdetour]

🙌🙌🙌

[@lunapage2815]

What artist name would you recommend, my name is Luna and last name is Page I know I could keep it as it is because Luna isn't the most common, but if I were to change either names or alter them do you have any suggestions? This is to make my brand as a singer. Thanks! (I am sometimes a bit worried as Page can get confused with the actual meaning of a Page, and I have found artists who use Luna, which is why I am trying to figure out what is best.)

[@iamdetour]

I like Luna. I haven't heard of anther luna in the entertainment industry. i think having "Luna P" or something to make sure you can have the name secured on the different social media platforms is also key as well.

[@alexgirbu8498]

My name is Alex Girbu and I want to be a Singer, so any suggestions to mix up with something or just a fake last name ideas ?

[@iamdetour]

I love the last name because its unique. Even if you just use the "Gir" or just the "Bu". You have a few unique options with that. And, its based on your real name and not something totally made up.

[@alexgirbu8498]

@@iamdetour Alex Gir or Alex Bu ?

[@_SZNN]

@@alexgirbu8498 just go by your last name. People would be curious to know where it originates from if you know your family history

[@RichtoonGaming]

My real name is Richie Heath. On PlayStation and Xbox, my online name is Richtoon because I’m a big fan of classic cartoons and I love drawing cartoon when I was little boy. Richie + Cartoon = Richtoon I have been using Richtoon since 2009. Now I want to be a graffiti artist and I’m going start it very soon. I have been thinking about what artist name I want to use but very hard to think and names I came up are: Atomic Banana, Acid Juice, Acid Splash and few more but.. Should I go for Richtoon as artist name too or just use my real name Richie Heath? My name is too common like what you said in the video. What’s your thought about this? :) you made a really good video, thank you for sharing with us.

[@iamdetour]

I really like Richtoon. keep it simple by keeping it the same.

[@cheekycherriez]

Hi! I'm a young artist and want to start my brand by next year since I'm still not prepared, on a break and improving my craft. I go with a pseudonym 'Verseaudoux', my only problem is if this sounds a little hard to pronounce since it's French. I also have two more choices; Aquamethyst and Violatte, and yet, i'm not yet sure. i'm also not sure if you'll see this. Also thank you for doing this video, it helped me :)

[@SheaHues]

If it helps I like the violatte! But whatever your heart speaks to you should choose :)

[@minah.]

Will I run into issues if I use a well known word for my name like “alt” or “ctrl” ?

[@iamdetour]

Those are common words in the computer world so it will be harder to dominate the search results. It’s not impossible but it will be a little harder versus a name that is super unique and uncommon.

[@travis_straightcash]

You got a ig

[@k.k8791]

My first name is kamal and the last is kamil . And i really hate it it sounds like an Indian name and if u search iit almost everyone in carry this name is indian. So i would love to change my name but will that bring issues in the future if i wanted to put my works in a gallery or something?

[@sangeovr]

thank you

[@littlebigscholars]

My name is Tinashe Chidarikire but i usually go by Tay. Been struggling trying to create an artist name for myself. Any thoughts?

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

Thanks for the video...sometimes maybe you can do both... or not. Blessings.

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

I'm about seeing--- more deeply into life. seeing spiritually. I feel blessed with my name & calling to help people 'see'... Love wins.

[@Alisonsgachaverse]

When I saw the title I thought of Sharaku...

[@adittaroy7692]

That was helpful

[@iamdetour]

🙌🙌🙌

[@spizard3240]

2:49 WHAAAAAT?

[@novylenerosetan9414]

Hi! Can you help me with my name? My name is Novylene Rose Tan, been using it in my drawings and paintings. Any suggestions?

[@melissaoliva6069]

Hey! If I use the name of a brand like Gretsch would I get in trouble?

[@iamdetour]

using a trademanrked name can get you into trouble so being as unique as possible is best. it also helps when trying to market because when you use a common name or a name of a famous brand, yo will have to compete with the larger brand online.

[@melissaoliva6069]

@@iamdetour thank you so much 😁

[@janaabji5665]

Is Sukhjind Dhillon a good name ? Or should I change it to Seji Dhillon ?

[@iamdetour]

I do like the name Seji. I never cam across someone famous person with the name Seji so that makes it unique

[@janaabji5665]

@@iamdetour Thanks for your suggestion!

[@dergoathighscore170]

What Artist Name fits to someone with the Name Alfred

[@iamdetour]

I would say to think about the nicknames that your friends and family may have for you.

[@dergoathighscore170]

@@iamdetourthank u if i consider this Point I would go with Obed Kay or Fred Kay. bc my mum used to call me obed or Fred and my second Name ist Kwame. So Fred Kay or Obed Kay let me hear ya opinion :)

[@dergoathighscore170]

And my own idea is ,,Kays linez“

[@deadname99_43]

mc' bob

[@iamdetour]

LOL! I like that

[@alexanderharkess1091]

Hi detour ...iamaka?3@nksy??lolAleckidxknbaksynBANKSYwasHERE!ha!ha!not!

[@xlifefighterx]

i need you to help me to choose one. Which one is better? Be honest. L!FEF!GHTER ABH!

[@iamdetour]

ABH! is a lot better. short and sweet