Did you meet me at FinCon?

Good morning Dinks.  Let me ask you a question, did you meet me this past September at FinCon?  Actually here’s a better question…do you remember me?  Whenever I meet someone I always introduce myself as Kristina, or Tahnya Kristina (that’s my real name) but people know me by both depending on where they know me from.  That’s always been my problem when I’m trying to meet new people because a girl with a name you don’t know is easily to forgotten.

How do you introduce yourself at conferences?

I started blogging in 2009 and over the years my business has grown to include other services such as blog management, community outreach and influencer marketing.  But unless I explain that to someone they have no idea who I am or what I do.  Why?  Because I don’t have my own blog to showcase my work.  If you went to FinCon think of everyone you met – or better yet think of how you introduced yourself.  Was it “Hi I’m Carrie from Careful Cents“ or “Hi I’m J.Money from Budgets Are Sexy“  the odds are it was.

In this day and especially in the world of online businesses people always associate themselves with their blog names.  Instead of saying “Hi I’m Kristina personal finance writer and certified financial planner” people say “Hi I’m Cat from Budget Blonde.”   People very rarely ask for references when apply for jobs and they don’t ask for credentials because your blog is your credential.  When applying for any type of online job all you need is your blog to back  you up, but what if you don’t have a blog?  How do you get work?

What sets you apart from everyone else?

That’s the question I’m throwing out there into cyberspace for you.  I have a website that I use to showcase my work and highlight all my online glory, but unless I give someone the address there is no reason for them to go there and visit the site on a daily basis.  It’s not a blog and honestly I just showcase the work I’ve done for other companies, blogs and websites.  That’s my dilemma, when I meet people at conferences – a.k.a. potential employers – how do I introduce myself?

When I say “Hi I’m Tahnya Kristina” no one ever says “Oh I’ve heard of you, you’re a great writer”  But if I say “Hi I’m Kristina from Dinks Finance” people usually say “Oh yes I love your work”  I have to admit it’s a nice complement but if you work for more than one employer which website do you associate yourself with?  That’s why it’s a lot easier to have  your own blog – but who has the time?

How to make sure everyone knows, and remembers, you

Could you imagine if I walked  up to someone and said “I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Kristina from Dinks Finance” and the person said “OH Kristina nice to meet you.  I’m So and So from X Website, you write for us.” #awkward

Going forward I really want to solidify my name in the online world of personal finance.  I want to be well know like the Jeff Rose’s of the world.  Now how do I do that – without creating my own blog?