Which spelling of my name should I go with by defaul (Read for details)

So this is a tough decision, and was hoping I could get some opinions. I would appreciate if you viewed it as a "Pro Photog" and than as a "potential customer"

So my legal name is spelled "Neil Drake"
But since I'm 4, we've been spelling my name "Neill Drake"

Long story short, I have a twin named Glenn, and a older brother named Russell and when I was little I was curious which I only had 1 L. My mom thought we'd change it for a few days to please me and it just stuck for the past 21 years

So this came from my business card thread.

Do I go with Neil (Which is the strict professional opinion I think)
Or go with Neill (Which I think is a more personnel level, its who I am)

I own both Neilldrake.com and NeilDrake.com just because If I tell someone on the street my website they might forget to told them 2 L's

My facebook has been Neill Drake since 2006

I really don't think it matters. But Neill is pretty uncommon and the "i" doesn't help the visibility of the two l's, so unless you have a super super clear font on you cards etc go with Neil.

You can always change your fb name.

Bottom line: it doesnt really matter, but make sure its clear if you choose Neill.

Much ado about nothing, to quote some long dead englishman. Pick the spelling of your name you choose to use.

I'd go with Neil. But I'm just pedantic about spelling

David

Since you have both domains, I don't think it matters much. Go with "Neill," and just have the site that's "Neil" do a re-direct.

I'd make sure that if and when you pick up an e-mail account, try and avoid it all together (unless you want to pay for 2 different accounts).

Back when I was a newspaper photographer, I'd have to get the names of all the folks I photographed. I'd run into this damned near weekly.

"Hi I'm from the Times and I took your picture back there. Can I get your name?"

"Reallly? Cool. My name's Bob Smith ... er Robert Smith."

"Bob or Robert?"

"Uhh, ohh, I don't know. Doesn't matter."

"Listen man, no matter how little it matters to you, it matters even less to me. Pick a name."

My point is that no one cares about this as much as you do. You gotta be the one to make the call.

It's not so much about what makes me feel better, I'm talking in terms of running a buisness. If I go by 2 Ls. Won't it look unprofessional when a client needs to make out a check and I need to krrect their spelling? There can be a couple instances where i made need to use my legal name and it'll show a conflict

Could change your name to subtract the 2nd l


I think there are far harder names to spell than Neill.

Being from Scotland originally my name often comes out as "Karol"

I've had to send checks back and have them reissued from large corporations because they spell my name "karol johnston "
now that's embarrassing ! but livable.
I invested in letterhead, business cards and using my name and letterhead on invoices, receipts, bills, etc.

I think there's no sense putting so much thought into this, though. just pick one or the other and be done with it. Check with your local city hall or business development officer to find out what they would suggest for the case. Could try making up a new name all together.

Or maybe you'll be remembered due to the unique spelling.

No matter which one you choose, someone will inevitably use the alternative way at some stage.

Or what about Kneel - hahaha - (sorry)

Kneell or Kneall

I've not really got any idea about how to go about doing it, but couldn't you just legally change your name to have two l's in it and be done with it?

Couldn't your business name be "Neill...", with 2 l's? Then it wouldn't matter. Your business name can be whatever you want. It could be "John Smith dba Sam Jones Photography", or "Neil Drake dba Neill Drake Photography".

As far as checks go, I seriously doubt your bank would turn reject either Neil or Neill.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #10074777
As far as checks go, I seriously doubt your bank would turn reject either Neil or Neill.

Amen. I'm in a civic club and we get checks from donors and you wouldnt believe the misspellings of Kiwanis, but the bank takes them all.

If you're talking to someone on the street and tell them to go to "neil drake dot com", they will likely spell it "www.neildrake.com", not with 2 "l's". I'd go with the more common spelling.