In a Name
One of the problems with having the email address phillip.herndon@gmail.com is that every Phillip Herndon in the country (the world?) thinks it’s OK to have their email sent to me.
A few weeks ago I got a few emails for a Phillip Herndon up in the midwest detailing a flight itinerary. I’m sure there was something nefarious I could have done with the information, but I know (better than firsthand) not to anger Phillip Herndons.
Today, I got some emails from Details magazine about a Phillip Herndon, this time living in LA, renewing their subscription. This was double confusing because I used to have a subscription to Details (it came free with my Wired subscription, I swear!) and right about now would be the time they should be coming at me to try and resubscribe.
In any case, to all you other Phillip Herndons out there, know this: I worked hard to own this name on the Internet, and if you want to go toe-to-toe with me to claim your position at the top, I welcome the challenge.
But you have ways to go with your SEO. In between us are at least two dead Phillips and the best economics teacher in Cook County, Ga.
UPDATE: Correction: Senders put the name on emails, and while some PHs may accidentally use an email address I’ve chosen to register, they certainly do not do so maliciously. Still, other PHs, I want an SEO battle. Fire up your Dreamweavers.
June 7th, 2009 at 9:00 am
“One of the problems with having the email address phillip.herndon@gmail.com is that every Phillip Herndon in the country (the world?) thinks it’s OK to have their email sent to me.” Big, bad ass-umption that ALL of us who have the same name (some of us having it longer) send to your email.
Please, don’t bother to respond to me personally. Just correct that SOME might use it, and realize that the SENDER is the one who put the name on it. Don’t assume some malicious act by others, just because we have the same name and you choose to take that as your email address.
- Phil
June 8th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
It’s true! My Internet badassery finally caught up with me.
It’s the sender’s fault I get other Phillips’ mail. We Phillip Herndons come from common stock, we’re hearty men (and women?) who do not take Internet frippery lightly.
I’ll issue the correction.