If you're out there on the internet making a name for yourself as a beauty guide, fitness guru, gamer, or some other type of social media influencer, you probably have a blog. 

But, do you have a trademark? If you haven't thought about trademarking your blog name, it's time to learn more about why it might be a good idea—and how to do it. 

Why should you trademark your blog name?

A trademark is a signifier that's unique to your business, so it can include a business name, a logo, or even a slogan. Your blog's name can be trademarked just like a business name, as long as it is unique and not already taken.

As a social media influencer, you want to build your brand identity and keep it strong—and you can't do that if someone else is free to co-opt your name for their own purposes. Unlike all the unique content that you create for your blog, exclusivity for a brand or blog name is not automatic. You also don't want to run the risk that you're accidentally using someone else's trademarked name. If that happens, you'll have to start building up a new following under another name.

Essentially, trademarks are assets. As you develop your brand under your blog, your name will grow in value—and that value is worth protecting. 

How do you trademark a blog name?

You can apply for a trademark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Filing the application can be done electronically for a fee of $225-$400, depending on different factors.

However, applying for a trademark isn't really a simple or easy process. Before you can start, you need to do some thorough research to make sure that your blog name isn't already under trademark. Don't assume that just because there's no blog currently online under that name that the trademark hasn't already been filed. Even a blog with a similar name in the same industry could present significant problems for your trademark application, so it's usually wisest to consult a trademark and patent attorney for assistance.

Once your research is complete, the actual application can be submitted. It may take around six months to receive an acknowledgment that your application is being reviewed and up to a year (or longer) to gain approval by the time the government does its own research. Once your trademark is approved, you'll also have to regularly file paperwork to maintain it—or you'll lose the exclusive right to your blog's name all over again!

Is this a lot of work? Yes, but if your blog is anything more than a hobby, it's definitely worth it.

To learn more about trademarks, contact law offices like the Lingbeck Law Office.