What’s in a name?
When the lovely Katherine offered to help me set up my own website as part of my weekend start-up business, I jumped at the chance.
“So Bian,” she said, “the first thing you’ve got to think of is the name.”
Er… yep… a name. Call me naïve, but I hadn’t actually thought of giving my freelance writing business a name. After all, what’s in a name?
A month on since we discussed setting up the site… I’m still stuck of the first hurdle. A name.
I started off by thinking of just naming it after myself; but then, that old spanner in the works called SEO sprung to mind and I began to falter. Should I be thinking of what customers will use to find me and call my business ‘freelance writers.com’ or the like? After all, that’s what the gurus advise. Isn’t it?
In this whole process, I began to think about names in general. For a start, think of our own names or our children’s names. Think about how long it took to choose those names. We all want our personal names to be unique, memorable, have an identity. So naming our children is an important, lengthy task that can sometimes cover the whole span of our pregnancy.
I’ve never really gotten over the fact that my parents named me ‘Bian’. Over the years, I’ve ranted, raved, questioned, and fought over the fact that I had an unknown, meaningless name that nobody could bloody get. My parents have always defended their decision with the excuse that they were ‘being creative’. But, my grouse is not one borne out of vanity, it’s perfectly a valid grouse because when I’m not being mistaken for a bloke called ‘Brian’, I’m being called variations of ‘bean’; ‘byan’ and yes – even ‘brain’. So I understand and agree with the effort we put in to choosing personal names.
But having worked for a corporate for 9 odd years now, I know that these rules, this effort and the pain of having a good name also stand for products and services.
- Image via Wikipedia
What we sell needs to stand out to the people we are selling to and a bad, forgettable name that doesn’t convey what is being sold can be disastrous for any business. I wonder how much thought and debate went into calling the ‘iPhone’ the ‘iPhone’. And worse still, I wonder how much more effort went into its supposed competitor ‘Nexus One’. Somehow ‘Nexus One’ doesn’t quite do it for me.
So here I am, one month and one post later, still stuck with my dilemma of giving my business a name. It won’t be long before Katherine either gives up on me or simply clouts me over the head if I don’t come up with one soon. And while I still don’t know the answer, what I do know is that whatever name I decide, it’s got to
- Define me
- Explain what I do
- Create a lasting brand
- Be memorable
And perhaps most important of all (going on experience) -
- be simple enough for people to understand and enunciate
Because, at the end of the day – what’s in a name?
Everything. Apparently
Bian
26 Responses to What’s in a name?
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The name is the hardest part! Hubby’s business was called Scorpion Services but that was not very courier related, we couldn’t use Arrow Couriers as that was someones limited company name, so we had to be Arrow Light Haulage… which is an industry term yet means something else entirely to customers!
Let us know what you decide on
The name is the hardest part! Hubby’s business was called Scorpion Services but that was not very courier related, we couldn’t use Arrow Couriers as that was someones limited company name, so we had to be Arrow Light Haulage… which is an industry term yet means something else entirely to customers!
Let us know what you decide on
I always get flustered when having to think of names for things – luckily I didn’t have that problem with my own business!
Although you do have to bear SEO in mind, it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be the main focus in your decision – you can always use the domain name WHATEVERNAMEYOUDECIDEON-freelance-writer.com anyway.
Twitter: nikkipilkington
ha ha! thanks Nikki loving that name already!
I always get flustered when having to think of names for things – luckily I didn’t have that problem with my own business!
Although you do have to bear SEO in mind, it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be the main focus in your decision – you can always use the domain name WHATEVERNAMEYOUDECIDEON-freelance-writer.com anyway.
Twitter: nikkipilkington
ha ha! thanks Nikki loving that name already!
Being a freelance writer too, I have been through the same hoops you’re going through on many occasions.
The one problem with choosing a name along the lines of “TheFreelanceWriter” … “WordsThatWork” … “WriteWords” … etc. etc. is that although they may herald what you do, they also herald what all your competitors do.
After scratching around for a very long time, I eventually wised up and realised that with something as individual as writing, the brand is you – your name, or something similar – and not some generic-sounding name no matter how snappy it is.
So at the risk of sounding cheesey, I’d say start looking at terms like “BIANbrains” … “BIANwords” … “BIANmarketing” …. BIANbizwriting … etc.
It will be unusual enough to stand out from the crowd, will be your own, exclusive brand and what’s more you’ll find it far easier to register something like that as a domain name.
And with a name like Suzan St Maur, trust me, I get some funny goofs too … Suzanne and Stumaur are the most popular…!
Sz
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
Being a freelance writer too, I have been through the same hoops you’re going through on many occasions.
The one problem with choosing a name along the lines of “TheFreelanceWriter” … “WordsThatWork” … “WriteWords” … etc. etc. is that although they may herald what you do, they also herald what all your competitors do.
After scratching around for a very long time, I eventually wised up and realised that with something as individual as writing, the brand is you – your name, or something similar – and not some generic-sounding name no matter how snappy it is.
So at the risk of sounding cheesey, I’d say start looking at terms like “BIANbrains” … “BIANwords” … “BIANmarketing” …. BIANbizwriting … etc.
It will be unusual enough to stand out from the crowd, will be your own, exclusive brand and what’s more you’ll find it far easier to register something like that as a domain name.
And with a name like Suzan St Maur, trust me, I get some funny goofs too … Suzanne and Stumaur are the most popular…!
Sz
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
Thanks Suzanne – you’ve given me even more to think about
! B
Thanks Suzanne – you’ve given me even more to think about
! B
I know how difficult choosing a name is for you, sometimes it is best to get a list and check what is free on the internet. If it is a name you are trading with, checking companies house is also a good thing as there may be a company in the same industry that has taken the name but not the domain (that can get you in trouble).
If a company has the same name but are in a different industry and have not taken the domain then you are free to use it, the conflict comes when the registered company feel you are attempting to gain business on their good name.
What every you choose will be great and can’t wait to read the blog!
I know how difficult choosing a name is for you, sometimes it is best to get a list and check what is free on the internet. If it is a name you are trading with, checking companies house is also a good thing as there may be a company in the same industry that has taken the name but not the domain (that can get you in trouble).
If a company has the same name but are in a different industry and have not taken the domain then you are free to use it, the conflict comes when the registered company feel you are attempting to gain business on their good name.
What every you choose will be great and can’t wait to read the blog!
I made the most terrible mistake when naming our business – Qualia Systems.
It means something to me, but it is very difficult to explain to anyone else. Please skip the next paragraph unless you need a nap…
Our software uses artifical intelligence techniques to make decisions that are qualitative rather than simply quantitative…and I was reading a novel by David Lodge where the philosophical term qualia was used, and I thought it sounded nice and also would just suggest quality, too…
And Bian is a lovely name – pause for a moment and imagine being called something as common and boring as Ann…
My suggestion is to chose something simple or something personal, and then promote it so that it gets known
Good luck
I thought Qualia was emphasising that the quality of your product was much higher than what else is out there. Anyone meeting your customer contact MD, i.e. Ryan, is going to realise pretty quickly what you have is not the average and there’s a good likelihood you aren’t bullshitting.
I made the most terrible mistake when naming our business – Qualia Systems.
It means something to me, but it is very difficult to explain to anyone else. Please skip the next paragraph unless you need a nap…
Our software uses artifical intelligence techniques to make decisions that are qualitative rather than simply quantitative…and I was reading a novel by David Lodge where the philosophical term qualia was used, and I thought it sounded nice and also would just suggest quality, too…
And Bian is a lovely name – pause for a moment and imagine being called something as common and boring as Ann…
My suggestion is to chose something simple or something personal, and then promote it so that it gets known
Good luck
I thought Qualia was emphasising that the quality of your product was much higher than what else is out there. Anyone meeting your customer contact MD, i.e. Ryan, is going to realise pretty quickly what you have is not the average and there’s a good likelihood you aren’t bullshitting.
You can get too hung up on SEO, there are ways to get your site up the rankings without having exactly what you do in the title, although obviously it does help it’s not the end of the world if you don’t.
I had the same problem of what to call myself as I offer a broad range of design services from brand identity to websites. The name I use has had positive feedback as everyone knows who I am from my company name and because it is just me my name is ‘i am emily’
So long as you have a strong brand and market your company well then you should choose something that reflects your personality as it is your company and you have to live with that name.
Good luck on deciding and if you need a hand with your brand – give me a shout! : )
You can get too hung up on SEO, there are ways to get your site up the rankings without having exactly what you do in the title, although obviously it does help it’s not the end of the world if you don’t.
I had the same problem of what to call myself as I offer a broad range of design services from brand identity to websites. The name I use has had positive feedback as everyone knows who I am from my company name and because it is just me my name is ‘i am emily’
So long as you have a strong brand and market your company well then you should choose something that reflects your personality as it is your company and you have to live with that name.
Good luck on deciding and if you need a hand with your brand – give me a shout! : )
I chose “Virtual Balance” for my personal development consultancy because it reflects work/life balance, a balanced life, emotional balance, what-have-you. And “virtual” because it’s based on the internet. I do online and phone consultations, not in person, so it’s “virtual”. Also I like the idea of being “virtually balanced” – not quite perfect, but virtually so!
I realise in this kind of business you’re really selling yourself, but if I get one more e-mail addressed to “Dear Bill”, I’ll explode! So, although I use my real name, of ocurse, I don’t particularly promote it.
I chose “Virtual Balance” for my personal development consultancy because it reflects work/life balance, a balanced life, emotional balance, what-have-you. And “virtual” because it’s based on the internet. I do online and phone consultations, not in person, so it’s “virtual”. Also I like the idea of being “virtually balanced” – not quite perfect, but virtually so!
I realise in this kind of business you’re really selling yourself, but if I get one more e-mail addressed to “Dear Bill”, I’ll explode! So, although I use my real name, of ocurse, I don’t particularly promote it.
What do you write about and who do you write for? Words are loaded and conjure up images in people’s minds. You want the image to resonate with the clients’ needs. The words ‘goddess’, ‘angels’ or ‘ashram’ in a name shriek ‘New Age’. Calling yourself The Writing Collective will turn off traditionalists as it sounds ‘lefty’.
Bian is a lovely name and could be incorporated in your business name eg Biantics if you write on leisure pursuits, Biannalist if you write on history.
More ideas on choosing a business name on my site Winning Names.
What do you write about and who do you write for? Words are loaded and conjure up images in people’s minds. You want the image to resonate with the clients’ needs. The words ‘goddess’, ‘angels’ or ‘ashram’ in a name shriek ‘New Age’. Calling yourself The Writing Collective will turn off traditionalists as it sounds ‘lefty’.
Bian is a lovely name and could be incorporated in your business name eg Biantics if you write on leisure pursuits, Biannalist if you write on history.
More ideas on choosing a business name on my site Winning Names.
I happen to love your name Bian
How about something like Bian Writes, Bian writes for you, or something along those lines.
Can’t wait to see your website –
A x
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns
I happen to love your name Bian
How about something like Bian Writes, Bian writes for you, or something along those lines.
Can’t wait to see your website –
A x
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns
It’s a long process choosing a name! My company was originally named Me Me Mine after the George Harrison song “I Me Me Mine” which is (apparently) about renouncing the ego in order to reach enlightenment. I also liked the way it made me think of two children fighting over a toy “Mine”! Anyway, to cut a long story short the web designer (3lotusmedia) and I came up with the idea of two child characters, Mimi and Myne, to illustrate the site and we decided to name the website “Mimi Myne” after them. The only thing I regret about this, is that every time I say the name out loud to someone, I end up having to spell it!
It’s a long process choosing a name! My company was originally named Me Me Mine after the George Harrison song “I Me Me Mine” which is (apparently) about renouncing the ego in order to reach enlightenment. I also liked the way it made me think of two children fighting over a toy “Mine”! Anyway, to cut a long story short the web designer (3lotusmedia) and I came up with the idea of two child characters, Mimi and Myne, to illustrate the site and we decided to name the website “Mimi Myne” after them. The only thing I regret about this, is that every time I say the name out loud to someone, I end up having to spell it!