1 00:00:04,470 --> 00:00:05,010 Hi there. 2 00:00:05,310 --> 00:00:06,060 It's Sue. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,700 And thanks for joining me for tips and talk day. 4 00:00:09,330 --> 00:00:13,290 These are bite-sized topics that I pull from community questions and 5 00:00:13,290 --> 00:00:16,830 things that I'm observing in the world of handmade small business. 6 00:00:17,310 --> 00:00:18,900 If you'd like to submit a topic, 7 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:24,990 DME, over on Instagram at gift biz unwrapped Today, 8 00:00:25,080 --> 00:00:27,780 I'm going to give you a number of things to consider 9 00:00:27,810 --> 00:00:31,020 while you're brainstorming the name for your business. 10 00:00:31,740 --> 00:00:33,810 But I would be doing you a disservice. 11 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,900 If I didn't remind you that this is not the first 12 00:00:36,900 --> 00:00:37,890 thing you should do, 13 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,140 when thinking about starting your business, 14 00:00:40,650 --> 00:00:45,330 although it's naturally what you'd think you should do and what 15 00:00:45,330 --> 00:00:46,170 most do. 16 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,510 Nope. The very first thing when considering starting your business is 17 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:53,400 to validate your product. 18 00:00:53,940 --> 00:00:56,700 You can hear more about this in the tips and talk 19 00:00:56,730 --> 00:00:58,500 66 episode. 20 00:00:58,890 --> 00:01:01,620 And I walk you through how to do this in detail. 21 00:01:01,890 --> 00:01:03,990 In my start with confidence program, 22 00:01:04,500 --> 00:01:06,930 you can see more about that on my website. 23 00:01:07,650 --> 00:01:11,070 Once you validated that there's a market for your product, 24 00:01:11,430 --> 00:01:13,920 you're ready to start your business in earnest. 25 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,850 Now it's the time to decide on the name and register 26 00:01:17,850 --> 00:01:18,780 it officially. 27 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,970 So how do you decide on that all important name? 28 00:01:25,050 --> 00:01:27,480 There may be a name that you've been thinking about all 29 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,380 along, or you may be starting fresh by brainstorming all the 30 00:01:31,380 --> 00:01:36,090 possibilities. Your business name is an important consideration, 31 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:38,940 but can also be a stalling point. 32 00:01:39,570 --> 00:01:43,590 I've seen too many people spend weeks if not months with 33 00:01:43,590 --> 00:01:47,340 their business on hold because they can't decide on the perfect 34 00:01:47,370 --> 00:01:51,510 name. So my intent here is to help you along with 35 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:53,280 making a great choice, 36 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,000 or if you're wondering if the name you currently have could 37 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:58,080 use a refresh, 38 00:01:58,440 --> 00:01:59,550 stay to the end, 39 00:01:59,580 --> 00:02:03,930 to hear a story about just that to start with. 40 00:02:04,020 --> 00:02:07,290 I want you to consider four things as you look at 41 00:02:07,290 --> 00:02:09,390 your list of possible names. 42 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:10,950 First off, 43 00:02:11,550 --> 00:02:13,650 is it SEO worthy? 44 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:18,120 If you have a name that strong for search engine optimization, 45 00:02:18,540 --> 00:02:21,750 you can get found organically online more often. 46 00:02:22,260 --> 00:02:25,950 That's a huge benefit to do this. 47 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,430 Make sure to add into your name at least one key 48 00:02:29,430 --> 00:02:33,210 word that people will search for more on this later. 49 00:02:34,140 --> 00:02:38,820 Second, confirm that you can acquire all the social media platforms 50 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,450 of the same name while not a must have. 51 00:02:42,510 --> 00:02:45,840 It certainly makes life easier and presents you as a more 52 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,690 professional and stronger business. 53 00:02:49,020 --> 00:02:51,870 Credibility and presentation is everything. 54 00:02:51,870 --> 00:02:54,030 When someone finds you for the first time, 55 00:02:55,020 --> 00:02:55,830 it's also best. 56 00:02:55,830 --> 00:03:00,010 If your name doesn't need dashes dots or underscores, 57 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,790 it's much too hard to direct people with those hard to 58 00:03:03,790 --> 00:03:05,830 describe and remember details, 59 00:03:06,430 --> 00:03:08,590 which leads to 0.3 60 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:11,260 is the name of memorable. 61 00:03:11,650 --> 00:03:15,040 This doesn't mean it has to be fancy or even unique, 62 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:17,830 but if someone has seen you online or been at your 63 00:03:17,830 --> 00:03:18,970 craft show booth, 64 00:03:19,510 --> 00:03:22,660 can they easily recall the name of your business later? 65 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:28,330 Sometimes simple can do the trick like Joyce's gift baskets. 66 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,150 Sometimes a little flare is just right, 67 00:03:31,540 --> 00:03:35,650 like love that spice and 0.4. 68 00:03:36,010 --> 00:03:38,770 Are you using the common spelling of the words? 69 00:03:39,340 --> 00:03:42,730 This should be the general rule and a preferred option, 70 00:03:43,150 --> 00:03:47,110 especially if there's another company selling the same thing as you 71 00:03:47,110 --> 00:03:50,860 are, and has the commonly spelled words for their name. 72 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:53,200 If you add your own spelling, 73 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,200 twist, not everyone is going to remember that. 74 00:03:56,530 --> 00:04:00,100 And you'll be driving a portion of your hard earned prospects 75 00:04:00,370 --> 00:04:03,190 directly over to that other business. 76 00:04:04,150 --> 00:04:06,640 Now rules are meant to be broken. 77 00:04:07,180 --> 00:04:10,360 If you do want to add some spelling pazazz to your 78 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,780 name, make sure you can also get the domain of the 79 00:04:13,780 --> 00:04:19,510 common spelling and then redirect it to the creative URL site. 80 00:04:20,350 --> 00:04:23,110 This you can do only if someone else doesn't have it 81 00:04:23,110 --> 00:04:24,460 already. Of course, 82 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:26,740 but if you're set on creative wording, 83 00:04:26,770 --> 00:04:30,040 this will ensure that people end up on your website, 84 00:04:30,130 --> 00:04:32,440 even if they enter the general spelling. 85 00:04:33,610 --> 00:04:37,000 Okay? Now that we've got this initial checklist out of the 86 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,900 way, let's move on to some ideas to help you brainstorm 87 00:04:40,900 --> 00:04:46,390 names. The first two are specifically strong to boost your SEO 88 00:04:46,390 --> 00:04:49,210 potential location. 89 00:04:49,870 --> 00:04:53,020 How about adding the name of your hometown to your company 90 00:04:53,020 --> 00:04:56,020 name? This works particularly well. 91 00:04:56,020 --> 00:04:59,260 If you live in a tourist area or your location as 92 00:04:59,260 --> 00:05:04,570 well known for something people search location names all the time. 93 00:05:05,230 --> 00:05:06,550 Bailey bill bake, 94 00:05:06,550 --> 00:05:08,620 shop Santa Barbara, 95 00:05:08,620 --> 00:05:09,730 gift baskets, 96 00:05:10,330 --> 00:05:12,280 the Hershey gifting company. 97 00:05:12,910 --> 00:05:14,860 These are all great examples. 98 00:05:15,610 --> 00:05:18,730 The only reason I wouldn't add a location to your name 99 00:05:18,940 --> 00:05:21,310 is if you think at some point in the future, 100 00:05:21,340 --> 00:05:24,100 you'll be moving and taking the business with you. 101 00:05:24,970 --> 00:05:25,930 On the other hand, 102 00:05:26,290 --> 00:05:29,680 a strong location name could add significant value. 103 00:05:30,010 --> 00:05:34,240 If you're looking to sell your company down the road to 104 00:05:34,510 --> 00:05:35,650 product category, 105 00:05:36,370 --> 00:05:38,500 think about including the name of your product. 106 00:05:38,530 --> 00:05:41,590 Specifically Yankee candles. 107 00:05:41,620 --> 00:05:44,620 Doesn't leave much doubt about what they sell yet. 108 00:05:44,620 --> 00:05:48,070 It does add additional personality with the word Yankee. 109 00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:50,170 The more general here, 110 00:05:50,260 --> 00:05:50,980 the better, 111 00:05:51,670 --> 00:05:53,950 although the popular general names, 112 00:05:54,010 --> 00:05:56,260 aren't going to put you at the top of search. 113 00:05:56,870 --> 00:06:00,380 When they're combined with other terms like candles, 114 00:06:00,740 --> 00:06:02,090 Austin, Texas, 115 00:06:02,270 --> 00:06:03,560 soy wax, 116 00:06:03,890 --> 00:06:06,410 it can lead people directly to you. 117 00:06:07,430 --> 00:06:10,970 These next three name brainstorming ideas. 118 00:06:11,150 --> 00:06:13,010 Don't give you a lot of SEO, 119 00:06:13,970 --> 00:06:15,800 but can be reviewed as options. 120 00:06:16,610 --> 00:06:18,620 Adding your name as the maker. 121 00:06:19,370 --> 00:06:22,850 This could be a great idea and definitely positioned to you 122 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:24,980 as the creator of your products. 123 00:06:25,460 --> 00:06:28,760 However, if you do this plan to be front and center 124 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:32,300 and show yourself in video and images of the business, 125 00:06:32,900 --> 00:06:35,240 having a name attached means nothing. 126 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:36,680 If I can't relate it to you, 127 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:39,050 Cassie from Cassie's country, 128 00:06:39,050 --> 00:06:41,090 cupboard is an excellent example. 129 00:06:41,090 --> 00:06:45,590 Here. You can also name your business after a late relative. 130 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:46,730 And if you do that, 131 00:06:46,970 --> 00:06:51,590 make sure it's clearly understood with pictures and explanation of the 132 00:06:51,590 --> 00:06:54,950 inspiration they provided that has resulted in the name. 133 00:06:55,970 --> 00:06:58,550 Another idea is originality. 134 00:06:59,270 --> 00:07:04,310 How about those businesses whose names have no correlation to what 135 00:07:04,310 --> 00:07:05,300 they make at all? 136 00:07:05,900 --> 00:07:08,870 They're just random interesting combinations. 137 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:11,990 I love these because they're so unique, 138 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,890 but be prepared to do a lot of informative marketing, 139 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:20,450 explaining what your business is since it won't be immediately apparent. 140 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:23,840 One thing that can help here is to add an image 141 00:07:23,870 --> 00:07:26,900 along with the name as your official logo. 142 00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:29,060 And finally, 143 00:07:29,090 --> 00:07:32,240 what about an aspirational name by this? 144 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:32,750 I mean, 145 00:07:32,750 --> 00:07:34,460 including in your name, 146 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:37,490 what the results are from using your products? 147 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:40,970 An example that comes to mind here is thrive. 148 00:07:41,300 --> 00:07:45,230 The makeup line that gives back to various organizations to help 149 00:07:45,260 --> 00:07:47,720 women do just that thrive. 150 00:07:48,530 --> 00:07:50,570 Go read their story over at thrive, 151 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:56,120 cosmetics.com, so inspirational and a great example of an about us 152 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,090 page. By the way to summarize, 153 00:07:59,150 --> 00:08:04,370 I've given you four guidelines and five idea generators around selecting 154 00:08:04,370 --> 00:08:05,510 your business name. 155 00:08:06,380 --> 00:08:08,090 What if you already have a name, 156 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,090 but it doesn't follow what I've been talking about here, 157 00:08:11,750 --> 00:08:14,390 or you've been questioning for a while, 158 00:08:14,660 --> 00:08:16,670 whether it's time for a name change, 159 00:08:16,970 --> 00:08:19,640 perhaps you did what I cautioned about in the beginning. 160 00:08:19,850 --> 00:08:22,970 And you have a name that no longer aligns with what 161 00:08:22,970 --> 00:08:23,660 you sell. 162 00:08:24,350 --> 00:08:25,970 Maybe you should change your name. 163 00:08:26,570 --> 00:08:27,170 I know, 164 00:08:27,170 --> 00:08:31,730 I know it's a major pain and you'll incur some costs 165 00:08:31,730 --> 00:08:32,810 with a name change, 166 00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:36,800 but the results may very well be worth it. 167 00:08:37,610 --> 00:08:38,810 Within this last year, 168 00:08:38,870 --> 00:08:42,350 I need a Houseman has seen the positive result of changing 169 00:08:42,350 --> 00:08:45,230 her name for over 10 years, 170 00:08:45,260 --> 00:08:48,050 her company was called treasured touch. 171 00:08:48,740 --> 00:08:53,240 She's gone through her share of product validations adjustments and ideal 172 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:54,500 customer focuses. 173 00:08:54,890 --> 00:08:57,660 And our business was steadily chugging along. 174 00:08:58,230 --> 00:09:01,200 She was emotionally tied to the name and felt she put 175 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,980 in so much time into getting people familiar with it, 176 00:09:05,370 --> 00:09:07,590 that she was way too far down the road to make 177 00:09:07,590 --> 00:09:08,520 a change. 178 00:09:09,150 --> 00:09:10,290 But deep inside, 179 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,150 she knew it wasn't a fit. 180 00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:15,240 People didn't immediately know what she did, 181 00:09:15,870 --> 00:09:18,570 which then required a lot of explanation. 182 00:09:19,260 --> 00:09:22,110 Some people even thought she was a massage parlor. 183 00:09:23,070 --> 00:09:25,740 I've been on her about her name for years, 184 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,400 and finally resigned myself to the fact that treasured touch was 185 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:30,420 here to stay. 186 00:09:31,260 --> 00:09:34,680 I'm not sure exactly what prompted her to decide to make 187 00:09:34,680 --> 00:09:35,340 a change, 188 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:36,960 but hurray, 189 00:09:37,260 --> 00:09:38,880 it's now done. 190 00:09:39,420 --> 00:09:43,770 Her company is now called the Hershey gifting company. 191 00:09:44,460 --> 00:09:46,080 She lives in Hershey, 192 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:47,430 Pennsylvania, by the way, 193 00:09:48,270 --> 00:09:51,360 her product focus has switched only slightly, 194 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,270 but the results have been dramatic. 195 00:09:55,350 --> 00:09:59,820 I've observed an obvious change in the confidence and optimism as 196 00:09:59,820 --> 00:10:01,110 she speaks about her company. 197 00:10:01,110 --> 00:10:04,470 Now you can hear this for yourself because she shows up 198 00:10:04,500 --> 00:10:06,420 regularly in the bashes. 199 00:10:07,170 --> 00:10:11,220 She's also gotten a lot more visibility in online search, 200 00:10:11,250 --> 00:10:14,040 which has led to significant new business. 201 00:10:14,670 --> 00:10:16,860 And it goes without saying website, 202 00:10:16,860 --> 00:10:20,610 traffic is up and all signs lead to more and more 203 00:10:20,610 --> 00:10:25,140 growth. Anita still works really hard in her business, 204 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:27,240 but sales are coming easier. 205 00:10:27,390 --> 00:10:30,840 And the way she presents her business feels in line and 206 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,710 powerful. This no doubt has helped with sales as well. 207 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:37,680 And her overall pride in her business, 208 00:10:38,670 --> 00:10:42,060 whether you're choosing a business name for the first time or 209 00:10:42,060 --> 00:10:43,830 thinking about making a switch, 210 00:10:43,980 --> 00:10:46,950 review these points against your brainstorming list. 211 00:10:46,980 --> 00:10:51,210 And I'm sure you'll land on the perfect one to add 212 00:10:51,210 --> 00:10:52,710 some fun to the process. 213 00:10:52,950 --> 00:10:55,020 I want to offer you a special gift. 214 00:10:55,560 --> 00:10:58,710 It's an exercise that I'm pulling out of my makers MBA 215 00:10:58,710 --> 00:11:02,370 program and is a fun lighthearted exercise. 216 00:11:02,370 --> 00:11:05,220 You can even do with a few friends that can result 217 00:11:05,250 --> 00:11:07,290 in a whole list of fun, 218 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:13,470 creative name options that most importantly reflect you to download your 219 00:11:13,470 --> 00:11:15,420 copy, go to gift biz, 220 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,650 unwrapped.com forward slash name generator, 221 00:11:20,340 --> 00:11:21,090 happy name, 222 00:11:21,090 --> 00:11:24,930 creating. That's a wrap. 223 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,180 I'm a get to the point kind of girl. 224 00:11:27,330 --> 00:11:30,120 And this is what you can expect from these quick midweek 225 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:35,190 sessions. Now it's your turn go out and fulfill that dream 226 00:11:35,190 --> 00:11:35,940 of yours. 227 00:11:36,270 --> 00:11:38,400 Share your handmade products with us. 228 00:11:38,670 --> 00:11:42,690 We want them and they bring us both so much happiness.