You have a great business idea, now you just need a name. There is so much to consider when coming up with a name for your new venture – domains, social media handles, recognizability, potential for growth. Ah! Today I’m sharing some of my tricks for coming up with a great business name.
- Brainstorm. Write down every word that describes your business and you. Try not to restrict yourself, this is the fun part. Be sure to include any made up words that you or your kids may have coined.
- Cut. Go through your list and start crossing out every word that just isn’t going to work. Consider any negative associations words may carry for your potential clients.
- Merge. Start putting some of those words together to see what you can come up with. Consider making a name that is encompassing enough to let people know immediately what you do, but not so restricted that the name can’t grow with you.
- Research. Now that you have a list of names that you like, start researching their feasibility. Are there other companies that are already using the name(s) you love? Are you finding bad press related to your potential name? Cross off any names that haven’t made the cut after this phase.
- Claim. Now it’s time to make a name your own! I like to start with domain names. Choose your favorite domain registrar (mine is currently GoDaddy.com) and start plugging in those business names to see what kind of domain names are available. I still opt for .com whenever possible, but I’m also a fan of .co, .club, and .love. Really any extension will work if it has the right meaning and tone. Once you have an idea of what domain names are available (and probably crossed out a few business name ideas because of it) start checking out those social media profiles. Try to pick a handle that you can use consistently across all of the platforms.
- Decide. Ok, the time has come! Look at your list, taking into account available domain names and social media handles, and pick the business name that feels the most comfortable to you. Trust your gut and go with it. At the end of the day, you are what’s most important.
I’ve been through this process a number of times for my own business (and business ideas) and while it’s never easy, it certainly helps to have a method to the madness.
Curious how I came up with the name MOOSH Creative? Well, the “creative” part is pretty self-explanatory. “MOOSH” was the word my then two-year-old daughter would say when she was trying to get our big lazy dog to move out of her way. Now I get to think about her whenever I’m working!