How to name a new company?
I am literally in the epitome of the "seed" stage with my company. I am the only person, and have no customers, but want to start my branding in the right way. I am looking for some feedback on naming my "company". I am a recruiter that would like to launch a resume review/ interview coaching company that strives to help people throughout the entire process. I currently have "The Review Board" as my generic title, because I dont want to have to teach people what my name means. Do you think this title is sufficient? Does it come off as too stuffy or intimidating? Some people say to use my name, Jacqueline Resume Consulting, or my initials, but I dont know how I feel about that! Any thoughts/ opinions would be greatly appreciated!
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Feb 25, 2013
Some tips:
1) the smaller the name the better (keep it as one word)
2) Easy to pronounce
3) best if you can turn it into a domain name (but not as easy)
4) customers can see what you offer through your name (even in some type of hidden message)
Other note: The naming of company can be a fun part with friends. Get name ideas from others.
Jan 10, 2013
Hi Jacqueline
I don't know if you are still looking for an answer to this question, but to me the answer just jumped right out. Your surname is Gowin, read it as Go Win! You are planning to coach winners after all.
Mike Fesler got there with Gowin Group and a close match domain name is still available. I won't post it publicly for obvious reasons but message me and I'll give it to you. Your name also gives you access to your slogan, e'g' coaching the winners in the job market' or 'coaching future job winners' - just go play with it and see where it takes you.
Good luck
John
Dec 11, 2012
Use a domain generator to find an availiable domain name that you like... then use it for the company
Dec 1, 2012
Jacqueline:
There are many factors to take into consideration for naming your company, including whether the URL, Twitter, and Facebook names are available. In today's world you now have to ensure you can easily be found through Google searches and social media platforms.
Also, it depends on whether you will be focusing in one specific geographic area, or even in a particularl industry or industries.
Besides the name, you also want to have a clear and concise set of brand characteristics, some key message statements to use consistently, and even an "elevator speech" prepared.
Send me your email address and I will send you a copy of my book Corporate Image Management, which has some tips to get you started.
Nov 29, 2012
Hi Jacqueline. Did you name your business yet? If not, I can help 20+ years naming, brand identity with web analytics tied in. Starting at under $1500. let me know.
Shawn Kalin
Nov 19, 2012
Many good ideas have been suggested. Do as many as you can, take your time. Eliminate, make a list of those you like. Check your list against registered or existing names (many of the names you will like will already exist!). Eventually you will arrive at a name you like, domain and name registration will be available. Good luck !!
Nov 9, 2012
This is the guideline that we have at WizOf.Biz for creating a company name:
A company name is part of your branding and is central to your identity in the marketplace. It must be:
1) Unique
2) Easy for others to spell.
3) Unambiguous. For example, A-B-C.com is a poor name if another name like ABC.com already exists.
It is also nice if you have a company name that:
4) Is easy to pronounce
5) Hints at or says what the company does
6) Is a URL. Using this form of company name also has benefits in terms of search engine optimization.
Lastly, be prepared to compromise among these 6 requirements.
For example, we have chosen WizOf.Biz as our company name. It is also our URL. It hints at what we do, is fairly easy to spell, is unique and basically unambiguous. While not perfect, it takes all 6 rules into consideration. We found it an acceptable compromise among these six requirements.
Nov 4, 2012
I agree with the comments about ensuring you get the domain name/URL for your company name. But it's also important that you don't choose a name that corners you and your brand into an irreversible niche. As your business grows, your target market needs may change or your area of focus for your business may need to change due to social or other external factors or your shifts in your own passion. You want to be sure your name will allow your business to grow in whatever direction you are led. You should consider whether "The Review Board" is too narrow or whether it allows for growth of your business or shifting of your services, without keeping you bound to being only a resume review company.
Oct 30, 2012
As others have said, think about the domain name (web site address) first. Once you've found one that works and is available, the company name will follow. These days it's very difficult to find a decent .com name that's not already registered, and you'll need to be quite creative to find one that both sounds good and gives the right impression. It's not just the web-site address but your email address to.... giving out an email address of whatever@gmail.com ok, but jacqueline@resumereview.com sounds better (but of course, resumereview.com is already registered!)
Something that's perhaps lesser known is that once you have a domain name you can create unlimited sub-domain names from that. A sub-domain is simply something preprended to your domain name with a period. So, if you registered jacquelineconsulting.com (which *is* available) then you could use a sub-domain like resumes.jacquelineconsulting.com as your web/email address if you wanted.
To search for available domain names there are many services available, just look on Google. One thing be careful when using domain names made up of two or more words squashed together - companies such as Pen Island and Powergen Italia din't think of that! - more examples: http://grupthink.com/topic/22
Oct 9, 2012
Hi Jacqueline, I'm a brand and marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience and have my own brand and marketing company. Naming is one of the services I provide. You're right in wanting to get the brand of your company right form the get go. It's a lot easier to introduce a new image than try to change an existing one. So setting the right brand image from the start is the way to do it. The name of your company can reflect or indicate what is it that your company is about which would help not having to explain every time, as you mentioned above, but keep in mind you can add a tagline if you need which can further clarify what you do. If you want the name of your company to be reflective of the work you it's important to choose the right words, "The Review Board" can be confused for other meanings. Typically review boards are boards that review cases that are being contested in court or in other places, not sure it captures what your company does. "Resume Consulting" on the other hand offer a more clear description of what you do but is very specific and may not include all that your company offers. My suggestion is to first identify all the services you provide, what are the benefits these service provide to your target audience and what is the image you want to have in the market. Do you want to be perceived as a more formal, conventional company or a younger, more modern, etc.. Once you have all of these ideas down in paper, think of descriptives, or words that would help express the image you want to have as well as illustrate what your company is about. This is the basis of your brand and is extremely important you identify them now as all your future materials, from your website, business cards, colours, ect. would be based on this image you are trying to protray. Make it both authentic ( a true reflexion of who you are) and relevant to your audience. Best of luck. Luiza Campos