Dummies Guide To Choose Blog Name
This post is about how you can choose a better blog name,that you don't have to regret later. I have seen many bloggers, who were going through (or about to go through) re-branding of their blog.The name they pick initially was not that much appealing.
So whether you are existing blogger or new one,choosing name is most thoughtful task So, I can’t promise you “THREE EASY STEPS!!!!” to naming your blog. IF ONLY it were that easy. It’s a process to get to a blog name that you’ll truly love. But doesn’t a little sweat, frustration, tears, & I’ll-never-pick-a-good-one whining make that light-bulb moment all the more satisfying?
- Explore area and foundation of your blog
- Vet your Blog name
In this post, I’ll tackle the first part of the process. And tomorrow, I’ll show you how to vet your top contenders to ensure you pick a blog name you won’t regret.
Explore area and foundation of your blog
Identify Your Blog area :
I imagine if you’re starting a new blog, you already have an idea of what you want to write about. If you’re rebranding, this might mean you’re narrowing your focus, expanding your focus, or doing what I’m doing, which is leaving my focus the same.
Jot down the topics you’ll be writing about and then any words associated with those topics. For example, if you had a food blog, you might write down obvious words like “cooking” or “kitchen” but go further and think: utensils, cooking methods, fave ingredients, how food/cooking makes people feel (comfort, enjoy), how people describe food (delicious, savory), etc.
Brainstorming all these words helps spark blog name ideas, so write down a word even if you know you wouldn’t use it for your blog. You’d be surprised how just writing words down can springboard into more words (one of which just might end up being part of your blog name).
Look at your words. Are there words you know you definitely want or don’t want in your blog name? Circle the definites and cross off the “no ways.”
For example, I knew that I wanted the word “blog” or “blogging” in my name. However, I DIDN’T want “blogger” because I didn’t want to chance people calling me by “__blogger” rather than my name.
Explore your Blog Tone :
Next, really give some thought to your blog’s tone. A good blog name should align with how you want your blog to feel. The mood you want to exude (oooh I can rhyme). Is your writing sassy? Serious? Hilarious? Sarcastic?
Even if you write about many topics, your tone brings it all together. Write down some words that describe your tone. What words would you want your readers to use to describe your blog? These words may or may not be a part of your blog name, but they’ll help you pinpoint the feel of your blog. And a good blog name should match that feel.
Define your Target Audience :
Who is your audience or potential audience? Are they mostly women? Mostly men? Why do they come to your blog (or if you have no blog yet– why do you want people to come to your blog)? To be entertained? To laugh? To learn something?
Because they’re curious about your life? You can have more than one answer. Is there an audience you want to attract, but aren’t at the moment? List some characteristics of your ideal target audience. You want your blog name to resonate with them.
For example, if your blog readers love that you make them laugh, then a bland name won’t be as effective as a name with a tinge of humor.
Find Your Competitors :
No you’re not trying to steal their name, or even play off of it. But looking at blogs you like can spark creativity that leads you in the right direction. Read through their taglines, sidebars, and a post or two. You don’t have to spend much time on this, but if anything, it can get you in the creative spirit by looking at other creative blogs.
The “PHLIE” part of my blog name came from a sentence smack in the middle of someone’s blog post about productivity. It was a blog for entrepreneurs and one I’ve never visited before. I wasn’t even THINKING about my blog name at the time. I simply clicked on a link to read an article. “Phlie” was one single word in the middle of a sentence and the post had nothing to do with blogging, but as soon as I saw it, I KNEW “TecPhlie” was it.
Write Down Name That Hit You :
Once you’ve done those three steps, look at the words and notes you jotted down in the previous steps and then start writing down name ideas. You might pair two words together. Or start with a word and add something to it (like -ista, or -ed).
Even if you think your ideas suck, they might pave the way to THE ONE. Give yourself permission to explore ideas and words, rather than feeling you have to go down one path and one path only.
Short List The Name are Best :
Okay good. Now we’re getting somewhere. Take a look at your names and consider your topics, tone, and audience. Circle the one (or ones) you think might work. When you have one you really, really love (or a few you’re considering), it’s time to analyze the names.
That’s when you mosey along to STEP 2: Vetting Your Blog Name. Adjust this process as you need to in order to work best for you! Remember there’s no ONE way to come up with a blog name; this is just a way you could approach the naming the process.
For example, if your blog readers love that you make them laugh, then a bland name won’t be as effective as a name with a tinge of humor.
Find Your Competitors :
No you’re not trying to steal their name, or even play off of it. But looking at blogs you like can spark creativity that leads you in the right direction. Read through their taglines, sidebars, and a post or two. You don’t have to spend much time on this, but if anything, it can get you in the creative spirit by looking at other creative blogs.
The “PHLIE” part of my blog name came from a sentence smack in the middle of someone’s blog post about productivity. It was a blog for entrepreneurs and one I’ve never visited before. I wasn’t even THINKING about my blog name at the time. I simply clicked on a link to read an article. “Phlie” was one single word in the middle of a sentence and the post had nothing to do with blogging, but as soon as I saw it, I KNEW “TecPhlie” was it.
Write Down Name That Hit You :
Once you’ve done those three steps, look at the words and notes you jotted down in the previous steps and then start writing down name ideas. You might pair two words together. Or start with a word and add something to it (like -ista, or -ed).
Even if you think your ideas suck, they might pave the way to THE ONE. Give yourself permission to explore ideas and words, rather than feeling you have to go down one path and one path only.
Short List The Name are Best :
Okay good. Now we’re getting somewhere. Take a look at your names and consider your topics, tone, and audience. Circle the one (or ones) you think might work. When you have one you really, really love (or a few you’re considering), it’s time to analyze the names.
That’s when you mosey along to STEP 2: Vetting Your Blog Name. Adjust this process as you need to in order to work best for you! Remember there’s no ONE way to come up with a blog name; this is just a way you could approach the naming the process.
