I was asked recently by an online friend, how did I name my blog? And by the way, I would link to this friend IF she had a blog! This sweet lady is someone who shows many of us such support by her thoughtful blog comments. She just might start a blog soon. I’m hoping she does…..Sally, this post is dedicated to YOU! 🙂
Hmmm….how did I name my blog? It started back in 2007, in April to be exact! I didn’t realize I hit my 4-year blogaversary last week. Well this topic is perfect timing then. I was just starting my online jewelry business and talking about it with my kids, driving along in the car. I had 3 boys at the time, all ages 5 and under. Little did I realize the new journey that I was about to embark on…..one that would eventually lead me here where I am today. So thankful to have met so many of YOU both in person and online. When I asked the kids for ideas for my new shop, my oldest son called out, “how about Sweet Beads?” I liked it! I added “Studio”, and the rest is history!
The little guy who helped create my "brand"...
Now would I chose the same name today if I were to do it all over again? It’s true what they say that people and interests changing over time. I like that by including the word “bead”, it helps define a large portion of who I am (jewelry designer). But on the flip side, I have grown to include so much more here than just jewelry. This blog has become home to stories of my children, photographs, baking, antiquing, and travels to many local destinations. These things are not conveyed in the words “bead” or “studio”.
Tara Fray, author of “Blogging for Bliss”, discusses this very topic in her blog post, “Naming your baby”. She shares how she was able to change her blog name. It’s good to know it’s possible to make a change, but for now I like mine just fine. I am hoping to change the look of my blog in the near future. It’s been 2 years since I made a big change, hard to believe. I was rifling through some pictures I took in the last several months and found this one – sure captures a few of my favorite things – photography, old rhinestones and my favorite shade of blue….could make a nice blog banner.
If you are reading this, chances are you already have a blog. But if you’re out there contemplating starting your own blog, where do you begin? Your name is one of many considerations – but oh so important. In an old post on Blogging Startup, the author – Jim, shares 10 great tips for naming your blog:
1. Chose a name that can be used as a domain name.
2. Chose a memorable name.
3. Find a name that describes your blogging topic.
4. Keep made-up names short and easy to spell.
5. Keep the name to as few words as possible, preferably not more than 3.
6. Easy to spell – keep it short and simple
7. Chose a name that is easy to pronounce.
8. Consider using a name that is easily converted in to a logo.
9. Look at the names in Technorati’s Top 100 to see naming conventions.
10. If you have a short name and the name is taken, considering using a simple prefix or suffix.
Jim adds a few bonus tips: testing the name on friends, and adding a “keyword” in your blog name.
Additional blog-naming tips can be found here, here, and here. Blogging advice and tips are abundant on the Internet, thank goodness. But best of all, our blogging friends (you guys!) give the best advice of all – thank you for being my sounding board time and time again.
I would LOVE to hear how you came up with your blog name. Please leave a comment and share how you came up with your blog name. If you were to do it all over, would you chose the same name? If you are thinking of starting a blog, care to share some potential blog names?
Thanks so much for stopping by – I look forward to hearing your stories. 🙂
