Business name?

ezechiel · 10-12-2009, 06:32 AM

I'm maybe a little far from creating my business, but things can change really quickly. A jump in the local chamber of commerce and a week later I could have it running.

But I'm still thinking of the name, and in a couple of years, I'll maybe use it for IT consultancy also.. (strange mix up, indeed, but that's not the point now ^^) That's also the reason why 'photography' won't be on official documents as the company name, but could be used for publicity or other use.

So, which one sounds better and inspires more confidence? I have my preferences but I don't want to influence anyone.

You can make 2 choices, but one is better of course

Frogroast · 10-12-2009, 11:38 PM

[creat!ve]IDs Photography
[creat!ve]ID Photography

In general, it's a bad idea to have a name that would make it complicated for someone to either remember, write it down, or for you to create effective marketing with. With the first two options, you're using 3 symbols in one name. On top of that, what I assume to be your initials (ID) in front of the word Photography seems to imply you do ID Photography - probably not the message you want to communicate.

I would suggest to keep it simple, easy to remember. Think of what your website will be named. How about your email address? would you really like to tell people your email address is photos@creativeidphotography.com?

As a personal option, you might also want to stay away from using adjectives in your business name. Names like Creative Photos, Marvelous Images, Unique Photography, or Photo Magic say nothing about you.

All that said, Ilias Duyck Photography or Duyck Ilias Photography would be my choice, but you could also look into Ilias Photography or Duyck Photography. Let your name speak for yourself

ezechiel · 10-13-2009, 03:42 AM

Hi,
thanks for the feedback. I'm in IT and didn't even think about the fact that an email
should be eay to remember.

So, what about creativeid.com. There are already some shops that are called 'creative' ideas or 'creative idea design'. I could still put creative ID photography on the site. And such a domain name wouldn't be strange for IT consulting neither.

Ilias Duyck Photography sounds nice, but I wonder how my name would be pronounced in english.

Why not using adjectives? Could it insunuate that I have too much pride or something? Unique photography would definitely be in that case. But it's also nice that my initials are pronounced (almost) like 'idea' or identity (creative identity also exists).

And another thing, my uncle ,Johan Duyck, is a professional photographer since a loooong time. His son, Richard, is also studying photography now, so that will be a lot of Duycks in photography.. ^^ Another thing to think about. I could use that at my advantage, or it could also not be in my advantage.. any ideas about that?

AAH, %*$!! creativeid.com is already taken..

Could I have any trouble if I choose a domain name like creativeid.net or .eu or .be, etc.???
The other site has a copyright of 2006, so not so old.. And there are a lot of sites that are using creativeid in their domain name in fact..

I'm totally lost now. But same problem. That could be to my advantage, or not..
Any IDs ?

**Damn Brit** · 10-19-2009, 01:40 AM

Take some friends to a bar, buy them a few drinks and have a brainstorming session. Try and remember to write anything and everything down. When you sober up, go through them, I'm sure you will find something good.
The tendency nowadays is to go for something 'catchy' that people will remember. You may be too close to the issue, what sounds good to you, may be a turn off for your potential clients. The idea is to get their attention, then it's up to you to prove you are worthy of that attention.
Also consider your potential clients, 'DrunkenFrenchPhotography' (for example

) might not be attractive to conservative types but may have everyone else fighting to have you do work for them.

ezechiel · 10-23-2009, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

'DrunkenFrenchPhotography' (for example) might not be attractive to conservative types but may have everyone else fighting to have you do work for them.

lol

it should be DrunkenBelgian in fact. But anywhay. I guess I'll first start with something like zen or smoog, and meanwhile think of a name (even if I'm a little afraid of not getting return on investment, should I be afraid?

Should I remove frames and signatures for photos on zen or smug?). So I should make some publicity, and it's easier with an attractive-easy-to-remember-hey-that-sounds-nice domain name. I was recently thinking of IDStudios, even if my studio is the world and my laptop ^^ , not a real photo studio with lights and everything..

Now I'm thinking of it.. I don't really where to start with the to-do list..
Starting with a pro space on zen/smug?
Starting with the domain name?
Make a decent portfolio (not complete yet).
Participate in an exposition (but what pictures to take, others find some pictures really nice while I'm just thinking 'mm yeah' when I'm looking at it and vice-versa. What print size, etc..)
etc..

So, I'll read some more first, find out how different people started, some how-to's and especially don't-do's..

Any experience you have is welcome! I'm one and all ear (litteral translation .. )!

ezechiel · 10-28-2009, 04:08 AM

Little update
Guess you were right Frogroast.

Just gonna stick with my name...
Too many people allready use ID (IDphoto.. ID studios, etc..)
There's even a guy with ID initials that launched no_IDphotography

I think I'll go for Ilias Duyck Photography then.

*pentaman* · 11-01-2009, 02:39 PM

If there is one thing I learnt regarding naming a company, it is that - name doesn't really matter! If you are good, people will seek you despite your name. The name then becomes a brand that people don't take literally (e.g. Coke). Go with what sounds nice, and eventually you will recognize that it really doesn't matter.

Shakespeare was right!

MRRiley · 11-01-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by pentaman

If there is one thing I learnt regarding naming a company, it is that - name doesn't really matter! If you are good, people will seek you despite your name. The name then becomes a brand that people don't take literally (e.g. Coke). Go with what sounds nice, and eventually you will recognize that it really doesn't matter.

Shakespeare was right!

Thats true to a certain extent. However, there are limits... Lets say "James Crappy" decided to start a photo studio... "Crappy Photography" doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, regardless of how memorable the name is...

Mike

*pentaman* · 11-02-2009, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by MRRiley

Thats true to a certain extent. However, there are limits... Lets say "James Crappy" decided to start a photo studio... "Crappy Photography" doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, regardless of how memorable the name is...

Mike

Well... just add "reasonable" - but still, I would stick to my original point mostly. Taking out the extreme cases (e.g. "Extremely Good Photography" might sound too good to be true), the name shouldn't really matter if the work speaks for itself. Also, it is a good idea to always include a portfolio along with the name so that the name is not all you will be promoting. That's why I like the new business cards where you can include samples of your work, or including a small bar of samples in your signature, etc.

Some memorable brands, despite weird names:
"Motley Fool" - for financial advice
"Coke" - drink, not the drug!
"Mad Money" - Kraemer's TV show

ezechiel · 11-05-2009, 06:23 AM

Thanks for all the advice everyone! The name question is quite resolved for me.
I have to wait a couple of months before going to the chamber of commerce for registration because otherwise - seen my situation - it will be one administrative hell (I need to have a full contract job first, to avoid this hell and have a minimum income). Long live french administration!!

So, next point is choosing a site like zenfoolio / smuggymug / redbubbel / fotolya to start with (with name redirection). Stand alone site will be next step, but there's a hopefully not too long way to go first. Any advice is welcome but I guess there are enough articles out there that talk about the differences between them.

lurchlarson · 11-10-2009, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by ezechiel

Thanks for all the advice everyone! The name question is quite resolved for me.
I have to wait a couple of months before going to the chamber of commerce for registration because otherwise - seen my situation - it will be one administrative hell (I need to have a full contract job first, to avoid this hell and have a minimum income). Long live french administration!!

So, next point is choosing a site like zenfoolio / smuggymug / redbubbel / fotolya to start with (with name redirection). Stand alone site will be next step, but there's a hopefully not too long way to go first. Any advice is welcome but I guess there are enough articles out there that talk about the differences between them.

I'm with smugmug and you can make the site not look like it's with smugmug. As soon as I get around to it I'll get rid of the footer on my webpage. Smugmug may sound like a lot at $150/yr but considering all the services you are getting it's a pretty good deal. It is only $12.50/month. I strongly recommend Smugmug.