Naming, Branding and Getting Input from Readers

It wasn't until Denise and I branded ourselves as The Blog Squad(tm) that our business really exploded. (No, it didn't hurt...no hot irons were used.) Everyone knows how important naming is, whether it is for your biz, your newsletter, website domains, or just a headline to an article.

Here's a tip for helping you play the name game. Get input from readers, clients, and colleagues. We have John Trosko of OrganizingLA and Bruce Gillman, to thank for helping us come up with The Blog Squad name (over a casual pizza dinner). And many of our colleagues and team members have played a big part in helping us name our products, ebooks, services, and domains.

As you may have heard, The Blog Squad is changing the name of their weekly ezine "Newsletter Nuggets" to Savvy eBiz Tips, to more accurately reflect the focus of its purpose of providing time and money-saving tips to professionals for their online marketing tasks and to get more clients and grow biz.

We're launching a huge subscription drive to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Build a Better Blog ebook and the Conversations with Experts TeleSeries by giving away 2 iPod nanos and a Razer Copperhead mouse. We'll announce the details on Tuesday, April 11.

So my question to you, dear reader, is

"What does the term 'savvy ebiz' mean to you?"

I couldn't find any dictionary listing for "ebiz." I know what it means to us, to Denise and me, but you are our reader. Click on the comment link below to participate in this conversation. We would love to hear your take on "savvy ebiz".

Comments

[Michele]

Savvy to me means smart, the person knows what they are doing...it seems more of a feminine term-savoir faire- to know how, to do. So "ebiz know how"- sounds to me like a winner.

I loved hearing about how your name blog squad was created. Readership...start chanting I wish I had a 1,000 readers. How many do you want?

[Blog Traffic King - Yaro Starak]

I'd like to have 10,000 daily readers, but I'm not sure any blogs that blog about Internet business can get that far unless they earn some serious mainstream linkage.

[John Trosko]

Hi Patsi and Denise,

With all due respect, I HATE the term "Saavy ebiz tips!" Yuck.

I'd think of variations of your main branding name, and keep with the theme:

Why not something like:

Blog Squad Quad

Squadron Intelligence Tips

-- John

P.S. Blogging 101! (And I am ONLY telling you this because everything I know YOU taught me!) --- Please check your links! My company name is OrganizingLA (all one word) and your link is spelled wrong-- it's not coming up! XXX OOO

[The Blog Squad(tm)]

John, sorry about the bad link. It's been fixed. Interesting reaction to Savvy eBiz Tips. I don't agree with you though.

First, the name gives a pretty clear idea of what you're going to receive in the ezine.

Second, a name like Squadron Intelligence Tips tells me nothing about what to expect. Sounds like a newsletter from the CIA.

Third, our business is evolving and we want to be careful about not limiting ourselves to only being The Blog Squad. Trust me, The Blog Squad is not going anywhere; it will become a division of our larger company that will be focusing on broader aspects of leveraging the Internet to grow your business.

Anyone else care to comment?

Denise a.k.a. half of The Blog Squad

[iBrandweb.com - Jen]

I hear you! I think it goes like this...

Niche + Brand + Focus & Passion = Success :)

I really enjoy reading your blog!

[Shaune Clarke]

As a copywriter I focus on several uncommon elements that make my copy work. Elements like human connection and rhythm and cadence.

The Blog Squad scores very high in both categories. Great rhythm plus you have a sense that there are humans behind it. The word squad does it.

It's indirect which is even more powerful. The idea slips past conscious awareness but anyone reading it can sense that there are people behind it. There's an innate, unspoken, human connection created.

Savvy Ebiz Tips is actually a bit awkward to say and has a sterile feeling.

It's not just the words, it's the "feeling" that those words convey.

It's not just what the words say intellectually, it's how they feel!