Let’s be real - building a brand isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time, motivation and passion to create something different and bring something new to an already noisy market. And the name of that brand is just the beginning.Sure, it’s possible to come up with the perfect name in the middle of your shower or while you’re washing the dishes. But generally, it takes a creative strategy and a lot of brainstorming to come up with the pièce de résistance that is your brand name.
So, let’s break it down. How can you create a killer brand name? Here are some tips and tricks.
Keep it short and simple
Your brand name should be memorable and easy to pronounce. It’s the first and last thing that people see when they come across your brand, so you want it to be bold.The benefits of a short name?- Easy to remember- Less room for spelling errors when searching- Allows you to create a strong brand identityThink about some of the world’s biggest brands; Pepsi, Amazon, Apple, Mars. The saying stays true - less is more.
Stop thinking inside-the-box
And start thinking outside-the-box. When it comes to creativity, there are endless possibilities. Add some sugar and spice, that’s the whole fun of it. Play around with different words - phrase them differently, make your own words up, pronounce them in a way you haven’t before.Take a look at other successful companies who have taken on a similar approach.Think; Grindr, Reddit, Tumblr, Netflix, and TikTok.Make it distinctive enough to be memorable.
Say it out loud
Here are some things you should think about when saying your potential brand name out loud:- How does it sound?- Does it feel too long?- Do the words flow?- Do they make sense?- Is it easy to enunciate?- Do the words work with the feeling that you’re trying to emulate?
Let’s take the Pilates space for example. Here are the names of some studios in Melbourne;- Happy Melon- Warrior One Yoga- Master Pilates- Love Athletica- Body Lab- Body Bliss- HOTWORXWhat comes to mind when you see these names? A sense of relaxation? Maybe the idea that these places will help you feel happy and strong? Notice that ‘Body Bliss’ uses alliteration, allowing the words to flow nicely and ‘HOTWORX’ purposely misspells their name.Don’t be put down if it takes you a little longer than you had hoped for to come up with those magic words. Your brand name is important so put enough thought and love into it.
Check the Instagram handle
Before we lock in the brand name, let’s make sure that the Instagram handle is available and ready to use. And if it is, make sure you swipe that bad boy up because you don’t want to lose it. There’s nothing worse than thinking of a (brand) new name and realising it’s been stolen by a random, inactive account with two followers. If it has been taken, don’t stress out. It just means you need to go back to the drawing board.
See if the domain is free
(Note: This is important!!!) So, you’ve come up with the perfect name. It makes sense, you love how it sounds and now you’ve told your close circle of friends (who unanimously approve and are raving about how excited they are). Now, it’s time to make sure that there is a free domain for you to use. Here at Picos, we love using GoDaddy. And before you start questioning the name, it’s not what it seems. GoDaddy allows you to search for available domain names, and simply set it up. Give it a go, you’ll see just how easy it really is. There is nothing more credible than visiting a website with a domain that matches the brand name. This is your golden ticket to making your website look legit, a small investment that is truly worth it. Sidenote: If your brand name is purposely misspelt, it’ll be easier to snatch that domain name right up. The name of your brand is the first thing that your audience will notice. It is the first point of interaction when discovering your brand and it helps them decide whether or not they’re going to trust your brand. Brainstorm some ideas. Write them out. Play mix and match. If you sound silly, that’s okay. It’s all part of the creative process. And if you still find yourself struggling, feel free to reach out to the team here at Picos. We love getting into the creative zone and doing our thing! You name it, we’ll name it. Looking for a brand name? We can help you here. Looking for a creative strategy? We can help you here. Want some FREE industry standard resources? Find ours here.
