Comments on: When Choosing A Name, Think About The Story Behind It

By: victoryv

victoryv — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:51:38 +0000

liked the article. enjoyed reading it.made me think a lot.

By: Roundup: Developing Your Marketing Brand Strategy | Small Business Marketing Guide - Brought to you by HP

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:37:46 +0000

[...] You can read the full post here. [...]

By: Tunde

Tunde — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:30:35 +0000

Noteworthy Reminder:

The name and the story should have resonance/meaning from the customer’s perspective not only yours.

By: Wayne Philippe

Wayne Philippe — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:01:29 +0000

John…after reading your article, it prompted me to think about a couple of products that were named 50 plus years ago and still are as relevant and fresh as the day they were launched i.e. the Hula Hoop and PlayDoh.

Who would have guessed that a circular PVC tube and some wannabe modeling clay would receive such enduring descriptive names.

By: Morning Edition - Mar 4, 2009 « Sazbean

Morning Edition - Mar 4, 2009 « Sazbean — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:02:42 +0000

[...] When Choosing A Name, Think About The Story Behind It (Small Business Marketing Guide) [...]

By: John Battelle

John Battelle — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:20:32 +0000

Mark – I recall that magic many, many times. “HotWired” – the name for the web version of Wired. “The Pacific”, the name I gave a magazine I started at UC Berkeley (also “The Big Story.”) “Foursquare” – a conference for the Quandrangle Group. Even more meaningful: the name I gave my first son – a VERY long story….not exactly branding, per se, but a great narrative!

By: mark

mark — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:35:12 +0000

Great read. I have been through this process many times, and when a group comes up with a name that instantly resonates well, its a magic moment.

I am still surprised at how many people are still focused on early web type names, whether made up or made by dropping letters, regardless whether the fit or not.

The branding reality is that the right name depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

You listed some really great names that you have be successful with and I would argue that beyond the story, these names were appropriate to the company and business. That is the issue that I always need to work the hardest to get people to understand.

By: wannadevelop.com

wannadevelop.com — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:49:47 +0000

Interesting reading and advice.

Will have to give it a try on a few new and up-and-coming projects

Mike

By: John Battelle

John Battelle — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:26:45 +0000

thanks Randall and Dave, great to hear your input!

By: Randall Stickrod

Randall Stickrod — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:36:28 +0000

Hey John – Well said. I have the same vivid memory of Louis coming back from Amsterdam and proudly telling me the name was going to be Wired. I had the same reaction — not because of the drug association, but because it was a term associated with a huge celebrity, written by a celebrity journalist. I have always admired Louis’ determination on that count. Not only did the magazine trump the book, but look how well it’s held up — and in a wireless world to boot!