Names, They are A-Changing?
I cannot contain my excitement! When I logged in to Etsy yesterday I saw this little flag up by my name that said "Coming Soon". So of course my immediate thought was, "What the heck is that?" and so I clicked on it to determine what the heck it was exactly. I was so pleased to read that Etsy is going to allow people to change their shop names. (article here)
If you are non-Etsy, whatever username you put in when you first signed up for the site is the name you see everywhere. It is your personality, and for all intents and purposes, it is your shop name. For example, if you signed up as HRN1978 because that is the username you use everywhere, then you have been stuck with it up to this point. Your shop is identifited as HRN1978, even if you want to call it Bubbles and Bows or something like that. Now, people have gone ahead and do have different shop names from their usernames, but it makes it all very confusing. And that doesn't factor in your actual name. So you become known as HRN1978 and people will call you HRN for short even if your name is Henry, because you have to actually go to someone's profile to find out what their real name is (if they show it), and no one ever does that. And up to this point, you have not been able to change that username once you stuck yourself with it.
I myself have actually been lamenting my choice of name for the past few weeks. I thought I did a post on it here, but I must have just been talking to myself instead. Anyway, I have been wishing that I used something more generic, like The Purple Butterfly or Manmade Design (ok, not really), that would allow me to expand my shop without being pegged into one type of item. By the Book Paper seemed like a good name at the time. I was going to make bookmarks. I wanted the name to have something to do with books. "By the book" is a common phrase. I was using paper. Bing, bang, boom...that was my name. But then I had note cards, and bookplates, and garlands, and magnets, and so on. And then I got onto the fabric kick with my Pinterest projects. But my shop still said "Paper".
But now this news brings a whole range of possibilities and questions. First, should you change your shop name if you've been known as something else for awhile? If you do change, what will you change it to? A whole new name, or some version of your old name? Is it worth it to change business cards, and banners, and avatars, etc.? And for me, for consistency purposes, my blog address and twitter and Pinterest are all bythebookpaper (once a username, always a username!). But I want to change it! I have been thinking about a total name change to something generic that can be used for any crafty medium, and I have been thinking about a slight change like "by the book" or "made by the book" in order to keep it familiar.
So here is where I need your thoughts: Please today fill up my comments with ideas and suggestions and your thoughts on this whole name-changing thing. Will you consider changing your shop name? Should I change mine? Do you think I should go for a total change, or something slight? I have a week to decide this (because you know I will be all over it on October 18) so I would really, really love to hear what you, the independent-of-my-shop have to say!
If you are non-Etsy, whatever username you put in when you first signed up for the site is the name you see everywhere. It is your personality, and for all intents and purposes, it is your shop name. For example, if you signed up as HRN1978 because that is the username you use everywhere, then you have been stuck with it up to this point. Your shop is identifited as HRN1978, even if you want to call it Bubbles and Bows or something like that. Now, people have gone ahead and do have different shop names from their usernames, but it makes it all very confusing. And that doesn't factor in your actual name. So you become known as HRN1978 and people will call you HRN for short even if your name is Henry, because you have to actually go to someone's profile to find out what their real name is (if they show it), and no one ever does that. And up to this point, you have not been able to change that username once you stuck yourself with it.
I myself have actually been lamenting my choice of name for the past few weeks. I thought I did a post on it here, but I must have just been talking to myself instead. Anyway, I have been wishing that I used something more generic, like The Purple Butterfly or Manmade Design (ok, not really), that would allow me to expand my shop without being pegged into one type of item. By the Book Paper seemed like a good name at the time. I was going to make bookmarks. I wanted the name to have something to do with books. "By the book" is a common phrase. I was using paper. Bing, bang, boom...that was my name. But then I had note cards, and bookplates, and garlands, and magnets, and so on. And then I got onto the fabric kick with my Pinterest projects. But my shop still said "Paper".
But now this news brings a whole range of possibilities and questions. First, should you change your shop name if you've been known as something else for awhile? If you do change, what will you change it to? A whole new name, or some version of your old name? Is it worth it to change business cards, and banners, and avatars, etc.? And for me, for consistency purposes, my blog address and twitter and Pinterest are all bythebookpaper (once a username, always a username!). But I want to change it! I have been thinking about a total name change to something generic that can be used for any crafty medium, and I have been thinking about a slight change like "by the book" or "made by the book" in order to keep it familiar.
So here is where I need your thoughts: Please today fill up my comments with ideas and suggestions and your thoughts on this whole name-changing thing. Will you consider changing your shop name? Should I change mine? Do you think I should go for a total change, or something slight? I have a week to decide this (because you know I will be all over it on October 18) so I would really, really love to hear what you, the independent-of-my-shop have to say!
I like my shop name, but this is huge for other Etsians, My wife had a shop from 2006-2009 with over 400 sales and amazing feedback, she moved away from that brand though, losing all the credibility.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to see what you settle on and what it all looks like. "The Paper Book" would be a fun variation on your name
Hmm...what about...By the Book Designs?
ReplyDeleteIt still references book but the word designs makes it less specific to paper.
I have no idea what I'll do. I haven't reopened my shop yet (custom pet bed/cat toys) since it's been on vacation but it would make sense to me to have a more animal themed name. But like you...my shop, business cards, banner, blog...is ALL SewSavoirFaire! I'm at a loss myself and I haven't really sat down to contemplate it either! Quite frankly it kinda stresses me out.
Good luck! :)
I'm adding my first name to mine because I don't plan on changing the shop name. Plus, I use an email with my name in it for a point of contact, so this will just tie it all together.
ReplyDeleteAs for YOUR name, I don't think you should do a total overhaul because all of your usernames are similar. By The Book is versatile enough to be things other than paper, yet if you plan on doing *mostly* paper things, it still has the suggestion of it from the word book.
I won't change my shop name, because I thought and re-thought my shop name for months before I even opened! That sounds funny, but it's true! The Orange Windmill is totally me! :) -Shirley
ReplyDeleteWe won't be changing our name. We brainstormed for one that would allow us to grow to include all types of items.
ReplyDeleteAs a marketer/pr/ad guru in 3D, I have mixed feelings about this........if you truly don't feel your name reflects your business then it might be a good idea. But as Mitch points out, you could lose the power of the branding you've worked hard at. I really like Jenna's solution, and I don't think it sounds like it's necessarily things 'all' made of paper. To me it's more reminiscent of the the 'common saying'.
that's my two cents. ok, maybe 4.
I think this is great for a lot of people who were faithful buyers and decided to open a shop. I think a lot of artists will be better brands with the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'll be keeping my shop name. It's been good to be so far.
I agree that by the book is a good name, and doesn't limit your sections. You've created a typography and phrase allure for the shop, and I think it works. But I'd never stop a good idea from evolving. Good luck and I'll be following your shop never the less. ♥
I'm keeping mine the same, too... Sarahndipities just seems to fit and work. I think this will be great for others out there, though!
ReplyDeleteI like just using the phrase "by the book" or "by the book creations" etc. it still says who you are without changing it too much!!
~ Sarah
Thank you all so much! I love the suggestions and I love to hear your reasons for why you will or won't change your name. I'd actually like to steal some of yours, they're so good.
ReplyDeleteah, i'm the same way. i'm not sure if i should change mine or not. i don't want to but i want to lol.
ReplyDeletei kinda like yours how it is, or if I really had to choose, i'd choose "by the book" or even "life by the book" but I agree, "BOOK" should definitely be in there :)
i think if you change it, keep it similar. I like just "By the Book" and only dropping the paper part. I mean. it's still your name!
ReplyDeleteim keeping mine. emails, blogs, shops, it's stayin.