Ok, so we are in a transition stage with our business again, looking at moving forward in a number of areas, but I would really like to change our business name to simply "Holritz Photgraphy." Our current name is really too generic (I think) to take with us as our business grows.

Anyway, wondering if anyone of you all has gone through this and have any advice on how to make the transition. Our name has some recognition in the area, so it makes my wife and I nervous to change, but I figure it's now or never. I may still be able to have the name changed before our Yellow Pages ad goes to print, and I can redirect our old domain name to our new website when people do a search. I'm even going to stick with the same color and font schemes. Any other ideas? How would you all recommend that we handle this?

Nathan

I think it's a fantastic idea...read "Selling the Invisible" and you'll get lots of insight about business names!

You may even want to leave off "photography" or think about slowly removing it. We have started just putting "davidjay" and or our logo on everything.

Beckwith will lead you in the right direction!

I definitely don't know the first thing when creating a business name, but I will say, you can't go wrong taking DJ's advice on reading "Selling the Invisible." That book is amazing, full of tons of facts and sound reason.

I've never changed my business name, but I think what DJ said sounds right. I think it will help you be able to reach a bit of a higher market. I'm curious, was any of this inspired by the Mike Colon DVD? I just ordered mine and it's in the mail.

Can't wait!

Let us know what you do with the name! So glad you guys are thinking about ways to reach higher markets! It's really sorta exciting when you get motivated to think past what you've thought you've been able to do...

Nathan,
Best wishes with your name change. I'm sure you'll make the decision that's best for your business.
David,
I'm curious as to why you would suggest leaving off or removing "Photography" in the business name?
Also, I'm beginning to put together my images in preparation for my new website, which I'll be working on over the next few weeks or so. I've got a couple of questions:
1. Because my name is not easily remembered, I've always used "CGphotography.net" for simplicity instead of Christopher Grisanti. I don't know if I want to change the name. Any thoughts?
2. Also, does it make much of a difference to use a unique sloppy border around the images or is borderless best?
3. How do you all feel about posting prices on your website?
Just looking for feedback to help me with my decisions.
Thanks.
Christopher

Chris, I'm glad you are jumping in and getting one of those DVD's! The name change wasn't from Mike Colon. I had been advised about the idea before, and in fact had considered it originally when we came up with a name for our business. Back then, we figured it would be too difficult a name for potential clients to deal with... now I think it will help us stand out in the market more, and not be so generic.

Grisanti sounds pretty cool! What about "Photography by Grisanti"? I think one of the biggest points is the name -recognition factor. The name is unique, and so helps set our business apart.

Believe it or not (DJ - you'll be proud), we are probably going to be taking our packages off of our website as well, and do what DJ and Mike Colon and Joe Photo do - have a starting price. This can act as an automatic screening process for potential clients. Also, by not having any prices at all, we won't totally frustrate those brides who at least want an idea of our price range as they are "shopping" on the internet.

I am attaching the new logo we might use for our new name....

Sweet new logo! I like it a lot!

I think it's a good idea to have SOME sort of a starting price range on your site so that as Nathan said, brides will have some idea of where you are coming from. You don't want a bunch of brides calling you up asking you if you'll do there wedding for a $1,500 less than what you are asking. Also, price (if it's a bit higher) can be a draw to some people so it'll look good if you have prices that are a bit higher if the bride is just simply looking "for the best." Funny how that works.

Great conversation guys. I know that when I started I was trying to come up with some cool unique name, and realized that my name isn't exactly common. I know Joe Photo says not to name your business after yourself so that someday it will be easier to sell.

Christopher - I really like your name. It sounds like a high-end photographer. I don't think it matters whether you use sloppy borders or not. It's just a matter of personal choice. Which one reflects you better? I agree with the rest of these guys about not having a price list on your site. As I am building my site I am wondering if I am going to put even a starting price on there or not. I still need to process it.

Nathan - I'm excited for you man! I love the logo and I think in the end you won't regret changing your studio name. I think the trick is leaving enough of a trail that you can continue to benefit from your established name recognition.

Thank you for sharing and please keep us updated. Your excitement is contagious!

Hey Nathan ---

Name change huh??? That's a big step. Especially since you already have a established business. As far as the logo... I'd love to help you out (I am also a graphic designer... I mostly do print) I'd love to chat about it this weekend (if you'd like)!

You can see my new business logo here:

http://davidjay.net/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=42&t=594

I'm gonna be away for the weekend, but I'll check on here periodically to see if you'd like to chat! Either send me a PM or e-mail me.

Hope to hear from you!

--- Gregg

Go for it! And that's a great logo! I used to go by a different name - Absolutely Loved (pretty generic as well) until a photographer I knew decided to "borrow it" and then decided to keep it. I decided that was a great time for me to move forward with another name - a name I had in mind for a while: Aureole Studio.

It turned out to be a blessing as I've noticed more inquiries from high-end brides since the name change.

If you have any magazine ads out, perhaps use the SAME ad with your NEW name and then list BOTH web site names in the ad. In addition, use both domain names in your email signature - until you eventually phase out the old one.

Best wishes - and btw you have a BEAUTIFUL baby!! Congratulations! My husband and I have decided it's finally time to start - especially since we are being harassed left and right by our family and friends AND friends of friends, if you can imagine. My response is, I might as well, since I have nothing better to do in Alabama...

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Tamalyn, looked at your website, and you've got some great work!

Nathan

Hey Nathan,

Earlier today, I wanted to visit your site (which is incredible!) so I started coming to this forum to look it up. Well, I didn't have to, because I remembered it! expressivephotography.com is a pretty memorable name so I would definitely keep it, use it, and have it redirect to your new name.

Thanks for the comments - I'm in the process of putting in all recent images after gutting out the old ones. It's so hard trying to decide which images to use!

Tam

This is such an interesting subject. I too have considered changing my name. Since I have what some call a unique name and others call a cheesy name I too am very torn about this subject.

My full name is Thomas Alan Smilie and It's common for customers to ask me if it's my real name. This worries me since you don't know how it's effecting my business +/-.

I had considered using just my first and middle name ...

Thomas Alan Photography but it seems too common.

Nathan---

I like the new logo and I personaly think your name is great for use in your company name.

DJ--

Your idea of dropping photography is indeed food for thought but also seems a tad risky.

This is a great thread!

According to Beckwith the key is to keep it short with a lot of info! He gives the example of "FedEX" as a company who put it all together!

He says you have 3, maybe 4 syllables for your name and anything beyond that you'll start losing impact. He also suggest to rid yourself of the obvious words in your name "photography, jeans, bank" Examples would be "Wells Fargo" or "Levi's" - both good brands that do not need to tell people what they are. When you hear "Mike Colon" do you need "photographer" on there to know that he's a photographer? Nope... ...and we should be working to make the same true for our business. David Jay is of course the name given to me by my wonderful parents, but I guarantee you that more people think of wedding photography when they hear "davidjay" then think of me personally.

A name is a brand - not a description.

I understand where you're going with this DJ, and eventually, I would like name recognition for our business. However, there is no way that I or anyone else can expect to start off right away with the name "Holritz" or any other name (in the phone book, answering my phone, etc.) and expect anyone, particularly in a culture such as Chattanooga, to just think "photography" right away. "Holritz Photography" is as simple as we can possibly get our business name right now, and still expect to run our business smoothly. Three, four years from now? Definitely a more viable option. As you say, "We should be working to make the same true for our business." Mike Colon can get away with it because he has been around for a little bit (yes, I realize not a real long time), and he has worked at getting his name out there!

Nathan