If you are about to create a new startup this is just some food for thought in choosing a name. This article was published in Linkedin. But curiously, I was checking on the google search engine and noticed it was not indexed. So, I am going to write a series of articles about how social media technically functions. This article is not just about names, it is a test of social media.
If you are creating and consulting to startups then I would recommend my book when it comes out. To get on the list to receive the email about my book being released, simply go to StartupPOP.com and get on my email list.
So here is what I cover in the book from a very high level perspective. I have come up with 4 criteria that let you know a name is below average, average, great or amazing. If you only hit 2 of the 4 don’t despair, you can make the world love your name anyway, if you have enough money!
1. Memorability
If you tell somebody the name of your startup and 2 minutes, 2 hours, 2 weeks, 6 weeks or even a year later people remember the name, that means it is memorable. There is no exact science to this. Some names are just more memorable than others. You will have to read my book for examples.
2. Familiarity
If you tell people the name of your startup and they say they have heard of it or that it sounds familiar, you have accomplished the second criteria. I will give you a hint. If your name sounds like something already, it helps.
3. Personality
Does the name evoke emotion, humor or seems to have a personality to it, then that is the fourth criteria. Names with no personality are not as easy to remember.
4. Says What It Does
This is the old standby, does the name clearly indicate what the business is about. This can be simply the name says it or it alludes to what it is about. Not having anything about what it is about is ok, it just means you did not hit this criteria.
Get all 4 name criteria in a name and you have a Yahtzee of a name. It is not easy. Most people settle for average product names that only do one of this 4 criteria. That’s ok for average products… Stand by and buy my book about names when it is released by the end of the year. Once again come to StartupPOP.com and sign up to get on my mailing list so you can find out when the book will be released.
If you would like to read more writings or comment on this article, best to do it on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-criteria-choosing-startup-name-dan-gudema?trk=hp-feed-article-title-publish
By the way, if you are in South Florida, we are running a Tech Startup Pitch Event on Tuesday, December 8 at 6pm. We currently have over 110 RSVPs and growing. This is a link to that event: http://www.meetup.com/Boca-Raton-Tech-Start-ups-Meetup/events/226038039/ if want more information. If you sign up before December 4th, the event is only $5.
Have a great day.
Dan Gudema
[email protected]
http://startuppop.com