I'm at the point where I'm beginning to get some paying clients and would like to step up the marketing and advertising of my company. THe dilemma is that I'm not too happy with the name I threw together for my company and website..W5 Digital.

I've tossed around a few names(most of the catchy ones are taken).

I primarily offer: photo and video services, and also have a recording studio(music). I have recently jumped into some web design and would like to do this more in the future.

I'm tempted to go with Mike Watkins Studios, but don't know if it has that zing...Also it sounds one-mannish to me, which isn't particularly what I want to project. Not to mention it would be a long domain name and email address.

The other best name I've come up with leans more strongly to the video and photo side of things and to me sounds more modern. Company Name : Aperturic Productions.. Domain: aperturic.com.

Spelling could be an issue with the latter, but I feel like it has more potential.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, as I would like t have the name and new website up and going asap.


Thanks in advance.

Mike Watkins

Not a big fan of Aperturic ... but I like Watkins Studios, or something like that: Watkins Productions, Watkins Creative, Watkins Media, etc, just forget the "Mike" part and save it for the email address.

Are you a company or a one man operation?

Nothing wrong with either. And there is nothing wrong with using your name. It works for Paul Mitchell, Calvin Klein, and more. So many people try to disguise themselves as a big company by using a "big company" sounding name. Are your services provided by several individuals in your company or are you the one that makes things happen?

If you are the guy that makes it all work then there's nothing wrong with putting your name on the label.

And some food for thought just as a side note. How truly creative can one be if that one can't even come up with a company name.

GrilledCheeseSandwichProductions.Com is available. It's unique, easy to remember and spell, and oh so delicious.

Jeff

Not trying to pour more rain on your party, but I'm not a fan of your proposed name. How can anyone find you if they cannot spell your name? Sounds cool though.

I'm in northern New England so Covered Bridge Productions (http://www.coveredbridgeproductions.com/1/) was a natural. I've had several people specifically say that they like the name and logo. Also, no one would be able to spell my last name unless they were born in Germany. Only about three Americans can pronounce it correctly. The other good thing about the name is that it doesn't limit us to video. Remember, a company name doesn't have to describe what you do, or even be a real word. Look up the "empty vessel" naming approach.

Not a big fan of Aperturic ... but I like Watkins Studios, or something like that: Watkins Productions, Watkins Creative, Watkins Media, etc, just forget the "Mike" part and save it for the email address.

Thanks Michael,

I wouldn't have thought that the Watkins name would be so used in the creative arts arena, but it is. I plugged the "Mike" on the front to be able to get a clear domain name. I would prefer to be a .com vs .net etc..

Thanks,

Mike Watkins

Are you a company or a one man operation?

And some food for thought just as a side note. How truly creative can one be if that one can't even come up with a company name.

GrilledCheeseSandwichProductions.Com is available. It's unique, easy to remember and spell, and oh so delicious.

Jeff

Jeff,

Currently I'm operating as a one man operation...

As far as creativity is concerned, I can come up with some ridiculous company names, but finding ones that are to be taken more serious, that aren't already in use, is a bit different story.

Perhaps a whimsical name would be easier to market....but I wonder if my local market would take it seriously? I'm also trying to keep a neutral name so that I can umbrella a few different services under it.

Thanks for the suggestion: If I ever specialize in how to videos for the sandwich industry I'm so using your suggestion.

Mike W.

Only about three Americans can pronounce it correctly.

Three that you know of? Or in the entire country? :P

I wouldn't have thought that the Watkins name would be so used in the creative arts arena, but it is. I plugged the "Mike" on the front to be able to get a clear domain name. I would prefer to be a .com vs .net etc..

It seems your surname is very common... My first thought was MW Studios but that is taken like all the others. Do you have a middle name? If so you might want to use an acronym of your name, M[insert middle initial]W Studios. It's represents you but doesn't have that one-man-band feel to it.

And you should make sure you get a dot com. Let's face it, some people don't listen. If you tell them to go to GrilledCheeseSandwichProductions.net they'll still go to GrilledCheeseSandwichProductions.com! And you don't want your potential clients ending up on someone elses site. If you want to go the extra step you should get the dot com AND the dot net to make sure no one leaches off your brilliant business name in the future.

I went over and over this myself about four years ago. I've determined that there are a few "truths" when naming your company:

1. Most people will assume your website is "name.com" So forget .net, .us, dot-whatever-else.

2. Make your name easy to spell, don't get cute. "XtraTyme" may look cool to you, but just think of how many times you'll have to say "That's 'Extra' without the 'E' and 'Time' spelled with a 'Y'..."

3. Don't try to sound like something you're not. If you're a one-man outfit, don't pick a name like "Amalgamated Video Partners Corporation". Don't say things on your website like "our customer service staff is standing by..." People can tell when you're being disingenuous and it makes them wonder in what other areas will you be stretching the truth.

4. Every name has been taken. Every. Single. One. Sure, don't pick a name that already has a presence in your community, or even state, but don't fret if the name you like is being used 1,000 miles away. (Unless of course there is a legitimate concern this will cause confusion among your clients or they have a nationwide trademark registration for the name, which at this level of business is highly unlikely.)

5. In the end, nobody really cares but you. Sure, don't name yourself "We Suck Productions", but people are hiring you to do the job, not because they thought "MW Productions" sounded better than "Mike Watkins Video".

BTW, I just registered "aperturic.com" and will sell it to you for $5,000.

Good points, Chris. I think they are some good go-bys.

As to point three, I tend to lean towards marketing one's self as they want to be seen, not necessarily as they see themselves. Not be untruthful, but use simple tactics like "yes WE can do that" vs. "yes I can do that". I want to project myself/company as more established and as a company vs. "this guy I know." I believe the people that know me won't care about the name either. It's the people that don't know me that I want to have their interest peaked, with an interesting name.


Aaron,

I agree that the .com is the way to go. My middle name is Mike, plus I'm kinda out on the acronym theme. Seems too related to the W5 Digital.


Thanks,

Mike Watkins

Looking now at:

1. This Way Productions...

2. Right Here Studios...


Slogan for each would be: "The solution for all of your production needs is Right Here/ This Way", or something similar.

I think these are the 2 finalist for the name...Give me a vote for #1 or #2 if you don't mind.

Thanks a lot for the input. I really appreciate it.

Mike Watkins

If those are the only 2 options then I'll have to go with Door #2 (but only just).

I like the idea of "studio" if you're going to be working with music. I think Right Here Studios also works better with your proposed slogan.

However I do like the sound of This Way Productions better and I think that thiswayproductions.com is easier to read than rightherestudios.com.

Well, I finally bit the bullet and went with: Shadow Catcher Studios.

I'll be working on the site design and let you guys know when it's up.

Thanks for all of the input and help!

Mike Watkins

Now what am I going to do with "aperturic.com"? :)

Maybe you could lower the price? 8-)

Well, I finally bit the bullet and went with: Shadow Catcher Studios.

I like it!

I hope your camera is good in low light. ;-)

Sounds like a good name.

Now time to work on the logo.

How about a drawing of a man with net on a pole over his shoulder with a "shadow" silhouette in the net. You know, kind of like the dog catcher hauling a pooch off to the truck. ;)



Jeff

Or a play on a Native American dream catcher with a camera lens in the middle.

Can't help with the logo. I have to stay in the shallow end of that talent pool.

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd let you know that my website is operational. Still adding pages and have more work to go. Currently working on some logo ideas, so for the time being I'm working with a template design.

http://shadowcatcherstudios.com/

Would love some feedback on the content of the site. as well as your thoughts on adding prices to the site. Do you think it turns customers away or helps them decide that they want to use you? I've got some there, but curious about the pros and cons of having prices posted.

Thanks again for the feedback and advice offered through this forum.


Mike Watkins

I really like your site. It's simple, tasteful, easy to navigate, visually appealing. You say it's from a template?

How'd you find a template that good? Plain and simple. The one's I'm trying on Yahoo aren't quite what I'd like. The one I'm using on my site would be a lot better if I could just delete the banner picture on top of it, but that doesn't seem possible.

Congratulations on a nice looking site.

Roger,

I'm using Rapidweaver(Mac only) and the Stacks plug-in. Rapidweaver comes with about 40 themes and this one happens to be called "Clean".

Thanks for checking it out.

Mike Watkins

I'm a fan of simple elegant websites which is probably why I do like your website.

My thoughts on pricing: I think that as long as your prices are reasonable for the service you are offering there is no reason why not to put them up. Personally (as a consumer), I like seeing pricing online as I don't feel that the company is trying to hide anything and being open and honest. These sites are generally the ones I bookmark and come back to later. That's just me personally so I can't comment for everyone else on the internet. :P

Just a thought, but if you want your pricing to be more visible (you might not) maybe you should make a 'Pricing' page or something along those lines. And put all your rates on that page. I don't think there is anything wrong with the way you have it now, as if someone is already interested in what you're offering it's on the page that they're looking at anyway. Just thinking out loud.

Just curious, but are you going to add a page for music production? It just seems a little strange that you have "music production" in the header but I don't see it mentioned anywhere else on your site.

Overall, good job! *Thumbs up*

Mike... I gave your site a quick squizz and overall I do like it. Simple designs work for me but I'm a simple guy. I think you need a logo or graphic element in the header or at least stylized text for your company name (think along the lines of the DVINFO.NET text atop this page). It doesn't really pop right now for me.

Dealing with prices on a site gets a little squidgy. I like offering representative package prices for comparison purposes but putting hourly rates up there run the risk of having your clients costing out their jobs in their own heads and likely getting it wrong. I have no problem with stating day rates but that's about as granular as I'd want to get.

Thanks for the input guys. I have basically finished the site and will likely be making some minor tweaks on the existing layout until I am finished getting my graphics finalized.

I've go quite a bit of interest from possible clients so I needed to get something going.

Thanks again for looking and taking time to comment and offer advice.

http://shadowcatcherstudios.com/

Mike Watkins