internet

Names are important and the name of your blog can make a big difference to how the public perceives you and, more importantly, how they treat your writing.

Think about how you surf.  As soon as you see a blog, you form an impression about the content you expect from the title and presentation.  If, on reading the first paragraph, the words and style reinforce that impression then the blog is accepted and read.  If there is a conflict you simply hit the back button and move on - simple as that!

So, the name of your blog is as important as the way it looks in forming that all important first impression – get it wrong at your peril.

Only you know what sort of impression you want to create but try to avoid humorous names that might not be understood outside your own circle of friends and try also to avoid anything that can give offence.  For the same reason try to avoid names that are technical if you want the blog to have universal appeal.

However, if you want your blog to appeal to a particular class of people a good way of signalling this is to use a buzz word that instantly means something to them but which excludes those not in the know.  Remember, however, that you have this title for life so make sure you will never want to expand your readership.

One way to choose a name is to pick a keyword that sums up what your blog is about.

One way to choose a name is to pick a keyword that sums up what your blog is about.  By way of illustration, this section of the Youk website is about blogs and blogging so if I were looking for a name or domain name I would start with the word 'blog' or 'blogging'.

Now play with the name and see what you can find to add to it or express it in a different way.  Maybe 'Better Blogging', 'Blogster' or 'Blog Reviewer' might be possible depending on the content you intend to write.

However, a common word like 'Blog' is featured in a lot of blogs so the more obvious names will already be well used.  If you are going to purchase a domain name then this has to be unique so the task is even harder.  To assist you, there are some good websites to help you invent a name on the Youk Blog Resource website which you will find here.

Try for three good names, check them in a search engine to what other sites use them and leave it a day or so before you decide.  Try to think of the strengths and weaknesses and of the impression that will be in people's minds when they see them.  Also, make sure that you write them down so you can see how they look and ask a few people for their opinion before you decide.

Choosing a name is important and a good name will both make your blog more likely to be accepted and also inspire you to produce good content that is worthy of it.

Tags: blogs, internet