Not quite.
For a while now, I have been thinking of changing our site name. I’ve been discussing it with a few people — and over the CTIA week a lot of folk I met agreed.
Originally I was writing a lot about SMS. Obviously we do a lot about the mobile industry in general. Across a typical week, we throw a nod to devices, to companies in the news, to startups, service reviews, the odd interview and so on. It definitely isn’t restricted to text messaging related items.
So should I change the name? Part of me thinks it’s a heritage and, well, we should stick with it. We’re well known. I walked around CTIA with the site on the name badge — and when people weren’t reading it and wondering “Billericay???”, they were recognising the site name, “Oh I read you!” was a common conversation opener.
But then, one lady I met wasn’t that impressed.
“What is it you do?” I asked.
“Multimedia messaging solutions — MMS,” she said, studying my badge but trying not to look as though she was.
“I’m from SMS Text News,” I thought I should help her out.
“Oh,” her face fell, “Sorry, I didn’t know,” she responds.
Er.
Turns out that she thought that I automatically wouldn’t be interested in her company.
“No, I cover all sorts of mobile things,” I explain. The trouble is, she’s not sold. She thinks I’m saying this just to let her down gently.
I try and reassure her.
“Genuinely, I cover a lot of subjects,” I say, but she’s not having it. We part company. She wouldn’t even give me her business card because she was convinced I wasn’t really interested.
Cut to conversation with VSC Consulting, the top mobile boutique PR chaps.
“I’m thinking of changing the site name,” I tell Vijay, “What do you think?”
“Definitely. Tomorrow,” he shoots back, without a moment’s thought.
Shit! Perhaps I really should change, I think.
“I’m going to ask the SMS Text News readers – those who’re interested, and see what they think,” I tell him.
Vijay breaks into a smile, “Ah yes, crowd-sourcing of the new brand, I like it!”
So here you are. You’re being crowd-sourced. If you can be arsed.
I’d like your feedback. I’m not doing a poll. I don’t think a poll is the way ahead. I think measured opinion.
I’m pretty much more than 50% up for changing the site name. In practice this will be an easy switch, particularly for the likes of those reading by RSS. You’ll see no difference. But for those visiting the site, it’ll mean a new brand, a new domain and so on. And a new poster at the Unlimited Drinks events. And new business cards.
The one thing I don’t really want, should we change the name, is to have it include ‘mobile’. There are far too many mobile sites out there. Far too many. Intomobile. Mymobile. Topmobile. Yourmobile. MobileCrunch. FutureMobile. MobileToday. MobileTheOtherDay. MobileFuture. MobileThis. MobileThat. MobileAgain. Twice removed.
For a few minutes I flirted with changing the site to www.ewan.net. I own that domain, conveniently. But I don’t think that is very relevant.
Although that being said, if we select something dotcommy, something web2-oh-ish, it won’t be that relevant.
Here is my question: Should I change the site name to something that doesn’t directly preclude covering anything that isn’t text messaging?
I’d appreciate your viewpoint. (Email or post below.)
I think you’ve done a heck of a job Ewan in promoting the smstextnews brand. I see the point of people not familiar with you’re site to question the direction of where your site is going. My suggestion would be if you indeed want to change its name, make sure you keep the smstextnews brand long enough so all of your readers can mentally adjust to the new name.
Yes, change it.
I first came across ur site, while i wz searchn goolge for some mobile sites in SriLanka.. Here ur site appeard wit an article on Dialog. And reading da name of ur site, my first impression wz dat u delivr news via SMS test msg. Wud luv he u guys hav dat service 😉 …bt nw um a daily readr of ur news, very usful. Thanx! If changin da name go for somtin short, my personal opinion, its a bit too long for a WAP site.. And lyk Amir said, keep da SMS TexT News brand for long enough for ppl to get familiar wit da new name.
I say leave it alone. It’s a huge brand that you’ve worked hard to build. And the new name would need a new domain and Google would take ages to build back up to the same level of page rank etc….
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If you do change it remember the following
1) Keep the current domain name pointing at te new site. No point pissing off all those people with bookmarks (or strong muscle memory)
2 ) Get a .mobi domin 🙂
Ewan, this is definitely a thorny one. For what it’s worth, bear with me here (stream of consciousness coming…). I’ve been wandering around the garden contemplating this because this is my favourite blog. It’s the first feed I check in the morning and every time I flick back to my RSS reader (no pressure then!).
I’ve thought for a while that smstextnews was a bit incongruous,given the content of the site. However, you have built a recognised brand. People in the know, know it. People who come across it, from links, searches, etc, will soon realise from a quick look at the content that it’s about more than SMS. I think the history is important and the name speaks of history, of having been there early but having moved on with the times.
I haven’t got any better ideas for a name that don’t sound cheesy. If it’s of any value, my opinion would be to keep an open mind about a name change. If you get (or have had) a flash of inspiration for a better name, then you should go with it. But I wouldn’t rush into a name change for the sake of it if I were you.
If I get any inspiration I’ll stick it in an email to you – wouldn’t want someone to spoil any potential party by snapping up possible domains!!!!
I do think you could have a more general domain which covered more of the mobile industry instead of sms, but SMS Text News has been built into a well known brand so there is points for changing and keeping.
Although the longer its left before changing, the more popular SMS Text News becomes so I say change it and obviously redirect SMS Text News site to the new site, and maybe have Formally SMS Text News on the new site and business cards etc to let people know.
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Change nothing…. A brand is the biggest thing to have and you shouldn’t mess with a winning formula. I think the relevance issue over the name is nothing to worry about and i think it would be a mistake to change now…. Remember 180,000 users can’t be wrong!
Yup. Change is good. But don’t limit yourself to phones….
Within a year or so mobile devices like eeePC’s will probably be arriving free in the weekend papers the way prices are going. As Dean Bubley holds forth, people want more devices, not less, each tailored for a specific use: screen size, weight, overall size, replacement cost, features and connectivity options all get factored into the ‘which device to use today?’ decision. The micro PC or
Hi Ewan, I’ve been a loyal reader you for some months now and it does feel sad to part with the name. Got used to it. But I see the point for a need to change it. So maybe something like “smscellnews” could work, that way the change isn’t very drastic, and the point is made- not just text.
Carphone Warehouse don’t sell Carphones from Warehouses anymore but it doesn’t seem to have held them back. I’d say keep it – the name’s less important than the content
Agree with Amir (above)
It’s funny you said the ‘Zebra’ thing.
Remember the other night, before we met at the Venetian, I said to you: “Say ‘Wombats’ when you see me”.
You didn’t, so I never explained. I was reading a site called ‘wombatnation’ the other day… and there are two things that struck me about the site.
1) The author had a ‘Why WombatNation’ button on their side nav – quite clearly pointed out – which explained the title… the link is – http://www.wombatnation.com/misc/whyWN.html
2) ‘WombatNation’ works in it’s own little way because the title doesn’t matter much as it’s the content which makes it worth reading. We all come to SMSTextNews to mainly read YOUR POV on the world. We like what you say (most of the time) and we like how you say it. You articulate well and your personality shines through.
My point is – You COULD call rename ‘Big Green Zebra News’ and still write about the same stuff… It wouldn’t matter.
– Keep ‘Tracking stuff in mobile’ as your tagline (and maybe stick that on your cards too?)
– Also, whatever title you have, why not have a ‘Why X Title?’ button? Explaining to the newbies etc.
Just some thoughts really.
Chars.
James Whatley’s last blog post..CTIA Sneak Peak!
Hi Ewan, looking at some of the other ‘usefu’ sites such as NMA and MAD they seem pretty easy to remember and trade of the initials of the brands. With Bauer we have rebranded many of our brands, for example MCN was motorcyclenews and we purchased a brand called AME Info, no idea what AME stands for and of course we have FHM.
In your case SMS TextNews could become STN which allows you to keep your heritage but it also move away from where you are right now.
Interestingly 118 118 must be one of the most recalled brands and that is just numbers not text.
How about THETOUCHOFABUTTON.COM everything in the online and mobile world works @thetouchofabutton.com… geddit??? Brilliant absolutely brilliant that. Common phrase used by everyone!
…OOOPS forgot to mention we own the .com, net, org, co.uk if you wanna take it further Ew. Was going to use them for a portal then didn’t.
I did think it was an odd name when I first came across the site, by that stage news about SMS was already not even half the picture. I’ve gotten used to the name now but I think you’re right, it really should change.
Not sure about BigZebraRedGreen-Tango-Elephant though as I’m sure there’s already a company/website out there with a similar name….
Um, how about one single word that’s either a primary colour (I think you were on the right track there!) or a single digit number? Failing that, how about checking out the periodic table?
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“Should I change the site name to something that doesn
Did Carphone Warehouse change their name even though they don’t sell car phones nor are in a Warehouse? Anyhow, not the point here.
Love the original name (SMS is still the primary revenue generator outside of voice in the mobile world by a longshot), but if it’s limiting you, sure why not. But do you have to lose SMS Text News? Why not change it to your new name of choice and then trail it by “Powered by SMS Text News”, kind of like what Intel does?
This way, you get your new name reflecting your diversity, but retain the girl that got you to the dance…
Definitely change it. I’ve fallen into the same mistake as that MMS company lady. When Ricky first told me he was going to work here (back when he was working here), i didn’t even bother to check the site, because to me news about SMS text wasn’t sthg that would interest me. A big mistake I admit, since for the 5-6 weeks that I’m subscribed to your RSS, I discovered a very honest reporting of news and gadgets, something fun yet not overly done, and something professional too.
I have been wondering about the SMS text news name for a while myself, seeing that it fits in no way the purpose of the blog. I agree with Amir who said you’ve put a lot of effort on branding this name, but I also think that a brand that doesn’t fit its purpose isn’t a good brand. Imagine a car company that starts building cars the size of a mini cooper and calls them “mini cars” then evolves to build big 4x4s and SUVs. Will they still call them mini cars? I don’t think so. Lame example, I know, but you get my point.
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no reason to change it, if people are thick enough to not talk to you about their product, god forbid they got press, then that is their problem, not yours.
you’ve had this name for a while now and unless you want to register a new domain … there is no point in changing it.
smstextnews = ewan. ewan = smstextnews. brands take time to build and changing them at a moments whim to satisfy some clueless pr bimbo is not wise.
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http://www.SMSandOtherWirelessTelecomsTechnologiesTextandImageNews.com?
Ewan
change the nsme keep the sms url pointing at the new name.
Also agree that an acronym would be a good idea how.about EMON.com
ewan mobile news
mark
I very much appreciate everyone’s time and suggestions. Do keep them coming.
Seems there’s already a BigRedZebra in the mobile world 😉
First off – great site – original content and up-to-date news (not found elsewhere)
I agree with the CPW analogy – but understand the dsire to change.
At the end of the day content is king – keep up the good work and you can call it anything you like
jon
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Refining my last comment..
Keep the name.
-The brand is strong with this one.
Increase the visibility of the ‘Tracking stuff in mobile…’ tagline.
– Educate newbies and strengthen your message without diluting the name.
Stick a ‘Why SMSTEXTNEWS?’ button on the right nav somewhere.
-Have been on at you to update your ‘about this site’ page for ages. Use this as a starter for ten.
And that’s all from me..
@jon – spot on.
I completely agree with James. I think the name is great. No change needed.
How about changing to a .in TLD whilst you’re at it? I quite clearly am lying when I say I never have time to do anything… 😉
The following are available: foned.in / esemes.in / es.m.es.in (the last two still keep the original feel but are abstract enough for any numpty to approve of enough to talk to you!)
My personal favourites are: slept.in / loook.in / breakin.in / smuggled.in oh, and mess.age.in but I’ve got first dibs on those! 🙂
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Seems opinion is quite balanced. There is a lot to be said for keeping an established brand even if it no longer accurately describes the product. People will link an established brand to the product without disecting what the words actually mean. However sometimes a brand refresh works well & ‘updates’ the product. I suggest you keep pondering this one & see if the right idea comes to you but you may well decide to stay with what you’ve got. The challenge wil be finding a brand where you can get the domain name!
+1 for the name change! (and don’t get a .mobi.. that was a silly suggestion ;))
Why don’t you mipp it?
😀
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