Naming your business doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do need to be thoughtful about it. Here are a few things to consider before committing to a name for your coaching practice:
Just the Facts
The truth is, you are your business. Using your own personal name for your practice might be a good solution. The downside is that it’s not descriptive about what you actually do. However, catchy names often fail because they are once removed from you. It forces your client to do a matching game and people might remember the company name but not you or vice versa. Or they may spell something wrong or have some other trouble that prevents them from finding you easily.
And what if you have a difficult name to spell? This is where a nickname might work or an abbreviation. Just remember: easy does it.
Naming your business may require brainstorming.
Brainstorm
If you are choosing something other than your personal name as your company name, we recommend brainstorming a bit to get it right. Stay broad as you explore so that you don’t choose something so narrow that there is no room for change or growth.
Consider that your coaching focus may change and the programs you offer will be developed over time. Don’t lock yourself in.
Availability
If you’re going to be legal, then naming your business goes beyond what you want. The business name has to be available as an entity in your state. You can find out through your state’s legal authority, commonly the Secretary of State’s office. Registering your business is recommended.
You will also want to verify that the website domain is available. You can easily check names through the most common website providers. Sometimes, these domain names will have a high pricetag because providers have determined it is capable of high traffic. Someone may have bought the domain before and having not used it are now making it available for a fee.
Keep it simple when naming your business.
What’s in a Name?
There is a lot of emotion wrapped up in choosing the name of your coaching practice. Keep your feelings in the background if you can so that you choose a company name that is easy and memorable!
As your practice grows and changes, you can adapt your marketing and messaging to suit a specific product, service, or a changing market. But you will want to stay consistent with your legal identity over the lifetime of your business so that people can find you!
Check out The Coach Business Guide: The Path to Launch and Grow your Coaching, Practice, Chapter 21 – Getting Your Business Started
Thank you! Great information.
Glad you liked it! Hope it helps!
Love it!! Done it here, finally have the right marketing partner!
Good to see you, Paul!! We need to catch up!