Picking a Name: Be Clever, Original, and Memorable

Bun Cha Hanoi Nem Ran (Vietnamese Hanoi-Style Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Grilled Pork Patties and Egg Rolls)

You want to be original. Sorry, Wandering Chopsticks is already taken. ;) But seriously, a clever name will generate hits. Initially, that's how people found me. They might have noticed my name in comments or linked on someone else's blog and clicked on over. Having a clever and unique name also means it's memorable. If someone stumbled upon your blog, liked it, and forgot the exact link, they might remember enough to Google your name and find you again.



While you're at it, make your URL the same as your blog name. It makes your blog easier to remember and easier to find. If you have a screen name that's different from your blog name, which is also different from your URL, it's going to be that much harder for someone to remember all that or to even find you again. Keep it simple. Wandering Chopsticks (the person) can be found on Wandering Chopsticks (the blog) which can be found at http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com (the website).

I chose Wandering Chopsticks because I intended my blog to be about my culinary travels, home and abroad. It is also the act of hesitating over food before deciding what to eat (a big Asian cultural no-no by the way).

Perhaps you want to choose a name with cultural significance such as Burnt Lumpia. As Marvin says,

"Marvin was born and raised on the gritty streets of Los Angeles to Filipino parents. Despite the graces of his mother’s home cooking, the ill-effects of Western assimilation retarded Marvin's appreciation of Filipino food – wreaking havoc on his palate from a young age on until adulthood.
Now married to a non-Filipino, and residing in the culinary wasteland that is the Inland Empire of Southern California, Marvin continues to hone his kitchen skills by expanding his culinary repertoire and learning to cook the food of his culture that he once ignored, even if it means burning a few lumpias along the way."

Clever, original, and memorable.

I discovered Marvin's blog because of his clever name. Once Burnt Lumpia pulled me in, even though I had no previous knowledge or interest in Filipino food, I stayed because I enjoyed his humor and writing.

If your blog has a clear purpose, sometimes simplicity is the best way to go. Christian Z.'s Orange County Mexican Restaurants covers... Orange County Mexican Restaurants. :P

If all else fails, choose a few of your favorite ingredients and name your blog after that. Google your potential name first to see how common it is though. Names with words such as "food," "eat," "cook," "passion," and "dessert" are fairly popular so it'll be that much harder for your blog to stand out.

You can have the greatest blog in the world, but how will people know that if they don't remember your blog name or visit your blog?

1. How to Start a Food Blog
2. On Blogging and Food Blogging
3. Choosing a Blog Host
4. Picking a Name: Be Clever, Original, and Memorable
5. Posting: Frequency, Topics, and Accuracy
6. Giving Credit: The Right Way to Link, Copyright, and "By," "Inspired," and "Adapted"
7. Your Online Identity: Blogging Interactions and Comment Policies
8. Photos: Photography Tips, Storage, and Watermarking
9. Design: Layout, Navigation, and "Above the Fold"
10. Blogrolling: Will You Be My Friend?
11. Building Traffic: Participate in the Community and Respond to Your Stats
12. Measuring Success: Cheerleader or Nerd?
13. Public Relations: Handling the Freebies and the People
14. Monetizing Your Hobby: To Ad or Not to Ad
15. Bottomline: Have Fun, but Protect Your Work
    

Did you find this series useful? I'd appreciate credit if you use any of the information. Thanks!

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1 year ago today, Deep-Fried Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Basil and Cottage Cheese.