What's In A Name? The Importance of Naming Your Business

Finding the right title for a book is essential.  It helps set the tone for the book, marketing plans, and provide a glimpse as to what the book is about.  The same can be said for the name of a business.  As a writer, you will find yourself reaching into your creative side to find the name that will best represent you as a business. This is the name that will be used to register your business, open accounts, and establish yourself as a brand.

One practice often used by single-owner organizations is creating a DBA (Doing Business As).  It allows an entity to operate under a fictitious name.  It is an alias.  Establishing a DBA can be beneficial for either sole proprietorship or Limited Liability Companies that are single owner organizations. 

   

Here is an example of why using a DBA could be beneficial for writers. Mary Collier has completed her first book and is now beginning to generate income and expenses for her writing.  She wants to establish her business.  Using a DBA, Mary can do this by naming her business: Mary Collier DBA Author Mary Collier.  This allows Mary to separate her personal side from the business side of being an author.

Registering a DBA is required and can incur fines if not filed.  Most DBA’s are registered with the

local County Clerk’s office or with the state.  It is recommended to check with your local and state government for steps to register a DBA.

On the flip side, some writers may like the idea of creating a pithy name for their business.  One that may represent their genre.  While this may stoke the creative flames and   coax the ego, it is an idea I would not recommend. Why?  Business is fluid and constantly changing.

Let’s say that today your writing interest is centered on Science Fiction works.  So, you decide to name your business, Galaxies Far Away Writing Company.  Great! You have succeeded at branding yourself with a science fiction themed business name.  But, what happens if down the road in a galaxy far, far way (sorry I couldn’t resist), you tire of creating these futuristic worlds and decide you want to write contemporary romance.  

This is why establishing the name of your business should reflect the one constant in the work you produce.  That is you.  Even if you decide to publish under a pseudonym, it is still you that created it.  Just like your books are products to be marketed, you are also a brand that requires the same level of promotion. So, chose the name of your business wisely.  It is one that will stick with you for a very long time.