Here's the post I did last year explaining where the name came from with some pretty photos from my visit there.
Anyway, I thought it would make a wonderful name for a homewares business, retail shop, decorating service or something like that. So when it came time to name my blog and I knew that it was going to focus on classic American style/design/decorating, considering that aesthetic was the inspiration for our house renovation, it seemed a natural choice.
I love the name because:
- it's pretty, feminine and unique with a lyrical sound to it
- it eludes to the Hamptons without being obvious and it's a beautiful part of the world with the most spectacular houses - it's my inspiration for this blog
- it's not my name, so should it ever became a business I wanted to sell it wasn't tied to me
- anybody who was a true East Coast devotee would know what it meant!
- my sister said she'd use it if I didn't
- I just like it!
My husband on the other hand thought it was awful. He thought I should have a name that included the word "Hamptons" but I said I didn't want to be restricted to the Hamptons as a style or look, particularly as it's such a fad at the moment, it's a term I hate because it's so loosely and inappropriately used here, and it is only one of many classic American decorating styles I like.
He said that nobody would be able to pronounce it, or know it referenced the east coast because nobody had ever heard of the place, unless you lived there.
He thought the name should make it clear what the blog was about. Finally he said it sounded like a person's name so that people would think it was my name and call me Georgica.
I scoffed at that suggestion and all his comments and went ahead anyway, just because I liked it.
Well, if I had a dollar for the number of times people have called me Georgica! Not just Georgica but Georgeeca, Georgia and Georgina. It drives me completely nuts. And this happens even when I sign my name Melinda at the bottom of the email or text or comment, and repeatedly point out that it's not my name. I've even been called Georgica by people who I have corresponded with for months as Melinda, but for some reason there is some major confusion that happens between me, my blog, my FB page and so on.
I have been operating a small business GEORGICA POND INTERIORS, for the past year supplying fabric and furnishings to a small group of family, friends, friends of friends and referrals. I haven't advertised this fact because I haven't been in a position to expand it beyond what I could manage. But this is something I now want to expand and offer online to my blog readership. And for the past year, many people I deal with ie wholesalers, fabric suppliers etc, call me Georgica too. It's got to the point I am having an identity crisis and I'm sick of correcting them.
But I have an online store in the development stages, and some day maybe a bricks and mortar one. I am looking at including advertising and sponsorships on my blog, and have had a lot of interest from companies and PRs. I also want to redesign my blog and convert to Wordpress and a dot com, but before I can do all that I figure I need to decide once and for all about the name.
The images I have included in this post are some of my favourites from my PINTEREST boards and I hope epitomise the style and look of my blog and thus the name.
So please help me. Do you like the name GEORGICA POND? Do you hate it? Is it too random? Is it confusing? Should I change it? Or is it too late? What should I change it to?
Hi Melinda :) I can understand why it might be confusing as Georgica could easily be interpreted as a name. Maybe you can save a full name change and call it something like Georgic Pond Design by Melinda... Just a thought. I love your style and have been a lurker for ages so thought I'd just pop by say hello and offer my thoughts. Hope it helps. Nel x
ReplyDeleteHi MELINDA :))
ReplyDeleteI love the name - don't change if you can help it.
And if you can help it - try to laugh happily not take the anger when someone calls you Georgica.
If I could tell you how mispronounced my maiden name is and mis-spelled over the years when it is clearly spelled out for some! Oh well- shrug the shoulders :)
Divine plans by the sounds of it - all of them, and I know you will do so so well at them all.
hugs
Loulou x
I for one knew exactly why you called yourself Georgica Pond but that is because I stalked maps of The Hamptons before I got there in real life. I had the same concerns about my Cape Cod Designs branding as there is more than Cape Cod that inspires me. I tried to get a decent Hamptons inclusive URL but there were none that appealed to me. I figured that people are more likely to google 'Hamptons and 'Cape Cod' when they are trying to find information on that genre description that roughly encapsulates what they like.
ReplyDeleteI like your name and your branding... it is pretty and feminine and Hamptons-ish. If it's any consolation, I have been addressed as Anne-Mary, Mary-Ann, Mary Lou, Elaine and 'Russell' in emails from suppliers who have been dealing with me for ages too! It's not you, it's them! A-M xx
Love the name and agree with all your reasons for choosing it. You know what you're doing - don't worry about those who don't! Good luck with it all...I've just gone through a similar expansion and it was hard work but I'm loving it now. Do what you want, one step at a time. Annie x.
ReplyDeleteI happen to like Georgica Pond, and I think it's a really distinctive name. But I know exactly what you mean - I'm in the final stages of designing my new website and online store (at looong last) and had someone say to me that Driftwood Interiors sounds like I sell fish tanks. Hmm, so happy to hear that after years of blogging, and far too many $$$ spent on the new site. But I think we need to be careful who we take our advice from. The wise sage in question was a guy in his 50's who wouldn't know style if it bit him on the proverbial. So don't worry too much about the name - after all, there are some quirky ones out there, and they're often the ones we remember best. Maybe to be on the safe side, a little research amongst impartial (and honest) friends might put your mind at ease? Whatever you do, try to follow your gut and stick with what feels right for you. Good luck with the new biz, and can't wait to see how it comes along - whatever you decide to call it! K xx
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged lol although I have never called you Georgica in email as I do know your name to be Melinda but I discuss your blog and house a lot to my husband and HE knows you only as Georgica haha. I love the name and wouldn't change it.
ReplyDeleteI would definetely be a customer in regards to fabrics and wallpapers as I'm a suburban stay at home mum and I just don't know where to source these things.
Tash
What am I saying... I work part time, how does one forget that??
DeleteI love it but I am from the east coast so I get it. The other names I always think of are Meadow Lane and Three Ponds but yours is great. Keep it anyway you can!
ReplyDeleteMELINDA.... Really? No, honestly I am JUST KIDDING!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would stay with Georgica Pond, no question... you have spent a lot of time working on your blog, and all the branding you have already "down-up" would be going to waste, people would just be confused. Forget about the fact that your name is not Georgica, minor detail (I mean NO disrespect what-so-ever!), ride the wave of what you have already built, and good luck with your business. Soon enough "they" will know your name, I am sure!
PS. Don't forget to tell your husband "you were right, honey" ;)
Georgica Pond is quite distinctive, Melinda, stick with it. I think you have a following and it can only get bigger and better.
ReplyDeleteMelinda - It's definitely clear that your name is not Georgica from the blog! I'm from the UK so I haven't heard of the actual Georgica Pond place, but it is more of an original name than any Hampton references. You have worked hard to work up this brand and following so don't change it. Claire :)
ReplyDeleteMelinda - It's definitely clear that your name is not Georgica from the blog! I'm from the UK so I haven't heard of the actual Georgica Pond place, but it is more of an original name than any Hampton references. You have worked hard to work up this brand and following so don't change it. Claire
ReplyDeleteIt's such a beautiful name Melinda, it has a story, you have built such a brand with it - I'd stick with it! Maybe as the first post suggested you could add 'By Melinda' onto it but....I don't know if that's necessary. You clearly sign off with Melinda... maybe add it to to the "About Me" at the top...."Hi I'm Melinda, Welcome to Georgica Pond......"
ReplyDeleteSo excited for your plans!
Kind regards
Krissy
Hi Melinda, I must say, that when I first started reading your blog I too, thought your name was Georgica. Then one day, I thought, that's a strange name, it's pretty, but a little strange. Doh!! That's when I realised that your name was actually Melinda. I like the name Georgica Pond. I think it's really pretty, but I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I did think your name was Georgica for quite some time. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda, when I first stumbled across your blog and started reading, I too, thought that your name was "Georgica". Then one day, I thought to myself, that's quite a strange name, it's pretty, but a little strange. That's when I realised that your name was actually Melinda, not Georgica!! Doh!! Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I was a little confused at first about what your name actually is. I like the name Georgica Pond though. I think it's really pretty and I think that you should stick with it. Kind regards, Lee :)
ReplyDeleteI love the name because you have already made it into a brand, and besides that, it is a fairly arbitrary name anyway, which is always a useful thing to allow you to take it in multi directions.
ReplyDeleteBrand names are so funny though, when you actually think about them. I mean, who would ever call a 21st century company Coca Cola if they were starting from scratch? Yet the name has become synonymous with the product.
I like it and so do you, which is what counts. Who cares what they call you. It's better than Desire. I think your problem is universal. People are time poor and often grab onto the first thing they see. It's a beautiful blog and it's called Georgica Pond, You can educate people subtly, but there are many other important things you have to do in this business than waste time and effort renaming yourself and doing all the work associated with that across all your platforms. If they want to call you Georgica, so be it, you should be proud of that.
ReplyDeleteI was christened Carolyn and have been called Caroline all my life. I'm not at all precious and actually prefer Caroline, so am happy being either.
Carolyn aka Desire
How do you pronounce it? I would have thought it was Georgeeca but I guess not? What else could it be, I am stumped...George-ikka?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the location but I think the name is nice. I have only been reading your blog recently ( found it via Fiona) and never thought it was your name, lol. Your intro with Melinda on it is right at the top of your blog, very easy to spot.
I changed my blog name/branding early on in my blogging life, as I had put myself in a corner with my original name and it didn't give me room to expand/move/change styles. I have been Restyled Vintage for almost 3 years now and I love it. It is broad enough and catchy enough, and something that people search for on google. My dream is to see it on a bricks and mortar store one day and I think it will look wonderful :) For now though, a market stall does the trick!
xx Karen
Mel I love the name. I think it it epitomises your style (which I like many others love). I would love to use your services on our new/old house. Are you ready for an unrelated client? Nat
ReplyDeleteI love the name and this post exemplifies well its that beautiful Georgica Pond style that people associate with you. I think its a very pretty name and its easy to understand why people would assume thats your name, don't be offended be flattered, its a beautiful name:)
ReplyDeleteExciting things happening for you...best of luck to you in your endeavors. I vote for keeping the name!
Lovely Blog, lovely home, lovely name.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
Don't change that name!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel and can totally relate to everything you wrote; people keep calling me Ann-Kay again and again. Sometimes i just want to respond with something like " Can't you read, you stupid moron??", but usually i just roll my eyes and let those ignorant people think whatever they want. I know my real name, and that's all that matters ( although it makes me feel kind of schizo from time to time, lol).
Earlier today i read this quote on Pinterest: "Branding is what people say about you when you are not in the room"
Most brand names are not related with the owners real name, and
Georgica sounds beautiful, unique and outstanding. I am sure people will more likely remember you and your work as Georgica Pond rather than Melanie XYZ Designs.
I love it Melinda! Don't change a thing. People are just too busy and plain ignorant to pay attention to the details these days. Maybe make your font really big with your name at the bottom of your posts and e-mails so they can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the name Georgica Pond and known your name was Melinda. It's not that hard!!! I think those that don't work that out have not taken the time or care. Even though I originally didn't know the origin of the name I always thought it suited your style and nature. It's a lovely but distinctive name and I'd stick with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda, Georgica Pond is a beautiful and unique brand name, I would stick to it and laugh (or feel sorry for) those that skim read or are too time poor to commit your personal name to memory. The brand name stuck. That's GOOD!!!(Better than the other way round!)Like AM, I've gotten used to being called Kerri-Anne, Anne-Maree, Mary-Anne and Terri. You've got a branding for bussiness purposes that has stuck, acurrately; that is priceless! Good luck with your new venture...
ReplyDeletex KL
I love the name! Very nice and distinctive. Beautiful images. Good luck with all of your new business ventures!
ReplyDeleteOh Melinda you have to keep it! I love the name of your blog and think of the Hamptons every time I read it. I think you should stick with it. The pictures you have shared in this post are just gorgeous and so inspirational. Thanks for sharing. Ange
ReplyDeleteI have never once thought that as your name. Don't change it it's lovely, it's you and it's unique.
ReplyDeleteMaybe buy those people some glasses, start your emails with...... Hi it's Melinda here, just wondering.......
Good luck and listen to your gut.
AJx
I have never once thought that as your name. Don't change it it's lovely, it's you and it's unique.
ReplyDeleteMaybe buy those people some glasses, start your emails with...... Hi it's Melinda here, just wondering.......
Good luck and listen to your gut.
AJx
No it's not that hard to see it's not your name, if people took the time to read things properly. I think it's a fabulous name that you have defined through your blog and have built it into it's own brand. I agree with #layingthetable, maybe when you change everything over add another word like designs or something to show you are now operating as a business. Congrats with the direction things are going for you. It's hard with little ones under foot to get anything done, but you still seem to be able to do so much! By the way, feel free to call me Luxe anyday.
ReplyDeleteLis xox
I love this name - it evokes such a dreamy mood and its so pretty and summarises your gorgeous style. I like the idea someone suggested above, Georgica Ponds by Melinda xx
ReplyDeleteMelinda, I've summered in Southampton, NY my entire life, and my parents now live there full time. As soon as I saw the title of your blog I knew what your style would convey, and you do it so well. Don't change the name! Georgica Pond subtly evokes the style and spirit of the Hamptons, which is always beautiful, a touch beachy, sophisticated, yet always liveable. Love the blog! Xx
ReplyDeleteMelinda I don't brother to correct people if they get my name wrong. It's not intentional.
ReplyDeletezane