“What's in a name?
That which we call a rose
by any other word
would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would,
were he not Romeo call’d,
retain that dear perfection
which he owes without that title."
- Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare recognized that even if you call a rose by another name, it still is the same flower, with all its beauty intact. But a newsletter can benefit from improving its name. The name of your newsletter is the first thing your readers will see. If you want to capture their attention, now might be the time to reevaluate the name you have chosen for your newsletter. Your goal should be to make it interesting and recognizable for your readers.
Make It Familiar
The most common way to name a newsletter is after the name of your company. For example, an apartment complex named Park Avenue Estates could simply place their community logo at the top of the front page of their newsletter. This gives your newsletter instant recognition, as your residents are familiar with your logo and name from seeing it daily as they travel in and out of your community. As long as this is done professionally, it can have a good effect.
Get Creative
Your newsletter might get more attention if you get more creative when you come up with a name. It is often easy to play on the name of your community or neighborhood. For example, “In The Hunt” might be a good name for The Huntington Apartments’ newsletter. Or Sunset Creek Apartments could have a newsletter called, “On The Horizon.” Village on the Green Apartments could use “Village Voice” for their newsletter. Use our list of Notable Names to jump-start some creative thinking.
If you do decide to come up with a clever name, keep these points in mind:
- Make sure the name is easy to pronounce.
- Keep it simple and straightforward. You don’t want the name to be confusing or ambiguous.
- Watch out for negative connotations in the name.
- Be sensitive to any alternative interpretations of your newsletter’s name.
- Test your newsletter name on several different people to get their feedback.
Your best bet is always to give the name a few “test runs.” Make a list of names you like and feel are appropriate. Ask friends and even some current readers which they prefer. You may even get some new ideas for a name this way. Once you’ve narrowed your list down, simply choose your personal favorite.