[ReaperWD]

Hi everyone,

i was wondering if i could have some opinions/input. As im sure alot of you know, ive been chasing smaller projects, whilst i build my portfolio, but i have quoted a few large projects i find online and i have yet to have a response even a "no thankyou".

One of the people i work with alot, is certain its because of the fact that im operating under a team name of Reaper Webdesign.

In your opinions, is this going to be the be all and end all, should i rename? or should i just play on it and add the slogan:

Webdesign that wont cost your soul

or something similar?

Do i just slog on and wait to have my portfolio finished, and let that speak for itself.

thanks

Reaper


Edit: maybe i need to do what Aviva are doing, and get some celebrities to support me?

[Guezala]

I have been told similar about mine and am in a similar position... I am not entirely convinced and have few friends who think once your reputation is built up, it is really more to do with word of mouth...

I am personally hanging in there for a while longer. I have had three jobs so far all through word of mouth and a few positive comments from friends of friends about my work to date so I am remaining hopeful. I too have had quite a few "interested" recently but only had three jobs from maybe a dozen interested parties... and I think that is actually quite good odds.

You are welcome to hang on in there with me *Rosie shifts over in her seat....*

But i too would lovveto hear others' opinions on the matter.

All the best to you!

[traxor]

I myself would be intimidated by the name of your business, and I'm sure many others would too. Would you go into a shop called 'Reaper' whilst walking down a street, it's doubtful. You can be unique with your name of course, but don't choose anything that could be intimidating or have negative conotations. Traxor Designs doesn't mean anything, and it couldn't be taken any way, or out of context, the same with Aviva.

[ReaperWD]

Guezala, on Apr 27 2009, 22:13, said:

I have been told similar about mine and am in a similar position... I am not entirely convinced and have few friends who think once your reputation is built up, it is really more to do with word of mouth...

I cant actually see how Guezala can be taken bad, except how the hell do you pronounce it?

traxor, on Apr 27 2009, 22:25, said:

Would you go into a shop called 'Reaper' whilst walking down a street, it's doubtful.

If it had a nice window display, or i knew it had what i needed, it wouldnt bother me. If i had no idea what it would do, i would probably go in out of curiosity.



Reaper

[notbanksy]

It wouldn't bother me either if I thought they had what I was looking for, but that's just me. I think our society is so squeamish about death that you could be shooting yourself in the foot with the name Reaper. Maybe think about changing it?

[Guezala]

ge tha la unless your are south american or portuguese then i guess ge tza la....

might add that to my site...

Maybe some subtitle could improve it but then i suppose if you are not truly established and it would be worth changing earlier rather than later...

[ReaperWD]

Just been adding finishing touches to my site and got the logo done now. Also bought domain and signed up to everywhere as Reaper. I suppose if i add a good slogan, i can be remembered, which is what will matter



As Reaper i could be someone who harvests the grain? why does everyone instantly think death?



Reaper

[traxor]

People associate it with death because that's the main connotation of the word, you should've listened to what other people say rather than going kamikaze pilot and just jumping in feet first. Unfortunately, your business may suffer the consequences. It doesn't matter what you think, it matters what the consumer thinks, and some of us are more experienced in that field.

[lazytycoon]

Reaper, I love your name. There are as many clients you will put off having a boring name as you will with reaper. It sounds sharp and fast, sure there are links (very strong) with death, but how about Reaper - Scaring average designs. Ahh there is so much you can do with your name. I am sure Apple wondered if their name was too nice and friendly for the big PC world.

Look at my name 'Mayhem New Media', mayhem means (taken from Google define) 'havoc: violent and needless disturbance', yet I still get contacted and singed contracts from furniture, and holiday businesses.

I would say at the moment you are just in the dip, it doesn't matter what your name is you just need to keep on going until you get over this hill and it will all become easy.

[wizely]

Isn't there a certain successful seeming designer called Pixeldeath?!!!
Reaper will be as good as you make it... I'd suggest a little tongue-in-cheek approach and use any theming in your design and copy sparingly - enough to give it some personality and tie the name in, but not so heavy-handed that it becomes a joke or seems like you're trying to justify it!
My best advice would be to have a complimenting theme that forms the basic fabric with the reaper element just adding some sequins of interest!

[ReaperWD]

wizely, on Apr 28 2009, 15:55, said:

Isn't there a certain successful seeming designer called Pixeldeath?!!!
Reaper will be as good as you make it... I'd suggest a little tongue-in-cheek approach and use any theming in your design and copy sparingly - enough to give it some personality and tie the name in, but not so heavy-handed that it becomes a joke or seems like you're trying to justify it!
My best advice would be to have a complimenting theme that forms the basic fabric with the reaper element just adding some sequins of interest!

Some nice advice there, and as im going to be hiring you for my copy, i am sure there wont be too much of a problem there.

Reaper

[M8 INTERNET]

Reaper Web Design would be fine if your surname was Reaper
I have to agree with others, it's one of these company names to avoid
However, it's certainly not forgettable!

For those reasons what you might want to do is create a parallel trading company and compare the results
Let's say the three partners initials are RIP then rather than use that try IPR Website Design

Equally, take local inspiration
Firstly check whether there is already a limited company using the town name, then the phone book / google for unregistered businesses
If there are then check if they are in the same trading category