Episode Details

There always comes a time when starting a business that stumps people. Creating the best name for your grant writing business is one of those times. Sometimes it completely throws people off the tracks that they never get back on and actually start their business.

Don’t let this stop you!

To help you navigate this process I have identified three different ways (and the pros and cons) to help you find the best name for you grant writing business.

#1 Use Your Name

Pros:

• It is more personalized
• If you have a unique name it won’t be taken!
• It works for the 80% connection of social media (I am commenting on other people’s post, not a business name).
• It is easier to get started (you don’t need to spend months trying to figure it out)

Cons:

• If you have a common name, you will need to add a little more in, i.e. “Holly Rustick Grant Writing Consultancy”
• If your name changes (get married, divorced, etc.) then your name shift can be difficult
• If you decide to dissolve your business, then you may need to rebuild your social media and website branding
• You can’t separate yourself from your business so easily

#2 Basic Company Name

Pros:

• It tells the story very quickly of what you do; i.e. Grant Writing & Funding
• It is found more easily when people are searching online (i.e. someone looking for grant writing and my business pops up. They aren’t looking for my name, but for what I do).

Cons:

• A lot of the popular super basic domain names; i.e. www.grantwritingandfunding.com, are taken
• It can feel a little sterile
• Some people forget to personalize their branding because their business name is what they do and not who they are (i.e. they use stock photos and not pictures of themselves).

#3 Whimsical Name

Pros:

• It can be fun and exemplify your character
• You might be passionate about the words

Cons:

• It can be too abstract that you won’t get noticed; “Wish Granted!” vs. “The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing.”
• It can confuse your ideal client because they won’t know what you do
• It can be cute to you, but hard to pronounce and doesn’t connect to other people

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030.  Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.  

Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy,  past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. 

CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK 

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ 

RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get t