So I’m sure this is going to come off as a surprise and perhaps random, but lately I’ve found myself thinking very seriously about re-branding my blog. And when I say re-branding, I mean a complete overhaul including a new blog name, URL, and design. Of course at the same time, these thoughts bring me a little anxiety.
When I first started Fizz and Frosting, I had no clear idea of what my content would be or where I wanted to go with it. Because I somewhat “lacked vision” I came up a name reflecting some of my favorite things: champagne and cupcakes. I thought it was cute, and I guess I kind of still do. But as time has gone on I’m a little annoyed with the cutesy factor. I really enjoy blogging and would like to be able to keep it up long-term. I just don’t know if I see myself in a few years being a thirty-something (possibly with a child) blogging under “Fizz and Frosting.” Also as a predominately style-focused blogger, is it random to have a food/drink-based title? Am I over-thinking this? Probably.
I know my overall design contributes to my discontent as well. My designer did a lovely job, so my thoughts are nothing against her hard work. I have just outgrown it, and changed my vision. It adds to the whole cutesy factor I dislike. A redesign would definitely make me feel better.
So here’s my dilemma: do I spend the time and possibly money to redesign and hang tight with my current blog name and URL? What if that only satisfies me for another six months? Do I jump right in and make the change now while this blog is relatively new? In another six months am I going to want to change it all again? (Lord help me if I do.)
Honestly, I feel myself leaning towards changing it all up. I guess what’s holding me back is the thought of causing confusion and ultimately losing readers. I know it’s a reality that I’ll lose people while transitioning, which of course is a bummer, but perhaps it’s better to do it now rather than wait another six months. Have you stuck with a blogger through a complete overhaul? How did you feel about it?
Please offer any advice you might have. I’d love some input!
I think Fizz and Frosting can translate to a variety of topics. And although you said its a food-name but you post mostly fashion, what happens in a year or two if you have a kid and it becomes a mommy blog? (don’t yell at me- it could happen!) haha I love your name and look! You could always keep the name and just re-brand with a new vision, mission statement, layout, graphics, etc. I totally understand your points, this is a tough one!
If you want to change your blog up, I say do it now. The idea is in your head now and it’s not going to go away…trust me. I blogged for about 6 years under a blogger blog and then I had this vision…I didn’t just want to be a crafty blogger anymore. I wanted a new place and a new name to reflect that vision. While I did lose readers, I think it’s more of a laziness thing since WordPress isn’t the easiest to follow when I have predominately blogger readers. I didn’t let it bother me since I blog for me. My blog ended up going back to more crafty but I now feel more comfortable posting different content since it all fits under my little umbrella of what I want to blog about. If you re-brand now and link up to parties for whatever you are blogging about, you should be able to gain readers that way. I hope my rambling helps!
This is a tough one! I think if you’re thinking of re-branding, you should just go for it. At the end of the day, it’s just a name and a URL. People who love you/your content will come back regardless (I know I will!). I think the best thing you can do if you decide to rebrand is make everyone aware of the move/change–that way those who want to continue and follow you won’t be shocked by a sudden change! It sounds to me like you have a clear vision what you want your blog to encompass over the next few years. While I love your current name/look, I think you should go for it!
I absolutely agree with what Alyssa said… I think as long as you gradually let people know that your name/URL/design is changing, they’ll know and be able to follow you in your new “space.” 🙂 Go for it, you’ve gotta love where you blog! 🙂
I can completely understand this debacle. I’ve had this internal dialogue many many times. I personally really like your theme, but if you don’t then that matters. Is there a way for you to do a semi-rebrand? When I made the decision to start doing some nesting/pregnancy/mama blogging, I thought about whether it would be appropriate for my technology blog. I ended up doing it anyway.
I think your followers will follow you wherever so if its a change you crave, go for it!
http://two-leaf-clover.com/the-liebster-award/
I agree with the others. If you want to rebrand/redesign, go for it. I did. I have only been blogging since the first of the year, but like you I just kinda jumped right in without really thinking it through. After a couple months I decided that a customized standard blogger theme and my Cheaper Side of Life blog name wasn’t cutting it. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t my style. So I went ahead and got a professional design, and changed my name to Flip Flop Life. As far as losing readers, I don’t think I did, but I know it’s a possibility. But if you do like they said above and let people know that you’re going to be making some changes and to expect it, I’m sure you’re loyal readers will follow you–I definitely will. And if some readers don’t follow? Well, then they weren’t worth having in the first place, you know? You’ll make the right decision, I’m sure!
Shanna
http://www.flipflopshanna.com
I totally think go for it if you feel it’ll make you happy!
But I must say I think your blog name is super cute, it’s peppy and catchy – sticks in your head in a good way, sort of title. I have re-designed my blog loads of times so I see no harm in trying that out, though I agree your design now is adorable – sometimes ya just need change! 🙂
I think this is something a lot of us deal with…I’ve even been thinking about it recently (maybe it coincides with a new year and new changes?). But I will give you a little hope! A blogger I follow decided to rebrand entirely because she was moving from Hawaii back to the mainland — and I mean entirely. Blog name, URL, Etsy shop, the works. She made the process really easy for her followers though. She gave us plenty of notice not only on her blog but also on her FB page/Twitter/Etsy shop, anywhere she interacted with us. I’m not sure how many followers she lost or if she did, but I know I appreciated the effort she put in making sure people who wanted to follow her still could.
Good luck on making your decision!
i want to remake my blog design more often than I want to buy new shoes ( and that’s pretty often). I keep putting it off based on laziness, but I know that I’ll eventually change my look again. If it’s what you really want to do, that urge doesn’t go away. And it’s fun to upgrade your blog!
As far as a name goes, I changed my name right when I first started getting readers. I definitely lost a few, but I figure that while I’m still new and figuring my blog out, I was bound to lose some anyway. The people that I seemed to really connect with stayed with me just like I’d definitely stay with you! At the end of the day the name has to represent you and although I understand what you mean when you say your blog name is more food related, a name is just a name. When I hear Fizz and Frosting I just think of your blog, not food.
I hope that helps a little!
Jenn
With Luck
I think if it’s something you want to do, then go for it. I’d say you could do the rebranding in stages, so that it’s not a total shock or confusing for your readers. But your readers will follow you wherever. I personally really like your blog name and I don’t think that it necessarily matters if it’s food related and you are more style focused. I feel like the evolution of your blog is something you should include in your About section so people can learn why/how you created your blog name. Hope that helps!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
I think the sooner you want to change the better. My blog used to have an extra h on it, so I changed it when I realized it could be. As long as you re-direct your URL, I don’t think it’ll be a problem at all!
I’d say go for it now, but only if you have a VERY clear vision about what you want and that you’d be happy with it six months, a year, two years from now. If you hate what you change it to in six months, I feel like it would be a pain to re-rebrand! Headers and color schemes can always change, but changing the blog name can get tricky if you do it too often! Pick one you love and that reflects your posts! 🙂
I am madly in love with your design but I know what you mean about the cutesy thing. I mean sometimes I love designs like this but other times, I like the classic, plain simple designs of others. I can see a little of what you mean when it comes to your blog name, especially if you’re not into the cutesy thing but personally, I like it and don’t have a problem with it. I think if you’re going to rebrand, make sure it something that will stick for the long haul. And it’d recommend you do it now, the sooner the better so that you can start fresh and gain some longevity with the new name!
Ok, so I have to chime in on this one…even though I’m tardy and it’s a week after you posted this. So yeah, Ruffles & Truffles was suuuch a cute name when I first thought it up and I was just blogging as more of a hobby. And now, 3 years later, I would probably pick a completely different name if I were at a starting point again. It still technically works for my food and fashion angle, but it is definitely on the “cutesy” side. However, I have actually grown to embrace it over time despite it all.
This is only coming from my own perspective, but I say stick with it unless you are absolutely 100% clear on a different name that you want to choose and transition to. I think Fizz & Frosting is a great name and it can refer to many different things. At least in my case…my site has morphed its content over time, and I’m constantly thinking of how to rebrand myself. Like I said before, my blog’s name fits with my content most of the time, but there are times that it doesn’t. It happens. I think my husband is absolutely sick of me saying how I need to redesign my site…I’m a broken record. But I’ve been holding off on it because I am building an insanely in-depth list of what I want so when I do pull the trigger I can be sure nothing is missed and I won’t have to shell out money for a redesign a year down the road. So I guess what I’m saying is – have a plan! And, it is totally normal to be constantly rethinking your site – that is a good thing!