I've been given counsel to rebrand my design company by someone I respect, but who is in her 60s (sorry to any friends over 60).
Stitch Stud
is
she just being a prude or would I honestly lose a potential chunk of the market if I weren't "stitchstud"? Your opinion matters.
Shannonknits
says
well-I can see her point the word "stud" has cannotations
Shannonknits
says
but I'm not sure that peoplebase their decisions on someone's online name
Iko
says
Well, stitchstud is a very bold brand, in my mind. There are expectations I would have for that brand and what type of audience it is
Iko
says
trying to attract.
Iko
says
However, one does have to weigh in what you would lose and balance that with the potential audience you gain. For instance, Stitch'n'Bitch.
I just want to attract the widest customer base of knitters and crocheters who may think it's a bit of a novelty to have a guy who is
Iko
says
For the audience that Debbie Stoller was attempting to attract and image that was being presented, it was a good brand.
Iko
says
Ok, a wide customer base needs to be as least-offensive as possible.
married, introverted, and not at all studly, hunky or playboyish
be a designer.
Shannonknits
says
is this about the design or the podcast?
Shannonknits
says
i don't really tend to buy patterns based on anyone's personality
Iko
says
(I'm in my mid 30s, by the way, and am definitely NOT a prude.) But for me, "stitch stud" feels very young, hip, and urban as a brand.
Shannonknits
says
I guess it really depends on how people find you 
It's the label "Stitchstud" which I've started to use for my designs as well.
Iko
says
Not that it IS, but hearing makes me think it is.
Thanks...I really hadn't thought of what my post-podcast brand would bring to mind in potential customers.
doesn't have a problem with "stitchstud" but it doesn't seem to really reflect the image that you want to put forward
Shannonknits
says
If you are going for the broadest amount of people possible I can see her point
someone else pointed out that this brand won't age well. I mean at 70, I don't want to be signing "from the stud".
Charles Voth Designs....
too borign?
*boring?
stariel
says
I'm young and hip and kind of a prude (hey, I'll admit it!) and while it doesn't offend me, it did seem to be a strange name choice.
Shannonknits
says
I think Charles Voth is a really cool sounding name!!
Here's my thinking on the matter. How about instead of trying to brand to *everyone* (I'm sorry, just NOT possible), try branding to who you
most want to be your customers. And as it stands, I think you have a strong customer base who *like* Stitch Stud.
By changing, there is a chance you could alienate the folks who follow you *because* you're the Stitch Stud.
My two bits. 
I've had a few people that I've had to email out of the blue think that my email was spam...that could be a problem.
Shannonknits
says
I would use both
Shannonknits
says
Charles Voth Designes aka Stitch Stud
Shannonknits
says
Tjhe Crochet Dude comes to mind but I know he is also Drew Emborsky
ShannonKnits how do you mean?
I was thinking that for certain patterns I could go with Stitchstud, but for others (like baby patterns) I could go with just
Charles Voth designs or
Voth Designs
Drew does do both, doesn't he.
Iko
says
I think people who hook onto a designer because of their name and would be willing to drop them, not for a change of style but for a change
Iko
says
of brand name are sort of dumb.
Marketing IS a fickle bitch. 
Iko
says
I don't get people. It's probably why I am a programmer.
It is a dumb thing, but I've seen people flee from a persona for less. I personally wouldn't, but it could be a factor.
Iko
says
Personally, I like the "1000 fan" model. A handful of devoted fans willing to take out their wallets is better than many more who won't.
Shannonknits
says
how do people find your designs now stitchstud? Mostly through the podcast?
Shannonknits
says
Hmmm
Iko I fully agree.
Havi at FluentSelf.com also puts it as your Right People. Serve them first, and the rest falls into place.
Shannonknits
says
I think that if I were a designer I'd want to reach as many people as possible
Shannonknits
says
I don't know-I don't buy patterns because I necessarily am a fan
Except you can't please everyone, it's never, ever possible.
Iko
says
Yes, but you can reach many many people but if you're not interesting, they won't bite.
Shannonknits
says
I love through the loops patterns but I don't get all of them them just because she has a new one
Look at the great designers we all admire, or maybe not all of us (and that's the point): Norah, Debbie, Cookie, Cat, they all have a
very unique and fixed "brand"
Shannonknits
says
and there are people online that I truly don't like but I will still buy their pattern if I like the pattern
Iko
says
I tend to buy patterns because they are interesting. Unique style.
Iko
says
Or something that I can learn from their construction.
Not every designer has to be speaking directly to you. Personally, I would buy almost every single pattern Ysolda does because I love the
Shannonknits
says
on the other hand if the pattern isn't well written I probably won't get another one from them
hell out of her work. You could say that I, and others like me, are her Right People/1000 fans.
Iko
says
There are designers that do fall under the "I follow them", like Veronik Avery. But if you look at her stuff, they are VERY distinctive.
I really don't ever expect to garner a following at the buying my patterns level. At the moment, I sell mostly via Ravelry.
I'm "young" as a designer and am developing my aesthetic and pattern writing style.
I just don't want to turn people off.
Shannonknits
says
although-having a 'persona" will get you more attention when it comes to publications I would think
Iko
says
If you're not using your name or are using words that already have meaning, then there's expectations and "feelings" that come from that.
Simply using "Voth Designs" would be fine with me. Perhaps Stitchstud on a baby pattern would deter a few shoppers...too weird a dichotomy
Shannonknits
says
then I wouldn't worry about the name stitchstud
True, we each shape our brand as we go, it's always a dynamic thing (it should be!) but if you start out by designing for your ideal
Iko
says
The advantage of using one's name is that, unless you have a very particular name, most names don't land people into preconceived notions.
customer, they can move with you.
I was thinking of using Voth Designs and then using Stitchstud for my podcast (once I start recording again) and certain designs
Shannonknits
says
actually when i buy patterns-and I do a lot-at least one a week-I don't really give too much thought to the name
neither do I.
Voth Designs *does* sound pretty classy.
Iko
says
That's true for me as well, but I can imagine someone being turned off by a name to suggest it *to someone else*.
I don't when I buy random ones, *but* if I see that so-and-so has a new pattern, you can bet your booty I'm going to check it out.
Iko
says
(That falls under "I'm a prude" behavior.)
And although I love the work of several current designs and some from the past (Fassett, Avery, Ysolda, Norah Gan), but avoid buying their
Shannonknits
says
I vote for Voth! I think it sounds cool
patterns, because I don't want
my aesthetic to be too influenced by others.
Iko That totally falls under 'marketing is fickle' because you just never know what is going to turn someone to you, or away.
Shannonknits
says
I think that's a great idea actually
Iko
says
Well, I've never bothered trying to market myself or anything else other than what it is. I never get worked up, really, on what other
Iko
says
people think.
I mean, I don't use StitchStud to push any sexual innuendo's or to come across as a playboy or to attract a following
not like the domiknitrix or whatever..where the book is in the same flavour as her name...which is fine...it's deliberate
I chose Stitchstud and His Bride because of the irony of the dichotomy of stud and bride.
Iko I didn't mean to imply that you do market yourself, or intend to, but that you *as* a market demonstrating what can turn us on/off
as a buyer.
stitchstud I've never gotten any kind of sexual connotation from your name.
Iko
says
The problem is that the words are "loaded" words.
Shannonknits
says
I get the joke stitchstud! but like I said-I 'know' you-we've spoken
Iko
says
To certain segments of people.
A friend gave me the nickname when he heard about the Yarn Harlot
Right, but people who don't know me would have no idea about my intentions or who I am, really.
Iko
says
*nod*
I've had people say they were offended because they thought of animals hired to stud their female animals.
I've had people think I was stalking them on Ravelry
all because of my name.
Iko
says
The question is sort of, "Do you care?"
I know it's a few vocal ones, but perhaps there is a larger silent majority or kind of go "Bleh" and turn away before looking further.
Iko
says
And I think of brand as different/not necessarily the same as identity.
Iko
says
Iko is my *identity*. It's part of my personality and has been since I was given the nickname 16+ years ago.
Iko
says
I respond to it as easily and quickly as my real name. It's not my brand. A brand is more focused. Like a professional side, in a way.
Iko has a great point, do you really care? Look at Yarn Harlot? I'd bet she doesn't give two shits if people aren't going to do business
with her because of her blog/biz name
Iko
says
I look at YH more as part of her identity rather than a brand, if that makes sense.
Iko
says
She'd established herself/her identity before she became a brand with that name. And she is very much a "like it or lump it" mindset.
Iko
says
It turns a lot of people off, but her gutsiness makes her fans love her more.
Exactly my point 
Iko
says
So, talking about *Brand* and talking about *Identity* are two different things.
I don't care whether or not people like my use of the nick name, but I think I would care if publishers wouldn't take me seriously because
of it.
I do see what you mean by brand and identity.
Iko
says
Publishers will take you seriously if you are seen as having the potential to make money. PERIOD.
Iko...GOOD point !
And having a persona/brand/identity, a *proven* audience will aid that.
yarngeekier
says
I think that Stitch Stud has as much of a potential as Crochet Dude and he's doing well.
Iko
says
Unless you have something ZOMG AMAZING coming out of the ball part, it's more important to work on your own style and establish that over
Iko
says
any sort of branding. IMHO.
But that *is* branding.
Iko
says
Not inherently.
Iko
says
YH *became* a brand.
Thanks Iko...I am working on my design aesthetic and honing it into what I want.
Having a style, body of work, fans, anything that someone can associate with you, that is a brand.
If SS ever becomes worthy of becoming a brand, that'll be great.
I don't have a brand yet, then ArtmisOrange.
Iko
says
Establishing *identity* first is more important.
So I'll focus on its components first...visual and tactile association, and a clear style or "voice" in my designs should be my priority.
Ahh but you do, your podcast, your online personality.
Iko
says
A name can be a brand.
Iko
says
But if the brand has nothing behind it, it's not a very good brand.
*cringes*, but I've so let that lapse...I have some more work to do on that.
I'm so glad I posted here...all of your input is really helping me think through this
I think a brand and an identity can be interchangeable, can be the same thing. Think of any time you've gone for a job interview. You are
exclusively you, you are your own brand because you sell yourself in the interview, and you own your identity.
It's been an interesting discussion, stitchstud, thanks for letting us be a part of it.
Thanks all. For now, I'm going to sleep but if others join later, I'll be back tomorrow.
i think you should use your name (ie Charles Voth Designs)- its a good name and memorable
and that doesn't mean you can't ever use stitchstud, but just start using your name more and eventually everyone will forget about SS
Shannonknits
says
I'm with Painty on this one-Charles Voth sounds very unique & cool
Shannonknits
says
and maybe it should be looked at that the majority of your customers are women-that name can sound threatening?
Shannonknits
says
I never thought of it that way but if that's the feedback you are getting that means some people do
Shannonknits
says
I think that the term harlot is different-I mean who really uses that term to describe a woman nowadays?
knittingbrow
says
stitch stude and his bride presented by Stitch (or Charles) Voth designs
kuduja
says
DaddyKnits or DaddyVothKnits or DaddyK&C (as in Knits & Crochet)
kuduja
says
I'm close to 60 and I'm afraid I'm in the camp of those that find Stitch Stud somewhat repellant. But I know you're nice thru Unique Sheep
kuduja
says
Even Stitch Daddy...
Loopylou
says
I think that Voth Designs or Charles Voth Designs sounds classy and professional. I've always liked "Stitch Stud" and "Stitch Stud and his
Loopylou
says
Bride" - especially the quirky juxtaposition of the latter two terms. But maybe that would be better kept for the podcast, which is a more
Loopylou
says
informal medium than design and pattern publication. Or at least, that's how it feels to me. I know I've always wondered about the
Loopylou
says
advisability of using my online nickname as part of my web design persona. I have, but part of me feels they should be more separate.
soulstar thanks!
Loopylou
says
no probs
cdnbull
says
I personally love Voth or Charles Voth Designs. Listening to you podcast, the name stitchstud never really seemed to fit you, a misnomer