I'm convinced I'm on a professionalism kick.

That being said, the professionalism in question has to do with the name of an organization.
The organization is one being started by a family member. It also has to do with ghost hunting.

I know ghost hunting is a huge trend right now. Everyone and their brother is starting a ghost hunting group. I think it's great - it keeps people occupied and entertained. The only problem I have with it is some of these groups are/ seem unprofessional.

In this instance - the family member in question wants their group to be called R.I.P.P. (Researchers Investigating Paranomal Phenomenon). The ONLY reason they chose the name is so they could have the acronym RIP(P).

To me...it doesn't sound professional and I don't think they'll be taken seriously. I attempted to explain my thinking only to be shot down. I suggested they use P.R.O.S. (Paranormal Research Organization of S....(name of our town))

To me Research and Investigating is the same thing. Paranormal and Phenomenon is pretty close also. The redundancy of the words makes it seem less professional. Am I off my rocker?

Granted, it is their organization - they can call it whatever they want but... if they want people to take them serious they need an air of professionalism. Again, am I off my rocker in my thinking?

Ghost hunters don't get taken serious anyway, then add a kooky name?? I think they'll be hunting for someone to take them serious! I have heard it said to many times, "The name makes the difference!" Does it in this situation?

__________________
Forum Rules
"Cat washing IS a martial art."
"Remember Today IS Yesterdays Tomorrow"

Personally, I hate backronyms anyway, but in this case I agree that it seems to take away any trace of professionalism from the name. I might go with something that can be abbreviated but not into an existing word or acronym; Paranormal Research Group (PRG), Society for the Research of Paranormal Incidents (SRPI), etc. It definitely shouldn't sound as forced as RIPP.

__________________
The best way to learn anything, is to question everything.

I agree. If they want to be taken seriously, they need to avoid being "cute."

Do Ghost Hunters actually expect to be taken seriously?!? :O)

Let's see. Do you mean Professional names like Yahoo, Google, Bing, Amazon?

I think they'll get more attention with RIP(P). Probably easier to remember and will potentially catch on sooner. And depending on the angle, "We help you Ghosts Rest In Peace, too"

I think in this world, Marketablility plays as much as a role as a professional name. Unless, they are of course really serious.

Sorry, but its Friday. I mean no insult. Since I don't take them seriously, I prefer the cute name. :O)

__________________
CD Rates | CD Rates Blog | Banking Online

Let it RIPP ... in case I think it's a very catchy way that people can remember it and it fits.

Professional? Your talking about hunting Ghost!

LOL and I mean that in the nice way. It's all over the TV, Internet .. it's a niche and there's nothing wrong with anyone doing what they enjoy doing. If they can make a piece of the multi-million dollars a year that this niche is creating.. more power to them!

Nothing wrong with cute little names.. let's see..

Google, Yahoo, Bing .. need I say more? Oh, yeah.. Snerdey

Boooooooooo ..

__________________
20% Off Online Stores | Flash CMS | Blogs | Templates * Follow Our Twitter!
Online Since 2003 & TemplateMonster, Logos, Design Software, Custom Websites

Goo..ee, check out my host. Some strange webby occurances on my laptop

__________________
I climb high mountains,dive deep seas. I ride wild horses and fight enemies. When not doing all those things i sit quietly with a nice cup of tea.

I'm with Chris.. I have a hard time taking any of the 'ghost hunters' seriously..

As for acronyms, my dad's company is A.M.T. Inc. (American Made Tough).. Sort of cool I guess.. My own marketing company is Metal Monster Marketing and the logo is a Giant Robot.. Again, not terribly serious, but I like it, and I have more work than I can stand, so its all good to me..

__________________
Steve : Animal Charms Animal Jewelry | Fishing Blog
I'm smelling a whole lot of if coming off of this plan.

What is the goal here? To be "taken seriously" or to build a brand name?

RIPP certainly works for the latter.

As for the former, is it really likely that prospective members, customers, or other interested parties expect to be taken seriously by anyone other than themselves?

__________________
The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com

I agree with chrisJumbo. Today, a lot has to do with marketability and a catchy name that is easy to remember works wonders. I think curiosity would drive someone to RIPP more than IPAN or some other acronym that is just a series of irrelevant letters. Everyone knows what RIP stands for!

__________________
British Columbia (B.C.) travel and tourist information.
Support forum: finding inner peace, relationships, marriage or divorce.

I agree with you. RIP sounds a little crass.

__________________
http://thatsnews.blogspot.com http://thats-business.blogspot.com/ http://thatschristmas.blogspot.com

It doesnt matter what its called, the subject matter is niche to a particular group of people with a certain mental process. The name will make no difference.

Oww! That's harsh! It is also expected due to the subject matter. The subject isn't taken serious by many - with good reason. Yet, .... everyone who starts a business, or even a hobby, wants to be taken serious. Personally I could never take RIPP serious. Not because of the acronym but because of what it stands for - it's redundant!

I've passed on your ideas, thoughts and suggestions. And... as was expected was shot down before I got to the starting gate.

It does make me wonder though - what really makes people take a name serious? After all, it's just words! Maybe I'll name my next business, "Wen's Wild World of Whackiness!"

Think it'll work?

__________________
Forum Rules
"Cat washing IS a martial art."
"Remember Today IS Yesterdays Tomorrow"

But, not necessarily by everyone.

Here, one need only consider the view of those who RIPP, by whatever name, is intended to appeal to; and, the target audience has yet to be here described. Therefore, we can assume no more than that "believers" will have an interest in it.

With branding, "memorable" beats "professional sounding."

Look to your sig. line, "Cat washing IS a martial art," for proof.

__________________
The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com

Probably. Unless its an accounting firm.

Hmm... the perfect tagline for a pet care provider: "The Cat Cleaning Black Belts"

__________________
The best way to learn anything, is to question everything.

I'd lean toward "Black Belt Cat Cleaners," with said sig. as a tag line.

__________________
The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com