About 3 weeks ago, I started the process of renaming and rebranding eMoms at Home. To say this has been an emotional and intellectual roller coaster ride would likely be the understatement of the century.
- I was rather fascinated and surprised to find out that renaming eMoms to something like eParents would go over like a lead balloon.
- I was astonished to find hair remaining on my head after coming face to face with the booming domain squatting industry (grrrr… don’t get me started).
- And then I found myself somewhat lamenting the changes around here, realizing that in order to grow I had to let go of some things that were deeply important to me.
So I know you’re wondering, and I hate to keep you waiting, so yes, we’ve found a name. And I’ll tell you what it is. Soon. Very soon.
But an unexpected casualty of this whole naming process was that I didn’t know what to do with my own blog on the network with this new name. And this is where I need to tell you that yes, there are going to be bigger changes around here than just a new name.
I was actually having an email conversation about it with Darren Rowse last night; here’s part of what I wrote:
I never liked that my blog was the same name as eMoms at Home - I thought it was confusing. But in order to continue to be the ‘flagship’ blog of my own network, I realized I couldn’t be focused so much on Moms or blogging anymore, which was difficult for me personally. It’s really important to me to continue to provide support to the blogging community and to moms, even though I can’t do it directly anymore.
I really was only able to be OK with that decision by adding some blogs to our network to cover these topics on a more in depth level. And moving forward my own blog will shift focus a bit to be more entrepreneurial, especially because I’m thinking of doing some much bigger things with the site under our new name.
Before you go getting worried, I’m still the same eMom. I’ll still write about internet business. And my kids. Promise. I’ll just be doing that a little less and talking more about business building a little more.
I believe that blogging as a business has changed drastically, even since I started doing it. And I believe there needs to be less focus on monetizing blogs, and instead more focus on building sustainable online businesses that can work for you, while allowing you to actually live life, too. Yeah, that’s probably better expanded upon in a separate blog post. Too much to talk about there.
So what will be changing at eMoms at Home?
Next week, we are going to relaunch this site and…
- We’ll have a new name and a new URL. Everything will be redirected, but we’d certainly love you forever if you could update your bookmarks. (We’d love you even more if you could update your links to our site.)
- The eMoms Original Recipe blog will have a new name, but I will be keeping the same RSS feed address.
- We will be launching 2 new blogs next week, The Home Office Organizer & Believer in Balance.
- Every week for the following 4 weeks after that, we will be adding 2 more new blogs to the “BrandNewName” Blog Network. If you are math challenged like me, that’s 10 new blogs.
- And of course, what rebrand and rename would be complete without the obligatory kickass contests. So be sure to drop by to get free goodies.
But wait, you ask, what the heck is the new name?! Well, remember that I mentioned a conversation with Darren Rowse about this? He knows our new name. And because I truthfully can give Darren boatloads of credit for the success of eMoms at Home, I figured I might just let him tell you.
Soon. 
Sparkplugging Founder Wendy Piersall is dang passionate about helping people start & grow a business while maintaining life balance (somehow).
Dawud Miracle has one focus: to help you get it. The it? How your website, and blog, can change the way you do business. You can find out more at 
Wow you are really building up the suspense! I was reading and scrolling and looking for the name. Aargghhh! I want to know now!!
Cool Wendy, can’t wait to hear what you decided on, congratulations!!
JoLynn Braley’s last blog post..Shrink Yourself Emotional Eating Experiment - Week Six
looking forward to hearing your new name!
(u tease!)
Oh gosh dangit! Man, how about you just whisper it to me only;) I guess since I’m a subscriber of Darren’s blog (even guest posted before) then I can wait to see but if you tell me know, I can be workin’ on changing those links:)
I’m excited for you and I KNOW everyone will follow. I SOOO want to be apart of your blog network!!!
Can’t wait..wooohooo!
Lori’s last blog post..That 70’s Kitchen
And I’m excited for you.
Can’t wait.
Also, I’m curious as to how you’re handling new blog creation.
Why yes, I am all about the technical backend of things.
(it’s what I do)
Andrea’s last blog post..Take MU and BuddyPress for a spin
Andrea - the blogs on the site are standalone WP installations, yet we might migrate to MU at some point (and would totally call on your for help at that point).
I’ve actually asked Steve Johnson my developer to write up a guest post on how he set up the theme, because the new one is fantasically customized and functional for a network setup. He’s using symbolic links, created a backend admin panel to customize each blog, and is doing all sorts of stuff that is way over my head.
Bug me to bug him about it after we launch if you don’t see it in a few weeks!
If I come over with Starbucks in hand, will you tell me? LOL
I hope your weekend isn’t too stressful and that was a fantastic pre launch post, you’ve certainly got my interest up.
Al Carlton’s last blog post..Economics and emails
@DeafMom - Ooooooo…. you know me too well! Begone! You tempt me!
With whipped cream on top?
@wendy - ooo that sounds awesome! Hmm, symlinks… that was a good idea on his part.
I shall write a note to bug you in the future.
(We have Tim Horton’s up here in Canada. Like starbucks only more Canadian.)
Hi Wendy,
I am soooooo excited for you and I can’t wait to read the name next week. I also like the look of 2 new blogs you are adding- right up my alley
looks like abundance is coming your way
Namaste
Suzie
Wendy - Being a dad and all I was never uncomfortable with the idea of interacting on eMoms the content was helpful and sincere and that is what made me come back again and again.
I like the analogy of comparing a website/blog to a car. Its not the logo or the name that makes the car. Its the interior, the paint, the engine, etc. If you were not delivering the goods day in and day out everything else would not matter!
Good luck with the rebrand I know it will be a success.
Best,
Howard
ourmonmouth’s last blog post..Online Sales to Grow 17 Percent in ‘08
Wow, Howard. Your comment was creepy close. That’s all I’m sayin’.
But ,but I wanna know like now please.
Wendy, you are a tease.
You should have a contest where everyone guess what your new domain name is.
Don’t worry about your hair. From what I’ve seen in pictures, you have a lot.
Kelvin Kao’s last blog post..Smoke, Flames, Taiwanese Puppets Live!
Wendy, you are a tease.
You should have a contest where people try to guess your domain name.
Don’t worry about your hair. From the pictures I’ve seen, you have a lot to begin with.
Wendy, you are a tease.
You should have a contest where people guess what your new domain name would be.
Don’t worry about your hair too much. From the pictures of you that I’ve seen, you have a lot to begin with.
Hi Wendy,
Looking forward to all the new & exciting changes. It’s often hard to let go…But as you said changes need to be made to keep pace with what’s happening & it also gives you wider opportunities to explore.
Gaida’s last blog post..Understanding Motivation
I tried to get it out of Darren on twitter last night but it was a no go. He said this…
name is…..
wendyispayingmetoomanycookiesformetotellyouhernewdomainname.com
LOL.
Lori’s last blog post..That 70’s Kitchen
Lori, I saw that last night on Twitter and just about fell off my chair!
You can’t blame a girl for trying to get the scoop can ya?!
Lori’s last blog post..That 70’s Kitchen
Wow, you´re really going for it.
I´m very impressed . . . I doubt I would have the guts to rename and rebrand my blog if it ever got big.
You´ve provided such a great resource for freelancers, e-moms and e-dads in general that I really don´t see how people could NOT follow you over. I´ll be changing links as soon as your new name is announced!
Congrats!
Clearly you are trying to *kill* us with this suspense;) I’m excited to see the new direction. Ah, the beauty of change & rebirth! I hope you’re getting a fun little buzz off the “newness”- I always do with new projects.
daisybones’s last blog post..still salvagable. yes.
Great! I’m glad you’ve got it all worked out with the new name!
I’d like to add other blogs to my site too at some point, if possible. One at point I checked into using Lyceum (http://lyceum.ibiblio.org/) - which is based on WordPress, otherwise I would end up with separate installations too, but that would be a pain to manage.
Trisha’s last blog post..My relaunch plan
Looking forward to the “unveiling”. Congrats on becoming so popular that you need to re-brand.
Wendy, wheeee! I am standing ready!!!
I’m impressed. I need to find the time to create a wordpress site like this
Patty’s last blog post..Our baby turns one today!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with.
Jim Kukral’s last blog post..Tenacity Means Never Giving Up
Thanks everyone!
Actually, @Trisha, My developer is setting up everything so that it almost runs like WordPressMU. All plugins are in one folder & the theme is the same CCS file throughout the entire site.
To customize each blog, I just go into an admin panel, paste appropriate code and set different colors and we’re basically good to go. So separate WordPress installations under an experienced developer is much easier than it sounds.
Good Luck Wendy on this major transition - isn’t hindsight a great thing.
If we knew what our blogs could be capable of we might start it out differently. But we live and learn.
I’ve been watching this whole juggernaut of yours from day one and I’m just so happy for all the success you’ve had … keep it up.
BTW, I’m excited about the two new titles you mentioned.
Martin Neumann’s last blog post..ProBlogger, the Book
Does anyone else have a sense of rebranding being like midlife crisis?
Once there were those of us online who had kids at home, and it was good.
The kids grew up and moved out/on, and so did our goals and skills.
Rebranding is systemic and intrinsic, like life.
Elizabeth Able’s last blog post..Questions for Readers, and a 101 Day Round-Up
Yay - Sparkplugging! Awesome name! Congrats on the new transition!
Eric Doggett’s last blog post..5 Tips For Great Disney Pictures!
Great name and new design! Loved the ProBlogger interview too!
I’ve been ‘twitfollowing’ with interest as you took eMomsatHome through the metamorphosis. Was anxiously awaiting the new name to be released.
The metaphor you used for the new name keeps growing on me. Sparkplugging = Brilliant!
I just blogged about it to let all my 5 Star readers know.
“I found it fascinating to hear the entire process explained as she realized her old brand was holding her back. She had to go through a soul searching process of discovering who she was speaking to, once her audience that had grown way beyond Moms and find a new identity that would appeal to a diverse set of readers.”
Best of luck Wendy. Great job on the name, the new design and the BUZZ!
Linda Buquet
Congratulations on the remake! It looks great. I’ve already updated my blogroll.
Laura Spencer’s last blog post..eMoms-At-Home Becomes The SparkPlugging Network: New Network Review
The site looks great…I love the colors and the information is great and well worth reading.
I look forward to your weekly progress.
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://www.grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlnecker’s last blog post..Shame, do you know it?
Great name! Great new look! Congrats!
Congratulations on the launch. I love the look. Sparkplugging is such a great name for the url. very easy to remember!!
Well Done!
Stephanie
Congrats on your site, it is well thought out, and well written.
Great!!
Natalia
http://executees.net
Love the name, however I don’t think I’d have ever worked up the nerve to make the move.