You say SnoLoha, I say Snoloha

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post about using “SnoLoha” versus “Snoloha”. I’ve always used Snoloha, but I got to thinking that maybe, just maybe, I should switch it up to SnoLoha. I thought it might be easier for people to pronounce when they first see the word and I thought it complemented other words that I use, such as SnoMon and SnoFlake.

However, I had an overwhelming majority of folks react afterwards that they preferred that I not change. One response summed it up like this (warning: use of foul language):

“I prefer Snoloha. It creates one meaning, a new complete word with its own definition as opposed to joining two separate words.

Kinda like Asshole. You are not an ass and a hole merged into one.

1 word, a meaning, an identity. You never see AssHole.”

That’s one way of putting it.

So…I should have just stuck with my gut and never changed in the first place. Snoloha is what feels and looks right to me, and it became obvious that’s what the majority of customers and fans like as well.

Building a brand is an interesting juggling act, especially when utilizing all the social networking nonsense out there. It has now become so darn easy to get feedback and opinions. Often times, this is a good thing, and only helps move the brand forward. But there are times when, as a business owner, you just have to go with your gut. If you put too many things out there for people to comment on and critique, you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to please everyone…it just can’t be done.

The juggling act for me is to continue using social networking nonsense (are you picking up on my general distaste for it?) to gather feedback on things that I really need and want. For example…I’m working on a new line of t-shirts that will be completely customer generated and driven. It’s gonna be pretty cool and I’m really excited about it. In this case, I like social networking.

I guess I should clarify…I like social networking for business.

I really, really dislike it for personal things, and if it weren’t for Snoloha there’s no chance I’d be using any of it. I enjoy (too much) anonymity…it probably has something to do with my nomadic childhood and teenage years, too many houses and schools to count…but now we’re verging on me psycho-analyzing myself and we don’t want to go there. Other than my wife and daughter, I don’t really like people knowing where I am and what I’m up to. But…if I’m a reflection of the brand, then I have to curse and swear and make a status update when I’m ‘Living on Snoloha Time’ every once in a while…which goes completely against what ‘Living on Snoloha Time’ is. Damn…I’ve got myself into some sort of pickle!

Yes, I am probably too open and honest about this whole social-networking perspective, but that’s what this “Barefoot & Exposed” blog is intended for…transparency. And yes, I realize it’s a hypocritical…I don’t like it but force myself to use it like a kicking and screaming little baby and it goes against what the brand stands for but yet I expect you to “Like” it and “participate in the conversation” in order for me to grow my brand through an online “social” channel that’s really not all that social…though “social” really doesn’t mean what it use to and OMG, LOL, WTF am I saying I gotta go now so I can “Like” this post (which I do with every single one) and then Tweet this and Check-In.

I have a headache.

BUT…without the “Wastin’ Away Again in InternetVille” that we all do, I wouldn’t have a direct connection with Snoloha fans and customers. So THANKS to all of you who continue to support the brand and who decide not to ‘unlike’ it after reading this post.

“You’re caught up in the internet
You think it’s such a great asset
But you’re wrong, wrong, wrong
All that fibre optic gear
Still cannot take away the fear
Like an island song”

– Jimmy Buffett, “Holiday”