Name Change
Added 2022-10-11 03:16:34 +0000 UTCSo, I'm considering relaunching my Bundy "franchise" of content with a new name. Someone suggested "Hi I'm Ted" is too lighthearted of a name for a serious research blog. I suppose that could be true. What do you think?
I'm worried about the "branding" since HIT's been the name since the start. I've come up with a couple ideas, but catchy names aren't really my strong suit. I welcome your input and ideas.
Comments
'Beyond Bundy: Contemporary Research Into the Past Crimes of Ted Bundy'
Joseph Wartke
2022-11-08 13:55:57 +0000 UTC"Hi, I'm Ted" is such a suitable name... but I will be fine with any other name! Thanks for your ggreat job!!!!
Maren Mauerhan
2022-10-15 15:08:15 +0000 UTCIf you're familiar with case, knowing that this is what he said to those poor girls at the beach, it's a great name because it does exactly what you intended. But in today's climate I can understand the objections. I think the first one is a great alternative to appease the complainers.
Cyrene
2022-10-14 19:27:20 +0000 UTCI appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments. I can see good points in both perspectives, which makes this especially hard. On one hand, like Ang said, "Hi I'm Ted" was meant to refer to Bundy's facade of friendliness when luring victims, and to his hubris of introducing himself to them using his real name, which eventually led to his capture. It was also chosen to be easy to remember and "catchy." It must have been, because that's how most people refer to my blog now. On the other hand, those of us not as familiar with the story don't understand the meaning behind the quote. My friend who works at Facebook told me the name "Hi I'm Ted" is likely what ultimately caused them to deny my appeals when they shut down my page. He said it was construed as "representing" Ted Bundy. Which of course is absolutely ludicrous, but there it is nonetheless. I also feel strange putting the name "Ted" anywhere near photos of the victims, such as in watermarks. It's not something I initially thought about much, but it bothers me a bit more now. And it's true, I would feel awkward telling a victim's family member the name of my blog, as Emmanuel pointed out. As for the grinning Ted image, I chose that for my logo because that mugshot had never been seen before I found it in 2019. It was my first big find from the archives. But in retrospect it does seem somewhat glib and defiant. Obviously he was just that in that mugshot, but that's not really the vibe I want to give off myself. Of course, moving away from "Hi I'm Ted" would mean rebranding everything, redoing every watermark and every bit of content under that name. That's a lot of work. It would probably confuse a lot of people as Lena pointed out. But since most of my social media is gone now, I suppose this would be the time to do it. So in other words... I'm still thinking about it. I'm still pretty down from losing so much, so capriciously. I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward. Thanks for all the good wishes and support.
Tiffany J.
2022-10-14 03:55:58 +0000 UTCI don't feel that it's glib or distasteful. In fact, I think it accurately conveys how absolutely dangerous he was. He used that friendly and unassuming greeting and a smile to approach and disarm some victims. It should serve as a lesson going forward about how people like him look and act like ordinary people. Perhaps add something after the HIT title to convey the true reason for the blog so it immediately conveys a research angle and is not seen as glorifying (which it's blatantly obvious there is no glorification of him on this site).
ang hufmann
2022-10-13 09:56:59 +0000 UTCI've already made the case that "Hi I'm Ted," along with the grinning picture is a bit distasteful on a purely ethical level, but on a practical level, I'll also point out that one of the greatest sources in the sort of work you do can be the families, friends, and advocates for the the victims; and, putting myself in their shoes, if someone asked for my help and it turned out their site was called 'Hi, I'm Ted' and featured an Icon of a leering Ted Bundy (the last thing, I'd imagine, that my loved one had seen), I'd probably be inclined to want nothing to do with it. Again, your reputation here precedes you: you don't need to resort to catchy titles to gain followers at this point.
Emmanuel Allison
2022-10-12 17:12:43 +0000 UTCYou do not want to lose your branding you have already built. Maybe "Hi Im Ted: A Ted Bundy Research Blog" (This keeps the Hi Im Ted brand but also it adds his last name for hits as well the understanding this is a serious true crime blog. Good luck in your decision.
jay bland
2022-10-12 15:42:46 +0000 UTCI've only been a member for a few months and always liked the name. I accidently found you while doing my own research on Donna Manson. I was blown away with all the information you have on that case. Thank you for what you do!
Teresa Wilson
2022-10-11 17:18:29 +0000 UTCI agree with you. :)
Teresa Wilson
2022-10-11 17:04:10 +0000 UTCI like the Killer in the Archives, however am inclined to agree with the last two comments.
Bruce Harry
2022-10-11 15:53:33 +0000 UTCBut, A killer in the archives works best I think!
Carey
2022-10-11 14:18:20 +0000 UTCI'm not sure why the branding matters at this point...it clearly worked because here we all are...
Carey
2022-10-11 14:16:05 +0000 UTCI think the name gives a jackal and hyde vibe something he portrayed himself as but yet the last part is what he really was, the good guy appearance without actually being that way at all...it also imo separates it from other research pages personally I'd leave it the way it is
kathleen jolly
2022-10-11 12:19:56 +0000 UTCI really love the Hi´i´m Ted name and i haven´t ever thought about someone not knowing what it s about. Never thought about that. I love the first choice too Ted Bundy:A Killer in the Archves. I would definitively keep A Killer in the Archives.
Lise-Lotte Pedersen
2022-10-11 09:02:35 +0000 UTCI actually have to agree that the name is a tad too glib for such a terrible subject; as is the iconography (the grinning face, the Volkswagen). I think at this point you've built up a large enough collection of materials and have enough of a following that you don't really need anything catchy. How about something just sober and descriptive: something like 'The Archive on the Crimes of Ted Bundy?' After all, this is serious research, not entertainment.
Emmanuel Allison
2022-10-11 05:23:00 +0000 UTCSo sorry that this is happening. Can’t believe people screwing people over and cancel culture. I hope there is karma
Natalie Mohammad
2022-10-11 04:20:28 +0000 UTCI think removing Hi I’m Ted will confuse people since everything you posted for the last 3+ yrs??? has that logo. Adding research blog is a great idea
Lena M
2022-10-11 04:11:30 +0000 UTCI really love the Hi, I'm Ted name but yeah I've never really thought about someone who didn't know the origin thinking it was just something you thought of. I vote definitely keep the A Killer in the Archives part though. It reads well on top of describing your brand exactly.
Alex
2022-10-11 03:32:26 +0000 UTC
