|
Home::Entrepreneurialism
Help! I Don't Know What to Name My Business
Author : Debbie LaChusa
If you are just starting your business, or if you have just developed a new product or service for an existing business, one of the first questions you need to answer is, "What should I name it?" And while you may feel pressure to make this decision quickly, I caution you to not make it lightly. What kind of things should you take into consideration when choosing a name?
Don't Use Your Own Name
Well, first of all, use a name other than your own name. I often see service business professionals opening up shop and simply using their name, and the title of the service
they offer. For example: Joe Smith, Accountant. I made this mistake myself, early on in my business, operating as Debbie LaChusa, Marketing Consultant. Why don't I recommend this? Because your name means absolutely nothing to your prospects. Often you only have a split second
to get a prospect's attention. Make the most of that split second by having a name that communicates something of value about your business. Or a name that tells your prospects what your business is all about, or represents
a benefit you offer, or how you deliver your service differently or better than your competitors.
Create A Meaningful Name for Your Business
When I was operating without a business name, I remember calling prospects and clients, and having the receptionist ask, "Debbie with what company?" I realized relatively soon that if I wanted to be taken seriously, and I wanted to be quickly understood, I needed a company name. I was trying to build a business after all, and I wanted people to recognize who I was and what I offered. So I started using the name, DLC Marketing and I incorporated to make it official. Now I at least had a real business name, and when I contacted prospects they took me seriously. It was amazing the difference it made in the number and caliber of clients I was able to land. All of a sudden, I was a company, not an individual. Mind you, nothing else had changed. My services were still the same. I still worked out of my home. I still did not have a staff (although I had to hire partners to help out with all of the work!). But suddenly I came across differently when calling on prospects.
But even then I thought, DLC Marketing, Inc. still isn't a great name. What does it tell people about what I do? It tells them I do marketing, and certainly I, or my web site copy, could explain my services and how I was unique. But what if they never got past the still somewhat nondescript name?
Choose A Name That Communicates An Idea
So I started thinking about how I could name my business differently to communicate my unique selling proposition more clearly. And that is when I came up with the name 10stepmarketing. To avoid having to re-incorporate, and because 10stepmarketing is a service I am offering
that is closely related to the marketing consulting services I offer through DLC Marketing, Inc. I have chosen not to
re-name my business, but to rather just market using the 10stepmarketing name. The initial response has been amazing. Suddenly people instantly want to know more about what I do. They ask questions and they want an explanation. That never happened with the other names
I was using.
You see, the name 10stepmarketing communicates
an idea. Something the other names did not do. So the prospects I encounter that resonate with the idea it represents immediately want to know more. Is 10stepmarketing a great name? I don't know. But I do know it is strategically
focused on the services I deliver, and I am almost embarrassed to say that my previous business names were not (I am a marketing consultant after all. I should know better!). And I can't argue with the response I have received thus far.
(C) Copyright 2005 Debbie LaChusa, 10stepmarketing
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
20-year marketing veteran Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to help small business owners and solo-preneurs successfully market their business, themselves without spending a fortune on marketing. To learn more about this simple, step-by-step program and to sign up for her FREE audio class and FREE weekly ezine featuring how-to articles, tips and advice, visit www.10stepmarketing.com
Spam emails More free articles Related articles
|
More related feeds |
Interview: Katy Tafoya
Taking care of the day to day requests of the site became too much for me and didn’t allow me time to focus on other aspects of my business, so I hired someone to help out. This has been great though, as it has allowed me to focus ...Trouble at the Office
I sat down opposite, and took a sip from my mug. It was absolutely perfect. I don’t know what she was worried about. ‘Have you ever heard Richard - or anyone else - refer to a company by the name of Pangolin Industries?’ ... You’re so damn hot
Sure, I don’t have a problem keeping my religion to myself, since I don’t have a religion, but, when it comes to farts, there’s nothing I like more than sharing them with others, particularly on elevators. Of course, my farts don’t ask ... It's been one day since my last confession
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm a lawyer by day and stripper by night. It's just that it's hard enough to be a woman in this profession and I don't want anyone I come into contact with professionally to be all up in my business ... Tales From The Old Country and Beyond, Part 22
Her name in Europe was Rachela. In the US, it would be Rachel. My grandfather's name in Europe was Teyvuh. In the US, for reasons I don't quite understand, his name would be Frank. My grandmother's name was changed from Masha to Mary, ... Anon. and privacy
I don't know if all of my readers appreciate my personal situation. I blog under my real name so that my college and high school friends and also my relatives can find me and read what I have to say. By changing my blog account, ... What Do I Say to a Reporter When Pitching a Story?
Assume it’s an annual event-related pitch you are making to more than one media outlet, and that you don’t know the reporter personally.” ~ Matt Davis, Kids Help Phone. My answer:. Let’s start with some pitching prep first, ... Is Your Target Market Following You?
I don’t sell a $10, $15 or $25 dollar product. I own a service business. My average sale is much higher and most often results in repeat business. Some of my clients have been doing business with me for 10+ years. ... Simple GDI Business Promotes Free Global Domains International
Even while promoting what we believe to be the greatest home business opportunity since the creation of the Internet, you’re going to have a difficult time making money if you don’t give your prospects an excellent reason to be working ... I weep for the crying sky, and a VERY long post ahead
I think I agree to a certain extent you know. And then I told her, "If they want, I can help them. But the thing is, they don't even ask!" And then my friend replied that maybe it's because of my attitude. My anti-social kind of ...
|
|
|
