So you’re starting a new company or developing a brand-new product. What should you name it?
If, like most companies, you can’t invest months of time and committees of people in developing and choosing an effective brand name, these tips can help you.
1. Remember your audience. If you’re selling high-end home furnishings, a down-home name like “Mama’s Furniture” probably won’t appeal to the average wealthy buyer, whereas “Haute Homeware” tells customers both what you do (sell home furnishings) and what you’re about (fashionable design.)
2. Choose a name that’s memorable. A memorable name can either a) clearly relate to the service you provide (“Closet Works“), or b) be completely unique (ahem, “xiik“.) As companies such as Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks have proven, either approach can work.
3. Don’t necessarily choose the first name that comes to mind. Sure, brilliance can strike from nowhere – once in awhile. But choosing your brand name based on things like available domain names, whether your friends and family like it, or because it’s fun to say doesn’t make sense in the grand scheme of marketing your business.
4. Do your due diligence. Check registered trademarks in your state and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office before you settle on a name. Seek legal counsel – especially if, like any successful businessperson, you’re investing considerable money and time in your efforts.
5. Contact xiik to help name your brand. If you need help branding your organization or product, get in touch with us – we’ve been through it before!
