I had some computer issues the other day – running very slow – and looked for some software that might help me solve my problem.  On one of the good authority websites, they were recommending two products to download – one called Speed Up My PC and the other called Clean Assistant.

Putting my sluggish PC aside, as a marketeer – both of these names were definitely pretty good and said what they did – but I liked the first name best because I thought that this is exactly what I want to do – speed up my computer. 
I could certainly use an assistant to help but really, what I wanted to do was speed up my system and do it right now.  Speed Up My PC was a better name from my perspective because it was so action-oriented and it seemed that the “product” had empathy for my situation and needs.  [FYI – I downloaded both and eventually bought Clean Assistant because – no offense to Speed Up My PC – the Clean Assistant product worked great and solved my problem fast!]

Naming your Brand.  Branding your Name.

In an article he published on Entrepreneur.com, Phil Davis talks about what he sees as the 8 Mistakes To Avoid When Naming Your Business.

Phil writes: “Naming a business is a lot like laying the cornerstone of a building. Once in place, the entire foundation and structure is aligned to that original stone. If it's off, even just a bit, the rest of the building is off, and misalignment becomes amplified. So if you have that gnawing sense that choosing a name for your new business is vitally important, you're right.”  Here are the issues to avoid as Phil sees it: 

• Getting a "committee" involved in your decision.
• Taking part of an adjective and welding it onto a noun – like QualiServe or TranquiSpa or AmeriXxxx, XxxxTech, XxxxCorp and XxxxTron.
• Using words so plain they'll never stand out in a crowd.
• Using a map to name your company, like St. Pete Plumbing or Jefferson Street Massage.
• Turning your name into a cliché, like Summit Car Wash, Apex Yoga, Pinnacle Docs, or Peak Hydrotherapy.
• Making your business name so obscure, customers will never know what it means.
• Misspelling your name to match your domain name (as so many great domains are already taken) … like KwaliTronix or Best Akupuncture.
• Choosing the wrong name and then refusing to change it.

One of the free Marketing Mentor Services we deliver at altMD is helping you evaluate your current name and/or help you come up with a better one that defines who you are and what you do, and is unique so you stand out in a crowd and improve your branding.  For this and all of altMD’s personalized coaching and support services... please take a moment now to connect with me - your friendly neighborhood QualiTekMrktProGuyy. 

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