If you are an entrepreneur, you probably have heard a lot about branding…how to build a brand identity, how to market your branding agency, how to sell your brand…and the list goes on. But it is important not to overlook a very important part of branding, coming up with a name.
Your brand name will be your first identifying factor and it will set the scene for everything your company does and how it is perceived. Also, once you come up with a brand name, it will be very hard to change it if you’re not happy with it down the road, so it better be a good one!
But how does one come up with a great brand name? Well, here are a few suggestions.
Descriptive Names
These are effective because they describe the company’s product or service. Some examples of these are Shredded Wheat or Whole Foods. There is no ambiguity as to what the brand offers. If you can add a bit of personality to a descriptive name, it’s even better. Toys R’ Us is a good example of a descriptive name that adds some personality.
Suggestive
Suggestive names give some indication of what a product or service delivers, but they can also function as a metaphor, analogy or association. Twitter is a good example of this as it is a communication platform that’s like a flock of birds gathering together to tweet at one another. These tend to be popular because they are unique and functional.
Empty Vessel:
These are names that seemingly have nothing to do with the product or service the company offers. Examples of these include Starbucks, Apple and Verizon. The advantage of using an empty vessel name is that it is flexible and can mean anything so that it ultimately becomes the brand. On the downside, it will take time to educate your customers on what the brand is and what it delivers.
Within these three categories, there are endless subcategories that can be used. You can use family names like Ford or Colgate, acronyms like IBM, historical or made up figures like Dr. Pepper…and the list goes on. But ultimately, the aim is to come up with a name so catchy, you can use it as a verb, like Google!
Once you come up with a clever name, it’s time to put it everywhere! This includes your logo and website design, your package label design and more. This is where you might want to enlist expert help.
If you’re in California, or really anywhere in the United States, you’re going to want to think about working with one of the top naming agencies in the country. Lien Design is located in San Diego, CA, and can help you bring your brand name to life incorporating time tested methods to ensure your branding will be effective in reaching your target audience.
So step one, come up with a great name, step two, count on a company like Lien Design to provide clever branding that is sure to make your company stand out. Turn to them to give you an edge in this competitive world of business.