When creating a truly great company name, the number one consideration should be the level of “engagement.”

“Engagement?” you ask incredulously.

Yes engagement.

While there are all sorts of naming strategies metaphors, acronyms, coined/
invented, key attributes, positive connotations, etc., the one common denominator
that separates the mediocre from the memorable, is the degree to which the name
engages the mind of the consumer. Most new business owners opt for company
names that inform and describe, leaving nothing to the imagination. They often fail
to realize that the context surrounding the name (the ad, the store sign, the
proposal, the brochure copy, etc.) will define what they do, so the name can be free
to describe how they do it. In other words, no customer will hear or see the name in
a mental vacuum. Yet this is the way we often judge names when “brainstorming”.
And it’s why focus groups are such notoriously bad judges of good names. It’s not
the people that are flawed, it’s the process itself. Most of the feedback takes the
form of free associations, all in an effort to determine if a name is “good” or “bad.”
It goes something like this

Interviewer: “What do you think of the name Monster?”

Respondent: “Ew! They’re scary and dangerous!”

Interviewer: “What about Amazon?”

Respondent: “Jungle drowning snakes piranhas”

Interviewer: “Apple?”

Respondent: “A bad apple spoils the whole bunch.”

Interviewer: “Caterpillar?”

Respondent: “Squishy, soft, and squirmy.”

Interviewer to new business owner: “I think we can safely assume these would be
bad brand names”

So if it’s not a matter of free associations, then what determines a good name?
Again, it’s that all important element known as “engagement.” Engagement is what
causes you to lean forward, ask twice, invite more information and pursue the
conversation. A good name should invite a discussion, start a conversation and
“engage” the other person’s interest and attention. That’s why Amazon, even
though it says nothing about what it does, works better than Books-A-Million.
Amazon is open and inviting and Books-A-Million is literal and descriptive. Amazon
speaks to the processflowing, easy, abundant. Books-A-Million speaks to the
products books. And while Amazon leaves room for the company to grow in any
number of directions, Books-A-Million leaves the company in a bind. I once heard
an ad for a company called Just Brakes. Since they had outgrown this narrow niche,
they adopted a new tag line “We’re more than just brakes.”

Let’s take another example. Linens & Things is needlessly redundant since most
people, after seeing a newspaper ad, or walking by the store window, will know the
company sells linens and things. It would be better to use the name to capture
some key strategic position or advantage, or to evoke a feeling or emotion. Is Linen
& Things the best, the fastest, the biggest, the most service oriented, the trendiest?
We simply don’t know. They have described but they haven’t evoked. They’ve
explained but they haven’t engaged.

The objection I routinely hear is “But with names like these, no one will know what I
do!” And that’s when I explain that trust is needed trust in the power of context
to fill in the blanks. That way the name is freed to paint a picture, engage the
senses and position the brand to reflect not what you do, but how you do it.

So will any weird word work?

No.

Weird for weird sake will just leave the customer scratching his or her head in
bewilderment of moving on in indifference. Bold, engaging names will create the
desire to know more, and that’s where you need to be ready to tell the story. The
name then becomes a segue to a larger story. It starts with the name and tagline
and then continues to the :15 second elevator speech and beyond.

One of our clients we named was TKO Surgical. When asked if that’s a boxing
reference, our client gives an emphatic “yes,” explaining that they have a mission to
both defend and fight for their clients’ needs. They’ll champion their cause and
remain in their corner until the last bell sounds. Their tag line? “Technically
Superior.”

So whether a name is based on a metaphor, a key attribute, an acronym, or a
positive connotation, the overarching goal is to create a name that engages.
Perhaps that’s why Albert Einstein asserted that “Imagination is more important than
knowledge.” If given the choice of engaging vs. informing, opt for a name that begs
for more. It may seem weird, but the results can be wonderful.

Phillip Davis is a nationally recognized naming and branding expert with over twenty
years experience in naming regional, national and multi-national companies. His
branding work includes PODS, TeamLogicIT and CogHead.com, among many others.
Phil has written extensively on naming and branding, being featured in numerous
national business publications. His company naming work can be seen at http://www.PureTungsten.com

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It is the dream of every homeowner to beautify his house so as to attract gazes of wonder and admiration from their guests and visitors. A person’s living room is the focal point of everyone’s attention. As such, it should be well furnished and decorated. You can now use elegant oil painting reproductions at a very low price for decorating your house. While decorating your house with some of the fine art works of famous painters, it is always not easy to find the right painting. Whether it’s an original painting or an oil painting reproduction, a connoisseur of art will have a tough time in selecting the perfect painting among the many. People often love to decorate their house with the painting they want. Due to the high price of an authentic painting, they are keen to buy oil painting reproductions according to their choice at low prices.

Oil painting reproduction enterprises create copies of the authentic oil painting masterpieces of renowned artists. It has become a popular trend for people to decorate their houses and offices with beautiful masterpieces of renowned artists. People are showing a keen interest in oil painting reproductions to decorate their homes and offices that are available at an affordable price. Oil painting reproduction is a perfect solution in such cases where an artist can reproduce the masterpieces of world-renowned artists.

Oil paintings are available in various themes, shapes and sizes. Original oil paintings painted on canvas or cardboard are very costly. Majority of the original oil paintings are displayed in museums and art galleries. Private collectors also buy few original art paintings for personal enjoyment or for decorating office and home. There are large numbers of companies who provide reproductions of well-known artists’ artworks at a very low cost.

You can even decorate your office walls with oil painting reproductions of famous artists if you are on a tight budget. In order to add color and glitter to your office d

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Shoes that are part of formal wear are called dress shoes. These shoes make your feet look chic and elegant. The right shoes can really set off your evening attire. With properly fitting dress shoes, you can comfortably walk around and dance and have a joy-filled evening.

Most of the fashionable high-heeled shoes are uncomfortable and after wearing them for a special evening event, you will find you are left with shoe bites. These make your feet look gross and ugly.

So if you know the essential tips of buying a perfect pair of dress shoes, you will not have to wear those painful and uncomfortable pair of shoes again to your next social gathering.

Let’s take a look at the most common points that all women must remember when shopping for dress shoes:

a. It is recommended that you go for 2- inch kitten style heels, which are much firmer and hassle-free, compared to high-heels. Don’t worry, like those 4 inch heels, these will also make your feet look sexy but will help you to maintain a better posture. Thus you can spend a lovely evening at ease.

b. If you are looking for fashion, comfort with heels, then wedge heels could be the most ideal pick. These are high-heeled yet very comfortable to walk around in.

c. If money is not an issue for you, then go for high quality, genuine leather shoes. The genuine leather retains the perfect shape of your feet and is always superior to the man-made materials.

d. It is important for you to decide which dress you are going to wear. Only after that do you go about matching shoes. If you find it hard to match a pair of shoes to the color of your outfit, then pick a complimentary color shoe. Classic black dress shoes set the standard for evening attire and they match any dark shade dress. However, you can always go for the soft colors like ivory if your dress is a pastel shade. The soft, warm ivory is always a better choice than pure white.

e. If you want to spend a painless evening, don’t buy shoes with straps. They might look appealing but after wearing them for a while, they will start hurting your feet. As a result, the enjoyment of the evening will disappear. So it is better to choose strapless dress shoes, which have a long, sleek look with enclosed toes. Wearing this type of shoes will indeed make your feet look chic.

f. Consider every aspect carefully when buying dress shoes. If you buy the wrong kind of shoes it will spoil the look you want to create. While selecting the perfect pair of dress shoes, you want to be sure that they have soft linings.

g. Last but definitely not the least, the shoes must be properly fitted. Do not be in such a hurry that you buy a size that is either too small or too large.

It is very essential that you to spend the time needed to find the perfect pair of dress shoes. Keeping the above tips in mind while shoe hunting will definitely bring the results you want. You will not regret the time and money spent.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. .Get your brand name shoes at http://www.brandnameshoesplus.com

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How many people know what soap really is?

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Morrow Custom knife-makers are popular for their handmade folding knives. Their specialty is double-blade knives exquisitely made and finished. They claim that their knives are made with highest quality and by using the best material available. You can review their user satisfaction ratio and be convinced about their popularity and excellent craftsmanship.

You will find out on their website about the materials they use and how do they take orders from customers. You will be able to browse through their current inventory section as well as custom order section where you can identify your demands and have a knife custom-made to suit your needs. Their online store is available at morrowknives.com.

Morrow Custom Knives makes use of materials such as ATS34 stainless steel (the hottest high carbon stainless steel used for making high quality knives) for making blades, pearl and ivory for making special handles and horns for making normal and simple handles. Liners and bolsters are made from stainless steel. You will find that they have a huge collection of knives ranging from simple and inexpensive to somewhat complex, handcrafted and a bit expensive knives. Their collection comprises of multi-blade, single-blade and double-lade slip joints.

Another popular name in the field of knife-making is Rocket Knives. Rocket Knives has been serving its customers for almost 30 years. What stands them apart from other knife-makers is their simplicity and exquisite finished quality of their knives. They have folders as well as fixed-blade knives to offer. You can visit their online store at rocketknives.com.

They claim that their knives are made in such a way that makes them look old and greatly used. This is because if you know that a knife is old and still in great shape then it is probably because of its unmatched quality and extreme durability. On their website you will also find a “how-to” section, to learn the art of knife-making in order to appreciate what you have and what you are about to buy.

They have in their collection some of unique designs not found in any other store. Their dragon series and Eastern series are the most-liked series of knives. You will find that they have some double-blade knives to offer as well. Their daggers are also in high demand in many countries around the world. The collection of daggers includes folding dirks, folding daggers and bullets. They all are exquisite pieces of art and any knife lover would love to buy some of their products to keep in their possession.

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Making handmade soap can be challenging and also very fulfilling. Marketing handmade soap can be down right daunting. After you sell a few bars to family and friends, where do go from there? Craft fairs and Christmas bazaars are a natural choice, though they both have very limited seasons. If you make a commitment to a retail space, then you are truly taking that next big step. That step however could be financially fatal. Many crafters are not in a position to make such large commitment, especially at the outset of their endeavor. This is why finding a viable alternative to renting retail space is the single most important task you will pursue in assuring your crafting hobby turns into a successful small business.

The great equalizer in the world of small business is the internet, or so we were told. Yet there are thousands of small, and large businesses alike that have failed in the arena of ecommerce. Are there any lessons to learn from these failures? Is it possible for a small crafter to compete with the super retailers.

The main advantage of being a crafter is that you posses a product that is truly unique and it has ongoing demand from a very loyal customer base. I have had soap buyers spend weeks to track me down, just to get a bar of my soap that another crafter was selling at a fair. These customers are committed to buying products from local crafters because it helps local communities and supports local economies. These are the types of customers that the crafter should be targeting.

There are several outlets on the internet that target craft buyers. Some of these charge very nominal fees and are a great place to get your feet wet in craft marketing. You can list several items and let the market tell which products are likely to get the best response. One of the best sites is Etsy. If you haven’t tried them, you should. They have a very loyal following and their overall business is growing every month. Because they have a great feedback system you can also see what items other crafters are having success with. This is great way to get ideas or new products. Please do not blatantly copy other crafters works. Use these new ideas you see to integrate with your own products.

The other site to get great ideas and market information from is Ebay. Their fees have gotten a bit outrageous lately so be careful as they can kill your marketing budget very quickly. For market research though, they can’t be beat. I have discovered many of hot new fragrances for my handmade soap on Ebay. Stores start at 15.95. This is about as cheap as any ecommerce opportunity available today.

Jeffrey Dorrian is the soap guy. Really, that is his website lye soap He has been making premium handmade soap for the past six years. “Handmade soap is a true inexpensive luxury anyone can enjoy.”
wholesale soap

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Your skin tells a lot about you. Someone who looks at your face can often tell if you haven’t had enough rest, if you’ve been slacking on your diet, or if you moisturize regularly. Your skin can also tell someone a lot about your state of mind.

It’s pretty obvious when you’re embarrassed because your face will get flushed. That’s not what I mean. I’m referring to life’s problems that pile up, stress you out, and keep you from performing at your ultimate best. Long periods without good nutrition will make skin pale and flaky, while a lack of moisture in your body can make skin tight and pinched-looking. Late nights and stressful situations can cause breakouts, oily skin and a tired, harried appearance that can keep you from looking your best.

With our busy lifestyles, it’s hard to imagine how we can sleep more, eat better and stay hydrated enough to keep life’s problems from showing up on your face. Fortunately, you can easily combat some of these problems by carefully choosing quick ways to relax and rejuvenate your body that won’t break the bank.

Natural skincare products containing essential oils will not only help to improve your skin’s appearance, but they have a double-duty effect with their aromatherapy benefits. For example, lavender essential oil is beneficial for people with minor cuts, scrapes, rashes and mild sunburn. It is also great for relaxation, making lavender a useful tool for eliminating stress.

Another great essential oil for mood enhancement is clary sage. It helps to balance the skin’s natural production of sebum, making it a suitable choice whether your skin is too oily or too dry. At the same time, clary sage is well known for its hormone balancing effects, eliminating the mood swings and cramping that often occur during your menstrual cycle.

When you are choosing skincare products with essential oils, look for ones that contain little to no fragrance so you receive the full benefit of the aromatherapy at work. Also check the labels for chemicals which may cause allergic reactions and thwart your efforts to clear up your skin. With the right products, you’ll begin to feel better emotionally, your appearance will change for the better, and people will certainly take notice.

Burgundy Shank makes natural skincare products using essential oils and other nutrient-rich natural ingredients. To download her FREE Report, “The Top 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Personal Care Products,” sign up for her newsletter, “Beauty Secrets from Around the World” at http://www.burgundysoap.com

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…my senses. I know, you were thinking ‘Texas’. Well, if they do live in Texas, then it’s a good thing that I live in Virginia (dodged that bullet - swish!). In fact, most of my experiences, good and bad, nestle deep in the base of my subconscious until ’something’ wakes them up. It could be the ocean air, a certain perfume, the sound of fireworks or a song, the touch, the feel of cotton, or even the taste of burnt pizza. Yup, all of these sensory experiences can bring any memory rushing back to the front of your mind.

So, what does this have to do with branding?

Have you ever smelled french fries and said, “Oh, I could go for McDonald’s”.

Nokia, the leader in cell phone manufacturing design their phones to touch at least 4 of the 5 senses, and touch some more than others. The design of the phone is perfectly shaped to the contour of the users hand (touch). The interface is designed to be exactly the same in any language, to the point that a Japanese user change his settings to English and know exactly where everything is (sight and touch). Their ringtone is unique and a branded Nokia sound (also used on their web site), so that it is easily recognized worldwide (sound). Their packaging has a branded scent that is emitted into the users brain the moment it is opened (smell). And, I wouldn’t put it past them to find something taste-worthy to tie into their brand.

Again, what does this have to do with branding? EVERYTHING!

Branding for the senses takes your brand to another level of memorability. Did you know that the Disney Parks purposely spray the scent of cotton candy in areas where there isn’t any? This drives traffic to other areas of the Parks where there is cotton candy! Did you know that the ‘new car smell’ is a manufactured scent? It’s deliberately added because people love it. It is the finishing touch, the icing on the cake, that makes the decision to buy final.

Some stores have a branded scent, or a branded sound when you walk in the door. You don’t realize it, but when you hear that sound or smell that smell you will automatically think of that store. Certain hotels hand you warm chocolate chip cookie when you check-in - this is to wake the memories of home, which is how they want to remembered!

So, what does your brand smell like?

tandembranding is a nation-wide branding firm, and we work with marketing directors to make their company famous. We specialize in industries that cater to the customer experience.

For more articles on how branding can make you famous, please visit tandembranding.com

Mark Campanale, Brand Expert
tandembranding
tandembranding.com

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Blah! Blah! Blah! This is what your readers will be mentally deciphering if they are reading a boring newsletter about arts and crafts.

Whether writing an arts and crafts newsletter for a hobby or as a means to stay in contact with your customers it is vital that the newsletter remain simple, descriptive and full of relevant content.

When describing in a newsletter how to complete an arts and crafts project details are a must. The steps to the project should be laid out in numbered format and be descriptive as possible. Sometimes, it’s even best to state the obvious because it is assumed that the reader has never made this project.

Content is necessary in an arts and crafts newsletter. Content relevant to crafting tips, ideas, techniques would be great to use. Also, if the content is your own that’s even better. That begins to show the subscriber that as a crafter you are confident and have a true knowledge of your craft.

If you are writing the newsletter to stay in contact with customers then periodically offer your customers special promotions that only the subscribers will receive. It’s important to build a relationship with your subscribers and what better way than to save them money.

Brandi Clark, owner of Visit Floral Creations, is an experienced crafter. Join her free newsletter “Crafty Corner” to begin receiving craft ideas, crafting tips, and techniques plus discounts to be used at Visit Floral Creations. Join by visiting http://www.craftycorner.makes.it

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Handmade crafts made from wood, glass, ceramics, metal, leather are ideal gifts for any occasion. These crafts from around the world reflect a rich tradition of the originating country. Different styles of craft making are employed in different parts of the world. Each piece of handmade craft has a distinctive style of their own. Its uniqueness provides a good reason to appreciate these products and craftsmen who work behind them. Since machines are not employed in the making of these products, the craftsmen should be extra vigilant while making these products. In many cases a small mistake on the part of craftsman will be a disaster. There are many training schools around the world, which imparts training on these traditional crafts. It’s a great fun to learn these craft making techniques and it provides an avenue to earn extra income for many people.

The main problem Handmade Crafts facing is the lack of proper marketing and sales promotion. With proper marketing and sales promotion, these products can fetch reasonably good returns to those who manufacture them. Genuine Handmade Crafts are in great demand all over the world.

To find more about the Handmade Crafts from around the world visit www.giftsspace.com.

Gijo George http://www.giftsspace.com

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