We are a local internet provider with Century Link as a competitor. We provide the only local customer support, tech, support in our area. Some of our existing tag lines are : “Life, Business, Uninterrupted” “Reliable.Local.Secure.” We need a new campaign that doesn’t exclude business services and doesn’t focus 100% on residential..something about our unmatched local customer service.. “Bog or small we’ve got you covered” was another one we have. Any edgy creative ideas would be much appreciated! Something that means: Reliable.Local. Customer service.. Am open to completely new suggestions as well

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Neighbor-to-Neighbor Friendly Support
• Surf Globally. Get Support Locally.

Need to complete this slogan in not more than 20 words that would be catchy/rhyming & would stick to every ones mind on print/media & advertising on launch of a new tea brand in Asia – southern India: “A cup of tea has helped me open up my mind because…”

###

Jay’s Answer: A cup of tea has helped me open up my mind because…

• …it warms my soul
• …it relaxes my body
• …it nourishes my spirit

I own a Singles Club and need a Fun Catchy Name, below is a description of the club:

Looking for access to singles events has never been easier, thanks to Got Dates? Singles Club. Dedicated in providing a wide variety of singles events for singles only, where our members meet face-to-face, in a fun, safe environment. With 100′s of professionally staffed events for singles every year, there is sure to be plenty of opportunities to meet active singles, professional singles, fun singles and enjoy meeting more singles actively at local singles events. Whether you like Wine Tastings, Hiking, Volleyball, Theme Parties, Theatre, Kayaking, Dance Lessons, Horseback Riding, Vacations, Speed Dating, Mixers, Dining or meeting the group at a Happy Hour, we are sure you will find other singles with similar interests..

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Singularity
• Singular Sensations

I am thinking of starting a delivery service in a small community. I will be targeting the seniors in our town,
because they are the majority of consumers. I am looking for a catchy name. Can you help?

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Extra Hands Delivery
• CommunityName Delivery Service

I am opening a small Diner-Bakery Type Coffee Shop in MEXICO. I will serve a simple breakfast menu (bacon, eggs, pan potatoes & toast, french toast, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches & crepes), homemade cupcakes, squares, cakes & pie (apple, coconut cream, lemon meringue, etc) and coffee with specialty creams and liquers (alcohol), smoothies (fruit & veg), milkshakes and daily special/comida economica daily (one american & one mexican style) and will have SUBS & SALADS … it will in a location on the bottom floor of the local mall (small 2 story & we are below Cinema) in an end unit! Everything homemade & delicious. Decor Chocolate & Aqua Blues (light & Dark), comfy small leather chairs. Wanted something in spanish that would work … EVERYONE knows my name but cannot put it together in my head … Cora …. HELP. Food made with Love, Delicious & Fresh, sometimes healthy and Quaint & Comfy Place. MOST here are called Cafes so trying to find something different … HELP!!!!

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Cocina de Cora (Cora’s Kitchen)
• Cora Fresco
• Trata de Cora

I’m trying to come up with a technical name for our Steel Fabrication Company, where we will manufacture Process equipments. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Engineered In Steel
• Fab Steel

I would like to start an online business selling “tresor paris” “shamballa” style jewelry but I am having trouble thinking of a catchy name to describe it without using the brand names. I would like something to indicate that the bracelets are made with crystal glitter balls. I am stuck and keep coming up with the same boring names and need something original.

###

Jay’s Answer:

• Crystal Bracelets
• Glitter Bracelets
• Glow Jewelry

I am building a training program. The product is a content management product for web applications. The training program will help the users to understand the usage of this products in their web applications. Looking for some catchy names and taglines for this training program.

###

Jay’s Answer: How about “Are You Content With Your Website?”

(Photo by Jenny Starley)

It’s late Friday afternoon. A friend calls you to let you know your website is down. You scramble to check, and realize they’re right. You call your webmaster, only to find out they’re on vacation (and checking their emails sporadically). What do you do now?

If you’ve thought ahead, you might call another webmaster to pinch in. They’ll likely need access to your various usernames and passwords to investigate. If you don’t have this information at-hand, then you’re truly stuck.

Therefore, I suggest that as a minimum you maintain the following to help you WHEN you have a problem (not IF):

• List of user names and passwords for your business (web hosting, email, CMS accounts, PayPal, DropBox, FTP, banking, telephone, contact manager, internet provider, etc.). Print out a copy and put it a safety deposit box (in case of fire). Give an electronic copy to a trusted friend (if worried about privacy, perhaps encrypt the file – but make absolutely sure you remember the password).
• Backups of your databases (email, website, CRM). Ideally keep copies offsite. If you’re unsure how often to backup, determine your comfort level of having to recreate your business files at different time frames (1 day, 1 week, or 1 month).
• Backups of your computer disks. Again, offsite is important.
• A contact list for your support team (webmaster, accountant, lawyer, distributor, employees, and family).
• A contact list for your “back-up” support team (if your first tier aren’t available).

In some cases, you might consider backing up your data to “the cloud” – if you’re comfortable with the speed/security trade-off. Whatever backup solution you use, occasionally test restoring from the backup. We assume that the backup will work without fail, but it’s vital to ensure that your backup works.

Emergency planning isn’t sexy or fun. But it’s vital to ensure you business viability.

(Photo by easylocum)

If you’re like most service providers, you’ve been feeling ever-increasing competition: from overseas, from virtual assistants, from under-employed people, and from online service competitions (for logos, design work, software development, website creation, animation, etc.). So how can you compete – both short-term and long-term?

Your first reaction might be to drop your pricing. If they are charging $500, and you are currently charging $1000, shouldn’t you likewise cut your pricing to measure up favorably? If you do, you’re in a race to the bottom – where the only person who wins is your customer. Dropping your price sends the wrong signals: your offering is a commodity (anyone can do it), your previous pricing wasn’t fair (you gouged your previous customers), and you’re not in touch with the needs of your prospective customers. Short-term, it may ward off losing a few customers, but long-term you’re risking your business viability. You’re making less income, so either you need more clients to keep profitable – or you’ll need to cut corners in your offering (and risk losing your highly prized top-quality perception).

Instead, compete on value. Focus your marketing message on what significant benefit you provide that others can’t (or won’t). Perhaps it’s deeper knowledge of subject. Extra training you’ve had that gets results. Additional formats of your work (at no additional charge). Comfort in knowing that you speak “their language” and understand “their needs”. You may even choose to further distance yourself from the “low-cost” competition and raise your rates. If you position yourself as an expert, with a clear benefit to your clients (that they’re willing to pay for), you create more value for your business (and your customer).

Short-term, you may lose some of your bargain-hunting prospects to the low-cost leaders, but these people weren’t your long-term customers anyway. If you’re in business long enough, you’ll continue to have competition. Just make sure that you have a strategy to stand out from them.