What’s a Good Name For A Spice Blend Company?

Names + Taglines

Hello. I am a gourmet chef who has been fortunate enough to travel the world. Through my travels, I have used authentic ingredients to come up with spice blends from different parts of the world (i.e. Chinese, French, Mexican, Middle Eastern, etc.). My family and friends have enjoyed foods I’ve created using these and now I’d like to share that with the world. I know that cooking new cuisines can be intimidating for some, but I want it to be a fun experience and an ability for people to explore. That said, I will be including some complimentary recipes.

Key benefits include a)convenience b)variety c)cost/time savings and d)health benefits of cooking at home. Of these, I think the emphasis needs to be on variety and basically the international aspect and ability to cook new flavors–relatively easily.

Primary target audience are women, ages 25-45, college educated, most likely homeowners, married or single, and with or without children. Our target audience are folks who appreciate and value home cooking and are not looking for a super easy solution such as microwaving, fast food, or frozen foods. However, they are not gourmet chefs either. Just everyday people.

I have gotten great feedback about the product, but need help coming up with the name/tagline and essentially a brand as that will shape my packaging, marketing materials, website, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

###

Jay’s Answer: People don’t want spices from around the world – they want tasty, healthy food easily.

To sell your “high concept”, you need to give the recipes away regularly, often, to people who’ve subscribed to your website’s opt-in form. The recipes would include a shopping list, total time to prepare, calories, and a difficulty rating. In fact, you could also sell this as a menu-of-the-month club. Each month, you’d USmail to your customers a menu packet with spices for that packet. It would be a surprise, and allow people to look forward to the special meals they’d prepare.

With that said, here are some names:

  • Around The World in 80 Ways
  • Exotic Meals Made Easy
  • The World Epicure
  • International Chef Experience

When Is The Right Time To Advertise in a Newspaper?

Publicity, Services

I’m working in a shipping company. I am to decide on what days of the week we should advertise our services on our local newspaper to gain optimum benefit/attention. I have decided to advertise on two English newspapers and two Chinese newspaper due to the fact that most shippers look out for these papers for shipping schedules that are being published in them. So, how do i go about in deciding which days of the week we should advertise and how often to gain optimum benefit ?

###

Jay’s Answer: Take a look at a week’s worth of the papers and see who’s advertising on which days to find your local pattern.

Also, consider placing the shipping information on your website, so people can find the information quickly online, and immediately think of your business. Advertise this online shipping information in the newspaper as well (esp. on days when the shipping info isn’t printed: “Looking for shipping info? Go to: shipping.mycompany.com)

What’s A Good “Green” Slogan For Our Swimming Pool Business?

Names + Taglines

I need help with a slogan for a marketing campaign for my company. We are a high end custom in ground swimming pool contractor dealing in design, construction, retail, and maintenance services. Our company is bringing in new products and services to our customers that are more environmentally friendly and so we want to jump on the “Green” bandwagon as far as our marketing and PR approach. Overall we are the only one in our market doing this so I want to do something that will make an impact.

We considered using a slogan such as “We’re Going Green” but thought what if we took a different approach and put a spin on it such as “We’ll Make Your Pool Green” or “See How We Can Make Your Pool Green.” I understand that could have a negative feel to it being that people might relate this to Algae in their pool – but at the same time it would turn heads and “going Green” is a widely used approach for many companies right now.. What are your thoughts – do you think we could pull something like this off? Any better ideas? Or should we just stick to the generic approach “We’re Going Green.” ???

###

Jay’s Answer: Green is so over-used in the industry that there’s even a term for its abuse: Greenwashing

Your prospect’s primary concerns aren’t green/not-green, it’s how much will it cost, how will it look, and how will it make me feel. Green is a secondary concern.

Your suggested taglines aren’t focused on the key benefit to the customer.

Instead try: Naturally Beautiful Swimming Pools or Swim Healthier in Your Backyard (for example).

How Should I Price Ads On My Website?

eMarketing

We are a small website that is progressed to just over 1 million hits per month and we would like to start to place ads on our website. Please advise what we should be charging per ad.

###

Jay’s Answer: Congratulations on the milestone. There’s no simple formula, however. The better targeted your unique visitors are, the more value they are to the advertisers. If you also have captured their contact information, they’re worth even more (since you can push ads to them).

Ad pricing is influenced by a number of other factors: size, placement, PPC or per impression, how much you want that advertiser on your site (does it enhance/detract/neutral to your credibility), and the reaction of your visitors to the ad.

How Can I Start My Own Hair Salon?

Services, Starting Out

I am finally pursuing my passion as a natural hair stylist. I am very good at what I do (braiding, extensions, locs, etc) so why am I scared to step out and do this full time?
Well, I am hoping to open a beauty salon with booth rentals. I hope to rent to a cosmetologist, esthetician, and a manicurist. Renting to this professionals will make my salon a full salon because people can come and not only get their hair done but also get a facials, manicure and a pedicure.
The rent will range from $120 to $250 per week, the professionals buy their own products and bring their own clients. They only pay me for the space they are occupying.

###

Jay’s Answer: Don’t simply create “another” full-service salon. Yes, you want great, friendly, mature professionals renting from you. Yes, you want a great vibe when people come in. But more than that – target your audience better than your competition. For example, for busy female execs – guarantee that they’ll be in/out at a certain time, or their service is free. Or, have young girl days, where the music and vibe is better suited for them. Or, a man’s makeover day. The full-service part of your business is more than the sum of the services you provide – it’s the feeling they get when they’re with you, and how they feel when they leave.

How Can I Launch My First Patented Product?

Products, Starting Out

After Eight years of production, I am finally ready to launch my first new patented product.

It aids the consumer, to creatively custom design their own hangers in a different manner, also instantly. Tools are not really necessary. It is design to help economize clutter closets space furthermore to travel light, to avoid air lines extra charges.

I am looking for: Launchers, TV network, Reps, Launch mentoring, Access to Distribution, etc.

###

Jay’s Answer: Before you create a website, get distributors, etc. first figure out WHO your target market is. I’m sure you’d want everyone that has a closet, but create a niche otherwise you’ll be doing mass market advertising that costs a lot and might not produce the return you’re looking for.

For example, maybe you want to focus on first year college students, who are bringing their stuff to a dorm and want to have enough room for everything. Then, you can focus your marketing message to campus newsletters and magazines for the demographic.

Once you’ve narrowly defined it, then you can find the best people to help you with that niche. Of course, you can then move to other niches, growing your business as you find success with each niche.

How To Celebrate Automotive’s Dealer 30th Anniversary?

Publicity

We are an automotive dealer and now celebrating our 30th anniversary. I would like to ask what possible promos I could engage in. I would like also to know what tagline could attract more customers. We are selling brand new cars mostly Japanese utility vehicles.

###

Jay’s Answer: Taglines won’t attract more customers – service & price & selection will. Make sure that these 3 are well done by your dealership first.

A 30th anniversary would be a great time to show a car from each of the last 30 years that you sold. Contact your past customers to ask if they still have their car, and offer to detail it for free in exchange for displaying it at the 30 year car show. Each car would have the year prominently displayed. 2008/9 cars would be your new cards for sale, with your sales team able to show how much things have improved over the last 30 years and to offer a special anniversary price.

The car show on-lot would garner great PR, from car enthusiasts to kids (since it’s family-friendly).

What’s A Good Tagline For An Online Yoga Portal?

Names + Taglines

I am looking for a tagline to energize DubaiYoga.com. I plan to develop this site into a yoga/wellness portal in the UAE that offers yoga wellness/resources in the Middle East & info on international yoga centres, yoga conferences, summits, etc. The three words that come to my mind to describe all this are Energy. Inspiration & Collaboration.

What I envision for a tagline is something that captures the “larger than life” essence of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates region.

###

Jay’s Answer: Energy/Growth will cause your site to get lost in the search engines (especially when adding “Dubai”). Instead of “energy” use words that reflect emotion: Feel energetic, Rejuvenate, Reawaken, Revitalize, etc.

Also consider: Stretch Yourself Beyond The UAE

Jump Start Your Marketing Brain

Book Reviews

Buy Jump Start Your Marketing Brain

My engineering mindset always has me ask, “Is this the right solution for this problem?” In marketing most people give something a “good shot” and hope for the best. Doug Hall has done what I’ve been wanting to see for years: he’s done extensive research of what works in marketing, why, and how you can apply it to your business. His passion is Meaningful Marketing (as contrasted with Mindless Marketing).

The book begins with a 13 question multiple-choice test (the author reports that typically marketing professionals get 4 out of 13 correct!). Here are some of his questions:

  • The smartest way to grow sales is: a) build loyalty or b) find new customers
  • Most new products or services fail because of: a) poor execution of sales and marketing, b) poor product or service performance, or c) not being a very good idea in the first place.
  • When selling to a customer it is best to: a) be blunt and direct about what you offer or b) use a softer, relationship-focused approach.

While the research is based mostly on corporate marketing, many of the points apply to small business as well. The chapters cover the following topics: marketing strategy, marketing message, Mindless Marketing, selling, leadership & teamwork, and Meaningful Marketing vs. Mindless Marketing.

The format of the book is deceptively simple. The left-hand page details a specific scientific advice, and the right-side gives practical ideas to help you implement the advice. Implementing any of the advice is hard work, and that’s where consultants (such as myself) can be a huge benefit to your company.

Here are the author’s secrets to success:

  1. Be bold and brave.
  2. Add uniqueness to innovation-decision metrics.
  3. Seeking new markets is 10 times more successful than pursuing incremental innovations.
  4. A future-focus strategy is 10 times more valuable than a “voice-of-the-consumer” approach.
  5. Pioneering results in double the sales volume over being fourth to market.
  6. The bottom line: If you offer the “same old stuff” (S.O.S.) you are “— out of luck” (S.O.L.)

Those who cannot learn from (marketing) history are doomed to repeat it. Don’t make your business a failed statistic.

Optimize Your Website’s Search Engine Results: Rap Videos

Creative Business Ideas, Videos

Tired of reading articles and books on how to improve your website? Spend a few minutes with these videos. The key point is that not everyone learns the same way. Try different approaches to sharing your information and measure what works best for your target market.

(Note: Poetic Prophet is making great use of his rapping skills to share his knowledge. What’s missing is a link from the video to his website and also a PDF tip sheet reviewing his suggestions.)