The Right Way To Start A Business?

Branding, Starting Out

I have a wonderful idea for a new business that I believe is going to be quite successful. I know I have to get a website going and jump in with both feet into social media with the blogs I have started but the branding and website development are holding me back. Where do I get started? Can you refer me to a good graphic designer and web builder that won’t cost me an arm and a leg?

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Jay’s Answer: You have a couple of options: hire someone to do it for you or create the website (at least the first version) yourself.

However, before you create a website, you really should consider a strategy for making your business succeed. Having a website and blogging won’t by themselves create website traffic. You need to identify who is likely to want to buy your offering, why they’d choose you (instead of your competition), etc. The basics of this are covered in my article: http://www.manygoodideas.com/2008/10/01/unpeeling-your-marketing-onion/

If you’ve done your strategy homework, then you have a good idea of the problems these people face, the language they use, the images they like, and the offer they’d react to. Using this information will create a website that resonates with your audience and is more likely to create sales for you. If you skip this step, you’ll get a web designer’s idea of what they think your website should look like – and not a marketing professional’s.

You can hire people locally (who you can meet face-to-face) or globally (www.elance.com, www.guru.com, etc.). But be warned: the true cost of a website isn’t in its creation – it’s in maintenance. Be willing to pay for each revision you make to your designer.

If you can, create your own website (or have a designer create a CMS-based website for you) using WordPress, Zoomla, iWeb, etc. Make sure whatever choice you make you use your own domain name (not: mycompany.freewebsite.com) to ensure that your visitor’s first impression is favorable.

NYC Dog Rescue Organization

Names + Taglines, Starting Out

I’m looking for a unique name for a NYC dog rescue I want to start. There are a lot of small dog/cat rescues in NYC and they have all the cute names with tails and paws and claws in it. I would like it to be memorable and to make a decent logo for t shirts etc.

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Jay’s Answer:

  • NYC Dog Rescue
  • NYC Dogs 911
  • maNYCanines Rescue

Name My Life Coaching Business

Names + Taglines, Starting Out

My business name is Verity Dunamis – a Life Coaching and Motivational Speaking Business focusing mainly on all types of business however there has been cross pollination of clients.

My dilemma is that the name Life Coach doesn’t sell. The market is saturated with Life Coaches with some leaving a bad taste with clients. Virtually no response from clients when using the term – I am a Life Coach.

My train of thought is have Life Coaching as one of my many tools in my toolbox to empower people and to find an alternative, funky, energetic umbrella name so that the clients can feel non threatened. I will be able to at least have one foot in the door to sell my products.

My business tagline is: “Power in the Truth that sets You Free”. Suggestions given are: “Life Transforming Specialist”, “Life Enrichment Specialist (too formal)” and “Goal Setting Specialist (good but includes only part of the Coaching Process)”. If possible I would like to keep the word “Specialist” at the end as it is more defining to my target audience.

In the same process, Motivational Speaker is also weak to sell. I need a name where I can not only talk about how to empower people but I have the tools to show how.

eg: Life Enrichment Specialist or Life Enrichment Speaker

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Jay’s Answer: Business people aren’t looking for life coaches – they’re looking for executive coaches. While the work a life coach does is virtually identical to an “executive coach”, the language used is different, and the focus is more on business than life-balance.

People think of motivational speakers for keynote or annual company meetings. You’d market yourself as a motivational speaker to the HR department. You’d market yourself as an executive coach to the C-level.

But before you do either, make sure you have in your portfolio some case studies of businesses you’ve helped and the ROI of your work. That’ll show you’re not just a “life coach” masquerading in “executive coach” clothing.

As for names, consider simply building on your name: Verity Dunamis, Executive Coach (or Professional Executive Coach)

Business Lawyer Marketing

Branding, Publicity

I’m putting together a marketing/PR proposal for a 3-person law firm. I’m coming up with various ideas to promote any of the three of them, but particularly need help with the one who does business law. She’s thinking she’d like to speak at business conferences (what kind? no clue), as she’s a good public speaker. She obviously needs to develop more relationships with more businesses.

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Jay’s Answer: Who would be her ideal client? That’s who she needs to talk to. It may be local small businesses, larger corporations (who may have representation in-house but need specialization from time-to-time), franchises, etc. Once you better understand what type of law & for who, then find opportunities for her to be in front of many of these people at the same time – conferences, magazine articles, webcasts, etc.

Student/Salon Marketing

Names + Taglines

hi i need tag line for my salon marketing. i need it for marketing van. our van will stand at colleges and a person will make few students play game and those u win will get a free makeover in 15 min in that van. so i want a tag line for that purpose like : win and get yourself more beautiful. I have lo’real salon and i need customers for that so for that purpose we decided to start salon on wheels for marketing.

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Jay’s Answer: You’re not looking for a tagline – you’re looking for a headline – something to tell people to take action (for example, a headline for an article encourages people to keep reading).

Your business isn’t really to give away 15 minute makeovers to lucky students – it’s to sell some service or product (your salon). So ultimate you’re really selling a free taste of your salon “experience”. What services are you doing in the van? What services are you doing in the salon? Why should someone trust you for 15 minutes (even for free)? Why should someone pay for your services or products?

You’re on the right track – the goal of going to a salon isn’t to have your hair done or your nails done – it’s to feel more beautiful, and hopefully look more beautiful to feel more attractive (either to others or to oneself). But you need to combine winning something for free with the desire to travel to your salon in your headline.

  • The L’Oréal Salon Experience
  • L’Oréal Makeovers On The Road

Best Way To Contact Potential Plumbing Clients?

Services

I am starting up my own drain cleaning company and I am looking for advice on how to contact the right person at the companies and businesses that i am trying to get work from.

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Jay’s Answer: The problem you’ll face is that people won’t think they need their drains cleaned until they have a problem, and until they, see no reason to pay $. Perhaps it’ll be better to target the local insurance companies – people who may be contacted when their client has a problem and need a recommended vendor. You could be that vendor.

Breast Cancer Research Benefit Event Name?

Names + Taglines

What would a catchy name be for my event involving a photo shoot with exotic cars and gals from the team dressed in fun outfits in a great location. The money raised through attending the event, sales of raffle tickets etc goes to Breast Cancer Research? Besides the photo shoot which includes my team member dressed up in boas, tiaras etc and her stilettos posed by her car, there will be raffles for prizes entertainment and food and beverage.Press coverage It will be open to women on the team and others who will read about the event through emails and posters placed in stores. This event is the lead in to the final High Heel Hike on our main street.

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Jay’s Answer:

  • High Heeled Fun Day
  • Vroom, Vroom

How To Brand My Virtual Conference?

eMarketing

We are 30,000+ members information technology association, which needs to brand a new online conference for next big thing after internet. The event is considerably new entrant to already crowded space, but inaugural event was a great success. I faced this issue when we ordered banners and also printed materials and other stuff. Perhaps this information could be useful during logo re-work and articles writing.

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Jay’s Answer: Since the space is crowded, you need to showcase how your technology is better/different. As for a phrase, how about “Be There Now” (which plays off the spiritual phase, “Be Here Now”)?

Special Event Rental Slogan?

Names + Taglines

We have a special event rental and florist business. Our t-shirts lettering will be modern(lowercase letters) modern and simple.
jennaffairs (name of our company) on the front. we rent candelabras,wedding equipment,furniture for parties, and make flower arrangements for weddings and galas. We need 3 words or slogan either to describe our chic style and/or service

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Jay’s Answer:

  • events made easy
  • events so chic

Name My New Indian Water Company

Names + Taglines

I’m urgent looking for a company name and brand name for my new company as water filter which is going to based in Bangalore. The company sells product like water purifiers. The products is from manufacturer and will put our own brand on the filter. I would like to have a brand name that creative and customer easy to remember.

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Jay’s Answer:

  • IndiaWater
  • India Pure Water