All posts by Jay

Tagline for Business Consulting

Names + Taglines, Starting Out

I am working on my logo and website but I am really struggling with creating a tagline.  I have started a consulting and training business serving small to medium sized not for profit organizations.  I work them to create solutions to the challenges they maybe having with governance, policy development, and volunteer resources.  I also offer proposal writing, program evaluation, and facilitation. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Jay’s Answer: I think the problem you’re having crafting a tagline is because it’s not clear WHY your target audience needs you. “Creating solutions to the challenges they maybe…” isn’t a strong offering. What could a non-profit do better as a result of hiring your services? Why couldn’t they do this in-house? Why should they trust your knowledge?

The more specific your offering, the easier it’ll be to sell yourself to them. You don’t want them to have to wade through a menu of services to figure out if you’re the right person for them. If you position yourself as the expert in a specialty, then it becomes much clearer if there’s a fit.

I strongly suggest spending the time developing your marketing strategy. If you need assistance, hire my services. Or, start doing it yourself. But, don’t develop your website/logo any more until it’s clear what you’re offering. Otherwise, you’re going to confuse a lot of people, and they won’t come back to your website after you “tighten things up”.

TV For Improv Theater Group

Publicity

We have an improv and are considering doing TV advertising via comcast spotlight. It seems a good way to reach more of our target area. Any thoughts the idea? Cost to produce a spot? Suggested length of spot?

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Jay’s Answer: Good/watchable video isn’t cheap. And it’s possible that after all your work, your advertising won’t be viewed by the right people. Both your website and FB fan page don’t have video of your classes or performances. Give people a taste of what your audience sees. Are you great storytellers or able to educate and heal issues in your community? If so, make it clear that you’re more than improv game players.

Can you set up a livecast of one of your shows each month to the world (for free)? That’ll help build your fan collection as well.

As for a spot, 30-seconds should be more than sufficient to showcase the feel of your troupe. And do consider co-marketing with other improv troupes in your area – there’s plenty of improv audience around – work together to attract them.

Can a Psychic use Affiliate Marketing?

eMarketing, Starting Out

I’m a phone and email reader with great reviews, reputable, etc. What kind of network might I use are there networks that will pay by performance or by sale? Looking for a site that does this.

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Jay’s Answer: While I’m sure there are affiliate networks that you can use, my strong suggestion is not to use them, for the following 3 reasons:

  1. Since there are lots of competition for affiliates, to get any quality leads, you’ll need to give a large % of your fee to your affiliate.
  2. Affiliates are best used for selling a concrete product, not a service. Products are easily quantized, but services are hard to compare/contrast.
  3. Affiliates may misrepresent you/your services.

The fantasy is that you can have an army of people who’ll act as your 100% commission sales force. And it’s just that – a fantasy. To help others sell your offering, you need to help them do it. You’ll need marketing materials, case studies, guarantees, etc. to help them to learn about you. Then, if you do get a lead, you won’t know what the “magic” was to attract them, so you’ll never be able to grow your own business.

My suggestion is to get crystal clear about who you’re trying to attract as your customer, and consider why they should use your services (instead of a personal coach, or a business coach, or take classes in a local school, etc.) and trust your advice. From some of these questions are the kernels of your marketing strategy.

Name My Amazon Affiliate Store

Names + Taglines

online shoppingI AM AN AMAZON AFFILIATE ENTERING THE BABY DIAPER PANTS  MARKET I NEED A NAME AND TAG LINE.  CAN YOU HELP?

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Jay’s Answer: Here are some ideas to start your thinking:

  • Diaperama
  • Diapers Everywhere
  • Diaper Mama
  • Diaper Central
  • Diaper Warehouse

 

Boost Sales of Exercise Machines

eMarketing, Products

We have manufactured over 5700 of our exactly 4 minute per day exercise machines, but that is in 21 years. Any ideas how to speed the process and get more sales? Recently Special Forces (military) got a few of our maschines. See video of our factory: www.NewRomVideo.com

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Jay’s Answer: The first thing that caught my eye was your website’s appearance. The price point of your product puts it into a “luxury” category, yet your website’s look and feel doesn’t match the positioning of your product. This detracts from the confidence of your message.

Since the product isn’t seen regularly by your prospective customers, you need more social proof that what you’re selling is a “smart investment”. Your testimonials aren’t current. Given the “luxury” positioning, having celebrity endorsements (ideally, unpaid) would amplify your message.

If speed of workout is a major benefit, then it would seem that a gym owning a number of machines could have more clients using the facility without increasing the wait time of the workout. In addition to health clubs, this would point to Navy ships (that have onboard gyms) as likely beneficiaries.

If you want to do something remarkable – buy back the machines from people that don’t want them – and resell them at a discount to others. It shows that you’re not trying to simply make sales, it shows that you’ll be around for the long haul and only want the equipment in the hands of people who love it.

Clever Name For Childcare Newsletter

Names + Taglines

I’m trying to come up with a clever name for a newsletter which will be used internally within a child care company. So, an internal communication to operations staff, or even child-care centre team members about current goings-on, any new centres opening, general news etc etc. Can you think of a clever name for this newsletter? The name of the company is Universal Childcare

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Jay’s Answer:

  • Child Centric
  • Our Small Focus

Tagline For Mobile Phone Company

Names + Taglines

I developed a website with which we can buy minutes for mobile phone & for paying bills online…in return I am offering free sale coupons which can be used at subway, McD etc..please suggest me a good & attractive tagline for my website . my primary target is to teen-agers,especially youth(aged between 17-25). When a customer comes and buys minutes or credit for his/her mobile,i will give free coupons worth 5$,10$ etc..which can be used at stores with which i link up (ex:- mcd, kfc, pizza hut,subway etc). And my domain name is “cellbook”. so,i need an attractive tagline for my website..which should be very attractive..

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Jay’s Answer:

  • Buy Minutes And Save Money
  • Get More For With Minutes
  • Take a Bite Out Of Your Cellphone Minutes

Tagline For New Travel Company

Names + Taglines, Starting Out

Along with a couple of friends we are starting our new travel company..cannot think of a good tagline..we would really be grateful to you if you can suggest us something good..we have great deals on holiday packages and we specialise in tours..we thought a few like..best deals always and travel deals simplified. i look forward to your reply. Our company name will be travista.

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Jay’s Answer: The name you chose is already the name of a worldwide travel company: travistaworldwide.com – if this isn’t your company, you’re likely to find that you’re attracting your prospective customers to their website or have their lawyers request that you change your company’s name.

As to a tagline, “specializing in tours” and “best deals always” are promises that many other travel companies make as well. That’s why you’re having problems creating a great tagline for your business.

Instead, you need to start at the very beginning of your marketing strategy:

  • WHO specifically are you looking to attract to your business?
  • Where are they located? Where do they travel? How often do they travel? How exclusive are their travel needs? The narrower your niche, the easier it is to market to them.
  • HOW do you differ from your competition?
  • If you’re offering the same things as everyone else, then you need to find something that no one else does (that people care about) and do it well. For example, do you send your customers movies about the area they’re planning to visit for free? Perhaps a bonded housesitting (or petsitting) service at no additional fee?
  • WHY should they believe you?

Anyone can make a claim, but few can back it up. What proof can you present that shows what you’re saying is true. Consider testimonials or 3rd party independent investigators.

 

Name My Highly Professional Mortgage Company

Names + Taglines, Starting Out

homeI have been in the mortgage business for 8 years in Hawaii. I have focused mainly on high-end jumbo loans and have become almost too niched. No one thinks of me for conforming or average loans. I am starting my own company. I am looking for a name that exudes professionalism, confidence, knowledge, trust, etc. I want to cover the entire market not just jumbo. We may want to get licensed in other states so the name has to cross state boundaries. I am really looking for something new and fresh. Any help would be appreciated.

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Jay’s Answer: Here are a couple of names to play with:

  • The Loan Wizard
  • Mortgage Master

 

Tagline for Business Consulting Company

Names + Taglines

I went through your entire blog trying not to be redundant, but I still need help with a tagline for our new company, Successful Strategic Solutions.  We are a training and business consulting company, offering everything from customer service training to executive leadership.  We offer training in-house as well as offsite.  We are a strategic partner with a global company, and  have access to a full array of training tools, including workbooks, assessments, e-learning, etc.

Our current tagline is “creating solutions for your success”.  However, we have been told that the company name tells you nothing, and the tagline doesn’t really say much either.  Currently we are focusing mostly on leadership training, with sales training being second.   We thought about saying something along the lines of:

1) optimizing your biggest expense and asset
2) unlimited resources for your success

However, I don’t think those say much either.  I saw your great suggestions, and am excited about what you will provide for us.

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Jay’s Answer:  You’re right – your name doesn’t say anything about your target market nor does your current or proposed taglines. It only adds to the mystery of what is it you do? Here are some quick ideas to play with:

  • Effective Business Leaders Made Here
  • We Build Stronger Leaders and Salespeople