The top 10 secrets to naming success

1 Simplicity

Starting a business is demanding! And when you're overwhelmed and dealing with build-outs, hiring, financial planning, goal-setting and worrying, the last thing you need is a naming company that makes name development complicated. Determining the perfect name may not be easy, but we will guide you through the process as effortlessly and painlessly as possible from the very first contact.

2 Ability to see the whole picture

Creating a great name is not just about catchiness or .com availability. In fact, arriving at a great name is like meeting a great personality: you're immediately aware of depth, memorability, charisma, appeal and compatibility, while having very little clue as to what's creating the overall magic. We are focused on the whole picture, even as the independent details are carefully nudged into place. After all, it's in the synergy of the whole where the magic resides.

3 An understanding of marketing

A name that stands out from the crowd does so because it is marketable, and marketability is synonymous with smart psychology. Psychology involves an understanding of human emotion, which drives choices. This is why it's essential that our naming team realizes how the mind works, and how needs match up with experience in the marketplace.

Beware of the naming company that is willing to provide you with 90-100 names in just a few days. You are simply getting random words with the hopes that one will capture your fancy. Psychology isn't about your likes and dislikes... it's about the mass mind of the marketplace.

4 Awareness of the subliminal influence of language

We understand that the surface details of language are important, but there's more to a name than meets the eye or ear — sight and sound define just part of a name's destiny. In ancient times, every name was created with the subliminal energetic clearly in mind. If you are interested in holding your own with a long-term business, you will want a name that energetically supports profit and your particular products and services. Silent chemistry (or lack thereof) can make or break your future. Choosing a naming company that is oblivious to the subliminals is like asking for a potential ambush down the road.

5 An understanding of visual cues

Developing the most strategic names is only the first step in our process. Our unique holistic approach combines the right name with the right imagery. We understand that 80% of information is processed by our brains visually, making the graphic aspects of your corporate or product name just as important as the name itself. This includes how your brand is presented to the consumer via the logo, website, and other marketing communication materials.

6 Patience

As you begin the process of naming your business or product, you are no doubt entering unknown territory, at least to a degree. We will educate you along the way and guide you into an understanding of the art of branding. Your name specialist will take the time to interview, educate and assist your understanding on the way to determining the name that will best identify your efforts.

7 Experience

The art of naming cannot be learned or mastered overnight. Our company has years of experience, and we have had the opportunity to assess and evaluate ever-changing trends in the marketplace. We also believe in creating a personal naming team with members who have a variety of backgrounds in language development, the visual arts, marketing and psychology, as well as personal business experience. Understanding all the aspects of the naming process create well-rounded results.

8 Reasonable fees

It's not unusual for many naming companies to charge thousands or even millions of dollars to create a business name. Sure, major corporations might have the budget to accommodate such fees, but most people do not, so don't feel you have to pay a $30,000 price tag to get a top notch name. After all, history has shown, spending several million on a name will not ensure its success. (Just look at Avaya!)

The art of naming is time-consuming and requires a high level of expertise. If you receive a quote of a couple hundred dollars to develop a name, think twice. As a trustworthy naming company, we will provide you with a full development package costing between $1,250-$25,000, depending on the size of your enterprise.

9 A workable time table

Ideally, you'll begin the naming process with plenty of time to spare. But whether you are ready to open your doors in a couple of weeks, or have months to go before welcoming your first customer, be sure your naming company provides a defined time table you can count on. Most of our naming projects will take between 7-30 days to complete.

10 Good vibes!

Determining the name of your business or product is a very personal process, and it requires a personalized one-on-one relationship where the professional has an opportunity to get inside your head. There are any number of choices that could identify your enterprise, but the one that will work best is the one that is most compatible with you, your needs, your purpose and your dreams.

We believe that as you go through the naming process start to finish, establishing a close relationship with your primary developer will ensure a deeper level of understanding around your needs. There may be several competent folks brainstorming on your project behind the scenes, but when you work with us, you will be able to depend on just one person as your primary concept designer. That person will be someone you can trust to answer your questions and translate your concerns... someone who understands your project from the inside out.

Before signing on with a naming company, spend time getting to know your primary language concept designer. After a couple of phone discussions and a few focused questions, you should be able to tell if the vibes are right. Many folks feel there's no need to get professional help with naming a business. But when you figure all the money and effort you'll be putting behind your name, it only makes sense to do it right from the beginning!