Last Updated on September 16, 2022
There are four steps to creating a brand name: Visualizing your business name, Getting a story right, and Audience testing. All of these steps are equally important, but the right one will lead to a brand name that is both memorable and unique. Read on for more information. We hope this article has been helpful to you. Good luck with your naming project! Until next time!
Four-step naming process
As a branding expert, Jonathan Bell has a wealth of experience when it comes to brand names. He’s spoken about branding in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Jonathan Bell’s TED Talk outlines a four-step naming process. Before settling on a name, consider what your audience would call your brand. After all, your target audience is the most important part of your business.
While the naming process can get wild, most companies need some restrictions to keep the ideas organized. Brainstorming and discovery are the best times for companies to get input from people. Ultimately, your brand name should convey your brand’s personality. By following this process, you’ll be able to choose a meaningful name from the list of possibilities. After all, your goal is to create a brand that people will want to buy.
Visualizing your business name
When creating a great brand name, brainstorming words that describe your business is important. Try to imagine the name as the logo, tagline, or slogan. If you can think of a good example, consider the seven-Eleven convenience store. Their name is both memorable and unique. Their hours are seven am and eleven pm every day. You may also use Latin to come up with a business name. For example, Volvo means “I roll.” Acer is an excellent business name because it means “sharp”. A health food store would be called Sanus.
When you choose your business name, consider the way your customers perceive it. When you read or listen to a word, you’ll typically “see” it in your mind. In this way, a visual logo is a powerful aid in your customers’ memory and a fundamental advertising tool. Colors play a critical role in branding. If you have a website or promotional materials, it’s important to match the colors to your brand. In addition, most words have a literal meaning. In addition to that, they also have an emotional connotation. This connotation can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Getting a story right
The story behind your brand name is crucial in establishing your business’ identity. Brand stories should focus on the long-term growth and potential of your company. The story should form a relationship with your audience by providing insights into the company. When a story is well-written and polished, it’s sure to resonate with your audience. Read on for six important elements of a great brand story.
The best brand names don’t simply describe the product; they stand for something big, original, and meaningful to the audience. These names also translate into emotional appeal. Think of Apple or Google – both brands stand for a single big idea, and both have big numbers that support their big original vision. Even if you choose a name that makes little sense initially, you’ll find it harder to change it in the future.
Audience testing
In his talk, How to Create a Great Brand Name, TED founder Jonathan Bell discusses how to win the name game. Most brands fall into one of seven categories. Jonathan outlines how to make your brand stand out by sticking to one of these categories. You can also watch the unedited version of Jonathan’s talk at the TED Archive. If you’re not a TED member, be sure to sign up for the archive so you can watch his talk whenever you want.
To find out if your name has been used before, you can conduct an audience test and look up its meaning and connotations online. A simple Google search and visits to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter can help you find relevant meanings. You can also search trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Electronic Search System. The World Intellectual Property Organization is another excellent resource to look up international trademarks.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.