I just attended a business luncheon for a group of women entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. There were about 40 women in attendance. I returned to the office with a pile of business cards collected from the women I'd met. What struck me, as I reviewed them, was that only half of the cards gave any indication of what the business does. Not even the company name made it clear for many of the businesses.
If you're starting a new business, as many people are in this day of lay-offs and re-careering, consider a name that tells people what you do. And, if your company name is set -- or your heart is set on a unique though non-descript name, I encourage you to include a descriptive about your business (for example, "Modern American Cuisine" or "Interior design and decorating" or "Travel Adventures You'll Never Forget" or "Forensic Accounting.") If you're truly looking to generate new business, then make it easy for people to remember you.
Jan 13, 2010 at 12:21 AM Thank you for the suggestion! I have down what I do in general,
in the name of my business "Virginia Hill Art", but now after
reading your article, I think I'll add more detail. Maybe something like:
"Original Prints and Cards" direct from Virginia Hill's own paintings!
Do you think that works well?
Thank you,
Virginia Hill
Jan 13, 2010 at 9:50 AM Yes, Virginia. I do think that works well! Thank you for writing.
Jan 13, 2010 at 3:02 PM Why save a buiness card?
For telephone number (should be largest printing on the card
2nd line should be your name
3rd and 4th line the Reason why should they remember you?
color other than white and black
Wednesday 5pm cst
Jan 13, 2010 at 3:17 PM Margie, you are so right. I see so many consultants who name their businesses after themselves such as Fields Associates, Inc. and there is no benefit to the customer even alluded to. The trouble is that your website name needs to match the business name and some many URLS are taken. I named my business Results Marketing and yet whn I went to build a site in 2003, that name was already in use. So I had to change it to Marketing Zone, for example. I recommend new businesses come up with a list of names and then test and see if they are already in use and name their business based on what's catchy and available.
Monica Calzolari
Jan 14, 2010 at 6:19 AM Bravo, Virginia! I have been in sales & marketing for years and know that you need to be creative in your PR efforts! It is necessary to keep it short & sweet, make it "catchy" and capture their attention to where they remember your name FIRST above others! Mine is a cleaning company, but we clean EVERYTHING more than the Norm! The company name is "BB Pro TOTAL Clean", followed by "When TOTAL Clean Matters Most!" It works very well!
Jan 14, 2010 at 9:47 AM Thanks for the advice. I'm new at this (online market)& feel w/o pay advertisement I will never succeed which means I'll quit soon...
Jan 14, 2010 at 3:06 PM Margie,
I own a company that sells Devices that provide a shock to stop the heart. (AEDs, Automated External Defibrillators). My tag line is " you will be shocked as to how many more lives can be saved".
I agree with your philosophy and get the customers attention.
Jan 14, 2010 at 8:01 PM When you are with a well known company and your card is proscribed by the company, there have to be other ways to distinguish oneself from the competition. Does anyone write on his/her card?
Jan 15, 2010 at 9:59 AM Your point is well-taken. A descriptor or good tagline is very important. I realized this last year when I also read a piece in Business-Know-How.com that pointed to my failure. Now my direct mail business card says: "Bring new customers to you with targeted mailings." I'm using the beginning of my "elevator speech" to clarify what I do.