What's in a Name?

Most of us were named by our parents. Some of us like our names, others don't seem to care, and folks detest their names. They will disguise it by using a nick name or initials.

Be careful and thoughtful when naming your business.

Things to avoid:

• Naming your business after your location. If you move or expand to another location, then what?
• Naming your business after yourself. Sort of limits your options for selling the biz in the future.
• Using a generic name. Just how many "Quality Cars" are there in the world?

Of course, for everyone of these rules, there is a successful business that breaks these rules.

How about creating a word? Think Google, Microsoft, (even ScLoHo)!

Pain or Pleasure

There's only 2 reasons people will part with their money.

1. Pain. "My car's transmission is shot. I need to fix it, or replace my car."
2. Pleasure. "I really want to see my grandchildren next week. Take the car in for a tune-up so I will be able to drive without any hassles."

Apply this to your business and you'll see there are just two angles to your marketing approach.

And notice that both of these are from the buyers perspective, not yours.

5 Simple Things First

There is a very valuable strategy that says to do the hardest project on your to do list first.

That may be good for your time management, but isn't always the best for your marketing.

Here are 5 Simple Things you should do now:

1. Business Cards with correct information.

2. Signage if you have a physical location.

3. Networking, a low to zero cost way to start Word of Mouth.

4. Press Release, to announce ANYTHING of importance.

5. Website, a real one, not a myspace or facebook page.

Contact me at ScLoHo@ScLoHo.net if you need help.

Now, that you've taken care of the basics, then you can start some of the harder stuff like a marketing and advertising plan that fits your business.

But First things First.

Trends around us

Part of staying on top of trends is to be observant.

Notice patterns.

Be curious.

While relaxing on the 4th of July at a B & B, there was no television in our room. But there was free wifi.

This is the second time this summer, this has happened, no television in our room. But there was free wifi.

No problem, because my wife and I brought our laptops and we can watch tv or movies or anything else this way.

More and more folks are placing greater importance on Internet Access than Television.

So my advice to you is to do what we learned as little kids crossing the street:

Stop.

Look.

Listen.

You may be discovered what you'll find.

Planning Ahead

Every once in awhile I come across a business that wants to advertise, for a few weeks or couple of months.

So let me ask you this, how long of a lease did you sign? How about your phone service, how many years is your commitment?

There are certain items and events you can count on, like January 1st is New Years Day, February 14th is Valentines Day, that your plans for the 4th of July don't include a snow blower, and that eventually your body will call it quits and you will die.

Sorry to be sort of morbid, but there are certain things you can plan on to occur in your life, and you might as well plan for them.

What's this have to do with advertising and marketing?

Marketing and advertising are just as important, (sometimes more important), compared to any other part of your business.

So plan ahead, not just for the next couple of weeks, or months, but for the next 12 months to 5 years.

When it comes to negotiating prices for advertising, you'll get a better price and value by planing ahead, you may even protect yourself from price increases.

In the weeks ahead, I'll lay out some questions you should be asking to determine what might work best for you advertising and marketing dolars, but for now, start getting in the mindset to plan ahead.

You can contact me directly at ScLoHo at ScLoHo dot net (Use the symbols, not words) if you want some assistance.

In the meantime, have a safe and happy 4th of July, and put away the snowblower, for a few months.