MarketingProfs' Members Register for B2B Forum 2010 for just $695! (good until 11/30) »

Ask your question ... sign up today! It's FREE!
Taglines/Names     
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
Freelance Writer....wanting To Be Taken Seriously
Posted By: jen.mifflin on 10/17/2006 10:35 AM (CST) 250 Points
Hi! I am looking for ideas for a business name and tagline for my freelance writing company. It is just myself, with the possibility of expanding in the future. I have been freelancing for almost a year and am looking at becoming more "professional" by creating a logo, letterhead, a company name and a catchy (inspiring) tagline.
Any suggestions would be great. Please note that while I am wanting something professional - something fun and bubbly may fit - as it suits my writing personality.
Thanks so much, in advance.

Posted by: Melvin @ Volcanic Member Response
10/17/2006 11:25 AM (CST)
When it comes to a company name, there are 3 main factors you should keep in mind: legal availability, memorability & positioning.

LEGAL AVAILABILITY - Is the name legally available for use? I've know so many people who in their 4th or 5th year receive a cease and desist letter from company who had that name both them. A trademark attorney can help you do this type of digging. Or you can get it done cheaper by having a quick trademark search done by Alex von Allmen at BrandMother.com His number is 916-985-6205. Tell him Melvin Ram sent ya.

MEMORABILITY - How memorable is your name? It helps if it is visual. I started my company as Novel Studios. No one could remember it. Now it's Volcanic Marketing. I tell people once and they don't forget. Something sexy or fun or descriptive usually helps.

POSITIONING - Does the name position you correctly in the mind of your target audience? If you're targeting large businesses, a lofty name that seems more established may be the way to go. For smaller businesses who are more price conscious, sounding affordable will be very important.

Whenever I have a client who needs a name, I usually recommend Alex. If you have a few hundred bucks to invest, I'd give him a call. Having a good name pays off because all your other marketing depends on it.

As for my suggestions? How bout:
- Right Ink Copy writing
- Word Play Copywriters
- Affordable Words
- Right Words

Actually, you should probably give more details on the type of writing you do, who your target market is and what your future plans are for people to be able to give you good ideas.

Does this help?
 
Posted by: jen.mifflin Author Response
10/17/2006 11:31 AM (CST)
Hi Melvin - actually it does help. And gives me a lot to think about...

Currently I freelance part time, but am looking into making the change to full time. I mostly write for various magazines (fashion, parenting, travel, etc.), but again am hoping to break into different markets; including ghost writing, resume writing, and creating or revising marketing and promotional information for companies.

I am lokoing to expand my services. And I would like to have a name/tagline that people can associate me and my work with....

Does that help at all??
 
Posted by: Melvin @ Volcanic Accepted Answer
10/17/2006 11:49 AM (CST)
First thing I would suggest is focusing your business.

- Ghost writing
- Resume writing
- Creating or Revising marketing and promotional information

I don't know where you are from and it's market conditions. But I think I can safely assume that any one of those three can earn you a great living and be the foundation for a solid business.

Pick one and dive deep into it. That will help you create a great name as well as great marketing collateral such as websites and flyers. It's more effective to say to someone at a networking function that "I'm a Resume Writer" or "I'm a Marketing Collateral Writer" than to say "I'm a writer."

Make sense?

Melvin Ram
Volcanic Marketing
[URL deleted by staff]
 
Posted by: telemoxie Member Response
10/17/2006 6:16 PM (CST)
In response to Melvin's comment: "Whenever I have a client who needs a name, I usually recommend Alex." - I checked, and sorry, Alex.com is no longer available. Maybe one of Melvin's other clients took his advice, and beat you to it.

But seriously, in addition to nice letterhead and graphics and a super-duper name, I believe that, to be taken seriously, you need a sustained effort to get your information and credentials in front of the right folks. It has been said that it takes 10 to 15 "impressions" to create "top of mind association". And so, if you follow Melvin's advice and focus on a particular specialty or market, you should also consider (and budget) how you will keep your name in front of the right folks on a consistent (and affordable) basis.
 
Posted by: KathySmithFilms* Member Response
10/17/2006 6:53 PM (CST)
The above advise is priceless. Take time to apply it and you will be on a track with a future. This is what I read between the lines so I am putting my 2 cents in on ideas to survey & toss around.

Thought Bubbles - (put a picture of you with a cartoon bubble with your tag)
Integrated Writings - Jen Mifflin's way with your words
Freelance Writing Company - Expert corporate writing by Jen Mifflin
The Scribe - For your next promo campaign
The Mighty Pen - ...and Mouse by jen Mifflin

I feel insouciant today--more spirit of play but i hope this helps.
Kathy
 
Posted by: Melvin @ Volcanic Member Response
10/17/2006 11:10 PM (CST)
hahahaha good one Dave (telemoxie). And good advise. Frequency is critical in marketing. I'm really liking this group of people here.
 
Posted by: jen.mifflin Author Response
10/18/2006 5:24 AM (CST)
Wow - I thought I was going to get some ideas for names. You have all given me so much more to think about. Honestly, thank-you all!
I started freelancing part time from home - writing an article or two a week for various magazines. Now I am wanting to take a step up and make this into a full time job. It was suggested to me to create business cards to include with manuscripts so that editors have something with my name on to keep in front of them.
My main focus will still be article writing - but would like to break into some of the larger world-wide magazines; hence why I would like something fairly serious - yet creative and inspiring.
 
Posted by: Frank Hurtte Member Response
10/18/2006 7:07 AM (CST)
Here is a name...
Writers in the Sky
 
Posted by: Harry Hallman Accepted Answer
10/18/2006 7:41 AM (CST)
I have hired many, many writers for a variety of projects and I never once cared what the name of their company was. I would use Jen Mifflin & Associates. It is a good and easy to remember name. And it is available as a URL.

I could be wrong about this but no one I know in the marketing business hires a writer because they have a catchy company name, and in some cases

Telemoxie has it correct. Create your marketing materials to reflect the target market and get out in front of the targets any way you can.
 
Posted by: saerandy* Accepted Answer
10/18/2006 8:06 AM (CST)
I like "The Mifflin Concern" -- It's textually interesting, and leaves some room for future growth. As Harry points out, a simple name works well and is a good choice. I wonder though if it gives you enough to break through the initial clutter. I think it's always good -- in absence of a readily visible or accessable reputation (like being featured in an article that then drives traffic to your enterprise) -- to have some sort of hook. Anything that causes someone to pause for an additional second and consider is worth a lot. Also, it implies that there is more there than just one individual and that there's a team to draw on.

As you know, "a concern" is defined as "a business". It also implies caring. To me, it's an eloquent way of leveraging the duality of its meaning.

The name, along with a more progressive logo (vs. stodgy and traditional) would give the impression that you're more cutting edge and attuned to culture -- A plus in the minds of some of us that hire copywriters.
 
Posted by: jpoyer Accepted Answer
10/18/2006 11:38 PM (CST)
From one Jen to anthother ...

I really dig Harry's suggestion, and then building on what Kathy suggested for a tag. This makes it a bit more open for future growth as well - because it's not Jen only. ...

Mifflin & Associates ... we have a way with your words

It appears that although mifflinandassociates.com doesn't have a site, it is owned by someone. You might have to play with that a bit, but still try to keep it general. Like J. Mifflin and Associates. ... (JMifflinAndAssociates.com is open)

Hope this helps,

Jennifer
XPRT Creative
 
Posted by: aparrish* Accepted Answer
10/19/2006 11:07 AM (CST)
I agree, market your self.

if you need something cute, beause that IS your style:

go with Jen's Pen

what's your middle initial... are you initials

JAM Inc.
(for instance)

the LOGO or art that you use could help define your style (ie a graphic of the "bubble" or an old typewriter, etc...)
 
Posted by: HDuong Accepted Answer
10/19/2006 4:39 PM (CST)
Here are my list of advice in starting up anything...

1. if you are looking to brand yourself than go with your full name or an abreviated version:

example: Jen Mifflin can be abreviated to Jen Miff- or Jenny Miff

2. Since this business is mostly about you to start i wouldn't go draining your resources on a full on corporate brand or identity.

3. Make sure that your name is available at www.1and1.com the most inexpensive domain name registrar around.

4. Keep it Simple and as inexpensive as possible- don't bother asking someone else until you are actually creating a corporation with many partners as a practice.

5. Use resources like www.pixellogo.com and buy a $40 logo which comes with free templates for business cards and letterheads.

6. Get photoshop from a friend and spend a week to play around with it. Make lots of mistakes in the middle of the night and when you are ready go have it reviewed by some friends or clients.

7. last but not least be as resourceful as you can and condition yourself to get out of your comfort zone and learn as much as you can about branding yourself. Bootstrap, bootstrap, bootstrap, stay up late and when you have locked down your $100K dollar deal - then ask your accountant to put together a budget for creative advice.

I've been involved with many start-ups where we didn't have a business card or logo and to be honest for the first 6 months to a year. From a business standpoint get to your break even point, become profitable and if something isn't a necessity consider it a distraction.

All the best,

Henri
 
Posted by: turqiz Accepted Answer
10/20/2006 4:14 AM (CST)
Hi
I understand you completely, I'm a writer myself, and i know exactly how - even though you are hired for your personal abilities - you know that maybe one day you could expand, and then your name has to be a bit more general so as to be able to contain other writers as well.

So here are a few suggestions that might (hopefully) help:

WriteArt
WordCraft
Write On!
Turn Write
Write4U


Good luck
 


Get more answers ... ReTweet this!

Would you like to post a response?
Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation.
All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right).
Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).




Know-How Exchange powered by MarketingProfs


Sponsored Links

Buy a Link Now

Just Released ... Download Today!
Just Released ... Download Today!
Look inside
Included with Premium Membership
User Name:
Password:
Remember Me
Forgot your password?

Top 25 KHE Experts
(Taglines/Names)
Jay Hamilton-Roth (118779)
PhilGrisolia=Results (50958)
mgoodman (35690)
casey (27917)
vic (25818)
Mikee (24528)
Frank Hurtte (22862)
mdlugozima (22558)
W.M.M.A. (21692)
proeditor (17927)
Jo Masterson (17742)
SteveByrneBranding (13863)
NovaHammer (12753)
JudyJudyJudy (12070)
browncatfan (11145)
Levon (10795)
Gary Bloomer (10570)
Marketing-Riot (10503)
ASVP/ChrisB (10360)
D4Demand (10338)
rakesh_sethia80 (9754)
mbarber (8689)
michael (8270)
peanutpeanut (8225)
SRyan ;] (7751)
Recently Posted Marketing Jobs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Demand Generation Manager
Marketing/Advertising Faculty
Director of Marketing
Market Analyst
Sr. Field Marketing Manager - Business Intell.
Associate Vice President of Marketing and Corporat
Marketing Manager
[more jobs]

Join over 355,000 members ... SIGN UP!

My email address is and I'd like my password to be .

Already a member? Sign In!

My email address is , and my password is .


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.