Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

If you want to do this right, you need to first figure out what your positioning(s) will be. Who is your primary target audience? What do they need that they don't have now (and that you can deliver for them)? What makes you any different from, or better than, everyone else in town who in in the handyman business or the interior decorating business?

You might start by asking yourself (and then sharing with us) how you'll know when we come up with a winning name (or names). What criteria will you use to determine whether we have a winner or not? If you can start to answer that question, then we'll know what kinds of names to come up with. There are lots of options, of course.

The names would ideally reflect what's on the minds of your primary target audience, more than what you think you want to do. Have you spoken with some of the people who might be your customers? That isn't a bad idea, because ultimately you'll have to present your services to them anyway, and the better you understand them going-in the better you'll be at it.

Try talking to a dozen people in your target audience and find out what needs they have that are not being well met today. Don't sell them your services or try to get them to ask you for a quote. Just ask them a few high-gain questions and let them talk while you listen and take notes. (No fair talking to friends or family, even if they are in your target audience.)

When you have a dozen good interviews that way, review and analyze your notes. You'll know what your positioning should be, and you'll probably have a few good candidates for your business names.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

P.S. Your husband should do his own interviews. It will help him more than either of you realize.