Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

Stop.

First, write out a one page business plan that outlines who you'll serve, how you'll serve them, what qualifies you to provide your services, and why anyone would hire you.

Next, write a simple, one page marketing plan that outlines who you'll target, how you'll target them, how often, what you'll offer, and the primary benefits of doing business with you.

Why do you think anyone hires a service provider based on how "catchy" that person's company name is? How, exactly, do your power words connect to the world of event planning and how do they convey a primary benefit?

Adding to Gary's great questions: where are you located, what type of events (budget, size, etc.), and what extra sizzle would you bring to your clients?

I actually have a business plan that outlines who my target audience is and the type of services that I offer. I am located in Houston Texas and the event planning market is saturated with wedding planners so I know my niche is much needed. I plan events like corporate meetings, birthday parties, cocktail events, holiday parties, bridal showers and on occasion some weddings but on a smaller scale with budgets up to $30,000. My extra sizzle is the personalization that I bring to my events. My events are unique and always over the top. I am looking to start working on the building a brand and getting started with logo and website creation hence my search for a name that stands out and separates me from the pack.

Extravaganza Houston
Over The Moon Parties & Events

Axtie

you don't need a tagline, you need a USP. In a crowded market it will set you above and apart from everybody else

... to those people you want.

Everyone else won't take any notice, but then they wouldn't anyway - so what's the difference?

Can we have something special that really makes you different, in very real terms. This is extremely hard to do, and just looking in the mirror won't be enough. Check your references - send them an email asking them what they really liked about your business. And, ask them to be truthful: ask them what they **didn't like**.

Because this last is the bone-cruncher. To really set yourself apart, make yourself genuine, state something that is bad about your business. Fess up to it, be totally honest about it. Your best clients won't mind at all and your worst ones wouldn't like you even if you bent over backwards twice.

That is the first step to getting your USP (unique selling proposition - Rosser Reeves, Reality in Advertising, 1961).

In the mean time, since you ask:

Explosive events - no clockwork!
Axtie's events. Personal pizzazz

Let's hear from you. M

You'll build your brand by exceeding people's expectations and by over delivering on people's events by preempting their needs. Branding has less to do with logos and design than most people realize. Perhaps Elegant Events Unlimited will serve you well.

Razzle Dazzle
Event planning with style

Thank you for all the responses. Great advice on the USP, I will have to look more into that. I understand that the type of actual services rendered is what's most important to the clients and that is why I have gotten as far as I have by references only. That worked for a more close knit city but since moving to Houston, I know that I will have to put in the much needed extra effort into attracting new clients. I spend time getting to know my clients personality so I can offer them the most unique larger than life event. My clients have raved about the extent of personalization they receive and know that there is nothing cookie cutter. So I would like to carve out a niche for myself in the smaller exclusivity event planning market.

Hey! Axtie .... "There's nothing cookie cutter here" could be an excellent tagline. After all, it came from your experiences with past clients - and will stand you in good stead with your new ones. Your references are the key to your new business.

Wish you well!

M xxx

Swanky = Company Name, or maybe "Sizzle"
Elegant Events = tagline

All the responses have been great and well received. I especially like the tagline"There's no cookie cutter here" (thanks Moriarty) because that is exactly what I excel in. As for the name, I have looked into some of the names presented and some already exist which is to be expected but short of adding my name in front of it, I wondered about other names that will capture the essence of my business. What are thoughts on De L'allure Events Inc.(to have style, to have a certain elegance)? Thank you

regarding ..." thoughts on De L'allure Events Inc.".

What percentage of your target audience speaks french, would understand this name?

"A Certain Elegance, Inc." might work better with a clarifying tagline.