Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

What about the event planning? Event planning, membership, fundraising, corporate events, social media for small business/non-profits. There is not one or two words that explain it all.

That's a great point and you have clearly stated what my inner dialogue has been in the naming of my consulting business, going between WhiteLion Consulting and my name - Kimberly Adams, or, Adams Consulting. Neither state I am in the business to help non-profits or small business with their membership programs, fundraising and event planning.

I see the image of a white lion as unique, successful and full of confidence. My name does not evoke any of that. Kimberly Adams. Incidentally, many people shorten my name and call me Kimba. That is my identity. Yeah, a little quirky but my personality is big and warm enough to pull it off. I have already planned one large event under WhiteLion Consulting in this area, but it is not too late to change gears.

Thank you so much for your input in this. I have spent months going around and around about it.

MGoodman - you raise an excellent question, "If there isn't a benefit that covers all the things you do, then your marketing strategy probably won't work regardless of the tagline (or the name)."

My benefit is providing a Resource or Solution to small businesses or small non-profits who do not have the staff or expertise to increase their membership programs, plan their events and ultimately increase their fundraising dollars.

Again, I really appreciate the help!

One idea is to let WhiteLion (Consulting) be your "umbrella" business name, and let your various different aspects (for different audiences) be divisions of your umbrella. Trying to say a lot in a tagline (or even on your home page of your website) is likely to either be generic or verbose. In either case, non-effective. Stay focused on your message for each of your audiences.

I have considered Kimba Consulting - but I think that is quirkier than WhiteLion. The posts on this thread seem to not like WhiteLion Consulting. I am beginning to see the light. Something I did not want to admit. I appreciate everyone's input.

There is no way to make WhiteLion work even with the clever tagline.

WhiteLion Business Solutions
WhiteLion Resource Development

I know, I am still trying....

Kimba

Kimba, remember that your best customers will love you for being a quirky and possibly difficult person. No few times you will be asked to do difficult things, only they are difficult because the business isn't being efficient and turning their thinking around will mean that your very quirkiness acts as the motivation.

What's more, it's something that your best customers can see as being honest - simply because it isn't generic. In the consultancy business, standing out will upset people; well that means they wouldn't trust you anyway and that means they wouldn't take your advice - and so not be a good customer to you. They are the kind of people who are frustrating to deal with because all your ideas meet with blank stares and objections. Or worse. Acceptance and non-implementation.

How about "Kimba Business Consulting - the white lion of consulting services" my point is that it shows you are quirky but also brave. In a world of corporate fear, being a white lion is way more than just saying it. That you are a little uncomfortable with the name is also an indicator that it means you have to trust your customers first, and that means you are reaching out to them. The ones who will really appreciate what you can do for them will see this as an act of faith on your part, something that demonstrates your honesty.

Does this help any?

FYI .. "Kimba, The White Lion" is a cartoon/animation character. Perhaps a name that sounds like a Disney production explains why you're having some reservations. Trust your gut reaction to this branding direction.

Oops ;-)

How the other half live ...

Yes Steve Byrne - that is my problem with using the name Kimba in the name of the company. Kimba was a 70's cartoon - and then Disney used that premise to create "The Lion King" and Simba was the character.

Impact Membership Services - and use the WhiteLion logo?

Kimberly
WhiteLion Consulting - Small Business, Event & Non-Profit Consulting

I'd go for

Kimberly
WhiteLion Consulting - Small Business, Event & Non-Profit Consulting

Moriarty - are you teasing me?

Kimba

Moriarty - are you teasing me?

Kimba

If you showed the "WhiteLion logo" to twenty people and asked them what business did they think of after seeing it, would anyone say "membership programs"? Why do you need a logo (otherwise called a mark or bug)? What will it do for you (your customers)?

"Impact Membership Services" was just an example of changing creative direction. Alternatives to "Impact" might be .. Boost, Surge, Triumph, Harvest and so on. Consult your favorite thesaurus for more ideas, and remember to think from your customers pov.

My apologies if you felt I was demeaning you. I wasn't. I'd run out of road, if you get what I mean. I did like Kimba for all the connotations - I mean how many people know this? To me it just sounds African, and that's fair enough isn't it? Let's face it, you've got kids called Laptop and iPhone running around in Zimbabwe, so why not Kimba?

As a consultant you are going to have to stand up to these kinds of assumptions - just as I do here, being seen as an "amateur" because my thinking is too "far out" for the regular crew. It unsettles them, because it's unfixed. So they and other questioners need to deal with that and so they treat me in that way so as they can then remain the professionals. If you can grasp my logic here. Reverse engineering psychology is one thing that will get you a long way in consulting, and it won't matter what you call yourself or who-calls-you-what if you can do that - because you'll be able to answer their questions so fast that they'll wonder how you do it.

I'm usually countered with "how do you know that when I haven't even asked you that yet"

Even if you explain it to them, they'll still be puzzled. Just ask them to enact it, and they'll get results they need - and in the world of consultancy, that's what makes the difference.

After all, I get results. Gary Bloomer was the regular who used to have the best answer rate here on the forum. Now it's me by a nose - and he's been here three years longer than I. Whilst I may appear amateur, I get results. That's what people pay me for. And that's what people will pay you for, whatever your business name is. To me a quirky one that raises a few issues is one that'll stand out.

It's also one you happen to like as well.