How to Choose a Name for Your Business

<h1>How to Choose a Name for Your Business</h1>

by Leva Duell

<div align=justify>How to Choose a Name for Your Business
by Leva Duell
Copyright © 2004

Choosing a name for your business is important. Select it 
carefully.

Be sure the name fits these criteria:

. Indicate what kind of business you are in.
. Easy to remember.
. Distinctive - stand out from your competition.
. Catch the client's attention.
. Create a professional image.
. Inspire clients to buy from you.

Which of these has more appeal? HyperTyper or Judy's Word 
Processing? "HyperTyper" tells what Gloria does. Not only 
does she type, but she types fast. Many people have 
commented they choose Gloria's services because of her 
business name.

A Promotional Tool

The right name is an effective advertising tool. If the name 
doesn't describe the nature of your business, potential 
clients may not realize that you offer something they need.

Choose a simple name your clients will be able to remember, 
pronounce, and spell. They have to remember your business 
name to look you up in the phone book or call information 
when they lost your phone number. For example -- Which of 
these is easier to remember: "Bob's Graphics," or "La 
Sécretere Rapide?"

The first letter of your business name will affect where you 
are listed in the Yellow Pages. Keep your name short - a 
long name increases your advertising cost.

List Characteristics

List all the characteristics of your business. Find 
synonyms. Check several categories in the Yellow Pages and 
look for existing names you like. Play with combinations and 
variations of all of the above.

Brainstorm

Brainstorm to come up with ideas for the perfect business 
name. Brainstorming involves the interaction among several 
people where each throws out ideas. Send a short survey to 
your friends and business associates. Have them vote from 
1-10.

If you offer secretarial services, try using any of these 
descriptions in a name: Word Processing, Secretarial 
Services, Transcription, and Office Support.

Should You Use Your Own Name?

Using your name, followed by the type of service works well 
if you have a reputation in your specialty. An example is 
"Michelle Smith's Medical Transcription."

Looking like a one-person organization makes your business 
more personalized. People like to deal with the same person 
rather than with different people each time. Try your own 
name in combination with any of the above. Add words such 
as Professional, Excellent, Reliable/Dependable, Fast, 
and Creative.

Test Your Name

Once you have chosen a few names, test them out on friends 
and family, potential clients and everyone you know. Ask 
them what kind of service they think you provide and what 
feeling they get about the name. Check the fictitious 
business names to be sure nobody else uses the same name.

Register Your Fictitious Business Name (D.B.A.)

If you want to operate your business under a name other than 
your personal name, e.g., John Doe doing business as "Typing 
Plus," the county, city, or state may require you to 
register your fictitious name. Registering your business 
name also prevents others from using it.

Procedures vary from state to state. In many states, you pay 
a registration fee to the county clerk at the county office. 
Some states require placing a fictitious-name ad in a local 
newspaper. The newspaper printing the legal notice for your 
business name usually files the necessary papers with the 
county for a small fee. Check your local papers and shop 
around as prices vary drastically.

Your bank may require a fictitious-name registry to open a 
business account. Call your bank or local city courthouse to 
find out the procedure for your area.

Fictitious-name filings do not apply to corporations in most 
states unless the corporation is doing business under a name 
other than its own. You won't need to register a fictitious 
business name if your own name is part of your business name 
because the registration's purpose is to protect your 
clients by making it public knowledge who owns the 
business.

Sample Of Fictitious Business Names

A Way With Words, Anderson Typefast, Office Specialist, 
Hypertyper, Private Secretary, Qualitype, SOS Secretarial 
Services, The Branch Office, The Office Extension, The Steno Pool, 
Word Processing Emergencies 
 
 
 
After selecting your business name, you can create your 
logo, letterhead, envelopes, and business cards.

----------------------------------------------
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Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/business/branding/article-265.html">ArticlePros.com</a>
 
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