Article: What are the five or six defining features of your industry? Read industry publications or online articles for help, and write up a list of words. These words can help you come up with a brand name. For example, the following buzzwords might describe the tech industry: agile, explosive, change, connect. Come up with a list of adjectives you want consumers to associate with your brand name. These adjectives can be your company’s values or the emotions and experiences you want consumers to have.  For example, an auto body shop might want consumers to feel relief, transparency, speed, and dependability. A new tech startup might want consumers to experience connection, curiosity, and excitement. Who are you trying to appeal to? Identify your ideal consumer’s style, income, interests, and level of sophistication. Young millennials and members of Generation Z will be drawn to different brands than their parents and grandparents. Furthermore, high-income people probably have different tastes than lower-income people. Avoid generalities. Not all millennials are hip and edgy. For example, you might be trying to appeal to young mothers. In that situation, your audience might be fresh, optimistic, stylish, and seeking stability. Look at your list of adjectives. Do they share something in common? Find a common thread and use that as your brand name. Your name can’t be a string of adjectives. For example, the adjectives for a children’s clothing shop might be “optimistic,” “growing,” and “new,” all of which suggest new beginnings and a bright future. “Sunrise” or “Sunshine” might capture this essence. Your name needs to stand out in the marketplace, particularly on the web. No one can find you if you name yourself “Hammer” or “Elastic.” True, Apple is the name of a famous company, but it would be hard for them to break out today without major money spent on marketing.  Instead of “Hammer,” chose something slightly different: “Crushers.” You might combine words to create a name. For example, Groupon combined “group” and “coupon.” This is an easy way to pick a unique name that always conveys key information about your brand. Names must be easy to remember, so try to make them as short as possible! Ideally, your name should be one word, though that might not be possible. Instead of “We’re Open from Seven to Eleven,” one business named itself “7-11.” Which would you remember? 7-11 is a great name because it also communicates the company's defining characteristic: they are open from 7 in the morning until 11 at night. Your brand is much more than your business name. It also includes your logo and the color schemes you use on your products, website, and packaging. All of these elements must create a unified impression. For example, you might love the dark blue colors your web designer has used on your website. If so, then “Sunshine” probably isn’t a good brand name. Something will need to change—either the website or your brand name.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Draft a list of industry buzzwords. Identify how you want consumers to see you. Pick four adjectives to describe your target market. Boil your business down to its essence. Choose a unique name. Create a mashup name. Shorten your names. Pick a name that works in harmony with your brand.