How to Choose a Name for Your Business

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.