Here’s How:

1. Brainstorm. Think about how you want people to feel when they hear the name. Write down the words on paper and then categorize them by primary meaning.
2. Relate. Think about related words and phrases that evoke the feelings you want. Hit the thesaurus and find all the synonyms for your words and phrases.
3. Relate more. Find out the Greek and Latin translations of your words. Figure out what colors, gemstones, plants, animals, etc., relate to your words.
4. Experiment. Start playing with combinations of your various words and partial words. Don’t be judgmental now – just make a list.
5. Reflect. Review your list and just give some thought to each name. How does it make you feel when you hear it?
6. Communicate. Go over the list with someone you trust. Have them tell you how each name makes them feel, and how memorable they think it is.
7. Prioritize. Throw out any that just don’t fit and make a prioritized list of the rest.
8. Check trademarks. Make sure no one is using that name in your line of business. You may be able to use the name in a completely different business, but be aware that it may create confusion for both you and them.
9. Check domain names. You want to make sure that an appropriate domain name is available. You want YourCompanyName.com, of course. If that’s not available, you may want to reconsider.
10. Search the internet. Even if someone doesn’t have the domain, you still want to see what else is out there that has the same name. That doesn’t mean you don’t use it if you find something, but you need to know.
11. Check company names. If you’re planning to incorporate, check with the Secretary of State (or other appropriate office outside the U.S.) of the state you’re planning to incorporate in.
12. Check assumed names. For sole proprietors, check for local assumed names (also known as DBA). In the U.S., you check this with the County Clerk.
13. Stake your claim! Register your assumed name or file your incorporation papers right away. Also, start using either TM (trademark) or SM (service mark). You do NOT have to register them to use them.
14. Get the domain(s). Find an inexpensive registrar and register your domain and any obvious variations on it. You shouldn’t be paying more than $10 a year for each, and at that, it pays to prevent poachers.
15. Protect your brand. A U.S. trademark or service mark costs $325. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to trying to defend it later. It’s not really necessary, though, for a small local business.

Tips:

1. Avoid generic names based on names, such as Joe’s Bar, Sam’s Hardware, etc. They’re not memorable and are nearly impossible to trademark.
2. Avoid generic names that literally describe the product or service, like Computer Consulting Company, Appliance Sales and Service, Inc., etc.
3. Generally, avoid geographical names. Besides not generally being very memorable, what happens if you decide to move or expand? The exception is if you’re trying to create a strong local affinity like, say, a neighborhood bar.
4. Preferably, don’t restrict future product or service lines. Be broad enough to include your wildest long-term vision for the business.
5. Try to keep the name short and easy to pronounce

Find any ad you feel is missing something. Are the words not packing a punch? Does the headline fizzle? Is the call to action weak? Not motivated to buy the product after you finish the ad? Choose an ad that is missing the key elements all copywriting projects need.

You're going to use this original ad to create your own version. This is called a SPEC AD.

In the advertising industry, a SPEC AD (for speculative ad) is an ad you created on your own. You didn't work with the ad agency or client to create the ad. You are simply using a SPEC AD to show your own take on how you would write the ad.

SPEC ADS are very common for budding copywriters who have little to no experience under their belt. They are a great way for you to display your copywriting talent to a potential client or employer. Most copywriters who use SPEC ADS in their portfolio have limited or no copywriting samples to show in the interview process.

For our example, we've selected a print ad in a magazine.

With an explosion of choice in product and service selection winning more business is getting tougher each year. Reaching and nurturing customer relations are essential for a small business to survival. Central to managing any customer relationship is CRM or customer relationship management software. Discover the necessary survival strategy of managing customer relations with the technology of today.

Gone are the days of marketing to your potential customer base and sitting back to reap the rewards of a great ad campaign. Gone are the days of grabbing the hottest leads and forgetting about the warmer less inclined to buy now clients. Gone are the days of using a simple notebook or excel spreadsheet to collect your lead list.

Customer Relationship Management: Share of Wallet.

The late father of management Peter Drucker, simply stated, “Shares in disposable income are the foundation of all economic information. Businesses keep figures on sales and know whether they go up or down. But practically none knows the truly important figure: the share of the disposable income of their customers that is being spent on the products or services that they produce and sell.”

The battle for customers is a zero sum game. No matter how wonderful your product or service, your potential customers have a limited disposable income. Their disposable income is in a state of change with rising and fall incomes and living expenses. How can you get your share of their wallet?

Companies poised to win their share of the wallet know customer relationship management is not a luxury but an essential to being in business. According to Forrester Research, businesses under 100 employees will account for more than 30% the CRM market reach in 2007. Is your small business CRM ready?

Overcoming the Hurdles to Successful CRM Implementation.

Customer relationship management or CRM is the methodology and tools of finding, communicating, and retaining your best customers. Software programs such as GoldMine or ACT! or subscription services like Salesforce.com help you build lead lists, merge mail, handle contacts, and assess the results of your marketing campaigns.

Many larger corporations have failed at successful implementation of CRM. While it’s easy to blame the software or incompetent staff, the real issue lies with employee motives, time, and training. Use these success tactics for overcoming the hurdles you will encounter with CRM.

Spot Check: My own experiences with customer relationship management tools found employees aren't only reluctant to adapt a new technology but outright resist the sales lead component of CRM software. For under performers, tracking leads reveals their true incompetence. I have witnessed sales personal enter in fake names and numbers to avoid the scrutiny of a sales manager. Successful implementation of CRM requires periodic spot checking of lead entries and even calling leads to see if they exist.

Make Time: Whether you are the only user of CRM software or have a staff, it’s critical to set aside time each week for using the technology. Like any new business application, regular use will reduce time and help you see the rewards of CRM.

Get Trained: A large part of setting aside time is learning the new tools of CRM. Learning typically follows a U-shaped curve with the initial phase being difficult till it peaks and learning accelerates. Be patient and in no time you will master the must have tools of CRM.

Winning the customer game with customer relationship management tools is a necessary for any small business today. The more you know your customers and build a strong relationship, the greater your odds at winning the minds and wallets of your customers in the competitive market.

It might surprise you to hear that there are only two ways to make money online, but, its true. No matter how many methods of making money online there are, they all come down to 2 basic methods. The reason so many people fail to make money online, is simply because they fail to understand this concept. They waist their time and money, and never make a dime. If you want to succeed in making a living online, you need to understand that when it comes down to it, there are only two ways to make money online, and those two methods are:

Trading one’s time for money

This is the first and I believe the easiest way for making money online. Online money making methods like, paid surveys, freelancing, GPT, writing for websites and blogs, designing themes and etc fall under this category. Of course, you could argue that you need some knowledge and know how to make money with most of these methods, which is true, but, all of these methods require you to spend time. So, when it comes down to it, you are trading your time for money. Simple as that!

Trading online traffic for money

Another basic thing you need to make money online, is simply trading traffic for money. The goal is simple, drive traffic to a website, blog or what have you, and try to convert that traffic into sales. A lot of great online money making methods fall under this category, such as blogging, CPA marketing, affiliate marketing, ad sense revenue sharing and any other method that realize on traffic for making money.

Yes, there are many ways to make money online, some can make you thousands of dollars, and some are only good for making a little extra cash. But, when you think about it, all of them come down to these 2 methods. Any online money making method that you can think of, that you or someone else is using to make money online, is possible either by trading time for money or trading traffic for money, and in some case both. So, if you can do either or both, congratulations! you have hunderds of possible ways to make money online.

You sent out the best direct mail piece you've ever seen. Your catalog belongs in the Smithsonian. Your brochure is so great you framed it and put it next to the pictures of your kids.

So why aren't you getting sales?

Take a look at your call to action. With any advertising materials, it's crucial that you get potential customers to act. Now!

Use the following techniques to create a call to action that will have your phones ringing off the hook and your profits reinventing your sales graphs:

Give a Deadline for Ordering
We've all received some sort of promotional material that has a deadline for ordering. The offer could end on that date.

Or you could use the deadline in conjunction with an upgrade or free gift. For example, order by the 15th and receive....

Also, try to make the cut off date in the same month as your materials will be received. That way, your potential customers know they only have a limited time to respond and they won't fall victim to the "I'll do it later" syndrome.

Advise of a Price Increase
People want to get in on a good deal. If your price is going up on a specific date, let your customers know. They'll want to buy before your product's price increases.

Establish a Trial/Introductory Period
Trial periods are a great way to get new customers. Offer a special deal, extra service or a lower price during your trial/introductory period.

Free Gift
Nothing attracts new customers like free gifts. As an added incentive for ordering, offer your free gift to the first 100 or 1000 people that respond.

"No Risk" Trial
People want to know there's no risk involved if they're not satisfied with the product/service. Let new customers know they can cancel for any reason before the trial period expires.

"Not Available in Stores"
Is your product exclusive to mail order? If your product's not available in stores, be sure to tell your customers. They'll know they can only order your product from you instead of visiting the local stores.

Offer an Upgrade
One simple line can boost your sales. "Order within 10 days and we'll upgrade you to the deluxe model."

Free Supplies/Accessories
You've seen this technique used with computer sales. Buy a computer and receive a free printer. This works with a whole range of products. But be sure to include a date on your offer. This politely urges people to take advantage of your offer before time runs out.

Use Action Phrases
No matter how you approach your own call to action, be sure to include action phrases:

Call Now. Toll Free. 24 Hours a Day. Mail this coupon today in the postage-paid envelope. Fax your response card.

Avoid Passive Phrases
Be sure to avoid passive phrases like:

You know how to reach us. Call when you're ready to order.

Give your customers the perks of responding immediately. They'll grab their wallets. You'll see an increase in profits.

Phone answering skills are critical for businesses. The telephone is still most business's primary point of contact with customers. And the way you answer your company's phone will form your customer's first impression of your business. These phone answering tips will ensure that callers know they're dealing with a winning business:

Answer all incoming phone calls before the third ring.

When you answer the phone, be warm and enthusiastic. Your voice at the end of the telephone line is sometimes the only impression of your company a caller will get.

When answering the phone, welcome callers courteously and identify yourself and your organization. Say, for instance, "Good morning. Cypress Technologies. Susan speaking. How may I help you?" No one should ever have to ask if they've reached such and such a business.

Enunciate clearly, keep your voice volume moderate, and speak slowly and clearly when answering the phone, so your caller can understand you easily.

Control your language when answering the phone. Don't use slang or jargon. Instead of saying, "OK", or "No problem", for instance, say "Certainly", "Very well", or "All right". If you're a person who uses fillers when you speak, such as "uh huh", "um", or phrases such as "like" or "you know", train yourself carefully not to use these when you speak on the phone.

Train your voice and vocabulary to be positive when phone answering, even on a "down" day. For example, rather than saying, "I don't know", say, "Let me find out about that for you."

Take telephone messages completely and accurately. If there's something you don't understand or can't spell, such as a person's surname, ask the caller to repeat it or spell it for you. Then make sure the message gets to the intended recipient.

Answer all your calls within one business day. I can't emphasize this one enough. Remember the early bird? The early caller can get the contract, the sale, the problem solved... and reinforce the favorable impression of your business that you want to circulate.

Always ask the caller if it's all right to put her on hold when answering the phone, and don't leave people on hold. Provide callers on hold with progress reports every 30 to 45 seconds. Offer them choices if possible, such as "That line is still busy. Will you continue to hold or should I have ________ call you back?"

Don't use a speaker phone unless absolutely necessary. Speaker phones give the caller the impression that you're not fully concentrating on his call, and make him think that his call isn't private. The only time to use a speaker phone is when you need more than one person to be in on the conversation at your end.

If you use an answering machine to answer calls when you can't, make sure that you have a professional message recorded, that does the same thing as tip # 3, and gives callers any other pertinent information before it records their messages. Update your answering machine message as needed. For instance, if your business is going to be closed for a holiday, update your recorded answering machine message to say so and to say when your business will reopen.

Train everyone else who answers the phone to answer the same way, including other family members if you're running a home-based business. Check on how your business's phone is being answered by calling in and seeing if the phone is being answered in a professional manner. If they don't pass the test, go over this telephone answering tips list with them.