Page 67 - The 7 Day Startup: You Don’t Learn Until You Launch - PDFDrive.com
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2. Is it simple?
Always favor a name that’s simple. Even if it doesn’t mean anything, being
simple makes it memorable. Eventually it will mean something. Case in point:
Apple.
Here are some quick guidelines: Try to avoid making up words. Don’t use
misspellings or words that people commonly misspell. This only increases the
chance people won’t find you. Most importantly, keep your name to fewer than
12 characters if possible. Every single one of the top 25 brands in the world are
12 characters or less16. I repeat:
Every single one of the top 25 brands in the world are 12 characters or
less.
That is assuming, of course, that you can use an abbreviated form such as “GE”
instead of “General Electric.”
3. Is it easy to say out loud?
No matter how clever you are at marketing, there is a very good chance that your
best method for finding customers will be word of mouth. Your business name
has to be easy to say in order for people to talk about you.
Amazon was originally named Cadabra. During one conversation between
founder Jeff Bezos and his lawyer, the lawyer mistook the name for “Cadaver.”
Bezos realized that others could make the same mistake and changed it to
Amazon.
4. Do you like it?
You will have to say it a lot, so you better like it. It will grow on you to some
extent, but don’t start with something you don’t like.
5. Does it make sense for your idea?
