“Perhaps you can help me,” he asked? It was July 2021, and on my way back from celebrating at my brother’s place, Ola driver Mo Hilal had found out I am a writer by trade. He was looking for a name for a kebab place/foodcart that he and two colleagues were going to kick off. … Continue reading The least I can do is gift a great name
Category Archives: Brand name
Ernest Hemingway was once apparently challenged (now believed to not be true) to write a story in six words. His supposed answer was: “For sale, baby shoes, never worn”. We fill in the dots, we figure out what must’ve happened, we feel a surge of sorry as we empathise with the parents. My partner brought … Continue reading A perfect story in four words – a true Million Dollar Message
It’s somewhat ironic and apt that Victoria/Wellington University’s name debate is now a political argument. Ronald Reagan can perhaps lay claim to the phrase ‘explaining is losing’ – and that is exactly what happens when you use the term Victoria University. (Reagan’s contention was that messaging needs to be as simple as possible, with as … Continue reading Explaining is losing – let’s kill the name Victoria University
A brand name by association can be a useful thing. Which is where Duckworth Lewis Accommodation has been clever in its nomenclature. This boarding house (formerly a pub) could’ve called itself Adelaide Road, Te Aro, Hospital Visitor Accommodation, or any number of lesser names. But, being located right beside The Basin Reserve (the home of … Continue reading A brand name that many will get…though some will go ‘huh’?
Perhaps it’s indicative of alcohol’s margins that they often have great advertisements. That is, they can afford to get their words right. So, and in no way condoning or encouraging alcohol consumption (though I do drink), here’s a very clever way to remind people Stella Artois has stood the test of time. “600 years of … Continue reading A more than beerly acceptable way to promote yourself
To know what your business really really is, and express it in a form that resonates with all is rightly a holy grail. Understand and use your business essence, expressed as words, and you: Have the basis of your first, most important story…and all other stories Have an internal company rallying call Have soul However … Continue reading Your essence – the gem at the heart of your business
Well-known author of 19 best selling non-fiction books Seth Godin knows a thing or two about writing. He reckons we scan 10 words the first time we read a page, post, ad or memo. He recommends highlighting the 10 most important words of the 1000 (or 100 or whatever) words you originally write. Then start … Continue reading We scan a page and see 10 words
A good story is obvious…once you see it The best stories appear effortless. Whether it is someone spinning a yarn, telling you in less than 10 seconds why you should be interested in what they’re selling, or the first thing read on a website, a good story captivates us. As Lisa Cron outlines in her … Continue reading A good story is obvious…once you see or hear it
All businesses are telling their stories all the time. But it can be a mightily difficult task to retain coherence in all those stories. (Different people tell different stories in different ways). It is very easy to go off on a tangent as you illustrate your different products and services. Such tangents are natural good … Continue reading The huge value of a messaging ‘North Star’
Many of us, myself included, are inclined to say yes to requests for help. Even though we don’t really want to, or have the capacity, to help, we hum and haw, and say maybe or yes. Being at a recent group meeting where one of the participants found it equally difficult to turn down help … Continue reading Why you should “say no quickly”