Does Your Brand Suck?

I believe that many businesses have brands that suck. I mean suck away opportunities for sales and profits!

Let me explain.

First, there are many companies out there with brand names that only indicate they sell printing or promotional products. Names like, "City Printing Company" or "Peoria Promotional Products LLC." These names suggest the company only sells one product.

It would be hard for City Printing to convince customers they are serious about selling promotional products. just as it would be equally hard for Peoria Promotional Products LLC to get customers to think of their company for printing needs.

Second, there are limitations these types of names could put on your company’s future. Today you might be happy to limit your product offering, but product-specific names could potentially limit your opportunity to expand and differentiate your brand in the future.

Finally, and most important to keep in mind, companies that sell products will quote prices, while companies that sell solutions will name their price.

That’s why if your company name mentions products, it sucks. It literally sucks away opportunities for expanded sales and larger profits.

As an alternative, it’s far better to use names that include words like solutions, agency, ideas, images or communications, for example. And, if you run out of ideas, just use your initials! Heck, three initials are good enough for IBM, right?

As Steve Forbes says, “Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business.”