What’s in a name? What are the important things to remember when choosing one for your business and how can you protect it? In this episode, I dive into the importance of having a name that will make you stand out and why you should register a trademark.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• Why names are important
• The mistake of adopting a name that can’t be yours
• The primary concern when choosing a name
• Why you should choose a name that can function as a trademark
• The risk of having a descriptive name
• Why you should register a trademark

Key Takeaways:

• Names are probably one of the most important choices you make in terms of your intellectual property rights. By giving your offering a good name, your identity will stand out and help you to build a business on strong foundations.
• A brand name which you develop your brand identity around is analogous to a plot of land on which you might build a house. The designs, logo, and other identity creation work are the equivalent of buildings you might put on a plot of land.
• Legal effectiveness is the most important aspect of names because the objective of a name is to enable you to stand out and differentiate yourself from competitors.
• Customers find you by looking out for your brand name, so it’s crucial that your name is unique and distinctive to you.
• Over time, your brand will develop a reputation. It will also be associated in the minds of your consumers with things like the quality or value of your services, the fashionable nature of your goods or their exclusivity. So it’s important to register your rights in the name to make sure it’s firmly yours.
• The key to success in business is to differentiate your offerings from that of others in virtually everything you do.

 

Action Steps:

• When you choose the name of your brand or your business, keep in mind that a mere name evokes certain reactions and emotional responses. It can give customers an idea or feeling about your business even before they’ve used your services.
• Be mindful of IP principles so that you can create a valuable intellectual property for yourself.
• Don’t adopt a name if it can’t be yours. Do thorough due diligence checks on a name and be risk-averse when it comes to choosing one.

 

Shireen said:

“However perfect a name may be, if it belongs to someone else or can’t function as a trademark, move on and find another because you’re not going to be doing yourself any favors using that name.”

“In business, we have to assume that we’re going to be successful. So think big… and worry more about protecting your distinctiveness… Don’t be tempted to take the easy way out unless all you’re doing is gauging interest for a new concept. ”

Thank you for listening!

If you want to learn more about names, visit my website and sign up to the free video course on names while it’s still available.

Connect with me on your preferred social media platform. And if you haven’t already done so, do subscribe to this podcast and download all the episodes to access the free audio on How to Trademark a Name. And I would love it if you would be good enough to leave a review! I will read every single one and take your feedback onboard.

 

Links to my books and online courses:

• Books by Shireen Smith:
• • Legally Branded
  • Intellectual Property Revolution
• Legally Branded Academy Course
• Legally Branded Monthly

 

More from Shireen Smith:

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Shireen’s Website

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