What does this mean? Try to start your name with a strong sounding consonant or a plosive.

4) Do your language checks

Most huge naming blunders are due to Spanish language. There are dozens of examples of companies not doing their checks and consequently ruining their campaigns. It’s easy to check, but many people tend not to bother. If you opt to use an uncommon word, it’s best to check its meaning in foreign languages. It could save you lots of embarrassment later on.

5) Stick to short and simple

Short simple words that have real world associations work best. People can identify and picture words that have some sort of association. A problem that many fanciful names have is that they need a lot of marketing to build brand name. Made up names have no meaning, thus need large amounts of exposure to get remembered.

Short and simple names that are pleasant (even fun) to say are often best names.

6) Traditional meaning is only one part of equation

Consider how your name looks. Does it look feminine? Does it convey trust or reliability? Typically, words that have lots of round looking letters such as o, m, n and so on, are softer and more feminine. Letters with hard, rugged strokes such as k and x are more harsh and manly.

Consider Olay and Clorox, and you get idea. Consider your target market and what image you want to convey when creating your name.

7) Relax, and let your thoughts flow

You know it’s true. Good ideas usually flow when you’re relaxed and not trying too hard. If you’re struggling to find a winning name that’s available – take a break. Do something else. You’ll often get lots of new ideas and come back a whole lot fresher.

By understanding and applying basic naming techniques, creating dozens of great sounding names that are still available, is very possible. Don’t fall for myth that all good names are gone. They’re not. In fact they’re becoming easier to come by as people give up on dot com hype.

A bit of persistence combined with simple naming sense, and your next name is likely to be a true winner.

About Author

Andy Routledge is webmaster of http://www.name-genie.com, a site dedicated to creating quality names for your business or products. For more naming tips and tricks, visit http://www.name-genie.com

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So Choose, Already

How can you do so? Each of above largely contradicts all others on list, relative to a "best approach." If you read supporting arguments, you undoubtedly found some facts to support view. But opinions included added to uncertainty of conclusions.

To be in a position in which you are forced to reevaluate any major aspect of your business, is one in which you stand alone. You're fortunate if you know even a single person with whom you can chat about dilemma. And in end, you alone must make decision, execute it, and live with consequences.

I don't know of a tougher spot to be in. A struggling business can be made or broken by a single decision. And even a successful business may take a heavy hit given a bad one.

Give It Time

Unlike hypothetical CEO above, you do not need to make any major decision today. This week. Or even by end of month. If it's your ad campaign that is floundering, cancel it. Then get on with business. Add fresh content. Seek new products easier to sell. Improve your newsletter. Stay on top of support. And so forth.

And, of course, begin dealing with problem. But not whole of it. Nibble at it in little bits and pieces. And let results show you over time what will work best for you.

Break The Problem Into Manageable Parts

For example, focus on what you're read about banners, and lay all other advice about advertising aside. Explore as time permits. If you become convinced it won't work for you, move on to another item. But if you decide this is something you must try, do it.

But only as an experiment. Don't for a moment consider 10,000 CPM at Yahoo, for that's utter foolishness. Begin small, test carefully, and do so over time. Given anything resembling positive results, maybe try a different banner. And monkey with other variables, such as location. All in hopes of better results.

Little Decisions Are Easier To Make

The key is in making small moves and tracking results with care. Each action will succeed or fail. You only need to give it time. Move on to a different element of your plan for improving your overall advertising campaign, only when you're confident of your decision on latest move made.

Let time help you make decision. And you can spare it. For element being considered is sufficiently small that total failure will not have significant impact on your business. Success, however, is one more positive step toward achieving your goal.