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John J Peterson

Student - Session 5: Branding Your Business

Updated: Feb 7, 2023




YOU MAY FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION PROVIDED BELOW

Let's watch how to brand your business.



SESSION 5: BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS


Class Activity: Business Name Generator.


Still unsure about a business name? Take a few minutes and try this clever and fun business name generator.

Students....Share 3 fun names with the class! https://namelix.com/ Which one is your favorite?


DID YOU DECIDE ON A BUSINESS NAME! What is it? _______________________


Still unsure?....Ask others for feedback or suggestions.



CLASS ACTIVITY: Logo Design

  • Head over to www.canva.com.

  • Think about a color scheme for your business.

  • Use some of Canva's amazing templates

  • Brainstorm and design 3 logos for your new business name.

  • Create 3 logos. ( A logo can be your initials or an image that represents you and your business)


SESSION End Worksheet (if printed) or as CLASS ACTIVITY to review together







 


YOU MAY FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION...

Session 5:

  • Branding the Business

  • Naming the Business

  • Researching Domain Names

  • Checking Trademarks

  • Checking Legal Zoom

  • Discuss Legally Registering The Business (If Applicable)

  • Class Activity/Homework: Logo Design on www.canva.com


Branding The Business - Name Creation


A brand is an identifying symbol, mark, logo, name, word, or sentence that companies use to distinguish their product from others. A combination of one or more of those elements can be utilized to create a brand identity. Legal protection given to a brand name is called a trademark.


A brand is seen as one of a company's most valuable assets. It represents the face of the company, the recognizable logo, slogan, or mark that the public associates with the company. Its brand often refers to the company, and they become one in the same.


Creating a Brand


When a company decides to settle on a brand to be its public image, it must first determine its brand identity or how it wants to be viewed. For example, a company logo often incorporates the message, slogan, or product that the company offers. The goal is to make the brand memorable and appealing to the consumer.


The company usually consults a design firm or design team to develop ideas for the visual aspects of a brand, such as a logo or a symbol. We’ll talk about ways you can create logos or designs for free and fairly simply. If you are at a loss for designing, you can use a site called www.fiverr.com and hire a freelancer to create one for you for a very reasonable price. You can also create your designs and artwork on a free site called www.canva.com.


Brainstorm Names


Before you can create a brand, you’ll need to create a clever business name. You have some options for naming your business venture, and you can use your name or use a pseudonym. Most of my business operates under my name, John. J. Peterson. You can find me on iTunes, Facebook, and Youtube. One branded example is my air-tire kick scooter business, and I use the name “SlickScoots” (www.slickscoots.com). I also started a niche online photography gallery called “Mile Square Gallery”(mainly urban/city photography), which I recently promoted on one of my Instagram/Facebook pages.


My family operates a Print-On-Demand (T-shirt) and Amazon affiliate store called www.cloveandlime.com, which is niche’d for faith-based customers and homeschoolers. The name of your business should be relative to your interest. If you don’t have an interest or passion yet, you can use your name or a variation of your name. Also, it would be good to choose a name that isn’t already taken by a .com, .net, or .org.


Still unsure?


Try this clever and fun business name generator:



Trademark Search


Ensure you don’t use something that has already been taken or trademarked. You can first “google” search to ensure no one else is using that name. You can also search on the United States Trademark search database:


Supporting Video: How To Search A Trademark https://youtu.be/KXdVsAiPujM


There is no need for you to apply for a trademark to protect your new name/brand for now. After you get started and when you start making money, it would be a good idea to register your name (trademark). Sooner or later, you’ll also want to register your name within your state of residence officially.


Registering Your Business With Your State: Name Check


Once the business progresses (when you start making lots of money), it would be essential to register the business within your State of residence. Registering your business can provide you with certain liability protections for your assets. One way is to register as a sole-proprietor solely using your social security number and personal name. There is little to no cost with this option. The second option is to register your official business name (or DBA - Doing Business As) with your state as an LLC (Limited Liability Company), which protects your personal assets. Your state will then recognize you as an official business in your state and send you a tax ID number. The third way to register a business is as Corporation, which is probably not applicable for your business.


I’ll go into further details later in the course. Check NOW to ensure the business name (you want to use) isn’t already taken in your state. You can check here with Legal Zoom: https://www.legalzoom.com/business/business-formation/llc-overview.html


I am not an accountant and cannot advise on your specific situation. It may be a great idea to team up with your parents on your business venture and consult with their accountant about your business plans, or you utilize Legal Zoom.


Resources:

www.canva.com : For designs and logos for free, Upgrade to PRO for many more design options.

www.fiverr.com Can pay a small fee to have someone else design your logo or brand designs


Class Activity or Homework: Logo Design

Create a few logos. Head over to www.canva.com. Think about a color scheme for your business. Decide on your favorite design! Either upgrade to the Pro Service, if possible or contact the course instructor to access the free Pro Education version if applicable.



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