Hello, my name is awesome : how to create brand names that stick

Every year, 6 million companies and more than 100,000 products are launched. They all need an awesome name, but many (such as Xobni, Svbtle, and Doostang) look like the results of a drunken Scrabble game. In this entertaining and engaging book, ace naming consultant Alexandra Watkins explains how anyone-even noncreative types-can create memorable and buzz-worthy brand names. No degree in linguistics required. The heart of the book is Watkins's proven SMILE and SCRATCH Test-two acronyms for what makes or breaks a name. She also provides up-to-date advice, like how to make sure that Siri spells your name correctly and how to nab an available domain name. And you'll see dozens of examples-the good, the bad, and the "so bad she gave them an award." Alexandra Watkins is not afraid to name names. Too many new companies and products have names that look like the results of a drunken Scrabble(R) game (Xobni, Svbtle, Doostang). In this entertaining and engaging book, ace-naming consultant Alexandra Watkins explains how anyone--even noncreative types--can create memorable and effective brand names. No degree in linguistics required. The heart of the book is Watkins's proven SMILE and SCRATCH Test. A great name makes you SMILE because it is Suggestive--evokes a positive brand experience; is Meaningful--your customers get it; uses Imagery--visually evocative to aid in memory; has Legs--lends itself to a theme for extended mileage; and is Emotional--moves people. A bad name, on the other hand, makes you SCRATCH your head because it is Spelling challenged--looks like a typo; is a Copycat--similar to competitors' names; is Restrictive--limits future growth; is Annoying--frustrates customers; is Tame--flat, uninspired; suffers from the Curse of Knowledge--only insiders get it; and is Hard to pronounce. Watkins also provides up-to-date advice, like making sure that Siri spells your name correctly. And you'll see dozens of examples--the good, the bad, and the "so bad she gave them an award." Alexandra Watkins is not afraid to name names. Cover; Contents; Preface; Introduction; 1 SMILE: The 5 Qualities of a Super-Sticky Name; 2 SCRATCH: The 7 Deadly Sins; 3 Domains: Strategies, Secrets, and Silliness; 4 Creative Brief: Your Brand Name Road Map; 5 Brainstorming: How to Be an Idea Machine; 6 Name Review: 12 Rules for Building Consensus; 7 Name Changes: Pros and Cons; Resources; The How Awesome Is My Name Self-Assessment Tool; Trademarking; Logos & Identity Design; Service Providers; Acknowledgments; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; K; L; M; N; O; P; R; S; T; U; V; W; About Eat My Words; About the Author; Ask Alexandra Every year, 6 million companies and more than 100,000 products are launched. They all need an awesome name, but many (such as Xobni, Svbtle, and Doostang) look like the results of a drunken Scrabble game. In this entertaining and engaging book, ace naming consultant Alexandra Watkins explains how anyone "Naming a business or product has always been challenging--and sometimes costly--for entrepreneurs and inventors, but it's one of the most important decisions they have to make. Alexandra Watkins presents a foolproof model that anyone can use to create and evaluate brand names like a pro"-- Provided by publisher