When you frame a company or business house, it is the logo design which you give a lot of importance.

The reason is simple the logo you are going to keep for your life time will establish your brand image.

It not only represents the credibility of the company but also portrays what the company stands for.

The objective of a successful logo is to enter the minds of consumers and leave a mark on their mind. It should be such that people get to know about the philosophy behind the formation of products.

This is the reason companies and enterprises are spending thousands of dollars on getting an appropriate and reliable logo designed.

The biggest difference between custom logo and pre-made logo is that custom logo is original and unique which is made according to specific needs of the business owner.

The designers begin their work of crafting a customized logo once they discuss about the culture, services and philosophy of the company. After this designer discusses about the owners personal choice of colors, design, styles, fonts and layouts. Once these issues are decided only then designers initiate the logo designing project.

Pre-made logos are also very much in fashion. Just go to any site which sells them. Select one according to your needs, business and functionality and just order one which suits your requirement. It is as simple and fast.

These logos are made in advance keeping the various industries and businesses in mind. If you are a business owner and don’t have much time you can order a pre-made logo for your business.

Thus we infer that custom logo and its counterpart pre-made logo both can do well for your business. If you are running short of time then opt for pre-made logo. The custom one is a bit expensive because the designer has a limited time frame to accomplish this task. On the other hand pre-made logos are not that expensive as custom logos.

Shakespeare once wrote “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” and technically he was correct.

However, if I have 2 types of similar products and I name one Stink Rose and I name the other the Red Passion Rose, the second bush will sell quicker and for more money.

There’s even a strong chance people will say the first rose had an unpleasant scent.

The Bard was correct that titles can’t change the physical characteristics of an object, but they can cause major perceptional changes.

The right brand or title can fire up the imagination, stir up interest, and increase the value of a product. The wrong name can slow down sales and even discourage buyers from purchasing the product.

Product labeling takes on new importance on the web. Search engines look for pages and websites using titles and keywords as markers. Some gurus will recommend heavy keyword usage for product names, however if the brand is cluttered and meaningless, buyers are not impressed. A web customer may search several sites, if the name is catchy they are more likely to return to the site and purchase your product. A product name that is a long list of SEO words will probably turn off buyers and may cause you to overuse keywords, which will hurt your page ratings.

A name should be memorable, but names that are too clever can also backfire. If a name is chosen because of its ethnic or personal meaning, customers may not understand the connection. If the brand is difficult to pronounce, it might also be difficult to market. On the other hand, if the ethnic name is connected with the purpose or use of the product, the brand may be perfect.

Watch out for accidental meanings. Words and images may be interpreted in many different ways. A cute name might suggest a violent, political, or racy idea you did not intend. A logo may be designed to incorporate several images but when it’s all put together, the image may hold a hidden surprise.

It’s a good idea to run your titles and brands past a couple people. When we are too close to an idea or concept, we often miss obvious mistakes. Professional writers and artists can help you find the right product names and logos, but don’t forget that you know your product line best. If you hire a professional to work with you, make sure the product names they select reflect your company’s purpose and mission.

Let your customers know the rose bush has a sweet scent just by the product name.

Promotional products can be great tools for creating name recognition and good will of your brands among your customers and prospects.

If a particular promotional product is a giveaway at an exhibition or conference, as a hand out to children on their educational visits or an in-store freebie, it is a great approach to use these promotional items to advertise your company name at lower costs.

Giving out something for nothing is an excellent way for your business to get your target audience’s attention and this is what many businesses are doing these days to boost their sales.

Many items fall into the broad category of promotional products. These items might include bottle openers, letter openers, laser pointers, notepads, memo holders, photo frames, alarm clocks, mirrors, cufflinks, make up kits, manicure sets, jewellery boxes, business bags, travel bags, clocks, flasks,gift sets, briefcases, wine sets,

puzzles, mobile phone holders, credit card holders, corporate printed trays, torches, document bags, paperweights, glassware, paper clip holders, eco friendly items, fitness sets, passport covers, personal fans, ties, work wears, mints, USB hub clocks, phone charges, games, watches, calculators, barbeque sets, picnic baskets, pencil sharpeners, fineliners, fountain pens, rollerballs, erasers, express promotional items and many more. Almost every promotional item contains the name of your company, logo and message for maximum effect.

These items are distributed either at conferences, exhibitions, and tradeshows or are given away as gifts, as employee incentives or rewards and as business gifts.

The main purpose of distributing promotional products among your prospects is that you want your company name and message in front of them for a long period of time and these promotional items are simple, inexpensive and cost-effective at the same time. Promotional products are popular among all types of industries ranging form IT, Healthcare, Pharmacutecal to government and academic.

Promotional products and printed promotional items have positive impact for almost every business if used correctly. Promotional products are marketing tools and these items increase company recognition, make a favorable impression of your brand, offer flexibility, can be distributed among any audience ranging from children and teenagers to employees, dealers, businessmen and vendors and increase response rates.

Promotional merchandises is also cost-effective especially when a business purchases them in bulk from promotional products distributors. As compared to other methods of advertising where you have to spend thousand of pounds to advertise your company, think of giving away a toothbrush to one of your prospects, so if a customer uses it every morning, this toothbrush would provide a reinforcement of your brand on a regular basis.

There are some points which you need to consider while using promotional products to advertise your brand. A promotional product campaign must be carefully planned to achieve maximum results in a short period of time. You might be planning to giveaway some specific promotional items on some specific event, always make sure that you have enough time to get them produced.

Try to use a product which allows more imprinting onto it and fits your business requirements at the same time. You should be very careful in choosing the message which you want to be printed onto your selected promotional item as this would be the only thing your target audience will see when they use this product.

You should imprint a concise message aiming to target different groups of audience and it must carry the main information about your business in one or two lines.

Promotional items are one of the top ways businesses across the globe can sell their products to others. Businesses will find hundreds of different items that can be engraved with their businesses name, phone number, web site, and any other information that you would like to have as well.

The variety of products can be modified to the services your company provides, and are also great to use as gifts at company parties or other special events.

Promotional products work because everyone loves something for free. You can assure that customers far and wide will take advantage of the freebie you are offering. Hats, ink pens, matches, mouse pads, mugs, t-shirts, duffel bags, wall clocks, water bottles, throws, notebooks, flash drives-the possibilities are neverending for items that can be customized for your company.

Another great thing about promotional products is that they are cheap. Since the items are ordered in bulk, you will front a tiny cost per item. There are hundreds of different web sites if you want to order your products online, and this is an easy way to compare prices to find the smallest prices for your needs.

Promotional items can be used as incentive gifts for employees, at business parties, and special events. As individuals take the products you are providing, this is helping to spread the word about your company as they use the products and even supply them to their friends and family.

This is one of the best, and most affordable ways to get mass marketing for your business. Many businesses even offer free samples so that you can try before you buy. If you are looking for a superb way to spread the word about your business, or a way to honor your employees, try promotional products.

Yesterday I was watching “The Millionaire Matchmaker” with Patti Stanger on TV.

After she finished her mixer and the millionaires picked their dates, she organized a mini seminar for the unlucky ones who didn’t find their match this time.

She explained how you need to have your 5 non-negotiables so you will have your goals in mind and know exactly the kind of person you are looking to spend the rest of your life with. According to Patti Stanger you won’t win the dating game if you ware just expecting to find the right match one day.

As I was listening to her, I realized that this is very similar to what I teach to my clients when I ask them to select their ideal customers.

If you say yes to everybody chances are that some times you will accept clients who are not your target market or you won’t get the best result or you will work with people who are not committed enough to their own business and you will be miserable working with them.

Accepting a client just because you need the money is not enough. When you decide to work with a client you should be sure in advance that you will enjoy working with that person, you will be on the same page and you will be both committed and accountable. Then you will have a business doing what you love.

Here are my 5 non-negotiables with clients:

1. Punctuality – I want to work with clients who attend sessions at the time we agreed on. If someone asks to reschedule often this means that they are not committed to work on their business in order to improve it or learn new strategies.

2. Commitment – I do not want to work with clients who always find excuses and never do their assignments between sessions or have no intention to improve their businesses. Those are the ones who, after numbers of sessions and months of time, are still at the same place, because they never take action and always complain that they are too busy.

That are often the same people who struggle to find clients and make money. They are busy with non important things and spend their days and weeks moving without purpose.

3. Coachability – If a client comes to you for your expertise and knowledge, but each time you suggest a strategy he or she says “oh not this won’t work for me or my business, my business is too specific” you cannot help them against their will. They have a problem, you can provide The Solution, but not without their consent.

If you realize quickly that the client doesn’t listen to your advice, and always goes back to his or her routine, don’t waste more of your time. This person will never have positive results and will blame your strategies.

4. Determination to Succeed – I often realized that I am more motivated for my client’s business to succeed than they are, and sometimes doing consulting and coaching is more like baby-sitting solo-entrepreneurs. There are some people who need to be taken by the hand and then you wind up doing all the steps for them.

I spoke numbers of time with colleagues, consultants and coaches and they told me that with some clients they have the same feeling. Before I used to be very patient and accept everything from clients, but I learned the power of saying no in order to fire that kind of client.

I know how to recognize them from day one, so I don’t have to work with people that don’t want to improve any longer. Through my non-negotiables I have earned more happiness and my clients more success!

Last but not least -

5. Payment in Advance- If you are selling your knowledge, your expertise or services make sure to get paid in advance so first you know that the client is interested in your services and is not just leading you on.

Many clients relate how many problems they have getting paid. They do the work and have to wait for weeks or months for the clients to show the money, because people come up with excuses. In the end if you don’t get paid up front, you often never see the money.

When I started my 1st business in France I made this mistake and learned my lesson the hard way. That’s why when I started my second business I made sure to charge my fees up front. Plus a client who pays in advance is usually more committed and once again appreciates your work and working with you, and you will get better results.

What are you 5 non-negotiables?

Think about it very precisely. Make your list, interview your potential clients to make sure they are the right fit for you and your business. And if they don’t match your 5 criteria, as Patti Stanger said, and I do too, don’t waste your time, you may regret it big time, and won’t be happy in your business.

Why waste money while you could work with somebody much more motivated and rewarding who will really appreciate your work and will refer you like minded people?

The similitude with dating works again: you want to date somebody you would love to spend the rest of your life with, and you want to work with clients you love working with, so they will be loyal clients and you will keep them for life too. In both cases, your future is based on a real and strong relationship.