How to Come Up With a Creative Name For Your Website, Blog, Or Business
In this article I will share some tips on how to come up with a creative blog name even if you’re not feeling very creative.
Think about what your website or blog is about. If you can, summarize what it’s about in a few short sentences, it will help. Come up with a list of 5-10 keywords that describe your niche or topic.
Go for a walk or step away from the computer and brainstorm potential name ideas using the keywords you have come up with. Think about local attractions that will associate you with your local neighborhood or town. Use your personal name or initials in the name. Combine words that sound like the real word but are spelled differently.
Combine your initials or your name with the keywords that describe your business. Your blog or website is your business so be proud of it and treat it like one. For example if you are a graphic designer, think about using your name accompanied with endings like Desktop Publishing, Design, Media, or Studios.
Use name generators to combine your name with other creative words. One of my favorite tools to use when I cannot figure out a name is Musicians Friend’s Band Name Generator. Yes it is for band names but you can use it for coming up with a creative name for business too. I find that this Generator gives me some very creative names and stimulates my creativity and ideas.
Keep your name short. Usually three-word domains are the longest you want to use. One exception to this is using keywords to target traffic. For example, makemoneyonlinefast.com is long but it does target specific keywords. Using your keywords in the domain name can be beneficial. But if you are going for a broader niche or starting a company, its best to keep it at two or less words.
Be remarkable and unique by using web 2.0 generators that will create fancy words out of ordinary words. Sometimes this can be successful. Look at Flickr or Yahoo. Also look at Squidoo and others that are web 2.0 names.
The bottom line is to create a short and remarkable name by combining keywords that describe your business and add a personal touch with words that could be your initials, your name, or a noun.
Below you will find a link to my blog which will show you all of the name generators on the web that will combine words for your. It’s like auto pilot naming… sort of. Be sure to check it out.
Jobs – Tips for Applying for a Job
Applying for a Job
There are four general methods of applying for a job including:
(1) mailing your resume,
(2) emailing your resume,
(3) faxing your resume, and
(4) hand delivering your resume.
Mailing Your Resume
Some companies prefer that you mail your resume. For this type of approach, it is best to include a cover letter with your resume. The cover letter is a basic letter that describes the position that you are interested in and a few details of your qualifications and skills. It is basically your lead in to it. Before writing your cover letter, you should know whom the letter is to be addressed to. You never want to begin a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madame” or “To whom it may Concern.” It shows that you have not prepared, and that you are not looking for a specific position with their company, but any job that you can get your hands on. Basically, it is disrespectful to your prospective employer.
Emailing Your Resume
Emailing resumes is becoming a commonplace way for recruiters to get them. Attach it as a word document or a PDF file. These are the most common formats and what most companies will accept. The subject line should read like this: Smith, John (Accounting Position). This makes it easy for the recruiter to know who the email is from, and what it pertains to. It also assures that your email will be read. Sometimes there are specific methods for addressing an emailed resume. Some companies have certain subject line requirements (so follow them!). If the company wants you to paste it, don’t send attachments because your email will be deleted right away.
Faxing Your Resume
You will need to include a cover letter when faxing your resume. If you are not using your own fax machine, be sure to include your proper contact information. The rules for your cover letter are the same as for mailing it.
Hand Delivering Your Resume
You will want to dress appropriately, as you would for an interview. Generally, companies ask you to do this if you are going to be working directly with customers. They ask for a walk-in because they want to get a look at your grooming habits right away. Sometimes, the employer will give you a brief interview on the spot to see if they will require a formal interview later. So be on your best and most appropriate behavior. Also, walk-ins do not require you to bring a cover letter with your resume. Your appearance is sort of the cover letter. Sometimes, you will be requested to fill out an application form as well. Smile and be polite, no matter who you are speaking with.
Ethics in Business Communication
Privacy issues around words such as “Personal”, “Private”, “For the Eyes of Department Management Only”, “Privileged” and other words requesting Privacy in communications need to be very seriously considered.
It is incumbent upon managers in business, education, and industry today, to be very sensitive and forthright in their communications, and in response to privacy requests regarding communications from their employees. To be less than totally forthright can result in some very unsavory results from disenfranchised employees.
Let’s face it. Management is about decisions, and decisions as to what you do with “Private” communications can have long ranging results. If the communications relates to discussions of harassment and/or sexual harassment, or other discrimination issues, some very difficult decisions must be made. As any investigation of these matters will result in multiple persons being made aware of the situation, it is probably best for the manager to stop the party divulging the information, and make them aware of the aspects of the process of investigating the claims which will likely not be supported in the concept of “privacy.” Let the accuser make the choice, continue without privacy being assured, or decide not to continue with the statements being made.
While the issues of privacy in discussions of harassment and sexual harassment are quite clear, there are other areas of management communications much less clear, but still problematic. Matters relating to personnel issues might be one such case. An employee complaining about the actions of another employee, might request “privacy”. The manager in this case should try to find other means of substantiating the claim without divulging the identity of the complainant. If this will not be possible, then another conversation with the complainant is indicated, in which you might indicate that a problem has been identified, but taking action on that problem will probably implicate the complainant as the one that divulged the issue. Then let the complainant decide whether “privacy” or “solving the problem” will be the course of events that best suit the complainant’s needs.
In many other privacy matters, the singular choice should be to honor the request for Privacy. Totally!! Completely!!
To do less than that could take several negative paths. Certainly the employee, whose “privacy” request has been abused, will seek ways to get even. Any practices of the agency or group that may be less than correct, or possibly even illegal, will make good means of getting even if the disenfranchised employee chooses. If it is in a case relating to any of the forms of discrimination, including harassment and sexual harassment, then abuse of the privacy issues, can easily be considered retaliation. One article I recently read indicated that retaliation cases are some of the easiest discrimination cases to win.
As a manager in Business, Education or Industry, take very serious consideration as to any and all decisions you make when “privacy” is an issue on the table.
Bill Barger
Barger Specialties LLC
Information and resources on Harassment and Sexual Harassment are available through my web site at: http://www.sexualharassmentresources.com