
I recently went on a much-needed vacation to the Smoky Mountains. If you have never been, I recommend it. It was lovely! One of the more entertaining parts, from an advertising perspective, was the way that area has embraced the stereotype of “Hillbilly”. That adjective was attached to all sorts of things, including stage shows (Hillbilly Hoe-Down) to sandwiches at the local diner (Hillbilly steak bologna sandwich) to liquor (Genuine Tennessee Hillbilly Moonshine). The area was thriving, so it obviously must be working to some extent. Hillbilly wasn’t always spelled out, but implied (the “Hatfield and McCoy’s” dinner theater seemed pretty popular.) Regardless, the mood was definitely set for the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area.

So how is this working for my business, Kelly Craig Design? Is the name descriptive enough? Are you intrigued? Do you know what I do? There really isn’t a description in the name at all that says what kind of design I can help you with. Maybe I should be Kelly Craig Graphic Design? Kelly Craig, Logo Queen and Branding Guru? Kelly’s Logos and Doodles to GO! Now that I’m thinking about it, my business name seems a bit dry. It doesn’t really capture my personality. I’m fairly upbeat and sometimes silly. Does it come across with my business name? No, not really. A rebranding might be in order...
What about your business? If you aren’t getting the traffic you want, have you thought about your name? Do your potential clients know what exactly it is you do? If someone sees your logo, business card or storefront and still asks “so, what exactly do you do?” maybe you need to think about this question. And does it instill some sort of expectation about who you are, your personality, your work ethic? Maybe you provide a tangible object, not a service. Are your foods fresh or organic that you sell or prepare? Are the clothes you sell made in the USA? Is there something, an adjective, a tag line, something that lets your clients know this? Because they need to know.
Just like I needed to know that the maple moonshine I brought home was, indeed, Hillbilly-style, Tennessee made. It matters.
Cheers -
Kelly, the Logo Queen and Branding Guru
What about your business? If you aren’t getting the traffic you want, have you thought about your name? Do your potential clients know what exactly it is you do? If someone sees your logo, business card or storefront and still asks “so, what exactly do you do?” maybe you need to think about this question. And does it instill some sort of expectation about who you are, your personality, your work ethic? Maybe you provide a tangible object, not a service. Are your foods fresh or organic that you sell or prepare? Are the clothes you sell made in the USA? Is there something, an adjective, a tag line, something that lets your clients know this? Because they need to know.
Just like I needed to know that the maple moonshine I brought home was, indeed, Hillbilly-style, Tennessee made. It matters.
Cheers -
Kelly, the Logo Queen and Branding Guru