Hello, My Name is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick

by Alexandra Watkins Narrated by Gina Sorell

Overview

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Top 10 Marketing Book.”
—Geoffrey James, Contributing Editor, Inc. 

“How do you find the right name for your brand or company? This is what Watkins does for a living—her company is responsible for naming a wedding brunch service Bloody Married and a frozen yogurt franchise Spoon Me—and her clever examples and advice will spare us all from putting the wrong foot forward.” 
—Adam Grant, Wharton Professor and author or coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers Give and Take, Originals, and Option B

“Your brand is in a relentless fight for attention. This must-read book shows you how to prepare for battle and win with the strongest name possible.”
—Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable

“Zappos.com originally started out as ShoeSite.com, but that limited our potential future growth. A company’s name can be vital to its success. Reading the tips in this book can help anyone avoid the pitfalls.”
—Tony Hsieh, New York Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness and CEO, Zappos.com, Inc.

“Insightful, irreverent, and eminently practical, Watkins’s Hello, My Name Is Awesome should be required reading for anyone naming a brand.”
—S. Christian Wheeler, Professor of Marketing, Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Fantastic book! Funny, down-to-earth, and practical, it’s chock-full of solid branding principles and huge ‘ahas’ cleverly delivered with humor and fun. A classic example of blending wit and wisdom to make a message stick. Well done!”
—Tim Gard, CSP, CPAE, Hall of Fame Speaker 

“The insight and processes that Alexandra Watkins reveals in Hello, My Name is Awesome not only have direct application to your naming process but also have direct application to thinking about your company from your customers’ perspective—not what you sell but why someone will decide to buy it. There is true wisdom here—intelligence plus experience—which makes it safe and dependable for you. There is true entertainment here—passion and provocation delivered without any reasonable restraint—which makes it a fabulous reading experience. My own company works with successful organizations in over ninety countries, and every one of them would be made measurably better by applying these unique concepts. My advice: get this book before your competitors do.”
—Stan Slap, CEO, SLAP, and New York Times bestselling author of Bury My Heart at Conference Room B and Under the Hood

“Your company or product probably needs all the help it can get. Watkins helped me name my firm, and I’m constantly told what a great name it is. Don’t pick a name until you’ve read Watkins’s book—you’ll want to have a name that you love forever!” 
—Charlene Li, founder of Altimeter Group, New York Times bestselling author of Open Leadership, and coauthor of Groundswell

“A fascinating examination of why some brand names are forgettable and others are abominable. This is the best guide ever to the art of great naming and should be required reading for all startup CEOs who ‘have a great idea’ for their company name!”
—Jay Baer, founder of Convince & Convert and coauthor of Talk Triggers 

“I was skeptical about a how-to book on naming products and brands. Alexandra Watkins convinced me otherwise. Her book is a fun read with lots of practical advice.”
—Patricia Roller, angel investor and former Co-CEO, Frog Design

“The type of hands-on practical wisdom rarely found (but desperately needed) in the academic community.” 
—Michael Webber, former Dean, School of Management, University of San Francisco

“We’ve got a terrible name. No one can spell it. No one can pronounce it. Don’t make the same mistake we made. Read this book and let Alexandra Watkins guide you away from the ‘we thought we were being clever with our name, but now we just look silly’ syndrome.” 
—Matt Ruby, founder and CEO, Vooza 

“This is the perfect book for kick-starting entrepreneurs, brand managers, and practicing creatives.” 
—Pat Hanlon, founder and CEO, Thinktopia, and author of Primal Branding 

“This book is packed full of practical, real-world advice you would never get from a regular textbook.” 
—Dale J. Stephens, founder of UnCollege and author of Hacking Your Education 

“In the current crazy business climate, where standing out and being remembered are critical to success, your name had better be awesome. This is the best book on the subject.”
—Nell Merlino, founder and President, Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, and creator of Take Our Daughters to Work Day

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172306501
Publisher:	Ascent Audio
Publication date:	10/01/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos