I'm torn. Originally, I had gone with CardsByBrett.com and then later realized that ArtByBrett.com was more generic and better. I don't think that matters, really, but hang with me... I had decided to use the catchphrase "Remembrance that lasts," the idea being that a fine art greeting card might be kept longer (or even framed) by someone, as opposed to a jokey card, therefore preserving the thoughtfulness that went into the purchase. This prompted the logo I had chosen and painted, of someone hanging/framing the card. But I was re-reading Rolf Jensen's The Dream Society, and it struck me: I'm going into the business of connections and togetherness , and so I need to emphasize that and not the art. So I changed it to "Connections that last," which is better, but like a participle, it loses its strength by not pushing the active verb. Picture this - you walk into a hair salon and you sit to wait for your appointment and you notice across the floor a display rack of cards and atop it, this sign: Connect With SomeoneYou've got time to kill, and you think of people with whom you haven't spoken in a while, and so you browse the cards, find a couple that work for you, and buy those while waiting. Does that make sense? I think it does, but let's think it through a little further... If "Connect With Someone" helps the marketing, then should the logo be of two people hugging? And if I go that direction, don't I lose the generic art nature of ArtByBrett.com and move back toward CardsByBrett.com? Or, is the phrase "Connect With Someone" enough? As a safeguard, I've purchased ConnectWithSomeone.com and ConnectWithSomebody.com so that if entered, either would take you to ArtByBrett.com, where that phrase will be prominently displayed. Lots to consider... I've got two or three months before I go live, so I have the time. Eventually these decisions will be burned into a direction with my hard-earned cash and that makes these details no small matter. The choice of cards, the choice of text or no text in each card, the selection of display stands, the signs that sit atop the display stands, the shape and color of those signs... I'm now around $2,000 to get started and have 10 locations selling my wares. I need to do all that I can get a return on my investment. Again, I can't emphasize enough the importance of reading books to help the entrepreneur in his/her thinking. And along the same lines, friends who speak their mind honestly to provide pushback where they see a lapse in design for business and cards are of the utmost value. Starting a business requires every talent I have. It's an all-cylinder effort and in many ways, it's grueling. But as I walk through my days noodling it through, I also have visions of sugar plums dance in my head and between the two, it's consuming. But hopefully worth it. |