I too used my name as corporate "logo". This was in 1988 when naming a business after yourself was "in". I haven't changed my logo since the initiation of the business but today I wish I had.
A professionally designed, or self designed, logo is the way to go today. Shawn Billings and Brad Ott's logos are an example. Todays public is more apt to choose a firm with an eye catching, colorful and classy logo than say Sam Smith Surveying. A logo such as the aforementioned purports establishment, thus conveying a corporate image which is more conducive to public attraction.
The general public is cognizant that a corporation with a logo is more conducive to deal with than Joe's Surveying Services.
Had I not been in business so long I would definately change my corporate name.
Just my 00.200 worth. (anything over a foot or two needs closer examination 😉
[USER=6521]@Shawn Billings[/USER]
Your logo would really look good on a clean black truck!
I do like my logo, but this picture of it doesn't show that the plumb bob is actually pointing to my house. 🙂 I used the old transit image because that's what people think of when they think of surveying, not the newer instruments we use, plus the name is a local historical reference.
Here it is on the rig, the sign maker didn't get the plumb bob in the right place, but only I know that, and all you now!
.jpg "truckwithlogo (800x450).jpg")
Shawn Billings, post: 377318, member: 6521 wrote: What is your ride, Darryl? Looks very classy. I'd almost trade you even for my 2003 Toyota 4-Runner I'm working out of.
She is a 1972 Chevy Suburban. I decided to put it to work because it gets a lot more attention than my 2015 Silverado.
The A/c is currently not working so she is not that much fun to drive right now... I should have that remedied by the weekend though.
Darryl Beard, post: 377313, member: 11556 wrote:
I went out on limb... and used a compass rose. Maybe it will be enough to differentiate me from the landscapers.
Now that's a survey wagon
Each person needs to arrive at what they believe will work best for them based on the category of clientele they prefer to service. Thus, in some cases, name based labels will focus the potential client on the specific person who will in charge of their project while in other cases the more generalized (corporate?) name will appear to provide a broader base of expertise and resources to more complex projects. Who is your preferred target client? Once you figure that out you will have a foundation on which to base YOUR label. The caveat being that as you change your practice you may find that your initial choice may not be ideal. Of course, we see firms changing their identities all the time. I'm not sure that's a good thing for the profession, but, it is what it is. Each must decide for themselves. My opinion about your preferred label is of little concern to you. It's the opinion of potential clients that puts money in your stash under the mattress.
Darryl Beard, post: 377325, member: 11556 wrote: She is a 1972 Chevy Suburban. I decided to put it to work because it gets a lot more attention than my 2015 Silverado.
The A/c is currently not working so she is not that much fun to drive right now... I should have that remedied by the weekend though.
What? The window cranks don't work?
Like my daughter tells me, style isn't supposed to be comfortable 🙂
foggyidea, post: 377324, member: 155 wrote: I used the old transit image because that's what people think of when they think of surveying, not the newer instruments we use, plus the name is a local historical reference.
While it's probably pretty unlikely that you will ever be out making a survey with a transit, I agree with you that transits are the iconic images of land surveying that more members of the public recognize than they would the actual gear that you probably do use. Your firm name and logo generally communicates the area in which you practice and provides useful information to the public.
Graphically, it probably would have been smarter to set the transit up somwhere that it doesn't merge with the scorpion tail of the island when rendered in black and white, but it's too late now.
I will have to remember that. "Style isn't supposed to be comfortable" 107 degree heat index in this humid climate is not fun...even with a/c. The window cranks do work. They let all of that hot air into the cab.
Kent McMillan, post: 377335, member: 3 wrote:
Graphically, it probably would have been smarter to set the transit up somwhere that it doesn't merge with the scorpion tail of the island when rendered in black and white, but it's too late now.
With the transit legs , it looks like a giraffe to me.; )
but I like it and the name.
slight sidetrack about names.
I remember back in my very young days riding through downtown New Brunswick NJ late at night with a friend in an elevated state of mind.. We were stopped at a red light or maybe it was a strobing red light or flashing yellow light and there was a store front lawyer's office on a second floor of a building.
The lawyer's name was painted on the window. " I.M. Zamost - Attorney of Law ". I couldn't stop laughing. Reminded me of a name that Groucho would have used in a Marx Bros. movie.
Cape Cod is generally referred too as a bent arm, my house being on the bicep just before the elbow, and the armpit is usually called New Bedford, or Fall River, maybe Wareham. haha
Why limit yourself to logos for a business name?
Pathos for a business name: Please Hire Me So I Can Put My Kids Through College Surveying,LLC
Ethos for a business name: More Honorable Than Your Realtor Or Attorney Surveying, LLC
Receptionist: Good morning. This is Please Hire Me So I Can Put My Kids Though College Surveying, LLC. Marge speaking. How may I help you today?
Caller: Huh? What? Could you repeat that, please?
Receptionist: No.
Receptionist: Good morning. This is PHMSICPMKTCS, LLC...a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Debacle Surveying, Inc... Marge speaking. How may I help you today?
Caller: Huh? What? Could you repeat that, please?
Receptionist: No.
:beer:
Darryl Beard, post: 377313, member: 11556 wrote:
I went out on limb... and used a compass rose. Maybe it will be enough to differentiate me from the landscapers.
You have a buyer in North Carolina, if you ever go looking to sell it let me know. My first vehicle was a 62 C10 Chevy, my dad bought it when i was about 11 or 12 years old and we spent the next few years fixing it up. He drove it home the day we got it with no windshields, window glass, headlights, and barely running. I sold that truck when I got out of high school....many regrets. Here in North Carolina the old classics don't keep like they do where you are at.
We had the 61 Chevy half ton that my Granddad bought a couple years before he died. That was the closest thing to a new vehicle I can remember my parents owning. Kind of an aqua blue color. Last week a super rusty 62 Chevy half ton pulled into the restaurant parking lot as we were about to leave so had a little chat with its owner.
[USER=3]@Kent McMillan[/USER]
Since turnabout is fair play why don't you post what is on your shingle and truck (or whatever modem of transportation you utilize)?
You have "gently" but successfully berated every post so far, so it only seems fair to let those "beratees" have a crack at you for a change. 😉
Kent McMillan, post: 377335, member: 3 wrote: doesn't merge with the scorpion tail of the island
Ummm, it's the forearm of a muscle man, of a Cape...
FL/GA PLS., post: 377368, member: 379 wrote: [USER=3]@Kent McMillan[/USER]
Since turnabout is fair play why don't you post what is on your shingle and truck (or whatever modem of transportation you utilize)?
You have "gently" but successfully berated every post so far, so it only seems fair to let those "beratees" have a crack at you for a change. 😉
FL/GA PLS., post: 377368, member: 379 wrote: [USER=3]@Kent McMillan[/USER]
Since turnabout is fair play why don't you post what is on your shingle and truck (or whatever modem of transportation you utilize)?
You have "gently" but successfully berated every post so far, so it only seems fair to let those "beratees" have a crack at you for a change.
Sure. My truck is a 2005 Toyota Tundra Access Cab 4WD pickup with a stepside bed and an ARE lid on the back. I don't put my name on the side because (a) it increases the likelihood of a break-in, (b) the last thing I need is some member of the public calling wanting to have something done tomorrow because they saw my vehicle somewhere, and (c) it makes the vehicle look like something driven by a tradesman.
Do you see doctors or attorneys with their names on their cars anywhere other than some insurance or registration papers inside the vehicle? Plumbers? Sure. Landscapers? Yes, obviously.