Even if your name is Smith, sell it in unique ways 

I recently received a newspaper column (Milt’s Musings). It points out that there are 50,000 people in the United States who bear the name, John Smith. In his column, Milt Huntington, a high school friend and college fraternity brother, recalled this Smith story: 

A motorist tells the traffic cop his name is John Smith.  The cop responds:  “Don’t give me that!  What’s your real name?”  The motorist shrugs and says: OK. My name is Winston Churchill.”  The cop gives him a cold stare and says: “That’s more like it. You can’t fool me with those Smith names.” 

This story not only brought a smile but reminded me of business implications. Your agency name is your most valuable product.  How you promote it is a critical success factor.   

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

Do you have a memorable logo to go with your name?  Do you have an agency Positioning Line (read slogan)?  Review your letterhead, business card, and sales literature; do they reflect the quality of your agency’s products and customer service?  What about the appearance of your agency office?  In short, are you creating a quality first impression for your name? 

Contact us if you would like a no-obligation FIRST IMPRESSION review of your sales materials.  We’ll submit appropriate make-over recommendations…free.  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Milt Huntington is a free-lance columnist who lives in Augusta, Maine. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .In case you wondered, he says there are only three people in the United States named Milton Huntington, according to the US Census Bureau!