You’re going to feel a little pinch…
You thought naming would be fun, now you just want it to be over
Over the next few sentences I’ll remind you that the enthusiasm you once had for your rebrand, podcast, program, [*insert thing here*], was weeks? Months? [timeframe redacted to spare your dignity] ago…
Because every potential name carries the weight of future first impressions, silent judgments, and that tiiiiny voice in your head taunting you:
“It has to be cool.”
“People have to get it.”
“Why can’t I just use my actual name?”
You’re out of ideas, out of patience, and this project is feeling like a classic pharmaceutical commercial: “side effects may include chronic overthinking, crippling indecision, compulsive rebranding within 6 months…”
All you wanted was a name that sticks. Sells. A name you’re proud to say out loud, and slap on a T-shirt.
…and all you got was lost in the letters.
You’re not out of options yet though. You could:
Crowdsource it. Naming by committee always helps [if you’re open to 148 more options you hadn’t considered…and hate…]
Watch that one tiny lesson on naming in that one GIANT course you bought by someone who likely never studied naming…
Ask AI for more suggestions… “Are you there Claude? It’s me, Desperate."
Done-with-you
NameStorming Session
IDK
When you don’t know, I do.
Recommended for naming products, programs, podcasts, or standalone names that don’t require a full-scale brand identity
Includes:
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Namestorming Questionnaire – I’ll need it at least 3 days before our session so I can come ready to our…
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90-minute collaborative namestorming session where I’ll come prepared with…
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A minimum of 10 strong contenders and the strategic rationale behind my thinking for each
Support Materials
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New name announcement template & AI prompt to make your debut the right way
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Name change checklist so you can roll out your new name without anyone panic emailing you “I can’t find [your old name]”!
*I’ve been known to overdeliver when I’m on a roll, but to guarantee taglines, world bank, visual ideas, matchy-matchy names for other products within your offer suite, etc – consider the full-service “TBD” package or add “special characters”!
Investment: $750
"I’ve been wanting to work with you for a while!
Before working with you, my naming process was usually all me. I love alliteration, so I tend to fall back on that. The most helpful part of our Namestorming Session was 100% the extra stuff we brainstormed.
Now, I have names and titles for each module, plus a messaging theme for the funnel. I also love that we were able to come up with taglines for each offer."
—Melissa, Litchfield Media (@litchfieldmedia)
Newsletters
Businesses
Workshops
Services
Podcasts
Done-for-you
Full Service Naming & Brand Strategy
TBD
Where uncertainty meets opportunity!
Perfect for rebrands, new businesses, and hero products that need a name to make a killer first impression
Phase 1: Creative Brief & Criteria Development
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Namestorming Questionnaire – I’ll need it at least 3 days before our session so I can come ready to our…
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60-min creative exploration call where we'll finalize your criteria and maybe even do some initial namestorming!
Phase 2: The Pièce de Résistance – The Naming & Positioning Presentation
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An overarching concept and curated list of 15+ contenders & strategic rationale for each
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And if applicable, “matchy, matchy” names for other products to have a cohesive offer suite
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A fresh take on your brand story so you don’t have to just say “I hired Katie Pannell to name it.” (I won’t stop you though…)
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Tagline suggestions to reinforce your new name & positioning
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Key messaging/positioning strategy and a word bank & phrases to support your new name and concept
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Preliminary domain + trademark search on my top 3 suggestions
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Visual identity suggestion for my #1 top proposed name (I make a mean mood board to help you visualize your new name in the wild.)
Phase 3: Any “Special Character” Add-Ons
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Because I think you’ll find that the right name has LEGS that are really FUN to run with!
Support Materials
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New name announcement template & AI prompt to make your debut the right way
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Name change checklist so you can roll out your new name without anyone panic emailing you “I can’t find [your old name]”!
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1 week of Voxer support post- presentation (includes additional namestorming if needed - up to 10 additional names)
Investment: $2500
"I loved our original name, but we couldn’t get trademarks, so I knew I needed help.
The name we landed on speaks to the emotional side of why we sunless tan—how it gives us more confidence. It makes it about the inside feelings rather than just the product itself.
Katie is a friggin’ creative mastermind and I’d tell my nemesis not to hire her or they might end up with a cooler name than us…"
—Radley Buxton, Stupid Happy
Special Characters
AKA - Add-Ons to really *sell* your new name
"Quotation Marks"
Because how you say things is just as important as what you're saying.
Messaging Strategy & Copy Edits:
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LIVE Copy Edit for up to 3 current “face first” assets (landing or opt-in page, home page, & welcome sequence), suggestions for improvement, and a 90-minute collaborative LIVE copy editing session via Zoom.
Brand Voice Development/Analysis & Guidelines
(Delivered post-copy edits)
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Brand personality & tone
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Cadence & rhythm
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Word bank (themed to your concept)
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Humor specifications
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Style guide (punctuation, emojis, formatting)
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AI prompts for voice consistency
Investment: $2000
Exclamation Point!
Because your launch should make some noise.
Launch & Content Planning:
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60-min launch planning call
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30-day content strategy & ideas bank
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Seasonal/timely hook ideas
Media Kit & Press Materials:
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Founder 1st & 3rd person bios
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Product/Service overview
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Expert topics (what you will/won't speak on)
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Controversy angles (what you're for/against)
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Custom podcast pitch template
Investment: $1000
Asterisk*
Because the fine print shouldn't be an afterthought.
Launch & Content Planning:
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Basic internet/Google search
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Domain ideas + availability check
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Social handle ideas + search
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Third-party trademark screening
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Comprehensive search report
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Trademark attorney recommendations
*See disclaimer below.
Investment: $500
*Very Important Disclaimer*
This is the fine print -- or "legal chic" as I call it.
I cannot guarantee results or trademark availability. Any names provided through my services are the result of sheer creative brainpower and a catalog of proven naming strategies -- but they have not undergone a full trademark evaluation -- only a third party tool to provide a deeper-than-the-USTPO preliminary search. I highly recommend having a trademark attorney conduct a full evaluation of the name (domestic and international).
My Method
The ABC to OMG Naming Method for names that sound good AND sell well
A
A is for Angle
Before we name it, we need to nail down what makes your brand different—because a name without a strong angle is just a placeholder. This is where we carve out your "you-sized hole in the marketplace" (as the girlbosses say) and define your positioning.
B
B is for Brand
I need to know where to draw the line—because while I love wordplay and puns, some brands need a different approach. We’ll define what’s on-brand vs. off-brand, covering tone, personality, humor, and style. Send me a “vibes” board, and we’ll make sure your name matches your vision.
C
C is for Criteria
This is how we keep the process strategic—not subjective. Before I start naming, we’ll decide together what makes a name “right” for your brand. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of different criteria (like length, tone, SEO, emotional punch), and you’ll get a chance to review, tweak, or approve the list. That way, when we evaluate name ideas later, we’re not going off gut feelings—we’re going off goals.
Then, I vet my ideas to bring you names that are:
O
O is for Original
Have you heard it before? Does it sound too familiar? And let’s not forget the honorary O—Objective—making sure every name aligns with your approved criteria.
M
M is for Meaningful
Does it emotionally resonate with you or your audience? Will it lend itself to a story people actually want to share?
G
G is for Growth Potential
Does it give you room to expand? Can it evolve into sister brands, spin-offs, or a whole ecosystem of related names?
And that’s how you go from “IDK” or “TBD” to “That’s the One!”
&
Who I’ve named for:
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Spray Tanning Education & Products
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Mom & Baby Luxury Skincare
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Clean Beauty Brands
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Brand & Web Designers
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Wedding Band
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Podcasters
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Cookbook Authors
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Accountants
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Mindset/Life Coaches
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Hairstylists & Salon Owners
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A hospital
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Ad Agencies
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Professional Home Organizers
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Health/Wellness Coaches
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__[YOUR INDUSTRY HERE]__
I come highly recommended
The "Spell it Out" Section
Also known as FAQs
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How far in advance should I reach out?For “IDK” Namestorming Sessions and “SOS” Improv Hours - anytime. I typically can accommodate those same week. For "TBD" full-service naming + brand strategy, I book about 1-2 months out. For "CYA" (surprise! there's been a secret menu option this whole time!) it depends. Just fill out the form & we can chit-chat.
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Do you offer payment plans?Yes and no. Yes, for both naming packages, and they’re very flexible! No, for Improv Hour.
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Do you also design brands once you name them?Does this question mean you think I should? If so, color me FLATTERED. I do make a mean mood board and suggest fonts, colors, and an overall “vibe” in the “TBD: Full Service Naming” package, but I don’t offer brand design. I can however make recommendations for brand designers that always do my names justice. ;)
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Can I hire you to write the copy for my brand/product after we’ve named it?Short answer: No, I don't offer DFY from-scratch copywriting anymore. Longer answer you’ll probably like better: Ish? You can add “special character” add-ons to any naming package immediately or post-project. The “Quotation Marks” and “Exclamation Mark!” add-ons do include *some* copy elements. You can compare the two here. Or there's this option.
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Can you guarantee the names you suggest are trademarkable?Nope. I cannot. I always, always, always recommend working with a trademark attorney to be sure you have FULL clearance. But what about the “Asterisk” add-on?! Knew that was coming – I use a 3rd party service to run clearance on names I suggest, but that’s still not a substitute for an actual attorney.