IT's ALL IN THE NAME

Back in 2013 I knew I needed to change my company name and re brand.

My business mentor said you have to tell the customer what you do....
And use your location to help so they know where you are!

At that time being a woman in a negative mind set I said I do not want Devon in the name I want Queen of the cloud.com

He explained no one knew what cloud was.... 15 months on and we sure do now!

I got quiet adamant about the use of Devon....... as I knew I was a nomad as I was born in Surrey, lived in central and North London then Surrey and in 2006 chose Exmouth to bring up the family. As it had good schools, near to motorway and A303 easy access to family in Cornwall plus 2 miles of golden sands views and sunsets to die for.

I still felt an outsider to Devon .... I live here now but in the future I did not know where I would be . Plus I grew up in Cornwall and felt I was betraying my past due to the county rivalry.  - All factors and emotions I was dealing with at the time, yes its a woman thing!

I already had a Ltd company which was Add To My Income Ltd and other income streams came into it from
Pharmacy via 'Rapid Pharm Tech Services' and sales from 'Come Try Aloe'

This made me realise in those name choices I had been descriptive

So being an organised techy I set up excel spread sheet
Opened up Google and domain reg site  and typed away my name ideas ,most were gone 

Google either found existing website or companies house had the name registered.

Being girly I wanted the email address to be learn@ ......
I definitely wanted .com and .co.uk

Finally on the excel sheet of 83 names I had 2 names that were available
Devon It Solutions or Devon It Advisor
I tested the market asked 3 independent people as well as the business mentor

Feedback was advisor sounded like a financial or insurance man , definitely did not want that having had the experiences I've had with them.

Another said "If your and advisor are you really that much of an expert" 

For the first time in a while I knew confidently I was an expert
A) been using computers since 1982
B) I worked with them in the NHS before IT or IM&T departments existed.
C) I am a IT trainer & NVQ assessor
D) plus I'm a woman geek who likes technology follows the latest hardware and software trends

And finally after years of networking had a database of over 2000 contacts 

E) knew if I cannot solve it I knew people who could :)

I pride myself on knowing my limitations
I do not physically fix hardware
I do not do graphics
I do not profess to create websites.
I also love delegating.

So instantly checked on domain reg and Google if Devon IT Expert was available yes

             Devon IT Expert was born

Then came the marketing and personal learning skills of 2014 of really understanding Social Media in all forms, SEO,  branding, and creating my first website. (since superseded by a professional I know my skills & limits!)

Now one year on I'm thankful for taking that leap of name change and putting trust in others knowledge - That the name must be descriptive

It tells the customer what you do

It tells them where you are

Saves you saying in the all important lift pitch / introduction what you do.
You can concentrate on showing them (the customer) the benefits you give them in your latest offers.

Especially important when you offer a service in the modern world of technology.

Having a trade like baker, plumber, electrician is self explanatory.

or in my case

Explaining that I am a Woman IT geek with skills as a .................

• Project Management
• Pharmacy technician /NVQ assessor
• Office admin 
• Facilitator
• Business case writer
• Bookkeeper 
• Database entry 
• Using all manner of computer software
• Desktop Super User - meaning 
• I can install software, do software upgrades, troubleshoot problems 
• Customise desktops / screen layouts to the user.
• IT trainer 
• Create Effective Marketing Strategies -using all forms of marketing via paper, electronic, face to face and using all forms of Social Media
• Workshop presenter 
• Blogwriter
• Now specialising in Social Media as a user and trainer.
• WiFi Set-ups.

By passionately embracing , teaching effective use of all forms of social media:-

• To bring you Customers and Profits to businesses
• To bring child safety on the internet to parents when using social media
• To introduce social media to the older generation

That's me a Entrepreneur plus being a mum of 2

That said I'm now proud to be able to walk up to people and say
 'Hello I'm Michelle Devon IT Expert' not (100+ word description above of my skills )

And 15 months on it is definitely all in the name as shown when I meet and greet is given me confidence.

Recently I have stepped back from regularly using Twitter for my business for the last 4 months. As my clients needs came first

However I get new followers weekly as @DevonITExpert
Occasionally for @Cometryaloe
And never @mswreviews

THAT'S WHY I KNOW IT IS ALL IN THE NAME and why Socail Media is an IMPORTANT part to modern Marketing Strategies

My ideal clients are the ones who are:-

1. About to buy new kit or upgrade
2. New Business's with a product or service they want to launch
3. Established business wanting to go electronic and tap into social media 

But
I will never turn away 

• New business part set up or struggling
• Semi established business that's not got the right setup 

These clients are more timely and therefore more expensive to get working effectively

It can all be achieved as long as your open minded and willing to embrace change .

I don't want to be your social media management, I can and will do it on a monthly subscription but my passion is to 

          Empower you to use technology

But be aware I may coach you into re-branding and changing your co name 

Richard Branson chose back in the 70's "Virgin records".....
Now virgin is the brand and he has
Virgin Media
Virgin airlines
Virgin Money .........

Your surname may say who you are but does it say what you do

Branding and marketing companies like you to be catchy.... But is it cost effective

In the past the marketing is visual but was a slow build up through newspapers and signs
That's why Coco Cola, Cadburys and any of the supermarket names work they are on the high street physically seen.

Most companies budgets are not on their scale!

Social media now allows cost effective marketing straight to the phone , laptop or tablet

Let me show you how   Michelle the Devon IT Expert 

Watch out for the Launch of the  training business SILVERITEXPERT.com

Target audience is 

Anyone born before 1970 wanting to use Phones Tablets or Laptops in a 1:1 training sessions.