how to write brand names in an essay

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How to Use Brand Names in Your Writing: Dos and Don'ts

Ah, the world of writing and grammar rules. It can be as tricky as a game of word twister. One area that often leaves writers puzzled is how to handle brand names. Should you capitalize them, italicize them, or simply write them in lowercase? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the dos and don'ts of using brand names in your writing to ensure your content is grammatically correct and polished.

https://www.oicun.org/how-to-write-brand-names-in-an-essay-tips-to-make-it-easier/

Understanding the Importance of Brand Names

Brand names are more than just labels; they carry the reputation, recognition, and identity of a product or company. How you write brand names in an essay or any piece of writing matters. It reflects your attention to detail and adherence to writing conventions.

Do: Write Brand Names as They Are

1. Write brand names in an essay exactly as they appear: If a brand name is spelled in a certain way with specific capitalization, replicate it faithfully. For example, if you're writing about the famous search engine, it's "Google," not "google" or "GooGle."

2. Use the registered trademark symbol when necessary: In some cases, brand names are accompanied by the ® symbol to denote their trademark status. For instance, "Kleenex®" and "ChapStick®." Ensure you include this symbol if the brand name uses it.

Don't: Genericize Brand Names

3. Don't use brand names as generic terms: Some brand names have become so ubiquitous that they are used to refer to an entire category of products. For instance, "Kleenex" is often used to describe any facial tissue, but this is a brand name and should not be generalized. Instead, use "facial tissues" as a generic term.

4. Don't create confusion: Writing brand names in a way that could lead to confusion is a big no-no. For instance, if you are discussing the world of slow cooking, it's "Crock-Pot," not "crockpot" or "Crockpot." Clear and accurate representation is key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: how should i write brand names in my blog posts.

A1: When writing blog posts, follow the same rules as for any other type of writing. Write brand names exactly as they are and use trademark symbols when appropriate. Remember, consistency is key in maintaining professionalism in your content.

Q2: Are there any exceptions to using brand names as they appear?

A2: In some cases, a brand name may have variations in its capitalization or formatting, especially if the company rebrands. It's important to stay updated with these changes and adjust your writing accordingly.

Q3: Can I use brand names creatively in my fiction writing?

A3: Yes, you can use brand names creatively in fiction writing as long as it serves the narrative and doesn't misrepresent the brand. Just be sure to avoid using them generically or in a way that could harm the brand's reputation.

Final Thoughts

Writing brand names correctly is not just about following rules; it's about maintaining clarity and respecting the identity of the brands you mention. By adhering to these dos and don'ts, you'll ensure that your writing is polished and professional, whether you're crafting a blog post, essay, or any other content.

So, the next time you come across a store brand box of thingies or any other product, remember the importance of getting brand names right in your writing. Your attention to detail will be likelike noticed and appreciated by your readers.

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Grammar Party

A blog about grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and sometimes cats, using brand names.

Kleenex. Band-Aid. ChapStick. What do these words have in common? They are all trademarked. If you bought a store brand box of thingies to blow your nose into, you’re actually using facial tissues , not Kleenex . Likewise, if you rub something on your lips that doesn’t come in a tube labeled ChapStick , you’re using plain old lip balm .

JetSki, Google, Crock-Pot, Post-it—the list goes on.

What does this mean for your writing? Generally, it is okay to reference brand names in writing. The main point to remember is brand names need to be treated like other proper nouns. This means brand names should be capitalized. (Generic names do not require capitalization.)

Example: I had such a bad cold last week that I sneezed my way through three boxes of Kleenex.

However, be mindful of using brand names correctly. For instance, if you are writing a blog post about your nasty cold, you shouldn’t post a photo of you holding a box of facial tissues labeled “Joe Shmoe’s brand of facial tissues” and then reference the brand name Kleenex in a caption. If your post rockets in popularity, it’s possible the trademark police could come after you because brand names should be used to reference that particular brand only.

Here is a list of trademarks often thought to be generic (should be capitalized): Band-Aid Bubble Wrap ChapStick Crock-Pot Frisbee Google Hacky Sack Jacuzzi Jeep Kleenex Kool-Aid Memory Stick Onesies Popsicle Post-it Q-tip Rollerblade Scotch Tape Sharpie Styrofoam Tupperware Wite-Out

Want to learn more? Mental Floss has a funny and informative blog post about trademarks at risk of becoming generic. Check it out .

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7 thoughts on “ using brand names ”.

I give up. What’s the generic term for Bubble Wrap — air pocketed plastic packing material?

Apparently it’s “air bubble packing.”

Velcro’s another. It’s generic name is “hook and loop.” Of course, say that and no one will know what it is. 🙂

These are all trademark names that have become generic. Like it or not, that is the evolution of language in action. If you don’t agree with it, you shouldn’t use US spelling.

I agree with Jules. Nobody is going to say they went to the craft store to buy spherical expanded polystyrene insulation for their kid’s solar system project. It’s always funny though when you see something with the generic name written on the label. I literally laughed out loud the first time I took some trash down to my apartment’s dumpster and saw that I was throwing it into a “front loading waste receptacle.” Trampoline, escalator, zipper, videotape, laundromat, aspirin, and countless other items started out as brand names but are now legally considered generic. It’s only a matter of time before the other brands follow suit.

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How to write brand names

Author : Cathy Dann

Posted : 20 / 05 / 12

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In many cases, the company itself will take a pragmatic approach. For example, Twitter spells its name with a lower-case t in its logo, but upper case in text. We do the same at Emphasis. But what do you do if the company consistently describes itself in non-standard English?

Take insurance companies MORE TH>N and LV=, retail consultancy him! or the supermarket ASDA, for example. If you’re writing about ASDA and you need to refer to ASDA several times in a paragraph, the block capitals in the word ASDA can soon appear to shout at the reader and drown out the rest of the text on the page (like they do here). So should you prioritise the brand’s preferences or the readability of your documents?

You need a house style

If you don’t already have a house style and you’re starting from scratch, there are two broad approaches you can take.

1. Write the brand name exactly as the company does. You may wish to do this if the company is a client or partner, or if they have expressed a strong preference for the format of their name and you don’t want to upset them. Also, as rules go, it’s certainly the simplest to follow.

2. Bring the brand name in line with standard English. If your priority is literacy and ease of reading, or if you found yourself wincing at the third paragraph of this article, you may wish to take this approach. It’s OK to make small changes to the format of the brand name, so long as it is still clearly recognisable.

If you decide to go with the second option, the rest of this article will take you through the areas you’ll need to consider. This may also be helpful if you already have a house style but it doesn’t tell you how to deal with the brand names mentioned above.

In each case, we’ve made a recommendation, but it is only that – you may decide differently.

Punctuation marks

Some brand names, such as Yahoo! Which? and him! include a punctuation mark, which can be problematic – and not only because Word automatically capitalises the following word, thinking that you must be starting a new sentence.

For a start, exclamation marks are generally frowned upon in formal writing, even when used correctly. So ending a sentence with ‘according to Yahoo!.’ looks doubly strange when combined with the extra punctuation. And an exclamation mark in the middle of a sentence, such as ‘Yahoo! has filed applications for two patents’, can feel disruptive.

Many publications (the Guardian , the Sunday Times , the BBC) choose to omit the exclamation mark and simply write Yahoo . Others (the Times , the Telegraph ) choose to retain it.

Verdict: Yahoo – it’s still instantly recognisable.

Even more difficult is him! , with its lower-cased h , which can leave writers wrangling with sentences such as: ‘The price-marked pack has been a source of confusion within the industry, according to him!.’ (Who is  ‘him’?, asks the reader.) For clarity, it’s necessary to add ‘retail consultancy’ before ‘him!’, but even then you’re still left with the awkward punctuation.

him! told us that their brand name should always be written with the exclamation mark, and ‘always be lower case even at the start of a sentence’ (like this sentence, for example, which we wrote in agony). However, they admitted that many publications refused to follow these guidelines.

Verdict: Him – him! is too confusing.

The consumer magazine Which? throws up similar questions. In fact, it sometimes throws up extra questions where you don’t want them. ‘This research was compiled by Which? ’, or ‘Which one performed best in the Which? test lab?’, for example.

Which? told us:  ‘Our policy is to always include the question mark. We haven’t produced any guidance for the press, instead relying on our own presentational material to set the example.  We would encourage anyone who’s tempted to end a sentence with the word Which? to rewrite their sentence.’

Strange though the question mark may be, lopping it off also causes problems.  ‘This research was compiled by   Which ’ and ‘Which one performed best in the   Which test lab?’ could be confusing, especially if your style is to write the names of publications without using italics.

Verdict: Which? – the question mark is vital to understanding the brand name.

Non-alphabet characters

There are certain non-alphabetical characters that don’t trouble the reader at all. For example, Marks & Spencer looks more natural than Marks and Spencer , as we are so used to seeing it in the high street and on TV. Even for a non-British readership, the ampersand is so widely used that it’s unlikely to jar.

The same can’t be said, however, for MORE TH>N or LV=, which are unsettling to the eye, not to mention a pain to type. A  MORE TH>N spokeswoman told us:  ‘MORE TH>N  should always be presented in this way and not re-formatted to More Than’,  but we think that’s asking quite a lot.

The Guardian ’s style guide takes a zero-tolerance approach to  MORE TH>N, reading simply  ‘More Than – not MORE TH>N, which is how the insurance arm of Royal & Sun Alliance styles itself’.

When it comes to LV=, however, most publications retain the  ‘equals’  sign, because the company name is pronounced   ‘  LV equals’  (whereas the > in  MORE TH>N is, thankfully, silent).

Verdict: Marks & Spencer, More Than, LV=.

Stop SHOUTING

There is a generally accepted rule for writing acronyms (a set of initials pronounced as a word) and initialisms (a set of initials pronounced as letters). Acronyms are written with the first letter capitalised, for example Unicef and Nasa, while initialisms are capitalised all the way through, for example IBM and BBC.

However, some companies would have us write their names all in capital letters, even if they don’t actually stand for anything. For example, ASDA (a portmanteau of As quith and Da iries), ASUS, GIGABYTE and UNISON, all of which are pronounced as words, not letters. Of course, they like this format because it makes them stand out. But unless you’re writing something with the aim of actively promoting that brand, there’s no reason why the brand name should stand out more than the other words in the document, which are equally important.

Verdict: Asda, Asus, Gigabyte and Unison. As a general rule, if you can pronounce it as a word, only capitalise the first letter. If you pronounce every letter, capitalise them all.

And then there’s Apple, with their fondness for putting a lower-case i in front of everything. However, iPad , iPod and iMac are now so widely recognised that to replace them with Ipad , Ipod and Imac would be pointlessly awkward.

Verdict: iPad, iPod, iMac – but try to avoid putting them at the start of a sentence.

When nouns become verbs

In 2006, Google tried to stop media organisations using their name as a verb . A spokesman said at the time: ‘We think it’s important to make the distinction between using the word Google to describe using Google to search the internet, and using the word Google to describe searching the internet. It has some serious trademark issues.’

However, like Hoover before them, Google have largely failed in their mission to prevent their name from being genericised. The use of ‘to google’ as a verb with a lower-cased g has caught on and even entered both the Oxford and Collins dictionaries.

Verdict: Google for the noun, google as a verb. But if you use a search engine other than Google, consider using ‘search the internet’ or ‘ do an internet search ’ .

Twitter are currently engaged in a smaller battle, over the word ‘tweet’, for which they acquired the trademark in October 2011 . Though they have never objected to a lower-case t being used for the verb ‘to tweet’, they do object to the noun being lower cased. Their guidelines state: ‘Please remember to capitalize the T in Twitter and Tweet!’ However, no one except Twitter itself actually does, and this certainly feels like a fight that has already been lost.

Verdict: Twitter, but tweet for both the verb and the noun.

Lastly, make sure you only use a trademarked brand name when you’re referring to something made by that brand. Do you mean Tetra Pak, or just generic cartons? Is it really a Portakabin, or is it a ‘portable cabin-style building’ (see this apology )? And if you do decide to tweak the style to make it more readable, make sure you retain the initial capital letter to signal that you’re referring to a brand rather than a generic noun (except, of course, in the case of a certain brand of products beginning with i ).

The Guardian ’s style guide sums it up nicely. ‘Take care: use a generic alternative unless there is a very good reason not to, eg ballpoint pen, not biro (unless it really is a Biro, in which case it takes a cap B); say photocopy rather than Xerox, etc; you will save our lawyers, and those of Portakabin and various other companies, a lot of time and trouble.’

Why not test your trademark awareness by taking our trademarks quiz ? There are 12 questions, and in each case you need to decide whether the word is currently trademarked, was once trademarked or has never been trademarked.

In conclusion

If it’s an easy life you’re after, and you can stomach block capitals and strange punctuation marks, the simplest rule is to go with what the brand itself does. But you’ll still need to decide whether to follow their logo or how they present their name in official documents, such as company reports, because these aren’t always the same (see Twitter, for example).

Or, if you’re feeling bold, why not make a stand for legibility and carve out a house style of your own?

Do you want to inform, inspire and persuade with your business documents? Our 64-page guide to professional writing, The Write Stuff , will help. Get your free copy here .

The definitive guide to transforming the writing of individuals and teams

Author: cathy dann.

Cathy is a certified word and editing expert, having worked as a sub-editor, editor and copywriter at, to name a few, the Guardian , The Sunday Times , The Telegraph , Which? and The Grocer .

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using a brand name in MLA style

Should a brand name be italicized when used in a MLA-style paper? For example, tin he following paragraph:

Future Shop, which offered technology supplies, was closed and in an statement the CEO wrote "We regret to inform you..."....

should Future Shop be italicized, as in this example:

Future Shop , which offered technology supplies, was closed and in an statement the CEO wrote "We regret to inform you..."....

I have an MLA handbook but cannot find if I should italicize or not.

• writing-style
• proper-nouns

• 1 I don't know about the italics, but "an statement" should be "a statement". If the brand is a trademark or a registered trademark, it seems to me that one could "bug" it (tm) or (r) and leave it in Roman type. But I don't use MLA, so don't trust what I say. –  Brian Hitchcock Oct 19, 2015 at 8:15

Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing , second edition (1998), touches on product and company names only once, as far as I can tell, and in that instance it doesn't italicize such names:

6.8.10 An Advertisement To cite an advertisement, state the name of the product, company, or institution that is the subject of the advertisement, followed by the descriptive label Advertisement , neither underlined nor enclosed in quotation marks. Conclude with the usual publication information. Air Canada. Advertisement. CNN. 1 Apr. 1997. The Fitness Fragrance by Ralph Lauren. Advertisement. GQ Apr. 1997: 111–12.

It seems to me that "Future Shop" in your example corresponds either to the product name "The Fitness Fragrance" or to the company name "Ralph Lauren" in the second MLA example. And since MLA neither italicizes nor puts quotation marks around either of those names, I would surmise that you shouldn't do so with "Future Shop" either.

• From Meta: 'What questions are on-topic and off-topic here?' : {Off-Topic} How do I make this (citation, document, quote, whatever) conform to MLA (or APA, or any other) style guidelines? –  Edwin Ashworth Mar 28, 2016 at 19:46
• @EdwinAshworth: One person commenting on the suggestion that questions about conformity to specific style guidelines should be "off-topic" wrote: "Agreed, unless the relevant style guideline itself is manifestly ambiguous or self-contradictory." But in the present case, it seems to me that MLA provides no clear answer to the question the OP raises—so the OP's question falls into precisely the area that the commenter did not consider off-topic: an ambiguity. Beyond that, the vote on this type of question is 7–1 in favor of "off-topic" (I cast the vote against)—not much of a mandate really. –  Sven Yargs Apr 28, 2016 at 0:28
• Major snags with questions relating to individual style guides are (1) style guides do not define standard usage (often disagreeing amongst themselves) though they (and more especially their adherents) (2) often seem to claim the authority to do so, and (3) many style guides are not freely available. Add in your (4) they can be ambiguous or self-contradictory, and it surely becomes clear that questions should be addressed directly to the editors. POB on various levels. –  Edwin Ashworth May 1, 2016 at 16:41
• @EdwinAshworth: I understand your reasons for opposing styleguide-specific questions—and I much prefer style questions that ask what the general lay of the land is in the semi-fictive world of style advice, where sometimes a strong preference for a particular style choice can be discerned across multiple guides. But I disagree that questions about a specific guide's preferences are impossible to infer in some cases where no explicit recommendation appears, and I think that answers to such questions can be useful to multiple readers. So we disagree about the baseline value of such questions. –  Sven Yargs May 1, 2016 at 17:18

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged writing-style proper-nouns italics mla brands or ask your own question .

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• Posted on February 17, 2023

Ultimate Guide: How to Write Brand Names

Brand names surround us every minute of our lives. We drink our favorite brand of coffee in the morning, brush our teeth with a definite brand of toothpaste, and drive to work in a familiar car model. Nowadays, almost every name of an object is associated with a brand name, and sometimes the brand in everyday language replaces the name itself: I left my Ford in the parking lot, where is my Apple? If your task is to create a brand name that also appears in everyday speech, becomes a living reflection of the product, and evokes lasting associations, you will have to work hard. It is better to familiarize yourself with the Brand Name Guide, which will make solving your task much easier.

1. Creating a Brief

Your brand has only 7 seconds to make a first impression. It is important to make it significant, so you should write clearly and thoughtfully what you want in your name:

• Either the name must be directly related to the product (Big Burger), be the name of the owner or founder of the company (Tom Ford), or have a geographical reference (Amazon);
• The length of the name plays the biggest role in its success. Plenty of brand managers believe that the shorter it is, the better, so there are a lot of brand names on the market that consist of 3-4 letters. The acceptable length, which is perfectly memorable and easy to use, is 3-4 syllables.
• Could it be an abbreviation or a combination of parts of several words? The research has shown that 72% of the best brand names appeared from words or acronyms. There are enough examples in the branding world: Tesco, BMW, KFC, Adidas;
• You can also use a few short, similar-sounding words in the title: Chop-Chop, Coca-Cola, and TikTok.

Use the briefing to include all the details. With its help, the contractor will understand what kind of result you expect and create a successful designation. He will solve the tasks and meet your expectations. The briefing must separately indicate what not to use in the title. For example, not all company owners want their names to be neologisms, and some of them do not allow the use of first and last names in the brand name in any form.

Another mandatory question of the briefing is whether the brand name should be used unchanged in the website address. If yes, the use of symbols is limited, especially since you still need to check the name for free domains in the selected zone.

2. Entry Into New Markets

Today the market is unpredictable, today, you are creating a name for a start-up, and tomorrow or a year later, it will be an international conglomerate with branches around the world. Therefore, you first need to consider positioning the brand identity  in the international market. This leads to the next problem – linguistic perception.

There are many examples when the name of a company had to be changed locally, or something in the spelling was changed when entering the market of a certain country. The most striking example that is given to all novice brand managers is the name of the Toyota MR2 model. When entering the French market, the company faced the problem of pronunciation and translation of the model name into French: MR-Deux, consonant with the French merde, which means “shit.” It is hard to imagine what would happen to this model on the market if marketers did not bother themselves too much and did not analyze the name in the languages of all countries where the concern was going to sell its cars. Such verification takes a lot of time, but in times of globalization, it is necessary.

3. Name Protection

This is an extremely important point, especially if there is an exit from the international market in the future. Be sure to consult with lawyers on how to protect the name, which names can be used, and which ones cannot. Some large companies are proactive and register several names at once for future use. That is, you created a name , you have never heard of it, and it is not mentioned anywhere, but this does not mean that your name no longer has an owner who will then legally take your brand from you, or rather his name. Therefore, it is immediately necessary to check all the options that were invented for legal “purity.”

4. Writing Rules

This is a very, very important point. Even if it seems to you that your company is very far from being mentioned in the press or on the Internet, spend extra time and effort creating rules for using and writing the name in open sources of information.

A striking example is Yahoo! Even now, the idea arose of how to write it, with or without an exclamation mark. The situation is even worse with the name, which? If the sentence is written incorrectly, then the reader can bring the name into context and meaning, like a word, moreover, an interrogative one. It is especially difficult with such titles in the headlines.

How to write the name of brands such as ASDA, ASUS, etc. the company writes its name everywhere in capital letters only. But the problem is that these words are not an abbreviation, so according to the rules of the language, they should be written normally, the first letter in uppercase, all the rest in lowercase. As a result, the names of these, and hundreds of other brands, are written in the press and in the electronic media, whoever wants. From this, recognition is lost, the very essence of naming, its uniqueness

https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics

Another important point is the pronunciation and spelling of the brand name in other languages. Remember that only someone who is impeccably literate has the right to indicate how the name of the company is spelled correctly. Therefore, all documents, appeals, manuals, just promotional articles, and press releases that you write for your company should be checked against writing services by Essay Tigers , which will allow you to avoid any awkward situations and incidents in writing.

Creating a separate translation, transcription, and spelling guide for each country is recommended. This will help maintain the global integrity of perception. Of course, it is impossible to control absolutely all users and authors who will mention or write about your company. Still, at the official level and in reputable electronic versions of magazines and publications, you must adhere to a single style in each country.

How to Test Your Brand Name

Brand name testing is critical. Since the way naming is perceived by the target audience greatly affects the success of the company as a whole.

To understand which name will be best perceived by the target audience, you need to select a list of possible options. After that, survey users. Make sure the sample is large enough. This will make the test results more accurate.

Prepare questions or ask respondents to write associations that evoke the suggested names. Next, you need to do an analysis. Choose the name that best represents your brand values ​​and positively impacts your target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the best practices for incorporating company names into academic essays or papers?

When incorporating company names into academic essays or papers, it’s important to use the full, official name of the company the first time you mention it. Subsequent mentions can use a shortened version if one is commonly recognized. Always respect the company’s preferred capitalization and punctuation.

• Are there specific guidelines to follow when writing brand names in essays, and how do they impact the narrative?

Yes, there are guidelines to follow when writing brand names in essays. Like company names, use the full, official brand name the first time it’s mentioned, and respect the brand’s preferred capitalization and punctuation. The way brand names are presented can impact the narrative by affecting readability and the professional tone of the essay.

• What is the proper format for mentioning company names in professional or academic papers?

The proper format for mentioning company names in professional or academic papers is to use the full, official name of the company the first time it’s mentioned. Subsequent mentions can use a commonly recognized shortened version. Always respect the company’s preferred capitalization and punctuation. If the company name starts a sentence, it should be fully capitalized.

• What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing brand or company names in formal documents?

Common mistakes to avoid when writing brand or company names in formal documents include incorrect capitalization, incorrect punctuation, and not using the full, official name on first mention. It’s also a mistake to use a shortened version of the name that isn’t commonly recognized.

• How can the correct presentation of brand names in writing enhance brand recognition and credibility?

The correct presentation of brand names in writing can enhance brand recognition and credibility by ensuring consistency and professionalism. It shows respect for the brand and helps readers recognize and remember it. It also avoids confusion that can arise from incorrect or inconsistent naming.

The brand name is fundamental to the company. Its creation must be approached carefully and deliberately. Use our recommendations to develop a powerful naming that will reflect the brand values ​​and create a favorable image for the target audience.

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How To Include AP Style Company Names in Your Writing

If you are like me and tend to do a lot of blogging throughout the week, you probably mention a well-known company or two in your content. It is imperative that when you write any piece – particularly if it is for a specific company – that you get these names right. For instance, is “inc” capitalized? Is there a comma before “LLC”? While it often may seem that AP Stylebook guidelines can be difficult to learn, AP style company names are quite simple if you keep a few things in mind.

Rules for Writing Company Names in AP Style

Below you’ll find a list of things to consider when writing company names:

Include the Company’s Full Name

Use the company’s full name somewhere in the article, especially if the article’s subject matter could affect the company’s business. Doing so also helps search engines find your content. The full name is not required if the company name is irrelevant to the story, and you don’t have to use the formal name on first reference.

Consider Costco Wholesale Corp. as an example. It’s appropriate to refer to the company as Costco , but you’ll want to use Costco Wholesale Corp. if you’re writing an earnings report or a story that could influence the company’s stock price.

Drop the Comma

Have you ever wondered if there is a comma before LLC in AP style? Or if there is a comma after “inc” in a sentence? Well, if the company name is followed by Inc. , Ltd. or LLC , do not include a comma before it, even if it is included in the formal name elsewhere.

• Schlumberger Ltd.

Don’t Forget the ‘The’

Be sure to include “The” if it is part of the formal company name.

Company Name Examples:

• The Coca-Cola Co.
• The Gap Inc.

If “The” is not included in the formal company name, keep it lowercase unless it is the first word in the sentence.

• Pittsburgh is home of the United States Steel Corp. headquarters.

If you are unsure what the full name of a company is, you can consult the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use Proper Spelling and Capitalization in Company Names

You should generally use the company’s preferred spelling of its name, but for corporate news or press releases, you can simply use the legal name filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Remember to capitalize the first letter of a company name even if it uses a lowercase one initially. For example, Adidas and Lululemon both tend to use a lowercase letter at the beginning of their names, but when referring to those companies in a piece of content, you would capitalize the first letter per AP style company names guidelines.

An exception to this capitalization rule is any company that begins with a lowercase letter but includes a capital letter elsewhere in the name, such as eBay . However, you should always capitalize company names when they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

• Ebay was originally named AuctionWeb.
• A broken laser pointer was the first item sold on eBay.

Likewise, if a company tends to use all capital letters in its name, you would not use all capitals. Instead, capitalize just the first letter followed by lowercase letters.

• Asus rather than ASUS
• Ikea rather than IKEA
• USA Today rather than USA TODAY

The only time it is appropriate to use all capital letters in a company name is if the letters are individually pronounced, as in BMW . Remember to brush up on your AP acronym rules while you are at it.

Do You Italicize Company Names?

No. Capitalization of company names is correct, but no italicizing or underlining is needed.

Avoid Symbols

Even if a company’s name typically includes symbols such as asterisks, exclamation points or plus signs, do not use these when following AP Stylebook , because they could distract or confuse readers. Take these company names for example:

• E-Trade rather than E*Trade
• Toys R Us rather than Toys “R” Us
• Yahoo rather than Yahoo!

Include Ampersands

When it comes to ampersands (&), you should use one only if it is included in the formal name of the company. Otherwise, use “and.”

• AT&T Inc.
• Eli Lilly and Co.

Examples of AP Style Company Names

Below you’ll find a list of the formal names of some major U.S companies :

Below you’ll find a list of the formal names of some major non-U.S companies :

AP Style Company Names: Conclusion

It may seem like there is a lot to remember with AP style company names, but if you keep these tips in mind, mentioning them in your content should be easy. What simple tips do you have for remembering how to write company names in AP style? Share them in the comments!

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How to Write a Brand Name in an Essay

So many things you write in essays have to be formatted in a certain way. Do you want to quote someone? Find out what academic style you’re writing in and find guidelines on how to format citations and include them in the References list. Do you want to mention a brand name? Find out if and how you need to write it to avoid losing points.

Know More About record lebel names

Some teachers and professors are extra strict when it comes to formatting. Every word is checked, so you need to:

• Know exactly what academic style you have to use for the paper;
• How it treats brand names;
• It’s never late to get writing help at an essay service like https://cheapwritinghelp.com if you need professional assistance at an affordable cost.

In this guide, we’ll overview the main rules of writing brand names in an essay, helping you get those extra points for proper formatting.

Profitable investment company names

Which Style of Writing Should I Follow?

Usually, you will have to follow either the APA (American Psychology Association) or the MLA (Modern Language Association) style. We’ll focus on the APA style here as it’s most often used in papers on business and social science-related topics. MLA is mostly used for papers on art and humanities topics.

There are other styles you may need to use from professional paper writers at PaperWriter if your theme is from another field. However, there might be a need to mention a brand name there as well. We’ll review all the possibilities and find out how to handle those company names in an academic paper.

Referencing a Company in APA Style

There are two ways you can choose from to reference a brand name in the APA-formatted paper: Popular dance studio names

• Simply writing the name. You can simply write the company’s name when referencing the results of its research or the words of its representatives. For example: “According to NASA, …”. There’s no need to write the full name of the company in the paper, but you can use it later on the References page or special notes.
• Parentheses. If the name of the company is long or you want to include a citation without the “According to/As to/etc.”, you can simply put the name in parentheses after the citation.

Referencing a Company in Other Formats

While APA makes it seem very easy, there are other styles that might confuse the matter a little: Tasty tiki bar names

• AP (American Press style). Mostly used for journalistic papers, this style isn’t filled with requirements when it comes to mentioning a company name. You don’t even need to write the full name every time you mention the brand. For example, if talking about United Airlines, you can use the full name or just United if mentioning it for the second time and further.
• MLA. This style requires you to mention the full name of the brand every time you write about it. If it’s abbreviated (like NASA), you don’t have to write the full name all the time. But there’s no chance of a short name use like in the AP style. That being said, MLA accepts omitting Corp., Inc., and similar parts.

Acronyms and Capitalizations

Due to the variety of brand names, there might be disputes as to when to use the whole name, when you can shorten it, when to capitalize, etc. There are several rules you can follow to avoid confusion:

• If the company usually references itself using an acronym, use it without hesitation;
• You can capitalize the whole name only if every letter is pronounced (NYU, UFC, etc.);
• If the brand capitalizes all letters in its name but they are read like a word (IKEA, for instance), you have to capitalize only the first letter. iPhone, GoPro, and other similar names should remain with the initial capitalization;
• AMA (American Medical Association) required the usage of Ltd. and similar additions but without a period in the end. MLA, as we’ve already stated, allows omitting it at all.

Always check the requirements of the style you have to write in before mentioning a brand name. Go online and find the full name of the company and direct yourself using your APA, MLA, AMA, AP, or another style manual. Know the rules for defense!

Useful Tips and Tricks on Using Brand Names in Papers

Here are some recommendations:

• Keep in mind how the brand uses its name. For example, Twitter is capitalized in text, while the logo contains a lower-case t;
• See if the name of the company distorts the sentence. If the name has a punctuation mark (Which?, him!, etc.), mind its placement;
• If needed, include explanations;
• If possible, contact the company to find out what version of the name you can use;
• Don’t shout at your readers with lots of capitalized acronyms in one sentence. Either distribute the names evenly or use another version of the name.

When you get deeper into the topic of using brand names in an academic paper, the topic becomes very confusing. Keep in mind the level of your paper. If it’s a small essay you have to write for a grade, there’s no need to contact the companies and follow strict rules, writing GIGABYTE instead of a more silent Gigabyte several times in one sentence. 

However, if you’re writing an article for a university journal, things like company names should be written according to all the rules and formatted properly.

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Generate accurate MLA citations for free

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• MLA titles: Formatting and capitalization rules

MLA Titles | How to Format & Capitalize Source Titles

Published on April 2, 2019 by Courtney Gahan . Revised on March 5, 2024.

In MLA style , source titles appear either in italics or in quotation marks:

• Italicize the title of a self-contained whole (e.g. a book, film, journal, or website).
• Use  quotation marks around the title if it is part of a larger work (e.g. a chapter of a book, an article in a journal, or a page on a website).

All major words in a title are capitalized . The same format is used in the Works Cited list and in the text itself.

When you use the Scribbr MLA Citation Generator , the correct formatting and capitalization are automatically applied to titles.

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Table of contents

Capitalization in mla titles, punctuation in mla titles, titles within titles, exceptions to mla title formatting, sources with no title, abbreviating titles, titles in foreign languages, frequently asked questions about mla titles.

In all titles and subtitles, capitalize the first and last words, as well as any other principal words.

What to capitalize

What not to capitalize

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Use the same punctuation as appears in the source title. However, if there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space, even if different (or no) punctuation is used in the source.

Example of a work with a subtitle

The exception is when the title ends in a question mark, exclamation point or dash, in which case you keep the original punctuation:

Sometimes a title contains another title—for example, the title of an article about a novel might contain that novel’s title.

For titles within titles, in general, maintain the same formatting as you would if the title stood on its own.

Titles and names that fall into the following categories are not italicized or enclosed in quotation marks:

• Scripture (e.g. the Bible, the Koran, the Gospel)
• Laws, acts and related documents (e.g. the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution , the Paris Agreement)
• Musical compositions identified by form, number and key (e.g. Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67)
• Conferences, seminars, workshops and courses (e.g. MLA Annual Convention)

Sections of a work

Words that indicate a particular section of a work are not italicized or placed within quotation marks. They are also not capitalized when mentioned in the text.

Examples of such sections include:

• introduction
• list of works cited
• bibliography

Introductions, prefaces, forewords and afterwords

Descriptive terms such as “introduction”, “preface”, “foreword” and “afterword” are capitalized if mentioned in an MLA in-text citation or in the Works Cited list, but not when mentioned in the text itself.

Example of descriptive term capitalization

In-text citation: (Brontë, Preface )

In text: In her preface to the work, added in a later edition, Brontë debates the morality of creating characters such as those featured in Wuthering Heights .

If there is a unique title for the introduction, preface, foreword or afterword, include that title in quotation marks instead of the generic section name when referencing the source in the Works Cited list or an in-text citation.

For sources with no title, a brief description of the source acts as the title.

Example of a source reference with no title

Follow these rules for capitalization:

• Capitalize the first word
• Capitalize proper nouns
• Ignore other MLA rules for capitalization

There are some exceptions to this general format: descriptions including titles of other works, such as comments on articles or reviews of movies; untitled short messages, like tweets; email messages; and untitled poems.

Exceptions to general format for sources with no title

If you need to mention the name of a work in the text itself, state the full title, but omit the subtitle.

If you need to refer to the work multiple times, you may shorten the title to something familiar or obvious to the reader. For example, Huckleberry Finn for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . If in doubt, prefer the noun phrase.

If the standalone abbreviation may not be clear, you can introduce it in parentheses, following the standard guidelines for abbreviations. For example, The Merchant of Venice ( MV ) . For Shakespeare and the Bible , there are well-established abbreviations you can use.

When you abbreviate a title, make sure you keep the formatting consistent. Even if the abbreviation consists only of letters, as in the MV example, it must be italicized or placed within quotation marks in the same way as it would be when written in full.

Abbreviating very long titles in the Works Cited list

Titles should normally be given in full in the Works Cited list, but if any of your sources has a particularly long title (often the case with older works), you can use an ellipsis to shorten it here. This is only necessary with extremely long titles such as the example below.

In the Works Cited list, if you are listing a work with a title in a language other than English, you can add the translated title in square brackets.

Example of a reference with a translated title

If you are using the foreign-language title in the text itself, you can also include the translation in parenthesis. For example, O Alquimista ( The Alchemist ) .

You don’t need to include a translation in your reference list or in the text if you expect your readers to be familiar with the original language. For example, you wouldn’t translate the title of a  French novel you were writing about in the context of a French degree.

Non-Latin script languages

For works in a language that does not use the Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, or Russian, be consistent with how you mention the source titles and also quotations from within them.

For example, if you choose to write a Russian title in the Cyrillic form, do that throughout the document. If you choose to use the Romanized form, stick with that. Do not alternate between the two.

Yes. MLA style uses title case, which means that all principal words (nouns, pronouns , verbs, adjectives , adverbs , and some conjunctions ) are capitalized.

This applies to titles of sources as well as the title of, and subheadings in, your paper. Use MLA capitalization style even when the original source title uses different capitalization .

In MLA style , book titles appear in italics, with all major words capitalized. If there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space (even if no colon appears in the source). For example:

The format is the same in the Works Cited list and in the text itself. However, when you mention the book title in the text, you don’t have to include the subtitle.

The title of a part of a book—such as a chapter, or a short story or poem in a collection—is not italicized, but instead placed in quotation marks.

When a book’s chapters are written by different authors, you should cite the specific chapter you are referring to.

When all the chapters are written by the same author (or group of authors), you should usually cite the entire book, but some styles include exceptions to this.

• In APA Style , single-author books should always be cited as a whole, even if you only quote or paraphrase from one chapter.
• In MLA Style , if a single-author book is a collection of stand-alone works (e.g. short stories ), you should cite the individual work.
• In Chicago Style , you may choose to cite a single chapter of a single-author book if you feel it is more appropriate than citing the whole book.

The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style , but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals , newspapers , websites , or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published. For example:

Use the same formatting in the Works Cited entry and when referring to the article in the text itself.

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Gahan, C. (2024, March 05). MLA Titles | How to Format & Capitalize Source Titles. Scribbr. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/titles/

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How to Reference Company Names in Papers

How to Quote Lists in MLA Format

When writing a paper for a high school course, a college class or for your job, there are certain rules you must follow. Most students are generally familiar with these rules, however, questions may still arise. For example, before referencing a company name in a paper, you'll want to first ask yourself if you're using the appropriate writing style. Once you have that covered, you will know how to reference a company's name correctly according to that style, as to avoid plagiarism or harming the company's reputation.

Which Writing Style Do I Use?

Generally, if you're talking about issues in the business world, then APA style is the way to go. APA style stands for the "American Psychology Association" and is a style of writing used typically for business or social sciences.

There will be instances where you're using a different writing style because your paper has nothing to do with corporations. Though, it's likely you may still have to mention the name of a company or organization at some point in the paper.

There are several writing styles that have specific rules when referring to the name of a company. AP Style, which stands for "Associated Press" is a writing style used by journalists. MLA stands for "Modern Language Association" and is typically used in the liberal arts and humanities fields, while AMA "American Medical Association" involves medical writing. AP style may refer to a company that's currently making headlines, MLA may refer to a company when talking about a publisher, and AMA may refer to a pharmaceutical company mentioned in a medical journal.

Referencing a Company in APA Style

To reference a company's name in APA style, you can simply input the name of the company within the paper. For instance, if you're citing a quote, example or statistic from IBM, then in your paper, you can say, "according to IBM" or whatever company it is you're mentioning. You can also use a parenthetical citation. For instance, you can write a quote or statistic, then reference the company inside the parenthesis, such as (IBM 2017).

Referencing a Company in Other Formats

There will be instances when you're not writing in APA style, but you'll still need to reference a company's name. The name of the company should always be how it is in the original text, and how you cite the name of that company, such as parenthetically, in the footnotes or a casual mention, depends on the writing style.

For instance, in AP style, it's okay to mention the name of the company within the text, and you don't need to write out the entire name on each mention. So, if you're writing about United Airlines, it's okay to say "United," but you should mention the full name at least once.

In MLA format, however, you must use the full name of the company at all times, unless it's always abbreviated, for example, WWF. And you must also eliminate business abbreviations such as Inc. and Corp., unless you are referring to a university press, then you can write "UP." For example, instead of writing "Princeton University Press" you can simply write "Princeton UP."

Acronyms and Capitalizations

Unless otherwise mentioned, acronyms and capitalizations are generally treated the same across the board, no matter which format of writing you use. When referencing a company, only use an acronym if the company refers to itself in that way, such as NASA. Otherwise, you must write out the entire name.

When capitalizing the name of a company, only do so if the name of the company has capital letters that are individually pronounced, such as"UFC." This is especially true in AP style. So, if the company itself generally capitalizes their entire name, such as IKEA, you should actually write it as "Ikea." However, if the name is GoPro, then copy the unique capitalization exactly as is.

As far as abbreviations go when referencing a company, some styles require them, some say to omit and some say to edit. For instance, MLA requires writers to omit abbreviations like "Ltd." whereas AMA style requires writers to keep it, but take away the period at the end. It's always important to double check this information before referencing a company in your paper.

When to Avoid Mentioning a Company

If all of this sounds too confusing, then you can try to avoid mentioning the company whenever possible. For instance, if there is a company spokesperson or a publication you can use that has the same information, then reference that instead. If your only option is to reference the company, then just be sure to always use the most credible source and to cite the name correctly.

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• OWL English Purdue: MLA Abbreviations
• AMA Manual of Style: Business Firms
• Writing Explained: AP Style
• Capitalize “the” at the beginning of the name only if it is part of the company's name, as in The Walt Disney Company.
• Lowercase short prepositions that are part of the company name, such as “and.”
• Include the word “company” only if it is part of the name.

Hana LaRock is a freelance content writer from New York, currently living in Mexico. Before becoming a writer, Hana worked as a teacher for several years in the U.S. and around the world. She has her teaching certification in Elementary Education and Special Education, as well as a TESOL certification. Please visit her website, www.hanalarockwriting.com, to learn more.

Are Company Names Italicized? (APA, AP, MLA, and Chicago)

Knowing how to write company names in an essay can be tricky because of the different rules and formats of formal English writing. This page looks at how to quote a company name in formal writing in the four principal styles.

Are Company Names Italicized?

Here are some examples of how to quote a company in-text:

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Are Company Names Quoted?

This guidance doesn’t vary between the styles, and they all require that company names are written as they appear on the company website with no modifications or punctuation.

Here are some examples of company names mentioned in a sentence:

Are Company Names Italicized in APA Style?

Also, the company name should be written exactly how it is officially written, even if it contains a mixture of capitals and lowercase letters. Furthermore, if the company name includes “Inc” or “Plc” or “Ltd”, these should be omitted from any in-text citation in APA Style.

Are Company Names Italicized in AP Style?

AP Style is used by press and media organizations to publish news stories. When referring to company names in AP Style, the name is not in italics.

Here are some examples of how to insert a company into an AP Style document:

Are Company Names Italicized in Chicago Style?

Are company names italicized in mla style.

Here are some examples of how company names look in MLA format:

Final Thoughts

Is it okay to mention a certain brand in an essay?

<p>Is it okay to mention a certain brand(food, clothing, etc) in an essay? I’m just using it as an example to compare something. Would that have copyright issues?</p>

<p>of course its fine, you can mention brands when talking to people, can’t you? right.</p>

<p>Even if you published it in a novel, there would be no copyright or trademark issues.</p>

<p>Thanks! :-* </p>

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Q. In MLA format, do you have to underline or italicize a brand name within the text of the paper?

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Answered By: Erin McDaniel Last Updated: Aug 07, 2019     Views: 123274

No. You should capitalize but not underline or italicize.

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Was this helpful? Yes 225 No 19

Comments (8)

• Good by Hsj on Sep 06, 2016
• Very helpful! Short and sweet! ;D by Misty on Feb 15, 2018
• Helped a lot by Canyon on May 08, 2018
• THX!!! by HI on Oct 17, 2018
• But do you need a reserved, trademark or copyright sign??? by Mörk on Feb 05, 2019
• Hi Mörk. No, you do not need a reserved, trademark or copyright sign for a brand name. by Kathryn Park on Feb 05, 2019
• Direct, correct, and to the point. Thanks. by Elizabeth on Sep 01, 2020
• Straightforward + Simple = Superb by G-boy on Jan 23, 2023

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Can I mention brand names and their products in my research/technical paper?

I want to write a paper on Mobile Screens in HCI, as phones are getting uncomfortably big for users, I want to provide some solution to the big screen phones or how logically state that how small screen phones are suitable for the user.

Coming back to question, for the above-mentioned reason, I was going to make a survey of big phone screen users, and I was going to mention it in my paper, is it okay to mention brand names of phones and their specific products with images?

• research-process
• publications
• legal-issues

• 2 Your question about whether this is a good topic can probably only be answered by an expert in your field; that's not the purpose of this site. –  Nate Eldredge Aug 26, 2014 at 4:46
• 1 I've removed the question about "is this the right topic," because it is indeed off-topic. The question about brands is relevant. –  aeismail Aug 26, 2014 at 8:23
• 2 It would be helpful to get to know why you want to mention brand names - what information does the brand name/phone name convey that a '5" 1024x768 pixel screen phone' description does not? –  DCTLib Aug 26, 2014 at 15:47
• @DCTLib: I was going to mention the dimensions also, but I thought a more specific data such as phone model will connect relatively more to reader than not mentioning it. I think only dimensions shall suffice now. –  1binary0 Aug 27, 2014 at 3:06
• Mentioning the phone model may connect better to the reader (this is actually debatable) but the article will age terribly quickly. You will also face the problem that some models exist in different versions, depending for example on the country they are released (although not sure this applies to screen size). –  Taladris Sep 9, 2014 at 11:21

3 Answers 3

For cases of the type you mention I would probably recommend not naming the brands. The reason for this is that the manufacturer is unlikely to be happy if you say that their equipment is not very good (and they can't all be good or there is nothing to write about). This is particularly important if they have given you samples/equipment to use for research.

The lab I'm at has done several comparisons of various software and microscopes for surface metrology and in all cases the equipment/software is just referred to as A, B, C etc.

While from my point of view the reasons for doing this are purely maintaining good relations I expect there is a legal aspect too. I know we have received long loans/discounts on some instruments which presumably involves a contract saying we can't publish anything negative about the instrument.

If a company has provided some equipment used in this sort of thing you may wish to put them in the acknowledgements. Although be aware this may de-anomimise you data. If very few people make an instrument of a certain type saying thanks to company X makes it obvious what it is. On the other hand knowledgeable readers could probably make an educated guess anyway.

• What is the use of a report that says "there is some program that is better than the others, but we cannot tell you"? –  Davidmh Aug 26, 2014 at 22:02

I don't know about hardware, but in case you feel like mentioning some software (and hardware often comes with software...), beware that the EULA can prohibit researchers and scientists from explicitly using the names of their systems in academic papers.

Oracle is notorious for that, they sued David DeWitt following some benchmarks he had published that mentioned Oracle, see the DeWitt Clause . Luckily the University of Wisconsin supported him, but Oracle banned all Wisconsin alumni for a while.

• You can have a EULA for a piece of hardware? –  Moriarty Aug 26, 2014 at 8:26
• 6 I'm curious whether the DeWitt Clause has been successfully defended in court. –  JeffE Aug 26, 2014 at 10:02
• @Moriarty, basically all hardware contains some software (firmware, OS, etc), and those can contain EULAs. That being said, I can't see how a person who surveys others who are bound by EULAs can be bound by those EULAs. Also, if the OP takes photographs of phones, that's probably a fair use of their trademarks/tradedress, but I'm not a lawyer. –  Bill Barth Aug 26, 2014 at 11:20
• @BillBarth The hardware and software are not always produced by the same company. In the OP's example, you can wipe the manufacturer's installation of Android from a phone, and install (for instance) CyanogenMod - without initially booting the phone and explicitly agreeing to the manufacturer's EULA (the legality of post-purchase EULA agreements is disputed, anyway). I'm no lawyer, but if the hardware and software are separable then it may only be the software component that's covered by a EULA. If the OP's paper is software-agnostic, I'm not sure if there's a problem. –  Moriarty Aug 26, 2014 at 13:12

Although in some fields, this may be a problem, as Franck Dernoncourt has explained , in other fields, it is not only a good idea, but expected . For instance, in the laboratory sciences, you would normally list the vendors and suppliers who provided the "raw materials" being used, as well as, in many cases, the experimental apparatuses used to study them.

• "in other fields, it is not only a good idea, but expected " - I think whether the information is expected from an academic point of view, whether it is legally unproblematic to include the information, and whether it is practically feasible (due to space restrictions) to actually do so are three independent questions. –  O. R. Mapper Aug 26, 2014 at 11:10
• @O.R.Mapper a company that sells big lab machines and doesn't let their name to be published is going to have a hard time selling them. –  Davidmh Aug 26, 2014 at 22:01
• @Davidmh: "Lab machines" are not used in my field, so I didn't know that customers of those usually learn exclusively or primarily about them by mentions in papers. Such a willingness to disclose product names sounds beneficial for one of the three independent questions I listed, the one about publishing the product name being "legally unproblematic". –  O. R. Mapper Aug 27, 2014 at 7:43
• @O.R.Mapper the point is not publicity. Complex machines have perks and quirks, and the results may differ from one to another. The knowledgeable experimentalist knows how to interpret this information, and if, for example, the weaknesses of your machine are relevant in your results. Space is not an issue, as in a typical study you only use one or two: not even a line. –  Davidmh Aug 27, 2014 at 8:03
• @Davidmh: The same can certainly be said about database engines, as well. They do have perks and quirks. And as a reader of a paper, I would love to know which engine was used to achieve a certain result. As for space, I'm used to "fighting" for single words in order to just prevent another linebreak that would create an additional page, but that may well be due to upper page count limits being comparably tight in my field. –  O. R. Mapper Aug 27, 2014 at 8:12

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Daily Writing Tips

How to treat names of groups and organizations.

Proper names create challenges for writers and editors trying to identify an organizational entity in a way that is both accurate and graceful. For example, in general, if you would precede the name of an entity with the article the in speech, do so in writing, and if not, don’t.

This rule applies to organizations:

“Your charitable donation to the March of Dimes helps fund our mission,” not “Your charitable donation to March of Dimes helps fund our mission.” (The organization’s Web site lists the copyright holder as “March of Dimes Foundation,” with no article, but refers to itself throughout the site as “the March of Dimes.”)

“Save the Children has instituted rigorous standards in the communities it supports,” not “The Save the Children has instituted rigorous standards in the communities it supports.” (“One could write “the Save the Children philanthropic organization” to provide context, but “the philanthropic organization Save the Children” is more elegant.)

It is also relevant to corporations:

“GlaxoSmithKline PLC is headquartered in London,” not “The GlaxoSmithKline PLC is headquartered in London.”

“The Dow Chemical Company is headquartered in Midland, Michigan,” not “Dow Chemical Company is headquartered in Midland, Michigan.” (But a short form of the name would not be preceded by the article: “Dow is headquartered in Midland, Michigan.”

Usage in corporation names complicates matters somewhat, however. Some firms that include company in their name precede the name with the, and others don’t. (Careful writers and editors will check company literature for proper usage, or delegate the task to a fact-checker.) The same problem occurs when corporation is part of the name: For example, Microsoft Corporation omits the in its official corporate name, but many other such entities include it, as in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Number agreement of proper nouns and verbs is also a significant issue. For example, in American English, names of music ensembles, whether orchestras or pop groups, are matched with singular or plural verbs depending on the name:

“Led Zeppelin was an English rock band,” not “Led Zeppelin were an English rock band.”

“The Beatles were an English rock band,” “Not the Beatles was an English rock band.” (Note, also, that the, when it precedes a band name, is not capitalized, even if band documentation uses a capitalized the .)

However, British English employs plural verbs regardless of the form of the band name: “Led Zeppelin were an English rock band,” and “The Beatles were an English rock band.”

In the United States, names of athletic teams are always treated as plural, regardless of whether the name is a singular or plural term:

“The Magic are headquartered in Orlando, Florida,” not “The Magic is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.” (Note that the house style of the New York Times is an exception.)

“The Giants are headquartered in San Francisco,” not “The Giants is headquartered in San Francisco.” (But “The San Francisco Giants baseball team is in the National League of Major League Baseball,” and “The team is headquartered in San Francisco.”)

In American English usage, metonymic team references, in which a team is referred to by the place name rather than the mascot name, are in singular form: “Orlando is on its way to the playoffs,” and “San Francisco is in a slump.”

In the United Kingdom and other countries where British English is standard, a distinction is made between the organization and the athletes as a group: In the former case, the singular form is used (“The Manchester United Football Club is the most successful football club in England”), but the plural form prevails in the latter case (“Manchester United are ahead by one point”).

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11 thoughts on “How to Treat Names of Groups and Organizations”

This was very helpful as always. I was told that you should never add an “‘s” to a company or brand name, e.g. Nestle’s staff. Is this true? What are your thoughts?

The Environmental Protection Agency recently released style guidance saying that the word the should always preceed both Environmental Protection Agency and EPA. It is common for people to say EPA and not the EPA, but now we have our guidance.

I’ve never heard of this prohibition, and I don’t think it’s valid. You could certainly construct a sentence to avoid the possessive — “Nestle staff received the memo on Friday” — but there’s no reason to go out of your way to do so.

Sorry about the confusion. I should have made this passage clearer. A corporate name that includes abbreviations such as Inc. and LLC should not be preceded by the. (Such appendages, by the way, may usually be safely amputated.)

Names followed by Corporation and Company may or may not be preceded by the, depending on the firm’s style. Familiar corporate names such as Microsoft and Dow usually don’t need a formal recitation of the full name; in that case, always omit the regardless of style for the full name.

(There are always exceptions: The familiar name of the Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is “the Hartford.” The company would have you capitalize the, but that’s a lot to ask.)

I initially thought it odd that the EPA cares enough about how others refer to it to issue a guideline — who would say it wrong? — but I can just picture lobbyists tossing around comments like “EPA is up in arms about that” and “My friend at EPA told me.”

Aren’t the following two statements contradictory? I don’t get it.

Perhaps you can help me with this one, which has always stumped me. When referring to a private school, which has a plural title, since it has two campuses, and is thus called, “Coventry Christian Schools” on it’s letterhead, is it correct to refer to them as singular or plural? For example, would it be correct to say, “Coventry Christian Schools is closed today because of snow,” or “Coventry Christian Schools are closed today because of snow”?

I think either singular or plural is fine, but I would alter the plural choice slightly:

“Coventry Christian Schools is closed today because of snow” refers to a single entity. (It’s analogous to a corporation called World Wide Widgets; the product is plural, but the corporation is a single entity.)

“The Coventry Christian Schools are closed today because of snow” (note the insertion of the at the beginning of the sentence) identifies the entity as consisting of more than one part.

But what if it is not snowing? Is either equally incorrect?

Sorry, couldn’t help it.

A local club has named itself “Talasi Historical Preservation Society”. I maintain that “Historical” is not proper usage here as “Historical” is referring to another adjective. Am I wrong?

An adjective can modify another adjective: What kind of preservation? Historical preservation. (Here, preservation is a noun.) What type of society? A historical-preservation society. (Here, preservation is an adjective, and “historical preservation” is a phrasal adjective.)

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• Writing Tips

When to Use Italics in Your Writing

• 6-minute read
• 24th November 2019

Of all the typographic styles, italicization may look the most dynamic. Perhaps it’s the way the words slant to the right, as if striding confidently to a business meeting. Or perhaps we’re overthinking this. The point is that italics are a useful, versatile part of writing. But when should you use them?

Key occasions for using italics include:

• To emphasize something.
• For titles of standalone works, such as books and movies.
• For vehicle names, such as ships.
• To show that a word is borrowed from another language.
• For the Latin “scientific” names of plant and animal species.

Let’s take a look at each of these to see how they work in practice.

Italics for Emphasis

Like bold fonts or underlining, italics are often used for emphasis . This means we can use italics to stress or draw attention to a particular word or phrase:

Italicization is the best way to emphasize something.

Here, italicizing best shows that we feel strongly about italics.

Generally, italics are the standard form of emphasis in academic writing. This is because they look more formal than bold formatting . However, always check your style guide if your university or employer has one, since some organizations have different rules about emphasizing text.

Italics in Place of Quote Marks

It would be unusual to italicize a full quote rather than placing it in quote marks. However, some people do use italics to set single words apart in the same way you might with quotes. For example:

Quote Marks: The word “italic” comes from a Greek word meaning “Italy.”

Italics: The word italic comes from a Greek word meaning Italy .

As with emphasis, if you are using a style guide, you may want to check whether it allows this. Otherwise, though, italics can be helpful if using too many quote marks makes your writing look cluttered.

When to Use Italics for Titles

Another common use of italicization is for titles. Not your own headings – you can italicize these, but that’s a matter of stylistic preference – but the titles of published works, such as books. For instance, if we mentioned a work by Charles Dickens in an essay, we would write it like this:

Queen Victoria read The Old Curiosity Shop in 1841.

By using italics, we set the title text apart from the rest of the sentence.

It’s not just books that you should do this for. Typically, the same applies for any self-contained media product or publication (i.e., something published by itself rather than as part of a collection). This includes the titles of:

• Books and book-length poems
• Academic journals (i.e., the journal title itself, not individual article titles)
• Magazines and newspapers
• Movies, radio programs, and TV shows
• Plays and other stage shows
• Music albums and other published audio recordings
• Paintings, statues, and other works of art

Titles of shorter works, by comparison, are often placed in quotation marks . However, the rules for presenting titles do vary between style guides.

Italicizing Vehicle Names

You can use italics for the names of individual vehicles, such as a ship or space rocket. For instance, we would italicize the following vehicle names:

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The sailors boarded the HMS Belfast in silence.

The Titanic sank during her maiden voyage.

Here, we italicize Belfast and Titanic because they’re the proper names of specific ships. We do not italicize the initials preceding names of ships (e.g., HMS, RMS, USS). In addition, you should only italicize the names of individual vehicles. If you’re writing the name of a brand or make of a vehicle (e.g., Ford Escort or Boeing 747), by comparison, you don’t need italics.

Italicizing Non-English Words

Make sure to italicize any non-English words you use in English-language writing. This shows the reader that the word was borrowed from another language. For instance, we could say:

In Germany, this feeling is known as Waldeinsamkeit .

The exact rules for when to italicize foreign words may vary depending on the style guide you check. For instance, most style guides make exceptions for words that are now fairly common in English even if they are still loanwords, so you would not usually need to italicize terms like “raison d’être.”

If in doubt, though, you can always check a good dictionary (e.g., the OED or Webster’s). Assuming you can find the word in the dictionary, it should be widely used enough in English to write without italics.

Italicizing Species Names

Binomial nomenclature (i.e., the Latin names given to plant and animal species) is usually italicized. For example, we could say:

Nobody wants Amorphophallus titanum growing in their garden.

As above, you should also capitalize the first word (i.e., the genus) in scientific plant and animal names, but not the second term (i.e., the species).

Other Uses for Italics

There are occasions when you may want to use italics not covered above. In fact, italics are useful for most situations where you need to make some part of a text distinct. One example comes from creative writing, where some people use italics to indicate an unspoken thought. For instance, we could use italics to show a character’s inner monologue:

Jeff sat silently in the doctor’s office. It wasn’t his usual doctor, so he was already nervous before the needle appeared.

“Don’t worry,” said the doctor. “It won’t hurt.”

Easy for you to say, Jeff thought. It’s not you at the sharp end of that thing. But he kept this to himself, instead uttering a meek “OK.”

However you use italics, though, there are two main rules to follow:

• Try not to use italics for too many different reasons in a single document. For instance, if you are writing something with a lot of titles and foreign words, you may want to find a different way of formatting emphasis.
• If you use italicized text for any part of a document, apply it consistently. So, for instance, if you’re using italics for loanwords in one part of an essay, you’ll want to do the same throughout the document.

And if you need anyone to check your use of italics in a document, our editors are here to help. Just submit your work for proofreading today.

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Writing-Related Software Tutorials

When to Capitalize Product Names

By Erin Wright

(Please note that these suggestions apply to sentences rather than headings or titles, which should follow heading-style capitalization.)

1. Always capitalize your brand names and trademarked names.

Capitalized brand and trademarked names help to protect your business identity and strengthen your market recognition.

Our most popular sandwich, the Rusty Wheel, comes with rosemary fries and coleslaw.

2. Avoid capitalizing general nouns.

When you capitalize the general nouns identifying your products, such as “sandwich” or “milkshake,” you may inadvertently diminish the impact of your brand and trademarked names. Therefore, reserve capitalization for unique product names whenever possible.

The Rusty Wheel sandwich has been a staple at the Gigantic Barn restaurant since 1923. (Instead of “The Rusty Wheel Sandwich has been […]”)

3. If you do want to capitalize general nouns, establish specific capitalization standards—and then follow those standards consistently.

For example, you may want to capitalize general nouns every time they directly follow a brand or trademarked name.

Our new Bacon Tornado Milkshake includes real bacon! Pair this delicious milkshake with a Rusty Wheel Sandwich and fries for the ultimate comfort-food lunch.

Or, you may want to capitalize general nouns the first time they follow a brand or trademarked name and then use lowercase for all subsequent references.

The Bacon Tornado Milkshake is only available for a limited time. So, mosey on over for a Bacon Tornado milkshake today!

Only you can decide which capitalization standards are the right fit for your business; however, if you do capitalize general nouns, remember to do so consistently across all communication platforms including your website, printed material, and social media posts.

4. Reduce the number of product-related general nouns in your copy.

Another way to decrease the confusion surrounding product capitalization is to only use general nouns, such as “sandwich” or “milkshake,” the first time products are mentioned within a document, page, or section.

The Rusty Wheel sandwich has been a staple at the Gigantic Barn restaurant since 1923. In fact, the Rusty Wheel has been Gigantic Barn’s top seller for the past nine decades.

While you’re contemplating product capitalization standards, why not update your in-house style guide? If you don’t have an in-house style guide, consider creating one today with In-House Style Guides for Small Businesses, Part 1—Benefits and Preparation and In-House Style Guides for Small Businesses, Part 2—Selecting Topics . It’s easy and fun! Okay, maybe not fun. But it will save you a lot of time, effort, and heartache down the road. I promise!

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How to Write a Book Name in an Essay

Last Updated: February 14, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Noah Taxis and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Noah Taxis is an English Teacher based in San Francisco, California. He has taught as a credentialed teacher for over four years: first at Mountain View High School as a 9th- and 11th-grade English Teacher, then at UISA (Ukiah Independent Study Academy) as a Middle School Independent Study Teacher. He is now a high school English teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco. He received an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education. He also received an MA in Comparative and World Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BA in International Literary & Visual Studies and English from Tufts University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 63,747 times.

When you’re writing an essay that includes a book title, it can be confusing to write the title correctly. However, it’s really easy once you know the rules. How you write the title will vary a little bit depending on the style your instructor assigns and if you are typing or handwriting the essay. Luckily, it's easy to follow the rules for writing a book name in an essay.

Writing Help

Typing an Essay in MLA or Chicago Style Format

• For example, you would write To Kill a Mockingbird , The Lord of the Rings , or Wuthering Heights .

• If you have the book name in front of you, you can just copy it down as it is printed.
• Articles include a, an, and the.
• Prepositions include at, in, on, of, about, since, from, for, until, during, over, above, under, underneath, below, beneath, near, by, next to, between, among, and opposite.
• Coordinating conjunctions include the FANBOYS, which are for, and, not, but, or, yet, and

• For example, you would write the name of William Faulkner’s novel Absalom, Absalom! with both the comma and the exclamation point in italics.

• If the highlight bar goes away, try again, making sure that you don’t click anywhere on the page after you highlight the book name.

• Alternatively, you can press the italicize icon before you type the title.
• If you’re using Microsoft Word to type your essay, the italicize key may appear if you hover over the highlighted book name.

• If the next word after your title appears italicized when you resume typing, simply highlight it and click the italicize icon to remove the formatting.

• For example, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is sometimes published in one volume. In this case, you could write the name of the first novel as "The Fellowship of the Ring" when citing it in an essay.

Typing an Essay in APA Format

• Capitalize the first letter of the words, not the entire word.
• If the word is a two-part hyphenated word in the title, you should capitalize both words. For example, you would write Blue River: The Trial of a Mayor-Elect .
• If there is a dash or colon in the title, you should capitalize the word after the punctuation, regardless of how long the word is. As above, you would write Blue River: The Trial of a Mayor-Elect .

• For example, you would write Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? with the question mark italicized.

• If the book name is not highlighted, left click and drag your cursor again, making sure that you don’t click again anywhere on the page.

• If you are using Microsoft Word, the italics icon may appear when you hover over the highlighted book title. It’s okay to click this key.

Handwriting an Essay

• For MLA and Chicago style essays, capitalize the first word of the book name and every word other than articles, prepositions, or coordinating conjunctions. For example, write The Lord of the Rings .
• If you’re using APA style, capitalize the first word and all words longer than 4 letters. [9] X Research source This means you would write Public Policy in Local Government .

• If you’re writing on lined paper, it may help to follow along the line of the paper. However, make sure your line is dark enough so that your instructor will see that you properly underlined the book name.

• For example, you would write Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by underlining the punctuation marks as well as the words.

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about academic writing, check out our in-depth interview with Noah Taxis .

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_literature/formatting.html
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/underline-or-italicize-book-titles/
• ↑ https://askus.library.wwu.edu/faq/116757
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/apa/books_ebooks
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/italics-quotations/italics

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Subscribe for exclusive access, namestorming: how to choose a brand name in 20 minutes or less.

Written by Rob Allen | January 10, 2024

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Apple, Uber, Starbucks, and Disney. All are iconic brand names that seem perfect in hindsight.

But when the founders came up with these good brand names, was it a stroke of genius? Or is there a process for selecting memorable, catchy names that stand the test of time?

For Gretta van Riel  and other successful entrepreneurs, choosing a brand name had a lot less to do with luck and a lot more to do with a process. After launching four multimillion-dollar ecommerce brands , Gretta has developed a step-by-step method for choosing the perfect brand name for your startup—and fast.

Try 20 minutes or less.

Before you get too excited, we have an important disclaimer: don’t worry about perfecting your brand name just yet.

Got that? Alright, let’s go!

Table of Contents

Method For Choosing A Brand Name

What a brand name should be, a brand name should not, 4 types of brand names to choose from, how to choose your brand name in 3 steps, how to use ai to find your brand name, brand name faqs.

Gretta’s formed a lot of brands over the years, and coached thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs on how to find great product ideas, get traction on social media, share their messages, and develop repeat customers.

But surprisingly, one of the biggest places Gretta sees new entrepreneurs getting stuck is when coming up with a name.

“They see the success of brands like Uber, Google, and Apple, and believe that a creative name will lead to great success,” she says.

“This is a big mistake. The truth is, a name is only one part of a great business. But it’s far from the biggest part. In fact, many iconic brand names only became memorable after people experienced an incredible product or service.”

In other words, the brand name was only great because the product was great first.

Not to mention the fact that many brands picked a name and pivoted. For example, Google’s first name was BackRub, Pepsi was Brad’s Drink, and Instagram was Burbn.

Gretta’s advice to founders is not to seek a perfect brand name from the start , but to seek a “good enough” brand name.

“Obviously, don’t just choose the first random word that came into your head. But also remember the reason you got into business in the first place. It probably wasn’t to spend all day dreaming up the perfect name.”

Below, Gretta outlines a simple process you can use. But the important disclaimer that she gives every entrepreneur is that you don’t have to have a perfect name to start.

You can always change it later on.

There are no hard-and-fast rules for what a brand name can or cannot be.

For example, some brands like Adidas just combined the founder’s nickname with three random letters to create a memorable brand name. While others, like Xerox, come from a shortening of the word “xerography”, the technical name for the dry copying process that photocopiers use.

But Gretta has developed some basic guidelines for what a great brand name should do.

Don’t Skip:  How to Develop Powerful Business Core Values and Mission Statements

Easy to Remember

Have you ever been listening to your favorite podcast, heard an ad for an interesting product, and then couldn’t buy it because you couldn’t remember the URL the host mentioned? Now imagine how difficult it is to stand out if it wasn’t just a non-memorable URL, but it was a difficult-to-remember brand name.

A tough-to-remember name does a lot more damage. It makes it much harder for people to get to your website and become customers. So, instead of choosing a brand name inspired by the etymology of Greek words combined with the name of the street you grew up on, choose something easy to remember.

Simple, catchy names like Apple, Uber, and Target are infinitely better than The Antidisestablishmentarianism Co. or The Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis Cure.

(Those are real words by the way).

How many Pizza places do you think exist in the world? Probably thousands.

On the other hand, there is only one Dominoes. Generic brand names can work for hometown local businesses, but they’re difficult to make into global brands.

Pique Interest

A good name should make people intrigued about what the brand is.

For example, when you find out Purple is a mattress company, you probably want to know why they have that name. The name pulls you in to learn more about the story of the brand. And that’s a characteristic of many great brands.

For example, the name Gretta chose for her line of teas, Skinny-Me-Tea , pulls you in. You might think, “How does it make me skinny?” “Does it actually work?” “What’s in it?”

This is the kind of intrigue you want your brand name to trigger.

When you choose a name for your brand, it should relate back to what your core business does.

You want to choose a brand name that relates in some way back to your core business. It doesn’t have to be a direct, word-for-word match, like Water Bottles For Sale. You can be creative.

For example, Nike chose its name for the connection to the Greek goddess of victory. But it should relate, at least in some way, to what your brand will ultimately do. Otherwise, it risks confusing people and losing customers.

You should always choose a brand name that can flex and adjust with your business needs over time. The last thing you want is to choose a brand name that boxes you in forever.

If you are launching a Keto supplement company, you might not want to call it KetoProtein. If the Keto trend goes away, that name doesn’t give you much wiggle room to change and grow. But something more malleable like FatForFuel could shift for changing tastes in the marketplace. You could keep the prefix “___For” or the suffix “Fuel” as the core of your brand name.

Conversely, there are some things Gretta says that your brand name should not do.

Tell the whole story

Your brand name alone cannot do all your marketing. So you should never put the onus of telling the entire story about your company on the name. Consider Gretta’s The 5th Watches.

“The 5th” portion of the name communicates a lot about the brand, once you’re familiar with it. It tells you when they have sales (the 5th of the month) and how long those sales last (five days). It also communicates an air of high fashion, drawing on elements of New York’s fashion district on 5th Avenue. But while all those things are eventually communicated through the name, notice that the name doesn’t try to tell you all that at once.

It’s not called The 5-Day High-End Watch Seller on The 5th of The Month. It’s just The 5th Watches. You learn the whole story later, but the name just captures the essence of the brand.

Be Too Literal

Brand names should never be so literal that they become generic.

The brand Planter’s Peanuts wouldn’t just want to call itself The Peanut Snack Company. It’s so literal that customers will never remember it. And even if they do, there’s no way for them to differentiate yours from Joe Schmoe’s down the road.

Names that box you into one specific niche, category, or type of product are like putting your business in a straightjacket. No matter what you do to pivot, you’ll remain stuck. It would be very hard for a company named Moving Supplies Co. to pivot into having actual movers pick up and haul stuff.

Even though they’re related services, people would never think that the moving supply company would be able to do the actual moving.

Steal The Show

While a brand name that’s boring can be bad for business, a flashy name can be even worse. Your brand name should never distract from the core function or product that your business provides.

Slow Things Down

Choosing a brand name is challenging.

But it’s not something to agonize over for weeks and weeks. And while you never want to have to change it, mistakes can be corrected. If there’s a perfect domain you want that doesn’t expire for another year, don’t wait.

Use this post and your creative muscles to come up with other potential names. Just don’t get stuck on your name because many great names came from decisions that the founder made on a whim.

With those factors in mind, here are the different types of brand names you can choose for your startup . All these can work, but use Gretta’s tips on which is most applicable to your business.

Here’s a breakdown of those four types of brand names and who should consider using them for their business.

1. The Generic Brand Name

“Think of brands like Hotels.com or Cars.com. Those are generic names,” Gretta says.

Names like these can be tough to secure for many reasons. The biggest being that generic domains like robot.com have big asking prices, in excess of seven-figures.

But also because this category of the name almost never meets the above criteria for what a good brand name should do.

For example, “Smartphone” might be a solid generic name for your phone product. But it doesn’t pique interest. It is too literal and completely boxes you into one category.

“Unless you already own the domain, I would avoid this type of name for your startup.”

2. The Descriptive Brand Name

This is where the name attempts to describe what the brand/products can do for the end-users. For example, Gretta chose the name SkinnyMe Tea for her line of weight loss/detox teas. This name tells you the core promise of the product right in the name. You know what you’re getting just by reading the name and that’s powerful.

Other names that would fall in the descriptive category include Burger King, Pizza Hut, Internet Explorer, Gmail, and more. Each of these names alludes to or describes what the underlying business does. This can make a great category of name for your business.

3. The Suggestive/Associate Brand Name

This is where the brand doesn’t exactly tell you what the company does but implies what it does through words that convey strong imagery and emotions.

For example, take Greyhound. The business doesn’t sell greyhound dogs, but they do help you get from one place to another quickly via a business. So, in a sense, they are associating the speed and quality of the dog with their traveling brand.

Another example is Subway. It’s not a transit company. But they do specialize in selling submarine sandwiches, or subs.

One of the big benefits of this kind of name is that the only restraint you have is your creativity. So it can be great for any founder that wants a name that is distinct, rooted in history, or a fun play on words.

4. The Coined, Random, or Abstract Brand Name

This is the category of brand name that requires the most creativity and can take a while to nail down. But many of the most iconic brands of our time came from seemingly made-up words.

“While these names are a blank slate, they’re harder to build brand recognition around and I personally wouldn’t use them in many cases,” Gretta warns.

The reason these names don’t always work is because there’s nothing for people to connect it to initially. If you’re launching a totally new product in a totally new category, you should be cautious about using this type of name.

Now that you know the different categories of brand names and what makes a great one, it’s time to choose yours using Gretta’s Namestorming activity.

To get started, simply set a timer for 20 minutes and follow these steps:

• Brainstorm 15 words that come to mind when you’re thinking of your business. Anything that comes to mind is fair game.
• Break out the thesaurus and look for synonyms of those words. Dig deep to find some words that are unique, rare, or out-of-the-ordinary that you might not have thought of.
• Narrow down your list to just 3-5 names. Pick your best ones to see if they’re available. Cutting them might feel like pulling teeth but just go with your gut on the best ones you wrote down.

Once you select your 3-5 best, look up those names to find out if you’re in the clear to launch your brand. Unfortunately, your first choice might be taken.

Spending time brainstorming brand name ideas can be very time-consuming, only to come up with ideas that make your business partner or friends grimace when you speak them out loud.

I mean, that’s not entirely your fault. Who knew “I Kneed Carbs” was a bad name for a bakery?

Fortunately, you don’t have to pull all the weight on your own anymore, thanks to the development of AI over the last 12 months.

Now, there are a ton of AI tools to choose from, many of which can help you brainstorm a brand-new name with the right prompts.

Prompt #1: Explain your business to your AI tool.

Firstly, you need to provide your chosen AI tool (in this case, we will use ChatGPT) with as much information as possible about the plans for your brand.

The more information you can provide the tool with, the better chance it has of digesting that information and providing you with relevant suggestions.

Let’s revisit our bakery example once more. Here’s an example prompt of what we might want to include:

“I am searching for the perfect brand name for my new bakery, which will be launching early next year. The bakery will focus specifically on different types of bread and other savory bakes. The branding style we are looking for is cool and edgy, and our aim is to attract a younger audience, as our demographic is 18-24-year-olds. We also need a name that looks good when included in a hashtag or on social media to help us with our marketing strategy.”

As you can see, not only have I mentioned that the business will be a bakery, but I have also added details about the product sold, the target audience, and the tone of voice, to help ChatGPT come up with the best options in phase two.

Prompt #2: Ask for several options to pick from

Once you have placed that information into your AI tool, it’s time to ask for several options to pick from. This is where AI can really shine, as rather than thinking of three yourself and then running out of ideas, you can get ChatGPT to produce a batch of names for you to choose from.

So, let’s do just that:

Prompt #3: refine your ideas in greater detail

Finally, it’s time to refine our choices and dive a little deeper. Let’s say, for example, you hated numbers 2, 8, and 12 but loved options 3, 5, and 14. Well, let’s give that feedback to ChatGPT, and see what it comes back with.

“I didn’t like numbers 2, 8, and 12 but loved options 3, 5, and 14 – please can we explore those a little deeper with 10 new options?”

Note: The “please” isn’t necessary, but it’s always nice to have a few brownie points in your back pocket for when the robots rise up and take over.

Now, you can continue refining until you get an idea that you like.

How much time should I spend on my brand name?

This question can be tricky. You don't want to rush the brand naming process, so you're stuck with something you don't like. But if you have a problem-solving product idea that you know will sell, naming your brand shouldn't stand in your way. Instead, you should ask yourself: how important is my business's name? If it's not a priority, don't spend too much time on it.

Will a great brand name help my business?

A brand name isn't an essential part of your business. Product market fit, customer acquisition, and your business model will make the difference, not what name you file your business under. But a brand name that doesn't fit your mission or is too complicated can result in your business stumbling out of the gate. The good news is that even the most successful founders have changed their business's brand name. It's standard when a business grows or changes its purpose.

How do you know you've picked the right brand name?

You'll know when you know. Is that too simple of an answer? Trust your gut and vet the name with your family and friends. If you have a founding team or board, ensure everyone is committed to the name. Or, if you already have an established audience, test a few different names out and see what they think.

Keep Learning: How to Choose the Right Color for Your Logo – The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Have a Name? Now Build a Brand

Just like every person has a personality, every business has a brand. Your brand name is just the beginning of building a brand. Explore foundr+ for $1 to learn how to create a brand identity that’s more than a cute logo but a foundation to grow your business.

This article was updated with support from Graeme Whiles .

About Rob Allen

Rob Allen is a direct-response copywriter and marketing consultant. He’s sold over $50 million worth of products online and one channel has been responsible for more sales than any other: Email. If you want to see how he writes emails that sell (really well), download his free guide on the 6 secrets to writing 6-figure emails right here .

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How To Build a Brand in 7 Steps: Get Started in 2024

Learn how to build your own brand from scratch and create a compelling and memorable brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Brand building is a critical part of starting a business . A great business idea or innovative product means nothing if you can’t communicate it to the world—specifically in a way that your  target audience can relate to.

Your brand image in the minds of your customers, competition, and the market all comes down to brand positioning and the aesthetic choices you make. But your brand identity is more than a logo. It encompasses everything from your unique brand personality to your mission statement to the consistent color palette you use across every channel.

In this guide, learn how to build your own brand from scratch and create a compelling and memorable brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Plus, explore what it takes to create a brand logo or catchy slogan, with real examples from successful brands and branding design tips from experts.

What is a brand?

A brand defines a business, product, service, person, or concept in the market. It differentiates your business from others in the same industry and has a set of rules (called brand guidelines) that dictate how that business will be marketed and presented. Branding is the process of establishing a brand—how it looks, what it sounds like, and the defined target audience it hopes to reach. 

What are the building blocks of a brand?

Brand is more than a logo. It’s more than a slogan or color palette. To build a successful brand, there’s plenty of ground work that needs to be done before you can start designing a website or creating marketing materials. 

Here are the building blocks that will be included in your overall brand guidelines document:

Target audience

Defining your target audience is one of the most important stages of creating a brand from scratch. Everything stems from this. Defining your audience in detail helps you build a brand that speaks directly to it. Later in this article, you’ll learn tactics for understanding this audience.

Brand identity

Your brand identity encompasses your business name and the visual elements that define your brand, from your logo and colors to the aesthetic of your photography and your social media handles. Brand identity also includes your brand’s story and competitive advantage.

Brand voice

Brand voice is how your brand sounds. Defining this ensures brand consistency across every customer touchpoint. If your customers expect a cheeky, frank tone from you on social media, carry that through into your website copy and other communications.

Mission and values

Your brand’s mission is the North Star for your business. It establishes both a goal for yourself and a promise to your customers. Your values are what your brand stands for. Both are important as you build your brand because they keep your decisions in check. Whatever you do as a brand should always stay true to your mission and values.

Style guide

Your brand style guide is one part of your larger brand guidelines. It spells out exactly how your brand will surface on every platform or channel. It covers acceptable use of your logo, fonts you use, brand voice and tone, and overall aesthetic of your brand. It’s a useful guide as you scale, hire, and use agencies to create work on your behalf. 

The importance of brand guidelines

Brand guidelines are the bible for your brand. This document or set of documents will take a position on every aspect of your brand and how it shows up in various places. Every decision you make during the brand building process will be captured here. 

A well-executed set of brand guidelines will achieve the following:

• Keep staff, freelancers, retail partners, and agencies on the same page
• Aid in staff hiring and training (what are the qualities your brand looks for in an employee?)
• Ensure your branding is consistent across all touchpoints
• Be a go-to resource for crisis communications
• Be a flexible document that grows with your brand

How to build a brand in 7 steps

• Research your target market
• Determine your brand’s voice and personality
• Choose your business name
• Write your brand story
• Create a brand style guide
• Design your logo and brand assets
• Apply your branding across your business

As a small business owner, taking the time to establish your brand image is critical, especially if you’re entering a crowded market. And creating a solid foundation for your brand identity can help you build brand awareness over time. 

While you might revisit some steps as you pivot or create your brand, it’s important you consider each aspect as you shape your brand identity. Bookmark this guide as a handy resource to access throughout your brand building journey.

1. Research your target market

The first step to building a successful brand is understanding the current market: Who are your potential customers and competitors? Every solid brand strategy and business plan is based on this very question. 

You can’t create a brand logo unless you know the preferences of your audience. And developing a unique brand personality that stands out from the crowd can only happen once you know the competitive landscape. 

There are many ways to conduct market research before you start the brand building process:

• Google your product or service category and analyze the direct and indirect competitors that appear in search results.
• Talk to people who are part of your target market and ask them what brands they buy from in your industry.
• Look at the relevant social media accounts or pages your target audience follows.
• Shop online or in retail stores and get a feel for how your customers would browse and buy products.
• Investigate trends in your industry by reading publications, browning social media, and using Google Trends.

During your research, take note of the biggest brands in the market. What are they doing right? What do you offer that they don’t? This is called your unique selling proposition (USP). 

You should also pay attention to the habits common to your target audience, like the platforms they use most, the language and slang they use, and how they engage with other brands. These insights will help you understand where and how best to reach them. 

Lingerie brand Lemonade was built to create a size-inclusive and body-positive line of products for “every person.” While this may sound like a broad audience, Lemonade understands that its target customer is someone who doesn’t feel represented by typical lingerie brands.

Beyond saying it, Lemonade shows it’s a brand for all kinds of bodies by using diverse images that include plus models and offering a gender-affirming line.

2. Determine your brand’s voice and personality

Branding isn’t about trying to be everything to everyone. A strong POV will speak to the audience you care about most. It will tell this group that yours is a brand for them. To develop this POV and a distinct brand voice, there are several exercises you can complete. 

Create a positioning statement

A positioning statement is one or two lines that stake your brand’s claim in the market. It won’t necessarily be a public-facing statement, but will help steer the direction of your brand story and other parts of your brand guidelines. 

A positioning statement should outline what you sell, who it’s for, and what makes you unique. Your value proposition is what’s going to give you an edge—even in a crowded market. 

Use this template to create yours: 

“We offer [PRODUCT/SERVICE] for [TARGET MARKET] to [VALUE PROPOSITION].  Unlike [THE COMPETITION], we [KEY DIFFERENTIATOR].”

An example positioning statement might look something like this:

“We offer lightweight and waterproof daypacks for travelers, which fold into a wallet-sized pouch when not in use. Unlike other accessory brands, we guarantee our packs for life—no questions asked.”

💡 Tip: You can use this exercise as the basis for your mission statement —expand on your positioning statement to include your brand promise and what you stand for.

Brainstorm using word association

Imagine your brand as a person. What are they like? Do they have the kind of personality your customers would be attracted to? Describe this person. How can your description translate from a person to a brand?

Fashion branding expert Joey Ng suggests narrowing your list of adjectives down to just three of the best words. “Find your niche and define in very few words what makes your brand distinctive,” she says. “If something doesn’t fit those original three words—even though you might like it—scrap it. Establish the core message, nail it, then expand.”

Hone your brand voice and tone

Your brand voice and tone will help you hone in on how you want to sound to customers and what you want them to feel when they interact with you. Is your voice cheeky or serious? Does it aim to be a reliable friend, a muse, or a trusted expert? 

Establish a list of dos and don’ts that govern the language you will and won’t use in your communications. You may even want to drill down on specific communications channels like social media or customer service: How does your tone change depending on the situation?

3. Choose your business name

Your company’s name is probably one of the first big commitments you’ll make as a business owner. Ideally, you want a brand name that isn’t being used by another company (especially in your industry), has available social media handles, and is a fit based on your brand or products. It should be easy to remember and hard to imitate.

A few approaches to choosing a brand name include the following:

• Make up a brand new word (e.g., Pepsi).
• Reframe a word unrelated to your industry or product (e.g., Apple for computers or Maple for health care).
• Use a suggestive word or metaphor (e.g., Buffer).
• Describe it literally (e.g., The Shoe Company or Home Depot).
• Alter a word by changing its spelling, removing letters, adding letters, or using Latin endings (e.g., Tumblr or Activia).
• Create an acronym from a longer name (e.g., HBO for Home Box Office).
• Use a portmanteau: Pinterest (pin + interest) or Snapple (snappy + apple).
• Use your own name (e.g., Donna Karan or DKNY)

If your first choice domain name isn’t available for your brand (e.g., yourbrandname.com), consider other ways to snag a domain name that works. For example, lingerie company Pepper ’s domain name is wearpepper.com. You can also play with the top-level domain. Try a localized version like .co.uk or .ca. 

⚒️ Free tools: Try Shopify’s free business name generator and domain name generator to help you nail the perfect name for your brand.

4. Write your brand story

Your brand story is the autobiography of your business and sometimes your own story as a founder. It’s a useful tool for branding because it humanizes your business to create meaningful connections with customers. Buyer trends point to an appetite for meaningful relationships with brands. The best way to do this is through a compelling, transparent, and authentic story. 

What elements of your own story will resonate with your target audience? What do they need to know to connect with you as a person? How do you wrap your brand values and mission into your story to tell customers, “This is a brand for you”?

Creating a catchy slogan

Once you’ve established your positioning and your brand story, you can use this work to create a snappy slogan for your business. A good slogan is short, catchy, and makes a strong impression to boost brand awareness. 

A clever slogan can increase brand awareness as customers start to recognize it—even when it’s divorced from your brand.

Here are some ways to approach writing your slogan:

• Stake your claim, like this example from Death Wish Coffee: “The World’s Strongest Coffee.”
• Make it a metaphor, just like Red Bull did: “Red Bull gives you wings.” 
• Adopt your customers’ attitude, like this unforgettable slogan from Nike: “Just do it.”
• Speak to your target audience, like this example from Cards Against Humanity: “A party game for horrible people.”
• Try a catchy rhyme, like this Folgers coffee slogan: “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.”
• Establish an aesthetic or taste level, like this example from Aritzia: “Everyday luxury to elevate your world.”

⚒️ Free tools: Try Shopify’s slogan maker to to generate potential one-liners to describe your business. 

5. Create a brand style guide

Now comes the fun part. Your style guide will include all the visual decisions you make for your brand. This guide will come in handy when you build your website, design your social media profile pages, and create product packaging.

Choosing your colors

Colors are important because, alongside copywriting, they tell potential customers how to feel about your brand. While color psychology is a contested science, there are some general associations you can make between color and mood. Moody darker cool colors may complement an edgy brand or a sleep brand while warm pastels tell a soothing story for baby or wellness brands.

Tips for choosing colors for your visual identity:

• Consider how legibly white and black text will appear over your color palette.
• Don’t use too many colors in your logo—it should be identifiable as a single color in a black and white format.
• Research your target market, use focus groups, and understand the specific cultural or demographic differences that might affect a user’s perception of color.
• Limit your palette to one to two main colors, with a set of accent colors that rotate in and out, depending on application.

💡 Learn more: Psychological Design: 8 Tactics To Turn Leads Into Customers

Selecting a suite of fonts

Fonts work alongside colors to establish a recognizable look for your brand across social, your website, packaging, and other marketing materials. 

As a general rule, choose two fonts: one for headings and one for body text (this might not include the font you use in your brand’s wordmark). Home brand Floof uses one sans serif font for navigation and headers and another serif font for the rest of the text. Note that its logo—a simple wordmark of its brand name—is a unique font not used anywhere else:

Save decorative fonts for your logo or in very limited applications while using a simple, accessible font for your website and product information on packaging. Forét ’s fonts are simple and clean, making them legible at any size:

Determining aesthetic elements and effects

If you use a lot of lifestyle photography for your brand, you may want to establish a set of rules to set the tone, no matter who’s producing photos. Maybe that includes guidelines for mood, photo filters, colors, or other effects.

You can also design a set of graphic elements that you use across your branded properties. These may be characters, squiggles, or texture effects. Rotten candy brand uses consistent graphic elements like electrified stripes and grainy textures across its branding:

While OffLimits cereal uses a wordmark for its logo, consistent graphic elements like a family of brand mascots show up across all surfaces:

6. Design your logo and brand assets

While a logo design is one of the first things you might think of when building a brand, it should happen later in the process. That’s because it’s a critical identifier for your brand in the wild—and it’s hard to change once you’ve locked it in.

Your logo should be unique, identifiable, and scalable so it works at all sizes. It should also encompass all the work you’ve done on your brand so far. Does it invoke the feeling you hope to inspire in your customers? Does it tell a story that aligns with your brand values? Does it work in your brand colors?

Consider all the places where your brand’s logo will show up: 

• Website 
• Social media avatar 
• Product packaging
• YouTube channel banner 
• Browser favicon (the tiny icon that identifies your open browser tabs)
• Email marketing
• Press mentions and partnerships

You may need to create a few versions of your logo to make it work across applications. If you have a text logo, for example, it’ll be almost impossible to read as a favicon or social avatar. Create a simplified visual version of your logo that works as a square or circle. 

Types of logos

Wordmarks, lettermarks, and other type-based logos are the most common type of logo for modern brands. But other styles may work better for you, depending on your goals and aesthetic. Some logo types include the following:

• Abstract logos are a combination of shapes and colors that don’t easily tie back to anything in the real world. These are best used as a secondary logo, paired with a wordmark, while you build brand recognition. 
• Mascot logos are represented by the face of a character or real person you use as an ambassador for your brand. They can humanize your business by creating a relatable personality. This works best for kids’ brands or those looking for a retro feel (e.g., Wendy’s, Colonel Sanders for KFC).
• Emblem logos are often circular and combine text with an emblem for a luxurious brand design. Avoid making them too fussy or they won’t scale (e.g., Polo Ralph Lauren).
• Icon logos represent your brand as a visual metaphor. Unlike an abstract logo, an icon logo suggests something about the product (e.g., YouTube’s Play button logo).
• Wordmarks or lettermarks are type-based logos that are either your full business name, a combination of letters, or an initial.

Brand identity logo examples

Because of the limitations that exist for each logo type, you can play with a combination of styles as well as have a few secondary logo options. Beauty brand Glossier has a simple wordmark logo used across its website and packaging:

For applications with less space, Glossier’s secondary logo—a stylized letter “G”—is used for legibility, like this example on its YouTube channel:

Mushroom-based supplement brand Eons uses a combination of a wordmark and an icons logo (a simplified mushroom shape). These are used together or separate, as you can see here in different applications:

Lazypants also uses this approach, with a combination wordmark and icon that can be used independently, such as in this example where the icon only is stitched into its garments:

Designing your own logo

New brands are often working with a small budget. If this is the case for you, consider designing a logo yourself. You can use a free tool like Canva or try a logo maker . These work by generating sample logos based on basic information about your business. 

If you have no design skills or don’t feel confident handling this important task yourself, consider hiring a pro. You can outsource the design through gig sites like Fiverr or Upwork or run a logo contest on 99Designs. If you’re running a business on Shopify, there are many Shopify Experts you can hire to design your brand identity—and even your website.

7. Apply your branding across your business

Applying your branding across your business gives it a cohesive brand story. No matter where customers encounter your brand—through a TikTok ad , in a retail store, or in their inbox—the experience should feel familiar and recognizable.

As you build your website, set up your social accounts, and create your marketing plan , refer back to your brand guidelines, mission statement, and values to ensure every decision keeps target customers top of mind.

Your website is the palace where you’ll have the most control over your brand identity. Use this space to its fullest potential. Ecommerce website templates are a great jumping off point. Most of these, like the themes in Shopify’s Themes Store , are fully customizable, meaning you can apply your brand colors, fonts, and assets to a flexible layout.

Brand building is an evolution

Building a brand doesn’t stop after you design a logo. It is a continuous process of cementing your brand identity in the minds of your customers. Building a successful brand involves being consistent in your messaging and deliberate with your brand marketing.

Now that you understand how to build a brand from scratch, you’ll continue brand building for the entire life of your business. You may need to evolve your brand as your values shift or as consumer trends dictate. Remember that if you rebrand, loyal customers should still be able to recognize your brand and receive the same experience. Looping in their feedback will help you grow your brand alongside the people who matter most.

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How to build a brand FAQ

How do you develop a brand.

Brand building involves identifying your business type and products, knowing your target audience and their needs, researching your competition , and defining your brand positioning and brand personality. After you set this foundation, you can build a brand identity including a log, tagline, brand story, and other assets.

How do you define brand identity?

Brand identity represents how your brand is viewed by customers, competition, and the general public. Brand identity includes your values, brand personality (including brand voice and tone), and visual aesthetic. Your brand identity is communicated through every single part of your company—from your logo to your brand marketing to your copy to your in-store experience.

What is in a brand kit?

A brand kit is a document or guide that contains all the information someone would need to represent your brand in a specific application. Almost every brand kit includes the company name and logo, color palette, and other approved imagery. Some brand kits also include information about the company’s founders and team, goals, and products. A brand kit is helpful for press and PR teams, brand ambassadors, affiliates , and influencers . It ensures that anyone talking about your brand captures your brand personality and brand voice accurately.

How do you build a brand with no money?

To build a brand with no money, use the information in this guide to brainstorm ideas and capture your vision on paper—everything from your target audience to your unique brand voice. Once you’ve established a set of guidelines for your brand identity, you’re ready to build a recognizable brand. If you can’t hire a pro during the brand building process, use free tools online to help you find a company name, create a logo, develop templates for social media posts, and generate compelling copywriting .

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Animals self-medicate with plants − behavior people have observed and emulated for millennia

Research Scholar, Classics and History and Philosophy of Science, Stanford University

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Adrienne Mayor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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When a wild orangutan in Sumatra recently suffered a facial wound, apparently after fighting with another male, he did something that caught the attention of the scientists observing him.

The animal chewed the leaves of a liana vine – a plant not normally eaten by apes. Over several days, the orangutan carefully applied the juice to its wound, then covered it with a paste of chewed-up liana. The wound healed with only a faint scar. The tropical plant he selected has antibacterial and antioxidant properties and is known to alleviate pain, fever, bleeding and inflammation.

The striking story was picked up by media worldwide. In interviews and in their research paper , the scientists stated that this is “the first systematically documented case of active wound treatment by a wild animal” with a biologically active plant. The discovery will “provide new insights into the origins of human wound care.”

To me, the behavior of the orangutan sounded familiar. As a historian of ancient science who investigates what Greeks and Romans knew about plants and animals, I was reminded of similar cases reported by Aristotle, Pliny the Elder, Aelian and other naturalists from antiquity. A remarkable body of accounts from ancient to medieval times describes self-medication by many different animals. The animals used plants to treat illness, repel parasites, neutralize poisons and heal wounds.

The term zoopharmacognosy – “animal medicine knowledge” – was invented in 1987. But as the Roman natural historian Pliny pointed out 2,000 years ago, many animals have made medical discoveries useful for humans. Indeed, a large number of medicinal plants used in modern drugs were first discovered by Indigenous peoples and past cultures who observed animals employing plants and emulated them.

What you can learn by watching animals

Some of the earliest written examples of animal self-medication appear in Aristotle’s “ History of Animals ” from the fourth century BCE, such as the well-known habit of dogs to eat grass when ill, probably for purging and deworming.

Aristotle also noted that after hibernation, bears seek wild garlic as their first food. It is rich in vitamin C, iron and magnesium, healthful nutrients after a long winter’s nap. The Latin name reflects this folk belief: Allium ursinum translates to “bear lily,” and the common name in many other languages refers to bears.

Pliny explained how the use of dittany , also known as wild oregano, to treat arrow wounds arose from watching wounded stags grazing on the herb. Aristotle and Dioscorides credited wild goats with the discovery. Vergil, Cicero, Plutarch, Solinus, Celsus and Galen claimed that dittany has the ability to expel an arrowhead and close the wound. Among dittany’s many known phytochemical properties are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and coagulating effects.

According to Pliny, deer also knew an antidote for toxic plants: wild artichokes . The leaves relieve nausea and stomach cramps and protect the liver. To cure themselves of spider bites, Pliny wrote, deer ate crabs washed up on the beach, and sick goats did the same. Notably, crab shells contain chitosan , which boosts the immune system.

When elephants accidentally swallowed chameleons hidden on green foliage, they ate olive leaves, a natural antibiotic to combat salmonella harbored by lizards . Pliny said ravens eat chameleons, but then ingest bay leaves to counter the lizards’ toxicity. Antibacterial bay leaves relieve diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress. Pliny noted that blackbirds, partridges, jays and pigeons also eat bay leaves for digestive problems.

Weasels were said to roll in the evergreen plant rue to counter wounds and snakebites. Fresh rue is toxic. Its medical value is unclear, but the dried plant is included in many traditional folk medicines. Swallows collect another toxic plant, celandine , to make a poultice for their chicks’ eyes. Snakes emerging from hibernation rub their eyes on fennel. Fennel bulbs contain compounds that promote tissue repair and immunity.

According to the naturalist Aelian , who lived in the third century BCE, the Egyptians traced much of their medical knowledge to the wisdom of animals. Aelian described elephants treating spear wounds with olive flowers and oil . He also mentioned storks, partridges and turtledoves crushing oregano leaves and applying the paste to wounds.

The study of animals’ remedies continued in the Middle Ages. An example from the 12th-century English compendium of animal lore, the Aberdeen Bestiary , tells of bears coating sores with mullein . Folk medicine prescribes this flowering plant to soothe pain and heal burns and wounds, thanks to its anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Ibn al-Durayhim’s 14th-century manuscript “ The Usefulness of Animals ” reported that swallows healed nestlings’ eyes with turmeric , another anti-inflammatory. He also noted that wild goats chew and apply sphagnum moss to wounds, just as the Sumatran orangutan did with liana. Sphagnum moss dressings neutralize bacteria and combat infection.

Nature’s pharmacopoeia

Of course, these premodern observations were folk knowledge, not formal science. But the stories reveal long-term observation and imitation of diverse animal species self-doctoring with bioactive plants. Just as traditional Indigenous ethnobotany is leading to lifesaving drugs today , scientific testing of the ancient and medieval claims could lead to discoveries of new therapeutic plants.

Animal self-medication has become a rapidly growing scientific discipline. Observers report observations of animals, from birds and rats to porcupines and chimpanzees , deliberately employing an impressive repertoire of medicinal substances. One surprising observation is that finches and sparrows collect cigarette butts . The nicotine kills mites in bird nests. Some veterinarians even allow ailing dogs, horses and other domestic animals to choose their own prescriptions by sniffing various botanical compounds.

Mysteries remain . No one knows how animals sense which plants cure sickness, heal wounds, repel parasites or otherwise promote health. Are they intentionally responding to particular health crises? And how is their knowledge transmitted? What we do know is that we humans have been learning healing secrets by watching animals self-medicate for millennia.

• Zoopharmacognosy
• Animal behavior
• Self-medication
• Phytochemicals
• Ancient world

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We tested a new ChatGPT-detector for teachers. It flagged an innocent student.

Five high school students helped our tech columnist test a ChatGPT detector coming from Turnitin to 2.1 million teachers. It missed enough to get someone in trouble.

High school senior Lucy Goetz got the highest possible grade on an original essay she wrote about socialism. So imagine her surprise when I told her that a new kind of educational software I’ve been testing claimed she got help from artificial intelligence.

A new AI-writing detector from Turnitin — whose software is already used by 2.1 million teachers to spot plagiarism — flagged the end of her essay as likely being generated by ChatGPT .

“Say what?” says Goetz, who swears she didn’t use the AI writing tool to cheat. “I’m glad I have good relationships with my teachers.”

After months of sounding the alarm about students using AI apps that can churn out essays and assignments, teachers are getting AI technology of their own. On April 4, Turnitin is activating the software I tested for some 10,700 secondary and higher-educational institutions, assigning “generated by AI” scores and sentence-by-sentence analysis to student work. It joins a handful of other free detectors already online. For many teachers I’ve been hearing from, AI detection offers a weapon to deter a 21st-century form of cheating.

But AI alone won’t solve the problem AI created. The flag on a portion of Goetz’s essay was an outlier, but shows detectors can sometimes get it wrong — with potentially disastrous consequences for students. Detectors are being introduced before they’ve been widely vetted, yet AI tech is moving so fast, any tool is likely already out of date.

It’s a pivotal moment for educators: Ignore AI and cheating could go rampant. Yet even Turnitin’s executives tell me that treating AI purely as the enemy of education makes about as much sense in the long run as trying to ban calculators.

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Ahead of Turnitin’s launch this week, the company says 2 percent of customers have asked it not to display the AI writing score on student work. That includes a "significant majority” of universities in the United Kingdom, according to UCISA , a professional body for digital educators.

To see what’s at stake, I asked Turnitin for early access to its software. Five high school students, including Goetz, volunteered to help me test it by creating 16 samples of real, AI-fabricated and mixed-source essays to run past Turnitin’s detector.

The result? It got over half of them at least partly wrong. Turnitin accurately identified six of the 16 — but failed on three, including a flag on 8 percent of Goetz’s original essay. And I’d give it only partial credit on the remaining seven, where it was directionally correct but misidentified some portion of ChatGPT-generated or mixed-source writing.

Turnitin claims its detector is 98 percent accurate overall. And it says situations such as what happened with Goetz’s essay, known as a false positive, happen less than 1 percent of the time, according to its own tests.

Turnitin also says its scores should be treated as an indication, not an accusation . Still, will millions of teachers understand they should treat AI scores as anything other than fact? After my conversations with the company, it added a caution flag to its score that reads, “Percentage may not indicate cheating. Review required.”

“Our job is to create directionally correct information for the teacher to prompt a conversation,” Turnitin chief product officer Annie Chechitelli tells me. “I’m confident enough to put it out in the market, as long as we’re continuing to educate educators on how to use the data.” She says the company will keep adjusting its software based on feedback and new AI advancements.

The question is whether that will be enough. “The fact that the Turnitin system for flagging AI text doesn’t work all the time is concerning,” says Rebecca Dell, who teaches Goetz’s AP English class in Concord, Calif. “I’m not sure how schools will be able to definitively use the checker as ‘evidence’ of students using unoriginal work.”

Unlike accusations of plagiarism, AI cheating has no source document to reference as proof. “This leaves the door open for teacher bias to creep in,” says Dell.

For students, that makes the prospect of being accused of AI cheating especially scary. “There is no way to prove that you didn’t cheat unless your teacher knows your writing style, or trusts you as a student,” says Goetz.

Why detecting AI is so hard

Spotting AI writing sounds deceptively simple. When a colleague recently asked me if I could detect the difference between real and ChatGPT-generated emails, I didn’t perform very well.

Detecting AI writing with software involves statistics. And statistically speaking, the thing that makes AI distinct from humans is that it’s “extremely consistently average,” says Eric Wang, Turnitin’s vice president of AI.

Systems such as ChatGPT work like a sophisticated version of auto-complete, looking for the most probable word to write next. “That’s actually the reason why it reads so naturally: AI writing is the most probable subset of human writing,” he says.

Turnitin’s detector “identifies when writing is too consistently average,” Wang says.

The challenge is that sometimes a human writer may actually look consistently average.

On economics, math and lab reports, students tend to hew to set styles, meaning they’re more likely to be misidentified as AI writing, says Wang. That’s likely why Turnitin erroneously flagged Goetz’s essay, which veered into economics. (“My teachers have always been fairly impressed with my writing,” says Goetz.)

Wang says Turnitin worked to tune its systems to err on the side of requiring higher confidence before flagging a sentence as AI. I saw that develop in real time: I first tested Goetz’s essay in late January, and the software identified much more of it — about 50 percent — as being AI generated. Turnitin ran my samples through its system again in late March, and that time only flagged 8 percent of Goetz’s essay as AI-generated.

But tightening up the software’s tolerance came with a cost: Across the second test of my samples, Turnitin missed more actual AI writing. “We’re really emphasizing student safety,” says Chechitelli.

Say hello to your new tutor: It’s ChatGPT

Turnitin does perform better than other public AI detectors I tested. One introduced in February by OpenAI, the company that invented ChatGPT, got eight of our 16 test samples wrong. (Independent tests of other detectors have declared they “ fail spectacularly .”)

Turnitin’s detector faces other important technical limitations, too. In the six samples it got completely right, they were all clearly 100 percent student work or produced by ChatGPT. But when I tested it with essays from mixed AI and human sources, it often misidentified the individual sentences or missed the human part entirely. And it couldn’t spot the ChatGPT in papers we ran through Quillbot, a paraphrasing program that remixes sentences.

What’s more, Turnitin’s detector may already be behind the state of the AI art. My student helpers created samples with ChatGPT, but since they did the writing, the app has gotten a software update called GPT-4 with more creative and stylistic capabilities. Google also introduced a new AI bot called Bard . Wang says addressing them is on his road map.

Some AI experts say any detection efforts are at best setting up an arms race between cheaters and detectors. “I don’t think a detector is long-term reliable,” says Jim Fan, an AI scientist at Nvidia who used to work at OpenAI and Google.

“The AI will get better, and will write in ways more and more like humans. It is pretty safe to say that all of these little quirks of language models will be reduced over time,” he says.

Is detecting AI a good idea?

Given the potential — even at 1 percent — of being wrong, why release an AI detector into software that will touch so many students?

“Teachers want deterrence,” says Chechitelli. They’re extremely worried about AI and helping them see the scale of the actual problem will “bring down the temperature.”

Some educators worry it will actually raise the temperature.

Mitchel Sollenberger, the associate provost for digital education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, is among the officials who asked Turnitin not to activate AI detection for his campus at its initial launch.

He has specific concerns about how false positives on the roughly 20,000 student papers his faculty run through Turnitin each semester could lead to baseless academic-integrity investigations. “Faculty shouldn’t have to be expert in a third-party software system — they shouldn’t necessarily have to understand every nuance,” he says.

Ian Linkletter, who serves as emerging technology and open-education librarian at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, says the push for AI detectors reminds him of the debate about AI exam proctoring during pandemic virtual learning.

“I am worried they’re marketing it as a precision product, but they’re using dodgy language about how it shouldn’t be used to make decisions,” he says. “They’re working at an accelerated pace not because there is any desperation to get the product out but because they’re terrified their existing product is becoming obsolete.”

Said Chechitelli: “We are committed to transparency with the community and have been clear about the need to continue iterating on the user experience as we learn more from students and educators.

Deborah Green, CEO of UCISA in the U.K., tells me she understands and appreciates Turnitin’s motives for the detector. “What we need is time to satisfy ourselves as to the accuracy, the reliability and particularly the suitability of any tool of this nature.”

It’s not clear how the idea of an AI detector fits into where AI is headed in education . “In some academic disciplines, AI tools are already being used in the classroom and in assessment,” says Green. “The emerging view in many U.K. universities is that with AI already being used in many professions and areas of business, students actually need to develop the critical thinking skills and competencies to use and apply AI well.”

There’s a lot more subtlety to how students might use AI than a detector can flag today.

My student tests included a sample of an original student essay written in Spanish, then translated into English with ChatGPT. In that case, what should count: the ideas or the words? What if the student was struggling with English as a second language? (In our test, Turnitin’s detector appeared to miss the AI writing, and flagged none of it.)

Would it be more or less acceptable if a student asked ChatGPT to outline all the ideas for an assignment, and then wrote the actual words themselves?

“That’s the most interesting and most important conversation to be having in the next six months to a year — and one we’ve been having with instructors ourselves,” says Chechitelli.

“We really feel strongly that visibility, transparency and integrity are the foundations of the conversations we want to have next around how this technology is going to be used,” says Wang.

For Dell, the California teacher, the foundation of AI in the classroom is an open conversation with her students.

When ChatGPT first started making headlines in December, Dell focused an entire lesson with Goetz’s English class on what ChatGPT is, and isn’t good for. She asked it to write an essay for an English prompt her students had already completed themselves, and then the class analyzed the AI’s performance.

The AI wasn’t very good.

“Part of convincing kids not to cheat is making them understand what we ask them to do is important for them,” said Dell.

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How to To Make Money Online: 35 Reliable Ways (2024)

From online surveys to envelope stuffing, there are lots of popular get-rich-quick money-making ideas. But do these methods really work? Usually, they don’t. You might earn a little bit, but the real issue with these gigs is their lack of stability and potential for long-term success.

Fortunately, there are legitimate ways to make money online. Unlike quick-fix schemes that promise much but deliver little, these reliable methods can lead to sustainable earnings and even career growth. And the best part? You only need a laptop and a stable internet connection to pursue them.

How to make money online: 35 real ways

1. start a dropshipping business.

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell a product to a customer, but the supplier handles the storage, packaging, and shipping on your behalf. You can dropship through your own ecommerce store —just install a dropshipping app and you’ll gain access to dozens of suppliers across various product categories.

Ready to start a dropshipping business? Shopify is the platform most online entrepreneurs use to sell products without inventory. With Shopify dropshipping apps, you can source a variety of products and have them shipped to your customers.

2. Try print on demand

Print on demand (POD) is another popular way to earn money online. Many entrepreneurs are drawn to it because it allows for low initial investment and easy setup. You create designs for products such as t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags, and then a POD service prints and ships the items directly to your customers.

How does it differ from dropshipping? First, you can make your own custom products, which is great for brand recognition. Second, you can choose from specific items rather than a vast range of categories. Most print-on-demand companies offer products that are easy to print on, like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags.

3. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways to make money online. Throughout the years, its popularity has gone up and down, but it continues to be an effective way to earn passive income. The best part about affiliate marketing is that you choose from a vast range of companies to partner with, including Shopify , Amazon , and Uber.

This business model allows you to earn a living by promoting other brands. Once you’ve signed up for an affiliate marketing program, you’ll start earning commissions from sales of retail products, software, apps, and more. While the commission may seem small, keep in mind that you can be an affiliate for several brands and promote a variety of products across different platforms.

4. Start a YouTube channel

If others are profiting from YouTube , you can too. Your YouTube channel should focus on a single niche so you can build a strong, loyal audience. For example, you can create makeup tutorials, stream video games, review products, teach skills, create prank videos, or do anything else you think there’s an audience for.

The key to earning money on YouTube is creating content people want to watch. Enticing headlines and keyword-optimized descriptions can draw viewers to your videos. Once you hit the 1,000-subscriber mark, you become eligible to earn advertising revenue through running ads on your content.

5. Become an influencer

Building a personal brand can also help you make money online. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo charges more than $2 million for a sponsored Instagram post, for example. While it may seem like reality stars, singers, and athletes are the biggest influencers, keep in mind that even smaller-scale influencers can make more money today than they did a few years back.

To become an influencer, you need to build a healthy following. The best platforms to get started on? Instagram and TikTok. Some of the biggest non-celebrity influencers often gained their first taste of exposure on these platforms. You might want to check out how to get more Instagram followers if you want to build a big audience on the platform.

6. Create an online course

Selling courses ranks as one of the top strategies for earning money online. If you’re an expert in a particular subject, you can capitalize on your knowledge by creating online courses. You can sell these courses on online platforms like Udemy or through your own website if you have a dedicated audience. Some entrepreneurs earn as much as $5,000 per month from their online courses .

The platform you choose to sell your course on will shape your online money-making strategy. Selling on Udemy means you won’t have to focus much on promotion—it practically takes care of itself. You may want to enhance its visibility through blogs or social media networks. On the other hand, if your course is on your own website, consider using ads for promotion.

7. Publish an ebook

With Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing , it’s never been easier to publish an ebook. All you need to do is write the ebook, format it, create an ebook cover, publish it, and promote it. You can choose to hire a writer for your ebook, a graphic designer to design the cover, and a manuscript editor to eliminate errors from the content.

When researching the topic, focus on keywords based on popular searches on Amazon. The Keyword Tool is a great choice for finding the words people use while searching, so you can craft your title around them.

8. Start a blog

Blogging is one of the oldest methods for making money online. People who love writing tend to start blogs with a niche focus. For example, a blog about procrastination, cars, dropshipping, toys, etc., is often a narrow enough focus to build a loyal following and big enough that you can cover a lot of ground. For those looking to make money online fast, this method can be a rewarding venture.

You can start a blog on various platforms, such as Shopify (remove the checkout feature so you don’t have to pay a subscription as you build it out) or WordPress. When you start your blog, focus on very specific keywords with a tight focus and continue to expand into additional but still relevant categories as you grow and dominate new spaces.

9. Consider freelancing

The easiest way to make money online is to take your current 9-to-5 job and do it online instead. For example, if you’re a writer, data entry specialist, graphic designer, teacher, or developer, you can market these skills and find clients online who are willing to pay you to apply them.

There’s a never-ending list of job platforms for each type of freelancer too. For example, freelance writers can apply for jobs on specific online writing job boards, but also on general freelance websites like Fiverr , Freelancer , Upwork , and all the others. Remember, freelancing is a numbers game: the more applications you fill out and submit, the more likely you’ll be to get a response back.

10. Create an app

If you’re not a developer, you’re probably looking at this money-making idea and feeling a bit stuck. Fortunately, you can hire someone with programming skills to build an app for you. Sites like Toptal will connect you with plenty of app developers who are open to working with entrepreneurs to turn their vision into reality.

All you have to do is come up with a unique app idea, identify the audience you want to target, and create a brand image for your product. The programmer you hire will take care of things on the development front.

11. Become a writer

With a  growing interest in content marketing , more and more companies are looking for writers who can fill their web properties with great content. The secret to succeeding as a writer is to focus on a specific niche. Many writers try to be generalists, covering everything from food to tech. However, a niche focus sets you apart.

What about AI replacing human writers? While AI can generate content, it lacks the human touch. As a writer, your experience in a niche adds value. You can offer thoughts, experiences, and insider perspectives. That’s what brands want. That’s what they pay for.

Sites for finding freelance writing jobs include:

• BloggingPro
• Be a Freelance Blogger

12. Do side gigs

Side gigs can help you make money online while you keep your full-time job. If you’re looking to make an extra couple of hundred dollars per month, this is a great idea. The work doesn’t always last long term, but it can.

Use platforms like Fiverr to find part-time gigs you can do online. As a new entrant in the gig economy, you’ll want to focus on offering a low price so you can get your first review. Ask a friend to buy your gig and leave your first review so you can get started faster. Treat the friend like a client and actually deliver a finished product that you can feature in your portfolio. 

13. Do translation work

Translation is a fairly underserved niche, meaning there’s less competition in this field than in other niche markets. To capitalize on the opportunity, you need to be fluent in at least two languages. If you’re bilingual or majored in a popular language in school, this may be a great money-making idea for you to try out.

You will need to show proof of your ability to translate without using machine translation tools. If you have a language degree or experience translating text, make sure to highlight that in your portfolio or résumé. Most companies will require a translation test, and you can’t use translation tools at any time to help you pass the test.

Sites where you can find translation jobs to make money online include:

• People Per Hour
• Protranslating

14. Sell your stuff

Do you have a closet full of items you no longer use? Consider turning that clutter into cash by selling your unwanted goods online. You can list your items on online marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, or even set up your own online store for direct selling.

To maximize your sales, focus on high-demand items such as electronics, furniture, toys, and handcrafted goods. Plus, take clear, bright photos of your products—strong visuals help to attract customers and speed up sales.

15. Become an online tutor

If you’re looking to earn money on your own schedule, consider becoming an online tutor. Companies that hire tutors often provide the flexibility to set your own hours, allowing you to work when it’s convenient for you.

You’ll need a strong understanding of the subject you plan to tutor, as well as effective communication skills to explain concepts clearly to students. Additionally, having a teaching degree or relevant experience in the field can increase your chances of landing a tutoring position.

You can find online tutoring jobs on platforms such as:

16. Drive your car

If you own a car, you can make some spare cash as an Uber driver or delivery person. Even without a car, you can deliver food and other essentials using a bicycle or moped. Uber drivers looking to make even more money can turn their vehicle into a moving billboard with Free Car Media , which wraps your car in a removable vinyl advert.

Interested in making money fast with Uber? If you legally run a side business, you could showcase your products to passengers—though not all will be interested. With prior consent, passengers may sift through products you have for sale under the driver’s seat. If they wish to buy but don’t have cash, you can utilize Uber’s tip function for payment. Always ensure that this approach complies with local laws and regulations.

17. Become a virtual assistant

As entrepreneurs build more businesses, the demand for virtual assistants grows. A virtual assistant is a self-employed individual providing various services remotely, such as writing, bookkeeping, social media management, and customer support.

Find virtual assistant gigs on sites like Virtual Assistant Jobs , Indeed , or Upwork . Many have also succeeded by directly reaching out to brands and entrepreneurs. Combining job postings and proactive outreach could land your first client sooner than expected.

18. Become a Twitch streamer

While Twitch started as a gaming platform, it’s quickly evolving to include other types of content. Nowadays, Twitch streaming is an increasingly popular way to make money online.

You’ll need to find a popular game or channel that isn’t overly competitive so people can easily find your content. In order to get people to notice your streams, you’ll need to have a consistent style for your channel: Is it going to be funny, educational, or entertaining? Choose your path and stick to it.

There are five ways to monetize your Twitch channel:

• Sell products
• Offer brand sponsorships
• Accept fan donations
• Offer subscriptions
• Run Twitch ads

19. Invest in stocks

Investing in stocks can be a way to make money quickly, but it’s not without risk, especially if you’re inexperienced. While the rewards can be high, you might also face losses.

If you have a 9-to-5 job, consider exploring your company’s financial programs. Does it allow investment in company stocks? If so, this could be an option. With company stock programs, your role as an employee may influence the organization’s success. Additionally, if your company offers an RRSP matching program, consider this as a way to save for retirement or a down payment on a home.

20. Sell photography

Whether you’re a professional photographer or just love snapping great pictures, you can make money online by selling your images. Sites like Shutterstock and Alamy are great places to showcase your work. These websites pay royalties to photographers when someone downloads a copy of their image.

If you’re looking to monetize your photography quickly, you can create a listing on Foap , a smartphone app that lets you upload your works and earn cash. When an agency, brand, or anyone else buys a photo or video from your digital Foap portfolio, the app creator shares the profit with you 50-50. 

21. Sell clothes online

Have clothes you don’t wear anymore? Rather than letting them sit in your closet, sell them online. There are quite a few websites that let you sell apparel for cash, such as Poshmark , Refashioner , and ThredUp .

You can also explore Facebook buy and sell groups in your community to find people online and sell the items in person. Just be careful of scams and follow the recommended safety precautions.

22. Become an extreme couponer

If you’re looking to save and make a bit of money, couponing can be a viable option. Coupon Chief’s Pays-2-Share program , for example, lets you share coupons and earn a 2% to 3% commission on sales. The key is to share coupons that haven’t been used before.

This method resembles affiliate marketing, where you earn commissions through referral links. Many coupon companies pay their affiliates consistently, making this a legitimate way to earn online. For instance, Coupon Chief has paid more than $1.3 million in commissions to date.

23. Buy and sell domain names

If you regularly buy domain names but fail to use them, you can always try to sell them for a profit. Selling domains is ultra-competitive, though. If you own a one-word .com domain, you’ll have a better chance of selling. Words that have a high search volume sell well too. You can search for domain names and buy a custom domain through the Shopify domain registration platform.

Once you purchase a domain, list it for sale on GoDaddy’s Domain Auction . You can look through the domains with the highest bids to see what type of domains sell well. This research will help you evaluate the potential sale value of your domains and estimate how much profit you could make by selling them.

24. Sell your designs online

Graphic design is an amazing skill that you can monetize in several ways. You can go the print-on-demand route and sell your designs on your own custom products. Alternatively, you can pitch your designs on a crowdsource platform like 99designs .

There’s also the option to create your own graphics and templates to sell on marketplaces like Envato or Creative Market . Or how about picking up some clients and working as a freelance graphic designer? According to PayScale , this role will net you $29.90 per hour, on average.

25. Test websites

If you’re passionate about user experience, UserTesting pays reviewers $10 to give other entrepreneurs feedback on their websites and apps. You’ll be given a set of questions to answer as you browse through a site. That’s one fast way to make money online. 

You’ll communicate your ideas and feedback to the entrepreneur through a video while navigating their website or app. Your video is only 20 minutes long, so if you do three videos per hour, you’ll make $30. Other reviewers can take projects quickly, so you have to act fast when a new website or app needs to be reviewed.

26. Create and publish newsletters

Creating and publishing email newsletters is one of the most profitable online business ideas. Here’s why: People crave personalized content they can read at their leisure, and newsletters hit the spot. 

Starting is simpler than you think. First, identify your niche—what you’re passionate about and what can benefit your readers. Then, choose a reliable email hosting service that offers customizable templates, robust security, and tools for building a strong subscriber relationship.

27. Get a part-time job

When you’ve done whatever it takes to make money fast but struggle to make an impact, sometimes you’re left with no choice but to get a part-time job. You can browse part-time jobs on Indeed or a niche job board that caters to your field. 

Some job websites require an upfront fee to register, so read the fine print carefully. Most sites let you filter for part-time and contract-based jobs, so you should have no problem finding relevant positions to apply for. With many companies hiring part time, it’s easier than ever to make extra money without working a full week.

28. Become a TikTok consultant

One of the trendiest ways to make money online is to become a TikTok consultant. Brands will contact you for brainstorming video ideas, developing engaging bios, and more. It’s the perfect money-making opportunity for digital nomads —you can run the entire business from your smartphone.

However, you need to have a few talents before you begin offering TikTok consultancy to businesses. The most important is knowing how to create viral videos that get people to engage with brands. If you don’t have the expertise to drive sales through this platform, you can still learn how to attract customers by taking this TikTok course .

29. Sell greeting cards online

If you have a knack for picking out the perfect greeting card for different occasions, this might be an easy way to make money online. However, it’s not recommended that you market your services to everyone and anyone—it’s not a smart way to do business. Instead, design or source greeting cards that appeal to a certain segment of the population. 

For example, you can make greeting cards that cater to C-level executives wanting to thank their senior vice presidents for making profitable decisions last year. Or you can target health care professionals who want to thank their patients for choosing their clinic. For designing the cards, you can use an online graphic tool like Photoshop or Canva .

30. Offer virtual local tours

Do you know your town or city well? Share it with people by offering virtual tours. This can be a way for tourists and others to explore new places without leaving home.

You can use video calls to show historical sites, cultural spots, and local favorites. Share local stories and facts. Allow people to ask questions and see things up close. Offer different tours, like ones for food lovers or history buffs. Work with local shops so tour guests can buy local products.

31. Become a reseller

Reselling products is a way to make money without creating items. You can buy vintage or collectible items and then sell them. If you want to focus on specific products, you can become a certified distributor of a brand in your area.

Start by finding brands to resell on wholesale directories and platforms like AliExpress. Then, set up an online platform to sell your chosen products. Remember, you will need to manage inventory. This takes effort, but it doesn’t require making products.

32. Sell advertising space

If you own a website, you can make money by selling ad space on it. The more people click or look at these ads, the more cash you make. Make sure your website is a place where advertisers want to be. This means good content that shows up in search results. Also, check where ads work best on your site to keep your readers happy.

You could start with a network like Google’s to get ads up and running fast. If you’re using a site builder like WordPress, there are easy guides to follow. Or, explore other ad networks that offer different kinds of ads and special features to boost your earnings and reach more people worldwide.

33. Narrate audiobooks

Do you have a great speaking voice? Consider using it to make money online by narrating audiobooks. Being organized, professional, and punctual are key to building a reputable profile in the industry. You can find opportunities on platforms such as Bunny Studio , Voices , or ACX .

Enhance your visibility by creating a personal website where you can upload samples of your narration. You can also network by joining audiobook narration groups on social media and attending industry events. This will help you connect with authors and publishers looking for narrators.

34. Become an Airbnb host

If you’ve got a spare bedroom or a quaint guest house sitting empty, consider turning it into a source of income by hosting on Airbnb. It’s an effective way to use your property to cover your mortgage or save for future goals. You can even increase your earnings by selling items directly to guests, such as handmade décor or local products.

To get started, sign up for a free Airbnb account and set up your listing with attractive descriptions and photos. To add a personal touch, use QR codes in your space that guests can scan to purchase featured items

35. Do micro jobs

Looking to earn extra money? Consider micro jobs—small online tasks like transcribing audio or organizing data. Websites like TaskRabbit for various odd jobs, Upwork for freelance work, and PeoplePerHour for creative and technical tasks offer plenty of opportunities.

Just ensure you have a stable internet connection and a functional computer. For design or tech roles, showcasing your previous work could help you secure the job.

Start your online earning journey today

Making money online can help you stay afloat during these troubled times, but it can also help you escape your 9-to-5 job so you can become a full-time entrepreneur. By brainstorming online business ideas and choosing to start an online business, you gain more financial freedom , improve your financial security, and inch closer to living life on your terms .

It really is possible to earn a living online if you work hard and stick with it. So, which money-making idea will you pursue first?

Make money online FAQ

How can i make money online fast.

• Build a Shopify store and dropship products online.
• Sell used stuff on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace.
• Find and share coupons on websites like Coupon Chief.
• Buy and sell domain names.
• Rent your spare room on Airbnb.
• Provide TikTok consultancy to startups and businesses.
• Sell information products.
• Tutor people online in high-demand subjects.
• Create online courses.
• Review apps and websites.

How can I make $100 a day on the web?

• Complete surveys.
• Sell products on Amazon.
• Teach English online.
• Watch videos for money.
• Get cash back on your shopping.
• Proofread for websites.
• Review music online.

How can I make money online in 2024?

• Launch a print-on-demand store.
• Sell your clothes online.
• Create handmade goods.
• Offer freelance services.
• Curate subscription boxes.
• Build online courses.
• Launch a podcast.
• Create digital products.
• Become an influencer.
• Start a blog. 

Want to learn more?

• How to Work from Home: 11 Tips to Stay Productive and Focused
• The 33 Best To Do List apps For Every Entrepreneur
• 16 Reasons to Start a Business
• How to Work Remotely : 9 Tips & Tools to Master Remote Life