We Need a Slogan

[Doug_Ford]

Gerald,

I think the Mechmate forum needs a slogan for the home page. Coca Cola has "The real thing." Burger King uses "Have It Your Way." The US Army ads say "Army Strong."

I was thinking something like, "Afordable Industrial CNC" or "DIY CNC 4U." Maybe everyone thinks those are stupid but at least they'll get us started.

However, if you don't like this idea, please delete this post.

[Gerald D]

Copied from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_slogan

An effective slogan usually:

states the main benefits of the product or brand for the potential user or buyer
implies a distinction between it and other firms' products - of course, within the usual legal constraints
makes a simple, direct, concise, crisp, and apt statement
is often witty
adopts a distinct "personality" of its own
gives a credible impression of a brand or product
makes the consumer feel "good"
makes the consumer feel a desire or need
is hard to forget - it adheres to one's memory (whether one likes it or not)
sounds good

[Delamination]

How about something I've been toying with lately: "There's a global market for local manufacturing" or "Local manufacturing for a Global economy"

[servant74]

A few ideas...
"So many toys, so little time."
"CNC for the rest of us."
"Future Shop" or "Future Manufacturing" or "Manufacturing the Future"
"CNC - Its not just for big companies anymore!"
"Dream It, MechMate It, Build It."
"MechMate, The big kids Erector Set!"
"Dream, Think, Design, MechMate, Build"

I like the "100,000 garages..." idea in:
http://www.shopbottools.com/teds_report.htm
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/10/100000_garages.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
as a way to cure the energy, and, IMHO, economic issues of the world.
ShopBot sees themselves in there, but I would love to have 10% be MechMates!
Lets get someone more creative than I to generate a MechMate tag line from that concept!

[MetalHead]

Technology that earns. If you learn.

[domino11]

How about
Affordable CNC for the Masses
Affordable CNC for the Handyman
Affordable CNC for Business
Affordable CNC for Fun

[Kobus_Joubert]

I like the one from Jack ....."Dream It, MechMate It, Build It.".....but will change it to include CNC..

"Dream It, Mechmate It, CNC It "

[bradm]

The key concept for me when I think of MechMate is "value". What I invest into MM (and myself) creates value in the form of a best-in-cost-category machine, plus my additional knowledge and experience.

"MechMate: DIY Local CNC Value"

[sailfl]

Wait A Minute!!!!!!

You want a slogan but you don't want T-Shirts and Hats?

I don't get it but I guess that must be me! We need a slogan why?

[Gerald D]

I don't think that acronyms (DIY, CNC) work easily in a slogan . . . . unless they maybe rhyme ?

Nils, T-shirts and hats could be very expensive to folk in S. America, Asia, Africa. They will not be equally accessible to everyone.

[isladelobos]

:rolleyes:

you're blue
The blue maker
drive your dreams
make your dreams
The blue mistress

[sailfl]

Okay, that helps me understand why you have not gotten on the T-Shirt / Hats band wagon.

[riesvantwisk]

Som variations on the above...

1) "Its not just a CNC, it's a MechMate!'"
2) "MechMate, for all your woodworking in CNC"
3) "MechMate, affordable table router"
4) "MechMate, affordable DIY table router"
5) "MechMate, DIY Industrial table router"
6) "MechMate, table routing at it's best"


Of the six above I like 5 the best because the MechMate is really a DIY Industrial table router.

it's also something that people might look for on the internet (google ranking).

Just my 2 cents


Ries

still waiting for the electronics to come in, metal is about to get ordered!

[YRD]

MechMate. I can. You can.

[servant74]

Some of the suggestions I gave, were trying to get across the process that MM allows, but trying to make is short, but communicate the entire value added process is not easy.

The term CNC is a buzzword for the initiated, not recognized by all of the general public. MechMate, like ShopBot is now a 'brand' of CNC equipment. But neither do the entire 'Idea, design, MechMate, assemble, use/sell' paradigm (how I hate that word, but it applies here). Somehow putting MechMate as the 'heart' of a global design, local manufacture and build process is the kind of message that I think we should look to convey. Possibly one where the MM word could be substituted with CNC, or another 'brand' of equipment. I know we are trying to further MM, but furthering the CONCEPT of MM is more important, IMHO.

Gerald, what kind of import restrictions/fees are there on swag (T-shirts, caps, etc) in South Africa. We could make a 'suggested design' for T's that could be produced locally. We might want to leave a 'space' for an OPTIONAL MM serial number to be put on the design, that would not look
stilted or awkward without a serial number.

Hey, anyone have a design for a silk screen machine that could be built on a MM for furthering the 'design global, make local' concept? This would be a good 'first suggested project' for people almost anywhere! And MM swag can be produced about anywhere a MM could be built with ease.

[sailfl]

Well, if I can't have T-Shirts and Hats Internationally I suppose I have to put in my thiinking here.

"MechMate, Owner Built CNC"

Gerald, What are you giving the one that comes up with the award winning slogan....? How about a T-Shirt.... I know that is enough.

Seriously, some thing should be on the line.... A trip to South Africa, a day at Walt Disney World, a HSD Spindle and VFD, a MechMate, Owner Built CNC mascot, or 25 rattler cans of Safety Blue paint.!

[jhiggins7]

I like the ideas I see here...so I've got to jump in.

Here's a couple of simple ones.:D

MechMate, A Cut Above!

MechMate, the Cutter's Choice!


Regards,
John

[servant74]

The winner should award Gerald a T-Shirt! ;)

Hmmm, Mascot. ... Linux has Tux, BSD has a little 'devil', GNU has the gnu. What kind of mascot should MM have? Something native to SA? Like an Eland?

[Gerald D]

The mamba was temporarily used.

[servant74]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mamba_(comics)
Might be a little racy? 8)

But I assume you mean more like:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamba

[Gerald D]

Jack, we had this thread:
http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502&highlight=mamba+logo

(david/truecnc now uses Sean's logo as his own)

[jeffa]

Gerald,

I don't get it...how can this guy David from True CNC take your designs and try to build a business selling cnc routers as his own. Not only is this highly unethical and most probably an infringment of your intelectual property rights, but it's also just bad business. Once a few of his customers or potential customers learn that he is trying to pass off someone else's design as his own, he will lose all credibiltiy. Who would trust him??:(

I guess it takes all kinds...

Best regards,

Jeff

[Doug_Ford]

I really like the following suggestions that have been made so far but Gerald's opinion is what really matters. The first one is probably the most descriptive. (Thanks Heath for correcting my misspelling of affordable.)

MechMate - DIY Industrial Table Router

Affordable CNC for the Masses

MechMate - Owner Built CNC

[Gerald D]

Well, I don't know whether we need a slogan, but a good slogan would be nice. :)

(Maybe you guys are looking for something to print on the back of the T-shirt? ;))

Time to visit these principles of a slogan again:


states the main benefits of the product or brand
implies a distinction between it and other firms' products
makes a simple, direct, concise, crisp, and apt statement
is often witty
adopts a distinct "personality" of its own
gives a credible impression of a brand or product
makes the consumer feel "good"
makes the consumer feel a desire or need
is hard to forget - it adheres to one's memory
sounds good. . . . and looking at most of the above suggestions, they do not imply a distinction for a MM compared to the rest. ie. most of the suggested slogans could apply to any CNC router.

Okay, so what makes a MM different? . . . .
pick any size
as long as it is fairly big
work inches or millimeters
shop locally in your global location as far as possible
good forum support
international network
simple, tough, forgiving (error tolerant) design
can be built by anyone with minimum skills and resources
strips away the "mystique" of CNC
. . . . or something like that! :)

[servant74]

Because my son read it in college, I read "Made to Stick" by Heath. It got across the point of being unforgettable because it fosters a 'sticky idea' in peoples thoughts. It is an easy and good read along with "The Tipping Point" by Gladwell.

One of the best don't litter campaigns was done in Texas,with the "Don't Mess With Texas" TV and road signs that were run years ago. For a change it DID effect the amount of roadside trash, especially in rural areas. It had a lot to do with the way "Good ol' boys" perceive themselves and their state. I only wish we could come up with something half as 'sticky' and reliant.

[bradm]

Slogans or tag lines?

MechMate: Custom homebuilt computerized woodworking.

"Why cut by hand, when your hands can build a router?"

"Leave the others in the dust"

[revved_up]

how about:

Why buy a machine when you can build a BEAST

[isladelobos]

The Mamba project.

Build your own? -->front of the home of this web exist a slogan.

[domino11]

(Maybe you guys are looking for something to print on the back of the T-shirt? ;))


Gerald, You are teasing us again. :eek::rolleyes::)

[Doug_Ford]

(Maybe you guys are looking for something to print on the back of the T-shirt? ;))
[/COLOR]

Damn you're good. Geez. I had it all planned out and now you're going to spoil everything! :o

I know you want them to be affordable to everyone around the globe and I'm working on a solution for that. A year or so ago, I was at an office supply store and they sold "plastic" paper that you could print on and then iron onto a t shirt. I was thinking that maybe we could come up with a graphic design that could be shared via this forum and everyone could buy their own paper. I think it was made by Epson. Hey you guys, is their stuff available globally?

I already have the graphic images in my head but that's all I'm saying about that. ;)

BradM has some really good ideas.

[Greg J]

I'm terrible at this, but here's my input ....

MechMate - The Choice of Craftsman, Worldwide

[skypoke]

I'm thinking it might include the words "digital craftsmanship"

Chuck

[Kobus_Joubert]

Hi Dough, That Iron on Transfer paper is available in South Africa, I have used it in the past

[D. van Randen]

The first post had had two excellent examples by Coke and Burger King add them together and add the community.

Real MechMates do it their way

these last two is how I view MechMate

Mechmate CNC, similar yet different

MechMate CNC, friends included

D

[echnidna]

MechMate - The Craftsmans CNC

[Gerald D]

Handcrafted CNC?

[YRD]

MechMate,
cnc to the size of your pocket

[J.R. Hatcher]

MechMate, It's the CNC you wanted, for the money you wanted to pay.

[Doug_Ford]

Thanks Kobus.

Lots of great ideas! "Handcrafted CNC" is sort of an oxymoron that piques your curiosity. I really like that one.

[PEU]

My top choice for now: MechMate, DIY and be PRO

MechMate, your DIY money-making machine


Pablo

[Leko]

Some guys buy tools, REAL MEN build them!

[myozman]

MechMate-Breaking Bits, Throwing Chips

[William McGuire]

This would be lot easier if Gerald had named the machine "Big Mac".:D

[WTI]

Mechmate: "Better than the Bot"

[bradm]

I don't think we want to either compare to or trash the Shopbotters; they're a kindred community in many senses. Not every sawdust generator has the inclination or ability to also be a swarf maker.

However, I really can't resist typing "Why Shop a Bot, when you can Mech a Mate?" :D

I do like that "handcrafted" bit a lot.

"Handcrafted robotic magic"

[servant74]

Build a Robot for Your Shop: MechMate.com
or
Robot for Your Shop: MechMate.com

Automation Craftsmanship: MechMate.com

Mechanized Helpmate for the Shop: MechMate.com

MechMate: Dream, Design, MechMate, Assemble

MechMate: World Class Machine, Local Craftsmanship

Profit from the Start: MechMate.com

[WTI]

Mechmate: "Kickin' ass with every pass"

[zeon]

Mechmate - World class machine, locally crafted!

This is my first post, but I have been following the forum for almost 2 years. Built a combination machine with linear bearings and Geralds concepts. It is killer, by the way. Thank you Gerald. I immediately liked servant74's World Class Machine, Local Craftsmanship but wanted to change the tense.

[Greg J]

Zeon,

Welcome !!!!!!!!!

I'm an old Ojai and Pt. Hueneme resident.

[Leko]

I think I might have it...certainly what I have gathered Gerald is thinking right now about this thread would make a perfect slogan....

MechMate: Stop daydreaming and start building!

[Doug_Ford]

Gerald,

How are we going to bring this to a close? I was thinking of two courses of action: 1) Gerald can choose his favorite or 2) Gerald can select a few of his favorites and the members of this site can vote for the best one.

Or we can let it run for a few more days to get more ideas.

What do you think?

[Gerald D]

Doug, I am afraid that you will have to finish what you started. I am not volunteering to be a judge on this. :)

[domino11]

But does the winning slogan get to go on the Main Webpage? :eek:

[Gerald D]

It can go on the main web page, but I will need with the template. That page has had problems for a long time, displaying differently for different browsers.

[WTI]

Mechmate: Experienced enough to get the job done right, young enough to be your daughter

[MetalHead]

Mechmate - A wealth of knowledge

[sailfl]

Doug,

I think you have a problem.... I haven't seen any that I think stand out but that is me. You good have a vote on a number of them and the one that gets the most votes with Gerald having some say because it is his baby.

[bradm]

I think we've only completed one phase of a marketing brainstorm session.
We need to choose the key concepts and best words as phase two, play with synonyms, and then finally craft possible slogan permutations. Then a vote. Or a focus group test (bleech).

This type of work goes slow when you can't gather around a whiteboard and a pizza.

[Doug_Ford]

Brad,

Are you a professor at a college or something? :) I taught military science at a university years ago and this plan reminds me of the stuff that came out of our faculty meetings.

If you're serious, I'm game for playing along. However, I'll warn you that if the process takes longer than a week or so, I'll probably lose interest and you'll inherit this mess.

[servant74]

Since you started this thread, how about playing 'moderator' and put together a 'short list' of the most promising. We could have a vote to get it down to 3 or 4 (plus, none of the above) to get Gerald's approval.

Then it can be 'announced'. There is nothing that says that any choice is perminant, and Gerald could choose a different one, or several.

The idea is to get something that Gerald can live with and we can work with.
If a design is not changeable, it is dead. Just like the MM design. But as it matures, it will change less often, just like the MM design.

At least that is my suggestion!

[Gerald D]

A snag here is that most of the suggestions would not be suitable as MechMate slogans because they don't satisfy the listed criteria for good slogans. (eg. Most of the slogans are not unique to MechMate - they could be hijacked for any other machine). So, a mass voting could produce a "winner" that is useless (maybe I've seen too many political "elections"?)

[bradm]

Naw, I'm neither a college professor, nor interested in inheriting this thread. I'm a software development guy, and I've suffered through my share of product and company branding meetings, which tend to last days. It's probably part of why I'm not a marketing type, and around here, I don't seem to be alone in that. ;)

I do think that "we're not there yet", so some alternate exercise might be warranted to speed the process as best we can.

[YRD]

I do think that "we're not there yet", so some alternate exercise might be warranted to speed the process as best we can.

More brainstorm ;)

There is no right or wrong.

With more suggestions, we will get somewhere.

[Doug_Ford]

Okay Brad and Yuri. Let's hold off a few more days and get a few more ideas. I like Jack's proposal to select a few that can be voted on but we can wait a few more days to see if anyone comes up with a winner.

[lunaj76]

Mechmate your other mate. (What my wife calls it)

[Eoghan]

How about :

MECHMATE-CHECKMATE

Eoghan

[J.R. Hatcher]

MechMate .... over a 1000 pounds .... every ounce pure precision

[Leko]

OK, one more time for us slow guys...why do we need a slogan?

[YRD]

Fixing brand.

The brand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand) in general has a value greater than the product. ;)

[PEU]

MechMate, you came attracted by its price, your build it because of its quality.

[Gerald D]

Yuri, that article on brands does not say that we need a slogan ;)

Here is a good article on slogans and brands: http://www.sutherlandsurvey.com/Column_pages/slogan_as_a_brand_precis.htm

[J.R. Hatcher]

Fill in the blanks. With the right words it might work.

MechMate C__________ N__________ C__________

[Gerald D]

Co-operative Numerical Cutting? <----- to get a ball rolling

[YRD]

MM - MW
MechMate - MoreWood :p

[domino11]

Mechmate, Full Performance CNC, Half Price Budget

[Roadkill_321]

MechMate
Locally Manufactured
Globally Supported

[domino11]

John,
Good to see you around again! I like that one! :)

[Roadkill_321]

Hi Heath, Thanks. It was just an idea. I never really left here, I've been lurking in the background. :)

[Nikonauts]

When i grow up i want to be a Mechmate - Optimus Prime Jr.

[Greg J]

I didn't build a MechMate. It was a TEAM that built a MechMate.

That's just an observation, not a slogan.

[kaartman]

CNC technology with MECHMATE
One idea …. multi dimension creations

[grandpi]

hello,

Roadkill one is the best for me :

MechMate
Locally Manufactured
Globally Supported

Bye,

Pierre GRAND

[Delamination]

"Mechmate builds you."
"Mechmate: get built."

I swirl in technology fields so much that I get surprised by what most people aren't familiar with. In talking to local people/businesses looking for opportunities to sell MM cut parts, few people seem to have even heard the term "CNC" before.

[sailfl]

Yes, you say CNC and they node their heads like they know what you are talking about so I always ask do you know what that means. Or I just tell them it a computerized wood router. They can understand what that is to some degree.

That is okay that they don't know what it is. I just want them to know what I can do with it. So I show them the cut grapes and they like them. Then I tell them what else I can do. I am starting to make some contacts.

[silverdog]

Ciao,

MechMate
Locally Manufactured
Globally Supported

John, excuse me if I use (and modify) your words ......
MechMate
All Over the World Manufactured
Globally Supported

(locally gives me a reductive idea .... but I'm not mother tongue,)
In any case I would avoid considerations about cheap price .... this could give a negative impression about quality and it is absolutely not the case for MechMate.
or maybe.....
MechMate 1st choice for the serious craftsman

Everybody can buy .... but Craftsman Builds !
Serious Craftsman 1st choice is:Build a MechMate !
Sergio

[Hopkinsstevea]

MechMate CNC "Precision Right Out of the Blue"

[rotorzoomer]

MechMate - Build it Your Way

Or T-Shirts..

MechMate - I Built It
MechMate -100% Pure CNC

[quadtech]

Mechmate: Now I don't hesitate to make passes
Mechmate: I hit pay dirt with mine!

[digger]

My vote goes to:

MechMate
Locally Manufactured
Globally Supported

[KenC]

MechMate, a mate, not a toy.

[Johannescnc]

MechMate
Locally Manufactured
Globally Supported

yes

[Hillbillie]

Mechmate - Community Designed and Tested

[Axel1966]

Very funny topic. Reminds me my young times as AD. Digged out. :D

MechMate
think > get

[zumergido]

becouse we can

[TechGladiator]

"In God we trust and with the MechMate we create dust"

[JasonC]

"Because Im Broke"

[jehayes]

MechMate
Better Built by You

[digger]

Mechmate, you can build it, you can use it.

[TechGladiator]

Steel Cost $1,200. Electronics, Gears and boxes $5,000. Putting it all together, Priceless!!!

[MetalHead]

You can doooo iiiitttt :D Oh it's taken aready shucks !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk

[KenC]

Why Not?

[PEU]

MechMate
KISS= Keep It Simple Stup... err Seriously :)

[nightwinter]

Mechmate - A Cutting Edge Above The Rest!

:)

[Zouave]

Any objection to me getting a blue shirt with 'MechMate #xx' once I have a serial number? And 'www..MechMate.com' on the back?

[domino11]

Hey its your shirt. :)

[d0vr]

Slogans that could work on their own:

"Your new best MechMate"
"To MechMate or not, there is no question."
"There's no debate when it comes to the MechMate"

Slogans that require or at least work better with the "MechMate" logo/name above it

MechMate
"You'll be up late."
"Reiterate your way"
"Why wait?"
"Don't tempt fate."
"All but handed to you on a silver plate"
"The mate that will never make you late"
"This mate pulls it's weight"
"CNC made great!"
"CNC at a great rate!"
"It will always step up to the plate"

Just some ideas. Seriously though, the owner of the brand/plans should really capitalize on this and do some proper branding IMHO.

[jehayes]

Ben:

Wonderful! Each one is better than the last!

Thanks.