Making It Happen to Get Shift Done

by Sam on October 27, 2007

Last year I blogged that one of my favorite expressions was “Make It Happen.â€� To me, it means no more bullshit — just get it done.

For one of the projects we’re working on we recently brainstormed on possible taglines. ‘Make it happen’ (not surprisingly) was at the top of the list. Unfortunately a startup called PlanHQ (collaboration software for startups) has used the name for their blog and a few other companies have used the phrase pervasively in copy. As a result, we’ve decided against using it, but I am left wondering how trademarks apply to taglines? Also, when is it okay to use a phrase someone else is using and which they did not invent? For example, since ‘Make it happen’ is a universally known phrase can it even be trademarked?

One of the new expressions/taglines we’re considering is “Get Shift Done,â€� but we’re unsure if it’s too funny or aggressive? The “shift’ represents a shift in the way people approach work (based on the technology we’re developing’ and of course, is a play on words. Thoughts?

Also, here are some related posts to Making It Happen:

Seth Godin – Make Something Happen

A Better You Blog – 4 Steps to Make it Happen

Make It Happen, the Movie (2008)

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  • http://makeithappenhq.com Tim Norton

    Hey Sam,

    I hear you, a line like make it happen is something that people use a lot, and it should stay that way. I’ve used it for ages too and decided this year that it was the best most friendly way of describing what we do, and what PlanHQ does, but its a term that belongs to the people.

    Just like you said, get past the talk and turn ideas into action,

    There’s no way a phrase like this should ever be trademarked, and I’d never dream of doing it myself. I know some people are still trying and getting away with rademarking names that should never be able to do because of their common use but, in the new world of small business and people who care about more than just money I don’t see protection as a major means of growing.

    Good luck with ya project!
    Tim

  • http://www.makeithappenhq.com Tim Norton

    Sam – I hope no-one could never trademark a term like make it happen, it is one of those phrases that people use plenty, and I, like you find myself saying it a lot to help get a situation past the talk and into action…

    Cheers,
    Tim

  • http://www.makeithappenhq.com Tim Norton

    Sam – I hope no-one could never trademark a term like make it happen, it is one of those phrases that people use plenty, and I, like you find myself saying it a lot to help get a situation past the talk and into action…

    Cheers,
    Tim

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