5 Tips for Writing Catchy Taglines and Slogans

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Catchy taglines and slogans are so important to your brand. A tagline has a lot of weight to carry meaning it has to say such much in so little words. Your slogan or tagline has to say what you do, what makes you different and why you are great at it.

The Importance of Catchy Taglines and Slogans

Taglines are important because they are everywhere your logo is including printed promotional products. The right slogan can make anything go from appearing to be mediocre to extraordinary. Second to your logo your tagline is the next most noticeable component of your brand. A great slogan is important because it captures what you want your brand to look like, feel like and be about. The biggest challenge of a memorable slogan is that it has to be short, sweet and simple yet say it all. Successfully catchy taglines are so memorable that I bet if you thought about it you would be surprised at how many you know. Here are some examples from big brands:

  • Walmart – Save Money. Live Better.
  • Nike – Just do it.
  • Levis – Quality never goes out of style.
  • Energizer – Keeps going and going and going.
  • PlayStation – Live in your world. Play in ours.
  • Nikon – At the heart of the image.
  • FedEx – The World on time.
  • Disneyland Resort – Where dreams come true.
  • McDonalds – I’m loving it.
  • Burger King – Have it your way.
  • Coca Cola – Open Happiness.
  • Adidas – Impossible is nothing.
  • IBM – Solutions fro a small planet.
  • Kodak – Share moments. Share life.
  • M&M’s – Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.
  • Campbell’s – Mmm mmm good!
  • BMW – The ultimate driving machine.

Here are our 5 Tips to Writing Catchy Taglines and Slogans

1. Share your commitment. What is your company devoted to providing for it’s customers? Use your slogan to show why your brand can be trusted. This is a great way to stand out against other brands that provide the same type of products and services.

2. Keep it short and sweet. Keep your tagline simple. A tagline should not go over one full sentence. As we see listed above a catchy tagline can be as little as one or two words.

3. Make it fun. If it is suiting to your brand make your slogan fun. You can also make it a jingle to make it easily remembered. One of the most popular taglines is from Energizer. Who could forget the bunny who “keeps going and going and going”?

4. Highlight what makes your company different. Your slogan should state what is unusual about your brand or something that is not standard to your competitors.

5. Be honest. When you write your tagline it is important to reflect your brand honestly and accurately. Are you really “number 1” or “the very best”? Be realistic. A good example is Visa’s tagline: “It’s everywhere you want to be”. Visa’s tagline emphasizes the company’s advantage in a clever but real way.

What catchy taglines and slogans can you recall? Do you have a tagline for your brand? What do you think makes a memorable slogan?

30 thoughts on “5 Tips for Writing Catchy Taglines and Slogans

  1. With so many things vying for our attention , we easily switch off if a slogan does not capture us in some way. When I am waiting for a YouTube video to load and a 5 second advert is played, I quickly turn it off if it does not appeal to me.

    I notice names of businesses and find some catchy and others too obvious, for example “A cut above the rest” for a hairdressers.

  2. Some slogans are catchy, others are too obvious. For example “A cut above the rest” for a hairdressers.

    If a slogan or advert does not interest me, I easily switch off as I am sure others do.

    When watching Youtube videos and an advert is shown beforehand, I will leave it to play in full if it captured my attention in some way.
    Phoenicia recently posted…Delays – what are your coping strategies?My Profile

  3. Arleen — When taglines work they are great for your brand. But It makes me crazy when I see taglines (even IBM’s) that say they “provide solutions” or “quality.” Those are meaningless terms. What is a solution — why not say what it is? Quality is another overused word. What specifically supports your claim of quality? I like your tagline a lot. Mine is “Profit from Business Writing That Sells.” I think it works but would be interested in your thoughts.
    Jeannette Paladino recently posted…Can You Give Away Your Content and Still Make Money?My Profile

  4. Hi Arleen

    This is kinda scary

    Yesterday I was trying to come up with a byline or tagline for my new blog. few ideas came to mind, but still wasn’t happy.

    And then today I land on your blog and see THIS post complete with 5 helpful tips on the topic.

    Talk about coincidence and serendipity!

    Thanks for this Arleen

    I shall now use your tips to (hopefully) come up with more ideas until I find the one that works the best

    Kim
    .
    Kim Willis recently posted…Business Struggling? How to Banish Self Doubt and DiscouragementMy Profile

  5. Great post Arleen. I’ve changed the tagline for my business a few times as I’ve continued to drill down into the niche. There are a gazillion personal growth blogs, books and coaches out there and attempting to rise above the masses and stay true to yourself is pretty challenging. And in my case I write about a subject that many people have a difficult time wrapping their minds around – emotional resilience. But I think I’ve finally settled on the right tagline – building strength from the inside out – and am in the process of updating our marketing materials. It’s a never ending process and I gotta say I love it.
    Marquita Herald recently posted…Maybe It’s Time To Reconsider HopeMy Profile

  6. I think writing a headline is a creative talent. How about.”Priceless” or “Got Milk”? It’s the brevity and the sound of the word. The sound of word fits the product and the campaign. It was more difficult for me to come up with a tagline than writing 10 blogposts.
    pamela chollet recently posted…Anger And Your ChildMy Profile

  7. Timely post–I have been trying to come up with a logo for my Musings site. I think it’s beyond my brain power! I like my tag line well enough. It seems to get to the point. Maybe we should have a separate discussion in the BHB group and get feedback on these things?
    You are SO right about the catchiness of the tag lines you listed. They stick in your head and are an instant way for people to relate. We always called my Dad the Energizer Bunny. Everyone knew exactly what we meant!
    Rose M Griffith recently posted…Fitbit Fitness Unleashes Fierce CompetitivenessMy Profile

  8. I remember still the ditties that accompanied ad campaigns; not just the slogan but the whole song. There was one for Kentucky Fried Chicken…Hugo said you go and I said no you go, and soon he was back, with a pack, and we ate in the back feeling better insiiiiiide. Life isnt funny, with an empty tummy…thank goodness for Kentucky Fried 🙂
    Tim recently posted…Adventure BotswanaMy Profile

  9. Hi Arleen,

    This is a wonderful post about slogans and taglines. You are right, those are what make the company to stand out. My business motto is “Independence. Balance. Awareness”. It is simple and straight to the point. Being aware of your business goals, it makes it a bit easier to come up with a slogan. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this topic!

    Zaria
    Psychic Nest recently posted…Reincarnation and the AfterlifeMy Profile

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