Branding

What Is A Tagline? How Is It Different From A Slogan?

By mashum.mollah

January 5, 2024

What Is A Tagline? How Is It Different From A Slogan?

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Are you here to find out what is a tagline? Well, let me make things easier for you.

Can you think of your favorite brand? Nike, Adidas, or any other brand like Maybelline?

When you think of Nike, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Isn’t it “Just do it?”

This is exactly what a tagline is. A tagline is a short and memorable phrase that is the foundation of every marketing campaign. It is pretty evident that people remember brands by their taglines. The catchier the tagline, the better attention it is going to grab from the audience. Therefore, brands do a lot of brainstorming in order to come up with the best taglines that will stay in the minds of the audience for the longest time.

However, coming up with unique and eye-catching taglines is not child’s play. There goes a lot of brainstorming and days of hard work to come up with just one tagline, which one can only expect to work like magic.

In this article, we shall discuss the intricacies of a tagline, how marketers come up with the best of the taglines, and how a tagline is different from a slogan.

So, without any further delay, let us get started!

What Is A Tagline? 

A tagline is a short and memorable description that clearly and succinctly communicates the message that a brand wishes to give.

This description is never too long. It should be something that the audience can easily remember. The tagline acts as the catchphrase for the brand and builds the personality of the brand. This, in turn, helps the brands to position themselves in the market.

What Is A Tagline For A Company And Why Is It Important?

What Is A Tagline For A Company And Why Is It Important

A tagline goes in pretty parallel with a brand. Every company has a tagline of its own. It should match the personality of the brand and state its purpose to the audience. The public definitely will not go through huge descriptions of what the brand wishes to do. This is where the tagline comes to the rescue. A catchy tagline is what catches the attention of the audience and sets the brand apart from other competing brands in the market.

For instance, if I say, “Finger lickin’ good,” what is the first thing that would come to your mind? It is KFC, right? The phrase itself sets the brand apart from other fast-food chains. The tagline works like an identity for the brand, which acts as an immediate click to the human mind when mentioned.

Importance Of A Good Tagline…

There is no denying that taglines are one of the most important components of brand marketing. Taglines play such an important part that, in some cases, people recognize brands through their positioning in the market, which is, after all, influenced by their taglines.

The tagline is the strongest communication message that becomes a public earworm and houses in their brain,

The tagline is crafted in such a manner that it has a long-lasting effect within just one encounter. It clearly communicates the personality of the brand to the audience in the easiest words. If you craft it correctly, a tagline will have the capability to communicate what benefits the brands offer to the audience.

Imagine how McDonald’s brand positioning would stand if their tagline was “It;s tasty AF” and not “I’m lovin’ it.”

How To Create A Tagline

How To Create A Tagline

You absolutely do not have to be the best copywriter in town to come up with the best tagline. The tagline for Walmart is “Save Money. Live Better.” It does not have any such fancy words or catchy phrases. However, it is simple and does the job just fine.

Here are some steps for you to follow, and you will be all good to go:

  1. Jot down a couple of sentences on what you and what benefits you offer to the customers upon using your products or services.
  1. Cut the sentences short to form a meaningful phrase of three to five words.
  1. Choose the phrase that you feel is the best fit for your brand.

There are a few strategies that marketers actively follow to come up with creative taglines for brands. Here are the same strategies that may guide you throughout the process.

KISS 

Taglines are a total waste if your target audience does not understand what you want to communicate. Therefore, it is better to go for a KISS. No, you would not have to kiss anyone. You just need to follow the “Keep It Simple, Silly!” approach. Do not overdo anything. You wouldn’t want too many cooks to spoil the broth.

Show The Benefits

You do not have to tell them what you are offering. Rather, tell them what they are going to receive. Audiences consider it bragging when brands say a lot about what they have. Rather, showing the benefits is what actually attracts the audience.

Make It Short

No one in the world has the time to remember an unnecessarily long tagline. Keep it short and simple. That is the trick.

How Is A Tagline Different From A Slogan? 

A slogan is pretty similar in form to a tagline. A slogan is made up of a few words, mostly a short sentence that represents a certain line of product or a marketing campaign. Slogans have a shorter lifespan for a brand. However, slogans still have the ability to bring the name of a brand into the minds of the customers.

Here are the characteristics of a slogan to help you understand better:

  • They are product specific.
  • They are specific to the case.
  • Slogans are category specific.
  • They are specific to consumers.

Characteristic Of A Tagline

  • A tagline is simple and stays in the mind for a long time.
  • Taglines are precise.
  • Taglines are products of creativity.
  • They are informative in nature.
  • They are oriented towards customers.
  • Taglines are emotional.
  • Taglines maintain consistency.

Types Of Taglines

Taglines are of multiple types. The best of the tagline ideas come from within these categories. Based on these categories, the marketers brainstorm the appeal of the tagline and how they would be communicating with the audiences.

Here are the different types of taglines:

Imperative Taglines

Youtube – Broadcast Yourself.

Nike – Just Do It.

Coca-Cola – Open Happiness.

Descriptive Taglines

KFC: It’s finger lickin’ good.

Walmart: Save money. Live better.

Provocative Taglines

Adidas – Impossible is nothing.

Dove – You are more beautiful than you think.

Under Armour – I will.

Superlative Taglines 

BMW – The ultimate driving machine.

Budweiser – The king of beers

Interrogative Taglines

California Milk Processor Board: Got Milk?

Specific taglines 

Olay: Love the skin you’re in.

Volkswagen: Drivers wanted.

Visionary Taglines

Avis – We try harder.

GE – Imagination at work.

The Bottom Line

There is no limitation when it comes to what is a tagline. You can let your creativity flow as much as you want to come up with a tagline that is unique and not easily forgettable. Brands take months to come up with taglines, which we so conveniently say these days.

Well, this was all that we had to tell you about what is a tagline. Did we miss anything? If we did, feel free to comment down and share your thoughts with us!!

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mashum.mollah

Mashum Mollah is a tech entrepreneur by profession and passionate blogger by heart. He is on a mission to help small businesses grow online. He shares his journey, insights and experiences in this blog. If you are an entrepreneur, digital marketing professional, or simply an info-holic, then this blog is for you. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn

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