A Copyblogger Tagline Clinic… In the Comment Section!

A Copyblogger Tagline Clinic… In the Comment Section!

Reader Comments (338)

  1. *ahem* I always maintain full control of any situation. Especially the ones where I’ve created havoc and chaos on entering the room. 😉

    I’m looking forward to this one – taglines are great fun for everyone involved, so let’s hear who needs a better one!

  2. Hi James & Brian,

    I am the Exec. Editor for Mind Sprocket magazine (http://www.mindsprocket.com/). We’re redoing our tagline and this “tagline clinic” sounds like the perfect opportunity. Good timing for the both of us!

    The website tell you about us on the home page, and also on the About page (http://www.mindsprocket.com/about/). Our current tagline is “We Tell Stories”, but that’s not quite enough. Telling stories is our mode of communication, but we don’t feel that it sums us up to the visitor as well as it could.

    Thoughts, criticisms, and commentary are very welcome!

  3. Boomer writing about stuff mostly of interest to other boomers. No politics, few rants, attempted humor.

    Real tag: Suitably old but mysteriously advanced.

    I tell people, my blog lets me release my inner smart ass.

  4. It’s amazing what a good tagline can accomplish. From an SEO perspective, don’t miss the fact that you can use it all over the web as anchor text and surrounding text for your links and citations. There’s a bit of value in that:)

    “Gettin’ hit by traffic…not cars”

  5. I’m pretty happy with my current tagline, but would love to see if theres anyway I can improve it.
    DanZarrella.com: Viral Marketing and Social Media Scientist

  6. Note what I said in my post.

    That tagline needs to be ‘un-clever.’
    It needs to tell me quickly what you do.
    It doesn’t need some cutesy-pie line. Or some vague line.
    Tell me in plain English what you do. What problem you solve. What solution you bring.

    Problem. And Solution. Not solution alone.
    And si, your target audience too.

    But at the very core: Problem.
    Then solution.

  7. Hi:
    I have a personal finance blog called Think Your Way To Wealth- My tagline is “Helping You Increase Your Wealth By Making Smarter Personal Finance Decisions”
    I think it describes my blog, but is awkward and/or lengthy.
    Any suggestions?

  8. Dan: That reads more like a degree than a tagline. It tells me what you do, but doesn’t instantly tell me who you work with (your target) or what problem you solve. It may seem apparent to you, but remember that the person who comes to your site doesn’t always know what you do.

    It’s your job to get that clarity across.

  9. Again, use parameters:
    Problem.
    Solution.
    Target Audience.

    At the very core, that’s what I want to see.
    Just like at the restroom at the airport.

    Target audience: Men/women.
    Problem: Oooh, I have to go.
    Solution: This way please.

    Thanks for the opportunity to get your advice. I started a blog for my photography site just a few months ago.

    http://www.toddsmithphotography.com/transparency/

    I currently use the tag line: “A blog about photography and seeing. Come see the world with me!”

    I would love to hear your opinions and suggestions.

    Thanks

  10. @ Edward – Whose stories do you tell? Why? How does that affect me as a reader? What’s the reason that I should read these stories?

    The ultimate question to answer: So what?

    We tell stories that change your life (how do they change your life?)
    Stories that share experience – so you don’t have to learn the hard way (long but you get the picture)
    Smart stories to boost your IQ

  11. @ RC – Not bad, but long and clumsy. Let’s see what we can do:

    Helping You Increase Your Wealth By Making Smarter Personal Finance Decisions

    Smart Finances to Increase your Wealth
    Smart Decisions, Better Finances
    Smart Choices for More Wealth

  12. Hello “tagline experts,”

    I’d be happy for your opinion. I started my blog to promote my music, but while my music career became stagnate, my writing started to take over. My tagline is:

    “Sounds, thoughts, and anger management from an aspiring songwriter. ”

    And while that is all true, my site is heavy on the thoughts and low on the sounds/music.

    Ideas?

  13. @ Todd – What benefit does that give the reader? Figure out why someone should view your photos or how they can benefit from your photos and your exposés

    See Through My Eyes for Wider Perspective
    See The World Without Leaving Home

  14. I can use some help :). My site is:

    http://TheGreenRoutine.net

    Our current tagline is “Save Money, Save The Planet.”

    But after reading this article, it seems that the tagline might be a little too abstract to convey the message of what the blog is actually about.

    Saving money was initially a focus of the blog, but not so much core to it now that I’ve published more articles. Saving the planet is the end goal, but really sounds a little too hyperbolic for my tastes.

    Any ideas? 🙂

  15. I’m starting a video podcast next week that gives personal development tips.

    The site/podcast is called Distinctions For Life.

    The Tagline is

    “Little changes that make a big difference.”

    Site isn’t really finalized and has non-distinction content right now.

  16. What do you guys think of the one for my site http://ScreenRant.com :

    “TV and Movie News without the Sugar Coating”

    I’ve refined it over time… it used to be the much more cumbersome:

    “Sci-Fi, TV & Movie News & Reviews without the Sugar Coating”

    Feedback appreciated, but I actually think it’s pretty good. 🙂

    Thanks,

    Vic

  17. I am having a hard time coming up with a tagline for my gallery. I am not even sure if I should have a tagline because most high end contemporary art galleries don’t…But my focus is to showcase fine art in an environment that is welcoming and not intimidating like most other high end galleries, making it easier for new collectors to start buying original art.

    So my tagline idea was: Contemporary Art Without the Attitude.

    Feedback?

  18. Did someone say “tagline?” I’m all over it!

    As James has already covered, your tag has to communicate a specific and unique benefit or perspective about your blog/site/product/what have you.

    If the visitor reads your tag and thinks “so what?”, you’ve lost ’em. If your tag is cool, ironic and snarky, it’s good for maybe one read and then you’ve lost ’em.
    If your tag could be popped onto any number of the sites of your competitors, your tag really fails.

    If I come to your site, read your tag and like, get it immediately? DING – DING – DING … you have a winner.

    Strive for clarity over clever, almost always.

  19. I guess I’ll be a little repetitive here…but not everyone will read every comment, so here here goes.

    Problem.
    Solution.
    Target Audiece.

    Target Audience:Who are you saving money for? Yoga teachers, baby boomers, men in black? That needs to be clear.

    The problem: Define how you’re saving money. It’s too broad right now, and therefore waffly.

    The solution:: What’s your solution?

    These parameters will help you quickly get a message across that your customer understands. The most important thing is for the customer to know they’re the customer in the first place.

    Our current tagline is “Save Money, Save The Planet.”

    But after reading this article, it seems that the tagline might be a little too abstract to convey the message of what the blog is actually about.

    Saving money was initially a focus of the blog, but not so much core to it now that I’ve published more articles. Saving the planet is the end goal, but really sounds a little too hyperbolic for my tastes.

    Any ideas? 🙂

  20. What about a blog for business people who want to create data visualizations but can’t use external sites like Swivel or ManyEyes and don’t have access to robust data tools like SpotFire or Tableau?

    The audience is business people who have data to present (e.g., a product manager who wants to show brand penetration across U.S. markets) and who want to show this data in an innovative, thought-provoking manner.

    The problem that person faces is that they are typically limited to using Excel or PowerPoint to get their point across. I’m going to help solve that problem with tutorials and other content so they can use Excel or PowerPoint but still produce fantastic data visualizations and “wow” their bosses/colleagues/CEO.

    Tagline thoughts so far:
    (1) Use Microsoft Office to visualize your business data
    (2) Bring your data to life in applications you already have
    (3) Powerful ways to visualize business data using Microsoft Office

    Part of the problem is that I don’t want to limit myself to Microsoft’s applications because there are other lightweight apps people could use.

    Any thoughts?

  21. You have the parameters right.
    You have a problem | solution | target audience.

    Not sure what you mean by ‘attitude’ though.
    However the tagline may just sneak through.

    I may be tempted to just continue…because yes, it does move me along to see what’s next.

    As for the question: Do you need a tagline? Well,just because other airports didn’t have a restroom sign, would you not prefer a restroom sign at your airport?

    🙂

    I am having a hard time coming up with a tagline for my gallery. I am not even sure if I should have a tagline because most high end contemporary art galleries don’t…But my focus is to showcase fine art in an environment that is welcoming and not intimidating like most other high end galleries, making it easier for new collectors to start buying original art.

    So my tagline idea was: Contemporary Art Without the Attitude.

    Feedback?

  22. @ James – Thanks for the suggestions. I can see your phrases are more concrete than my original–with immediate benefit to the reader.

    I especially like “See The World Without Leaving Home.”

  23. Are you saving them money, time, effort, learning curve?
    What’s zee problem, mate? Define that for me.

    S-

    What about a blog for business people who want to create data visualizations but can’t use external sites like Swivel or ManyEyes and don’t have access to robust data tools like SpotFire or Tableau?

    The audience is business people who have data to present (e.g., a product manager who wants to show brand penetration across U.S. markets) and who want to show this data in an innovative, thought-provoking manner.

    The problem that person faces is that they are typically limited to using Excel or PowerPoint to get their point across. I’m going to help solve that problem with tutorials and other content so they can use Excel or PowerPoint but still produce fantastic data visualizations and “wow” their bosses/colleagues/CEO.

    Tagline thoughts so far:
    (1) Use Microsoft Office to visualize your business data
    (2) Bring your data to life in applications you already have
    (3) Powerful ways to visualize business data using Microsoft Office

    Part of the problem is that I don’t want to limit myself to Microsoft’s applications because there are other lightweight apps people could use.

    Any thoughts?

  24. This is fun. I want to play.

    We are about to launch a membership site (thank you Teaching Sells) for lawyers that teaches them about effective marketing on the internet (most of us lawyers haven’t got a clue when it comes to that subject-we still think yellow page ads are cutting edge).

    A simple tag line that (I think) meets Sean’s criteria is:
    “Helping lawyers attract clients on the web” but that is so dull.

    Suggestions for improvements?

  25. You don’t have to limit yourself to Microsoft’s applications, but be clear about the problem you’re solving and you won’t have to.

    s-

    Part of the problem is that I don’t want to limit myself to Microsoft’s applications because there are other lightweight apps people could use.

    Any thoughts?

  26. We have a blog about Green Travel. http://gogreentravelgreen.com
    Our current tag line: Green Travel Tips for Savvy Travelers

    Reading your article I think there are two issues with our tag line; 1) we also write reviews and anecdotes about green/responsible/eco-friendly travel 2) savvy is sort of undefined

    Our audience is both travelers looking to lower their impact/be greener and for eco-conscious people who want to travel .

    On our sidebar we have a short about that says “Go Green Travel Green is for travelers who want to be greener and for eco-conscious folks who want to travel”

    I think we need to combine these two. Thoughts?

  27. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on my tagline (Mentoring for freelance writers), James. It’s ‘what it says on the tin’ kind of line, but is it too dull?

  28. My former tagline held the title of “World’ Worst Tagline.” Although I hated to relinquish that claim, I finally caved and changed it to something sane.

    The old:

    Best Damn Blog on the Planet

    The new:

    WordPress Themes and Simple Tips for Running Killer Websites

    I can hear the Google search traffic now.

  29. For my new ning network at http://www.spiritwriters.com:

    A community of inspirational writers and spirit channels lighting the world with words.

    I seem to be missing the “problem” part, though. The aim is to publish our writings on our network profiles and blogs to get our writing seen more… also to share ideas for (self) publishing.

    I’ll keep working on it. Thanks for the great clinic!

  30. @S—

    I’m allowing them to create a visualization where none existed before. Cost is free, learning curve and effort should both be very low.

    It will help them communicate their findings/ideas to a business audience far better than with a static visualization, crappy pie chart, table of numbers or bullet points.

    Does that help with the problem definition? I guess I’ve defined the solution a little more clearly – I believe interactivity is key to a good visualization.

  31. Brogan, you’ve got “community and social media” over in the right side of your header. You should dimensionilize that… what problems about community and social media does your site address and solve? And for whom?

  32. Thanks Sean, I am going to mull over mine a bit more based on your tips.

    Yeah art is a weird business…so much is about a feeling of exclusivity and image — if you are too “commercial” you are not taken as seriously by the art critics, whose opinions are very influential but at the same time I don’t want to be so obtuse no one knows what I am about!

    It is hard to swim against the tide but you are right, no reason to keep the status quo for status quo’s sake.

  33. Yes, I understand, but you have to choose:

    1) Is it pie-charts that are a problem? (because they’re crappy?)
    2) Is it that the person knows that his pie-charts are crappy (and wants to improve it).
    3) Is it that they know they want to improve it, and fear a learning curve?

    Sean

    I’m allowing them to create a visualization where none existed before. Cost is free, learning curve and effort should both be very low.

    It will help them communicate their findings/ideas to a business audience far better than with a static visualization, crappy pie chart, table of numbers or bullet points.

    Does that help with the problem definition? I guess I’ve defined the solution a little more clearly – I believe interactivity is key to a good visualization.

  34. I’m a business coach working with small business owners and entrepreneurs. I’m creating my first venture at on-line coaching targeting executives making the transition from corporate cubicle to their own home based business as a “solopreneur”.

    However, the project has stalled over the tag line…I now certainly appreciate the significance of those few powerful words…

    The name of the business and general theme is “Many Rivers”…ie: many rivers to cross in the search for a meaningful life of purpose in the work we pursue…. However, the tag line has been illusive….

    I’ve come up with and rejected
    “from wage slave to lifestyle entrepreneur”
    “minding your own business”
    “coaching for accidential entrepreneurs”
    “lifestyle design”

    I would value any suggestions….

    Hi Sean…I’m a New Zealander living half the year in London and the other half in Wellington.

  35. WordPress Themes that take the ‘arrrghh’ out of online business.

    WordPress Tips that take the ‘arrrghh’ out of online business.

    I’d actually choose between the two…if you could.

    Sean

    Pearson:

    WordPress Themes and Tips that Make Online Business Easy

  36. Sean, excellent help — I feel like I’m getting somewhere, if my brain can work just a little faster…

    The problem is that they know pie charts are a problem in general. The person wants to improve how they communicate data but they
    (a) can’t use an external site
    (b) don’t have data tools in-house
    (c) don’t want to learn how to program

    The person has seen “cool” visualizations on-line through yahoo or digg; they may have even explored swivel or many eyes. They know who Edward Tufte and Stephen Few are — essentially, they are enthusiasts without tools.

    I want them to get excited about the possibility of doing those types of interactive visualizations themselves without extensive programming. They’ll be able to download powerpoint and excel templates, add in their data, modify some parameters, and off they go.

  37. Sean — “WordPress Themes” is mission-critical to my biz, so that’s got to be in there. The problem statement regarding online business is a perfect complement, too, I think, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction there!

  38. Ok, one more and I get back to work…
    You said it:
    “Easing the transition from corporate cubicle to home-based business”

    It was way better than the other stuff you came up with. Because this one was natural. The other stuff was forced.

    And g’day to you from Auckland.

    Sean
    =====

    I’m a business coach working with small business owners and entrepreneurs. I’m creating my first venture at on-line coaching targeting executives making the transition from corporate cubicle to their own home based business as a “solopreneur”.

    However, the project has stalled over the tag line…I now certainly appreciate the significance of those few powerful words…

    The name of the business and general theme is “Many Rivers”…ie: many rivers to cross in the search for a meaningful life of purpose in the work we pursue…. However, the tag line has been illusive….

    I’ve come up with and rejected
    “from wage slave to lifestyle entrepreneur”
    “minding your own business”
    “coaching for accidential entrepreneurs”
    “lifestyle design”

    I would value any suggestions….

    Hi Sean…I’m a New Zealander living half the year in London and the other half in Wellington.

  39. I could seriously do with a tagline for my email marketing blog:

    http://www.stylecampaign.com/blog

    Any help or suggestions would be fantastic…I don’t have anything right now.

    What problems do I solve?

    Right now I have a post: “8 Web friendly Camcorders (To suit all budgets)

    My email marketing clients kept asking me what camcorder they should buy for web video. So I contacted some businesses already creating cool vids and passed on what model they use.

    One thing that’s really important to me (not sure if it should be worked into a tagline) is even though the blogs on my company website it’s strictly non-promotional.

  40. Anna: A tagline is just to get the attention. No more or no less. The more you put in the tagline, the more you confuse me.

    So yes, it may be non-promotional. But that needs to be in your copy somewhere, or on the page itself.

  41. Hi,

    Thanks for putting this on, it’s quite instructive.

    Similar to Dan who is improving business visualizations, I have created (for now) an Excel template that allows inventors and entrepreneurs who know diddly about accounting or Excel to make their custom business model and financial statements in an hour or so. I’m completely redoing the site and the software, and so now’s the perfect time for a tagline.

    Problem: Entrepreneurs know their products and customers, but don’t understand their “business” and often can’t speak bankerese or investorese. So they either hire a very expensive consultant on whom they become overly dependent, or slap something together that does nobody any good.

    Solution: EZ Numbers enables anyone to make their own, dynamic financial statements (Cash Flow, P&L, Balance Sheet, investor performance) the same day they meet with a potential investor.

    Target: Shown above.

    Before seeing the admonishment to avoid cute, I’d thought about:

    -Because Business is Hard Enough
    -Words Open, Numbers Close

    Now I’ve been successfully nudged more towards something like:

    -Anyone Can Make Their Own Financials and Raise Money for their Start-Up

    But it needs some doctorin’!

    Thanks,
    Paul

  42. Chris Brogan…You can write better headlines. It’s a matter of structure. Knowing what works–and why it works. Parameters help.

    If you want to write better headlines, we have a 8 page document that helps you do just that–and do it consistently. Email me. 🙂

    Sean

  43. Whoa, I go away for an hour and lookee! Glad I’m not alone 😉 Choosing at random…

    @ John Bigenwald “See your MVP through our lens”

    Acronyms in a tagline are a major bad idea. Why? Because I’m still sitting here trying to figure out what MVP is 😉

    @ Chris Brogan – I don’t have a tagline. Should I?

    Yes 🙂 Not everyone knows you, what you offer and what you do. A tagline helps clear that up right away.

    Improving Business Performance Using Social Media Tools.

    How about “Social Media Tools for Better Business Performance”?

    @ Chris Pearson

    How about “WordPress Made Easy for Online Success”?

    More later folks!

    @ Joe Bunting – “Sounds, thoughts, and anger management from an aspiring songwriter. ”

    I’d remove anger management because of the negative associations with that terminology. How about:

    Thoughts about Songwriting for Better Understanding?

    @ Michael Sherman

    You’ve got a good niche going and you need to impact lawyers. How about:

    Bringing Lawyers into the 21st Century Web

  44. Thanks Sean, I will leave it out and keep it short and sweet. Concentrate on what problems I solve and come up with a few ideas over lunch today!

  45. Wow, there’s so much good advice here I’m almost nervous submitting my tagline…but here goes anyway:

    Target Audience: People like me, interested in consumer technology and communications ideas / strategies.

    The problem: Some technology (especially related to online communications) is way too jargony and geeky for my friends & Mom 🙂

    The solution: I try and distill it down to something that’s understandable (or at least can be followed by) my mom.

    The Tagline: Communications and technology in manageable, byte-size pieces

    Your thoughts?

  46. G’day Sean & thanks for the clarity of thinking.

    One more question….
    I’m a business coach, but the word “coaching” can often be misunderstood and I’ve been reluctant to use it in the tag. Is it better with or without?

    “Coaching from corporate cubicle to home business”
    or simply
    “from corporate cubicle to home business”

  47. Often the answer is located in your own words. You say it fine, then completely fudgleegoop it with ‘tagline speak.’ So notice what you’re saying:

    target: inventors
    problem: who know diddly about accounting
    solution: make financial statements in an hour or less.

    Speak easy, mate!

    -Sean

  48. @ Peter – If you want to avoid coaching, how about the good ol’ ‘How to’? People really like that, plain as it may be.

    How to Get from Cubicle to Home to Run Your Own Business

    or even

    Helping You Get from Company Cubicle to Home Office

  49. For info, my main blog title is:

    “The Extreme Buzz Marketing Guru & His Killer Bunnies”

    My TAGLINE is: “Because everyone is entitled to my opinion”

    I break most of the rules, but then, that is the style of my blog. So it fits. Should I change anyway?

  50. Just to help people out, here was my formula for Rock-Solid Taglines from my post:

    Pick an adjective that encompasses your business image, take the summary of your benefits and tack that to your mission. What do you get?

    @ Dean Hunt – Sharing My Opinion to Help Make You Smarter

  51. Zee customer not care if you be ‘coachman’ or ‘village medicine guy.’ He care about ‘transition’ and the bouncity-bounce from ‘cubicle to home business.’

    Zee transition is the key.
    That’s the problem you solve.

    Not care about ‘coach man’ 🙂
    Sean
    ===========

    One more question….
    I’m a business coach, but the word “coaching” can often be misunderstood and I’ve been reluctant to use it in the tag. Is it better with or without?

    “Coaching from corporate cubicle to home business”
    or simply
    “from corporate cubicle to home business”

  52. Thanks James.

    My worry is that I don’t want to follow the norm… that would go against the whole purpose of the blog.

    That said, I could inject a little humour into your great suggestion by using:

    “Sharing My Opinion to Help Make You Smartererer”

  53. What about the generalists?

    I started off with GameFinance as a blog concentrating on the financial/business side of the video game industry, but though lack of time, it sort of foundered.

    Lately, I have been using the site as more of a generalist blog, focusing on the things that intrest me: Games, Music, Social Media.

    Since I made that switch, it has been alot easier to write, because I feel less constrained in what I am doing.

    I can still write about the game industry, as an analyst/commentator, but I can write about whatever else intrigues me each day.

    Right now, I am using the original tag: playing with 10-ks so you don’t have to.

    It’s not bad, but I could be better.

    So how do generalists tag their blogs?

  54. I feel like my last reply has been lost in the shuffle — any thoughts related to the following would be great!

    -repost-

    Sean, excellent help — I feel like I’m getting somewhere, if my brain can work just a little faster…

    The problem is that they know pie charts are a problem in general. The person wants to improve how they communicate data but they
    (a) can’t use an external site
    (b) don’t have data tools in-house
    (c) don’t want to learn how to program

    The person has seen “cool” visualizations on-line through yahoo or digg; they may have even explored swivel or many eyes. They know who Edward Tufte and Stephen Few are — essentially, they are enthusiasts without tools.

    I want them to get excited about the possibility of doing those types of interactive visualizations themselves without extensive programming. They’ll be able to download powerpoint and excel templates, add in their data, modify some parameters, and off they go.

  55. @James Chartrand @ChrisBrogan

    Can we assume Chris’ readers know what social media/social media tools is/are?

    Chris is there any significant percentage of visitors that arrive with no idea?

    If so, maybe a universal phrase that appeals to the breadth of Chris’ readers/landers.

    “Using the New Internet for Better Performance”

    (Just a thought, I’m here to learn)
    Thanks Brian/ Everyone for the excellent
    workshop! Appreciated.
    ~Ed

  56. If you’re asking, you probably know that it doesn’t sit too well. Or doesn’t say much. If your bank balance depended on a client staying or leaving (based on your tag line) would you keep it or change it to something that makes sense?

    Rules, even when broken, are broken with structure in mind. Lack of structure is chaos.
    Even a thief breaks a rule (steals etc) knowing what to expect, and knowing how not to get caught. The druggie on the other hand just simply wants money for his dope, doesn’t follow ‘thief rules’ and spends time in jail.

    Long answer to short question.

    Sean
    ============

    For info, my main blog title is:

    “The Extreme Buzz Marketing Guru & His Killer Bunnies”

    My TAGLINE is: “Because everyone is entitled to my opinion”

    I break most of the rules, but then, that is the style of my blog. So it fits. Should I change anyway?

  57. Gulp. Here goes.

    My company is Original Impulse and I coach creative people – writers, artists and business people to achieve their creative goals. My current tag line:

    Life As a Creative Adventure

    Also, I have a blog, JourneyJuju.com, where I am writing about the magic of pairing travel with art/creativity (using the creative travel tools I developed). I couldn’t come up with a tag line and decided that just Journey Juju was powerful enough.

    Through both of these sites I lead by example – living large, creating and showing people that anything is possible.

    Okay. I’m open to your feedback! Thanks for doing this!

    Cynthia

  58. The key to the tagline, Dan, is to get me to the headline. It’s not to get me to understand your entire business. 🙂

    So find out their biggest problem:

    improve how they communicate data but they
    (a) can’t use an external site
    (b) don’t have data tools in-house
    (c) don’t want to learn how to program

    Choose from the above 🙂

    Then in your headline (and subheadline) give them the rest of the stuff. 😉

    Sean

  59. @EdShaz – a lot of visitors to my site are newbies. They’re marketing or product mgt or PR professionals, or they’re corporate internal comms types, and they have “heard” the words social media, but don’t know where the rubber meets the road.

    My goal is converting blather into action. I want to show people actual ROI on these tools, and give them recipes to go cook their own cake.

  60. Another fast and furious shot of tagline love…

    @ Robert Hruzek – “It’s about lessons learned… from life.”

    Where’s the benefit to me? Try this: “My Life Lessons To Help You Learn”

    @ Nimic – Save Money, Save the Planet

    Hmm… Tough one.

    Learn How to Save Money While Saving the Planet?
    Planet-Saving Tips that Help Save Money?

    @ Ron – “Little changes that make a big difference.”

    Little Changes You Can Make for Big Life Benefits

    @ ScreenRant – “TV and Movie News without the Sugar Coating”

    The problem is that my first thought was, “Are news sugar coated?” I think you mean to say that your opinion is strong, so why not use that somehow in your tagline?

    @ Tinku – Contemporary Art Without the Attitude

    The fact that you even mention attitude already gives me the impression that there *is* attitude going on. That’s the beauty of negative perception. Our brain sees negative words and takes them for cash, even though the “without” is there.

    How about:

    Fine Art For Normal People
    Fine Art that You Can Understand
    Contemporary Art That Makes Sense

    @ Debbie – Whoa, you have a long one. How about:

    Breathing Life into Your Business Leadership

    @ Sharon – Mentoring for freelance writers

    Ahh, you I can toss this back in your lap. I’m asking the eternal question… “So what?” Find that for me and come on back over 😉

    @ Elizabeth – Green Travel Tips for Savvy Travelers

    How about:

    Green Tips for Traveling with Eco-Friendly Feelings?
    Green Travel so You Feel Guilt Free?

    Guilt-Free Travel Tips for Eco-Conscious Travelers

    @ Barbara Casey – How about “Writing with Spirit for Inspiration?”

    Hope I didn’t miss anyone…

  61. Hi! Great opportunity, thanks. My website is
    http://www.rockandrollmama.com, and is aimed at helping moms maintain their musical identities after having children.

    The tagline is “Because you’ve still got it.”

    But people seem to prefer another phrase on the site “Keeping you inner Janis alive.”

    Thanks for any feedback…

  62. Problem.
    Solution.
    Target.

    First make sure you get that through, Cynthia.
    Right now the problem you seem to describe is a bit vague. Get more specific.

    What are creative goals?
    I’m a cartoonist You can tell me, Cynthia 🙂

    Sean

    Gulp. Here goes.

    My company is Original Impulse and I coach creative people – writers, artists and business people to achieve their creative goals. My current tag line:

    Life As a Creative Adventure

  63. Thanks Sean — simply typing these things out helped a lot (plus your advice of course…) 🙂

  64. @ Chris Brogan — …I’m partial to your ‘converting blather into action’ as a tagline. Simple. Fun. Bottom-line oriented.

  65. @ Tinku

    Fine Art for the Rest of Us

    It’s an old saw, but it works because it provides contrast and bonding with your prospective audience in 7 simple words.

  66. ChrisBrogan.com:

    Converting Social Media Bullshit Into Viable Business Strategies.

    It’s so you Brogan… I dare you to use it. 🙂

  67. Problem.
    Solution.
    Target.

    First make sure you get that through, Cynthia.
    Right now the problem you seem to describe is a bit vague. Get more specific.

    What are creative goals?
    I’m a cartoonist… You can tell me, Cynthia 🙂

    Sean

    Gulp. Here goes.

    My company is Original Impulse and I coach creative people – writers, artists and business people to achieve their creative goals. My current tag line:

    Life As a Creative Adventure

  68. @ James Chartrand – reworked…Byte-Sized Technology In Easy-to-Understand Language

    becomes

    Byte-Sized, Easy-to-Understand Technology

    Thoughts?

  69. What a cool idea.
    I recently started a site for selling ebooks containing research on the topic of cholesterol. The name of the site is The Missing Facts. The purpose is to provide factual information that may be missing or distorted in the common commercial-oriented information channels. I intend to extend this to other topics in the future.

    My current tagline: What you don’t know may help you.
    Obviously, this is a play on “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”

    All suggestions considered with humility.

    Glenn

  70. Sean,

    That is the issue though, my livelyhood is not dependant on my blog… hence why I can break the mould and not take it too seriously.

    In fact, I think it is perhaps the only non-profit marketing blog on the net (is that an oxymoron?)

    I realise I am in a privileged position though, and I wouldn’t recommend others to do the same, but I do have a license to mess around.

    I actually won an award for my current tagline, it was voted one of the best on the web. (god knows how it slipped through the net)

    Chris – I have never heard of Joseph Jaffe, but I will check it out, thanks.

    Thanks for the advice guys. I may well take you up on your advice.

    Dean

  71. Still too vague.
    What is technology?

    e.g. Easy-to-understand podcasting techniques.

    vs.

    Easy-to-understand technology.

    ==============

    Also: Putting in too much is a problem:

    Byte-Sized, Easy-to-Understand Podcasting techniques
    vs.

    Easy-to-understand podcasting techniques.

    The tagline is only meant to get me going to the headline. And ideally it should have:

    1) Problem
    2) Solution
    3) Target (specific)

    Sean

  72. I won’t dispute your position.
    If that’s what you want, it’s what you want.

    If you want clarity, then hey, there’s a system.
    I’m happy that you won the award, but awards are not often a benchmark for clarity. They’re a benchmark for what’s cool.

    As an advertising copywriter, in one of the world’s biggest agencies, the coolest ads would win awards. And the business would go down the gurgler (award and all).

    I’m not saying you should change it.
    But would I recommend you change it?

    Si. 🙂

    With all due respect…

    Sean

    Sean,

    That is the issue though, my livelyhood is not dependant on my blog… hence why I can break the mould and not take it too seriously.

    In fact, I think it is perhaps the only non-profit marketing blog on the net (is that an oxymoron?)

    I realise I am in a privileged position though, and I wouldn’t recommend others to do the same, but I do have a license to mess around.

    I actually won an award for my current tagline, it was voted one of the best on the web. (god knows how it slipped through the net)

  73. @Dean – that’s mostly a swipe at Joseph (meant with love) but I’ll fill you in at some point so you’ll appreciate the good-natured joke.

    @Brian – you know, I kind of like that. Will muse on that a bit more.

  74. The Missing Facts on Cholesterol

    How much more dramatic do you want your tagline to be?

    Sean
    ===========

    What a cool idea.
    I recently started a site for selling ebooks containing research on the topic of cholesterol. The name of the site is The Missing Facts. The purpose is to provide factual information that may be missing or distorted in the common commercial-oriented information channels. I intend to extend this to other topics in the future.

    My current tagline: What you don’t know may help you.
    Obviously, this is a play on “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”

    All suggestions considered with humility.

    Glenn

  75. @ Brad – To my eyes, the comma stops the flow. Keep that flow going.

    Byte-Sized Technology You Can Understand

    Meh. I like the other one better 😉

    @ Rock n’ Roll Mama – Well, what happens if someone doesn’t know who Janis is? (I know, I know. It could happen… clarity!)

    @ Bob Younce – Helping Internet writers to achieve their dreams

    It’s not bad at all, but it’s ‘chewy’. How about:

    Helping Web Writers Reach Their Dream?

    @ Glenn – What you don’t know may help you.

    To me, this is way too vague and too clever. What’s your mission, what are the benefits, what’s your adjective? How about:

    Discover the Missing Facts for Better Health?

    @ Brian/Chris – Using Bullshit to Create Business

  76. Ok, what is the dream?
    That’s the vague part.

    Is it 3-months off each year?
    Is it more time with their kids?
    What is that dream?
    Yes, take a position.

    Sean
    =========

    OK, tagline at The Writing Journey is:

    “Helping Internet writers to achieve their dreams.”

    Can it be better? How? Is it too vague?

  77. Thanks so much for drawing attention to this. I never thought about the fact that the tagline should state the problem and solution.

    Please take a look at my current tagline:
    http://www.truthcurve.com

    Is it too mysterious?

    What if I had the following tagline:

    “Musings on life’s paradoxes”

  78. Thanks for your reply.
    That is a concern, the fact that someone may not know who Janis is.
    So as it stands, There’s a logo which holds “Rock and Roll Mama”, then s freestanding tagline that says “Because you’ve still got it.”

    Too vague? Thanks.

  79. Well, you asked!

    My current tagline is “Cleaning up, one day at a time”. It was supposed to convey the fact that I’m trying to help others with their clutter problems, even as I struggle with my own (eg, that I’m not a professional organizer), but it ended up sounding rather flat and lame.
    I’d love to hear any and all suggestions!

    Thanks to Sean for pointing out the Problem/Target/Solution trifecta, as it’s got me rethinking about my tagline myself again!

  80. I’ve got a political opinion blog with no published tagline. The one I’ve got under WordPress options is “An Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs” but I’m not sure that does anything for me branding wise.

  81. @ James Chartrand — good thoughts on the comma, and the whole concept (Kudos!).

    Obviously I need to give this more work, but have a meeting to get to so will revisit this thread later.

    Thanks for the help! It’s appreciated.

    — Brad

  82. What a great idea…so here it goes –

    5 Easy Steps Guaranteed To Save Money On Your Telecom Expenses and free up your time of handling telecom related problems

    I am a telecom broker and i can guarantee businesses the lowest rates and i go one step further than most in i take over handling their telecom related problems, which is always inevitable.

    Thanks in advance,

    Van

  83. Wow great idea to do this here. Been doing a redesign of our site got 1 section and home page left to do. I’ve been having problems coming up with a phenomenal tagline. We have a temporary one right now on the new design under the logo.

    The main problem is for us is that our site is multi-topic online magazine ranging from parenting to fashion to gardening to home improvement to travel. About 12 main topics and hundreds of sub topics and growing.

    We are not just solving any one certain problem but we try to remain positive about our subjects. Even negative subjects (such as loosing a loved one) we still pace our readers into a positive outlook and perception. Pretty much we are positive in sharing information, thoughts, ideas, experiences, etc. about improving and enjoyment of life. Combined with a community that also allows our readers to share along with us.

    Right now our temporary tagline goes: Sharing The Pleasure Of Living.

    What we want to do is remain positive in the tagline. We also would like to emphasize a “togetherness” feel to it that implies that we are a community of authors (articles and information we write) as well as readers helping each other, solving problems, sharing experiences, improving something, etc. The community feel could help pull the articles we write and our discussion forums together as we are kind of a hybrid if you will. (Forums are not separate from main content but worked into the content and structure of the site.)

    Really just want something that can resonate with readers to compel them to not just read but to hop in and share along with us.

    If you all have any suggestions let me know.

  84. So what’s the:
    Problem.
    Solution
    Target?

    List it, so I can see it.
    🙂
    No pressure. But you want to list it for your own good. And for clarity’s sake.

    Thanks so much for drawing attention to this. I never thought about the fact that the tagline should state the problem and solution.

    What if I had the following tagline:
    “Musings on life’s paradoxes”

  85. Brian et al,

    Thanks for this wonderful opportunity. Hope it’s not too late in the day to get help.

    One of my missions is to help biz owners pay less in taxes. Current tagline is pretty weak: “helping you lower your taxes.” My son quips that I can make LIFE tax-deductible, but that’s a little over the top.

    Prob: Many businesses don’t take all the tax deductions they could. Soln: I translate IRS-speak into English so they can understand their options, save money. Audience: Small business owners, particularly solo and home-based entrepreneurs.

    Current product = eBook/audio explaining Home Office Deduction. Work-in-process = eBook/audio on choosing the best business structure (understanding the tax consequences and when limited liability really isn’t limited).

    Web sites http://www.TaxesForSmallbusiness.com, http://www.TaxDeductionForHomeOffice.com.

    My other mission is to help those same small biz owners save time and money on their admin tasks. My ezine is called e-fficiency and the tagline is “helping you learn how to get the most from your computer.”

    Prob: sm biz owners have limited time & funds; much software is too expensive, difficult to use. Soln: I find free & low-cost software/services to help them work smarter. Also give shortcuts/strategies for being more productive. Audience: technically challenged & cash-strapped entrepreneurs.

    Web site: http://www.SherylSchuff.com

    I know that my copywriting and taglines need work and am eager to get your input. Thanks.

    Sheryl

    P.S. I’m great with numbers!

  86. You may want to be positive, but by that you’re suggesting something that your brain can’t comprehend.

    Namely, that the brain doesn’t understand solutions, unless it understands a problem. So if we go back to the year 2000 and I say: Hey do you want an iPod? (solution), you’re asking: What is an iPod and why would I want it.

    You’re automatically assuming that a problem is ‘negative.’ But it’s not. When there’s a chair in your way, it’s a problem. When you don’t have bread in the fridge, it’s a problem. When the kids are late to school, c’est un problem. But where’s the negative aspect? It doesn’t exist.

    Your client needs to detect the problem first. You may ‘not want to be negative’; not highlight the problem…and therefore end up with all the taglines that don’t work.

    Sure I’ve been rough with you on this post, but it’s important for you to get the point.

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com

  87. Sean,

    Thanks for replying. Let’s see if I can answer the questions…

    Problem: Internet littered with lots of shallow, obvious and vague tips on life, health, and well-being (e.g. exercise 3 times a week, or, reduce your stress). Like duh.

    Solution: In my blog, I try to go deeper to help people get a different perspective on life problems. I read social science research, philosophy, literature and integrate information from different sources to bring people meaningful advice that they can implement.

    Target: People with a philosophical bent who want to think more deeply about the best way to live.

    Is all of this too vague? I guess I just want my blog to be a forum for delving deeply into life’s issues. I realize that’s not a niche so I’m not sure what audience to address.

    Thanks for any suggestions!

    Julie

  88. @ Arubicus – Sharing The Pleasure Of Living

    The problem I can see here is that you’re sharing. Well, that’s kind of nice, but why? So what? What does this give me? I like sharing, but usually only if it involves chocolate cake for me 🙂 Keep in mind that most people want something, even those that are very giving.

    How about:

    Improving Your Pleasure in Life

  89. @ James Joyner – An Online Journal of Political and Foreign Affairs

    In your case, remember that a tagline isn’t always about branding. It’s about clarity, direction and giving fast information so that people can stick or move on. It’s not really there to make you look good per se, though that’s great when that happens.

    The tagline isn’t WOW, but it’s clear and solid.

    Inside the World of Political and Foreign Affairs is all I can think of, to be honest (maybe I need more coffee).

  90. There is so much advice floating around about tag lines it can get very confusing…I had heard it was good to ask a question, but it’s so not working for me.

    I have my website that is a directory of birthday freebies and discounts from businesses nationwide that people can search by state to find local offers. I also have a blog to compliment it. The blog provides featured businesses, product reviews/giveaways, and frugal birthday tips.

    http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com
    http://www.freebirthdaytreatsblog.com

    My target market is the frugal shopper: college students, parents, singles, seniors

    My tag line is:

    “What are you getting free for your birthday?”

    But should it be something like this?

    “Find local businesses offering birthday freebies and discounts for adults, kids and pets using this nationwide online directory.”

  91. This is fascinating! I don’t have a tagline but can now see the need. My blog is on our wedding videography website but my aim is to encourage brides to be part of a community and to get wedding guests onboard too.

    I blog about the wedding day (guests then leave the couple messages), film releases, wedding planning tips, couples’ babies, new wedding trends and even things like Earth Day.

    I love our business and like to keep in touch after the wedding, or indeed with anyone interested in weddings and special life events. Any suggestions for a tagline which shows the first time visitor that it’s not just a ‘buy our wedding film now’ blog?

  92. I like my tagline for http://www.ruethedayblog.com, but I’m wondering if it really says enough, “The best of the internet…and beyond.”
    The site is very broad for alternative-minded people (best description I can make), and features links, quotes, stories, news and more.

    Also, my other blog, http://www.strangerswithhobbies.com, really needs a tagline and I just can’t come up with one.
    It’s a catch all for hobbies and covers how-to-do hobbies, weird hobbies and more.

    Any advice?

  93. Jumping in before this comment thread gets much longer!

    We have a community-oriented website where artists can share their work, hang out with other artists, and point to where they sell their work online. We’ve been in business close to 8 years and our tagline has evolved as follows:

    Support living artists!

    find art. share art. support living artists.

    Get out of the vacuum and express yourself!

    Not really sure how well any of these define us or what we do. Thoughts?

    (and now, back to reading everything that came before my comment!)

  94. Great learning opportunities here. Thank you!

    My blog, which will focus on product launch/online strategies for service-based entrepreneurs, is “this close” to being ready for viewing and the tagline I’m putting forth at the moment is: Practical online sales and product marketing strategies for soul-inspired entrepreneurs.

    Any suggestions? (And thanks in advance.)

  95. Wow, this is fun to read! I guess I’ll dive in…

    I’m an archivist. Specifically, The Practical Archivist. I teach people how to organize, preserve and share their family treasures. Photographs, letters, family bibles, wedding gowns, etc. Practical advice for any budget.

    Since I offer advice on antique originals as well as born-digital snapshots, I had this tag line for a while:

    *Daguerreotypes to digital and everything in between.

    I’ve ditched this one because it’s a bit too clever and too vague. Plenty of folks don’t know what the heck a daguerreotype is.

    Here are some taglines I’m currently using:

    *Don’t let your memories disappear.

    *Because every family historian is also a family archivist.

    (My most avid fans are genealogists, but I don’t want to limit myself to just that niche in my tagline)

    Thanks, ya’ll!

  96. @Sean: US Federal income taxes for businesses (Sch C for sole proprietors/single member LLCs, Form 1120/1120 S for corporations

    @ James: since I have privileges of practicing before the IRS, I gotta be real careful not to sound scammy; also think I need to be clear that I work with businesses, not individuals

    Note: I don’t prepare the tax returns, I teach folks about the regs so they can make better decisions, work better with their own tax preparer.

    Any ideas for my computer related activities?

  97. Business: Next Action Life Coaching – Life Coaching and Virtual Life Coaching

    Tagline: Helping you with your Next Action Step to Success.

    Thanks for doing this!

  98. If you guys are still on duty… I’ve used “When You’ve Got Something to Say” for years. It worked for my business presentations consulting business. It kind of works for my social media, well, whatever you would call what I am doing now in social media.

    But when I reordered my business card yesterday, I deleted the line.

    More and more my focus is on helping understand, interpret and apply the benefits social media (specifically microsharing/microblogging) could bring to people inside the workplace. As in, using social media to better connect to one another and be more effective in their careers and lives.

    It’s a lot to ask, since I have not provided a ton of detail, but does anything come to mind?

    Warmly, Pistachio

  99. Hi guys, my site, GrownHeadz.com, is a hip-hop site for adults (hence the name). The tagline is “For Adults Who Love Hip-Hop.”

    We post reviews, videos and snippets of albums from hip hop artists with a more mature outlook, something adult listeners can relate to. We also talk politics and pop culture, and we have a financial column. Our target audience are still fans of the music, but are alienated from the values in mainstream hip-hop and don’t have the time to hunt around for quality underground music. So we want to connect the audience with the artists who might otherwise miss their fanbase.

    We’d toyed around with “Got a degree, got a mortgage, got kids. Still love hip-hop.” But that seemed a little eh.

    Any help would be appreciated!

  100. Thanks for the input everyone.

    Sean,

    I do have a different opinion on stating a problem and solution.

    “Namely, that the brain doesn’t understand solutions, unless it understands a problem. So if we go back to the year 2000 and I say: Hey do you want an iPod? (solution), you’re asking: What is an iPod and why would I want it. ”

    Your ipod example:

    Yes, just asking “Hey do you want an iPod” has little meaning. An Ipod is just an OBJECT not a solution that yes can be beneficial and solve a problem but not enough meaning is given to the statement for those who do not already know what an ipod is. So in a way I do agree. But an exact problem does not have to be stated.

    Remember: Problem, Solution, Benefit

    A problem can be IMPLIED through stating a benefit as part of the solution. The benefit is the link between problem and solution whether the problem is stated or not – OR – If the SOLUTION is stated or not. As in this example: “Hey, do you want your iPod to hold more songs?” The benefit is clear…the problem is implied…the solution isn’t stated.

    “With This Tweak Your Ipod Can Now Hold Twice As Many Songs!”

    Your brain looks for meaning in the benefit so it tries to find past experience and/or “CREATES” experiences to link it to. Even though the problem isn’t stated…my brain linked to some possible problems.

    So…

    Reading the above example got me to think that my ipod has a little bit of room left. I can imagine here shortly that it will be full and I will have to dump a bunch of songs fiddle around with what I want to listen to every day etc. Uggg…

    So the implied problem is that my ipod has a certain amount of space to hold all my songs. So I have to jog everything around. The solution is “This Tweak” and the benefit is “MyIpod Can Now Hold Twice As Many Songs!”

    Catch what I am saying?

  101. So the tagline for both my firm and my blog: “Leadership, Communications, Strategy, and Operations Taught By Dynamic Practitioners”

    Thoughts?

  102. I would LOVE help with my new tagline! Right now it is: “Helpful resources for teachers, students, and parents…”

    I sell literature guides/curriculum, plus provide help w/ grammar, writing, etc…

    I just launched it Sunday! Thank You! 🙂

  103. Hi I would also lov some help. Here’s my (too long?) tagline:

    “Séamus Anthony – Doing One Thing Every Day

    Crusty 35 year old rockers with family responsibilities and a real job are supposed to give up – right? Yeah, right… Join me as I do one thing every day to get the music happening in my life again. Maybe you’ll get some cool music marketing ideas to assist you on your own ascension to the Golden Throne of Rock Glory! “

  104. I’ve been on deadline all week on a website job. But here are a few of my tag takes and remakes – so many splendid suggestions!

    In no particular order …

    @Cynthia Morris … For Original Impulse

    Reframe Your Life As a (for) Creative Adventure, Starting Now.

    @ Dj A- See

    “For Adults with Hip-Hop Attitude.”
    “Hip Hop for the (Hip) Geezer Who Lives Within”
    “Hip Hop for Geezers Who Need a Skosh More Room” (boomers will remember this take on Levis Dockers.)

    Gotta run. Kids wanna watch Wife Swap (Learn how to be happy with the wife you have in just 2 weeks!)

  105. I didn’t give a lot of thought to my tag line until I found your post:

    “Father and Son….and $10 in 30 days”

    I guess in light of the whole problem/solution/benefit formula, I should rethink it in those terms.

    Please bear with me as I muddle through this…

    So, what’s the problem – there are a few ways to put it, and it’s a reflection of current economic conditions across many sectors. (Which means, I’m not alone in this…) Bottom line, I’d say there’s “Too much month at the end of the money.” But there’s more to it than just that.

    It’s not just about being the provider, it’s about being a parent. I want to do a better job of teaching my son how to make and handle money than my parents did. I want to start him earlier and help him develop better habits and business savvy without all of the hard knocks. And I want to show him by doing…

    So what’s my idea of a solution? Learn about and teach him ways to earn money online.

    How? I signed us up for a free online course about internet marketing and THEN decided to learn how to blog AND teach him how to blog by blogging our progress.

    As to the benefit; well, if we can learn how to make $10 online – we can replicate that success and build on it to make our first $100, and work some more to earn our first $1,000…and so on – at least that is my hope.

    So how do I turn that into a killer tagline?

    I have some ideas:

    “Father and Son….and our first $10 online in 30 days”

    “Economy going down, Father and Son team up to make our first $10 online in 30 days”

    “Father and Son….earning our first $10 online in 30 days”

    I’ll probably hit the submit button and think of more – but in the meantime, I welcome any comments/feedback/ideas.

    Oh, and THANK YOU for opening up discussions like this – it’s helped me just to give this some thought. I’m sure it’s a huge help to all who are participating and reading along. With gratitude…

  106. Keep it simple.
    “Guaranteed Steps To Save Money On Your Telecom Expenses”

    What a great idea…so here it goes –

    5 Easy Steps Guaranteed To Save Money On Your Telecom Expenses and free up your time of handling telecom related problems

    I am a telecom broker and i can guarantee businesses the lowest rates and i go one step further than most in i take over handling their telecom related problems, which is always inevitable.

    Thanks in advance,

  107. Oooo tag line help. Sign me up! I’ve tried a few at http://www.babblesoft.com and currently have “Easy-to-Use Web and Mobile Solutions for a New Generation of Parents… ” I’ve tried a couple of others but still don’t feel I’ve hit upon the right one.

    It’s challenging because our apps are fairly new/novel (SEO efforts were not extremely helpful as we are guessing on key words that people would use to find us) like baby sleep, breastfeeding support, etc.

    Looking forward to ideas!

  108. Hmph, get stuck in meetings for a day and I miss ALL THE FUN.

    Brogan, you’re better at this than you think you are. I think “Helping You Convert Social Media Blather Into Action” is a winner. If I’m a PR or marketing person who’s just been informed she has to figure out this whole damned social media thing, I see that tagline and immediately start reading.

  109. I write a blog on where I give tips on giving excellent customer service, and point out key mistakes of other companies, so my clients can avoid those mistakes. The name of the site is customerservicesizzle.com, and the current tagline is “Service Secrets that Create Loyal Customers.” I’d love thoughts from the experts.

    Thanks,

    Jerry

  110. Non-jargony technology ideas that even your Mom can understand

    Sean
    =============

    Wow, there’s so much good advice here I’m almost nervous submitting my tagline…but here goes anyway:

    Target Audience: People like me, interested in consumer technology and communications ideas / strategies.

    The problem: Some technology (especially related to online communications) is way too jargony and geeky for my friends & Mom 🙂

    The solution: I try and distill it down to something that’s understandable (or at least can be followed by) my mom.

    The Tagline: Communications and technology in manageable, byte-size pieces

    Your thoughts?

  111. Examining life’s nutty problems with simple philosophy

    Sean,

    Thanks for replying. Let’s see if I can answer the questions…

    Problem: Internet littered with lots of shallow, obvious and vague tips on life, health, and well-being (e.g. exercise 3 times a week, or, reduce your stress). Like duh.

    Solution: In my blog, I try to go deeper to help people get a different perspective on life problems. I read social science research, philosophy, literature and integrate information from different sources to bring people meaningful advice that they can implement.

    Target: People with a philosophical bent who want to think more deeply about the best way to live.

    Is all of this too vague? I guess I just want my blog to be a forum for delving deeply into life’s issues. I realize that’s not a niche so I’m not sure what audience to address.

    Thanks for any suggestions!

    Julie

  112. Non-jargony technology ideas that even your Mom can understand

    Sean
    =============

    Wow, there’s so much good advice here I’m almost nervous submitting my tagline…but here goes anyway:

    Target Audience: People like me, interested in consumer technology and communications ideas / strategies.

    The problem: Some technology (especially related to online communications) is way too jargony and geeky for my friends & Mom 🙂

    The solution: I try and distill it down to something that’s understandable (or at least can be followed by) my mom.

    The Tagline: Communications and technology in manageable, byte-size pieces

    Your thoughts?

  113. I have a personal injury law practice. All the so-called legal marketing experts say to forgo the tag line, but I tend to study and follow more of the non-legal marketing material. My site is intended (still growing) to be an educational based marketing site where a client can come and learn about personal injury cases before talking to a lawyer, etc. I am using whitepapers, etc.

    The tag line I have been considering is:
    “Determine your case by learning your case.”

    Your thoughts?

  114. Solving Life’s Nutty Problems with Sane Philosophy

    Sean
    ============

    Sean,

    Thanks for replying. Let’s see if I can answer the questions…

    Problem: Internet littered with lots of shallow, obvious and vague tips on life, health, and well-being (e.g. exercise 3 times a week, or, reduce your stress). Like duh.

    Solution: In my blog, I try to go deeper to help people get a different perspective on life problems. I read social science research, philosophy, literature and integrate information from different sources to bring people meaningful advice that they can implement.

    Target: People with a philosophical bent who want to think more deeply about the best way to live.

    Is all of this too vague? I guess I just want my blog to be a forum for delving deeply into life’s issues. I realize that’s not a niche so I’m not sure what audience to address.

    Thanks for any suggestions!

    Julie

  115. Yup, Sonia’s right.
    Good tagline–perfect, in fact.

    Hmph, get stuck in meetings for a day and I miss ALL THE FUN.

    Brogan, you’re better at this than you think you are. I think “Helping You Convert Social Media Blather Into Action” is a winner. If I’m a PR or marketing person who’s just been informed she has to figure out this whole damned social media thing, I see that tagline and immediately start reading.

  116. There’s no problem. Yes, mistakes are a problem. But what kind of mistakes? Key mistakes doesn’t say much. And neither does customer service.

    Can you get more specific?

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com

    I write a blog on where I give tips on giving excellent customer service, and point out key mistakes of other companies, so my clients can avoid those mistakes. The name of the site is customerservicesizzle.com, and the current tagline is “Service Secrets that Create Loyal Customers.” I’d love thoughts from the experts.

    Thanks,

    Jerry

  117. Developing a site that will teach you how to beat the market (seriously). Here are some thoughts, anyone have suggestions?

    Free Yourself By Learning To Beat The Market

    (ultimate benefit expressed clearly)

    Teach Yourself [How] To Beat The Market

    (no ultimate benefit, but simple & succint, ‘how’ is optional)

    Secure Your Financial Future By Learning To Beat The Market

    (dry & no ultimate benefit)

    Any suggestions? Thanks!

  118. Almost there.
    Break it up.

    What’s the:
    1 ) problem
    2 ) Solution
    3) target

    Sean

    Oooo tag line help. Sign me up! I’ve tried a few at http://www.babblesoft.com and currently have “Easy-to-Use Web and Mobile Solutions for a New Generation of Parents… ” I’ve tried a couple of others but still don’t feel I’ve hit upon the right one.

    It’s challenging because our apps are fairly new/novel (SEO efforts were not extremely helpful as we are guessing on key words that people would use to find us) like baby sleep, breastfeeding support, etc.

    Looking forward to ideas!

  119. @Sally J (Practical Archivist) – I’m a professional organizer and I read your blog, and direct people to it. So maybe professional organizers are part of your “target” that Sean refers to.

  120. I hate to be blunt, but there’s no such thing as an implied problem. Now you can pay attention to what you believe in, or you can pay attention to what works.

    And we’ve tested this over the past 6 years (at the very least) in every country and language that we could. And in dozens of situations. And in every darned instance it works.

    So you’ve got a choice.
    You can ignore me.
    Or not.

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com

    Thanks for the input everyone.

    Sean,

    I do have a different opinion on stating a problem and solution.

    “Namely, that the brain doesn’t understand solutions, unless it understands a problem. So if we go back to the year 2000 and I say: Hey do you want an iPod? (solution), you’re asking: What is an iPod and why would I want it. ”

    Your ipod example:

    Yes, just asking “Hey do you want an iPod” has little meaning. An Ipod is just an OBJECT not a solution that yes can be beneficial and solve a problem but not enough meaning is given to the statement for those who do not already know what an ipod is. So in a way I do agree. But an exact problem does not have to be stated.

    Remember: Problem, Solution, Benefit

    A problem can be IMPLIED through stating a benefit as part of the solution. The benefit is the link between problem and solution whether the problem is stated or not – OR – If the SOLUTION is stated or not. As in this example: “Hey, do you want your iPod to hold more songs?” The benefit is clear…the problem is implied…the solution isn’t stated.

    “With This Tweak Your Ipod Can Now Hold Twice As Many Songs!”

    Your brain looks for meaning in the benefit so it tries to find past experience and/or “CREATES” experiences to link it to. Even though the problem isn’t stated…my brain linked to some possible problems.

    So…

    Reading the above example got me to think that my ipod has a little bit of room left. I can imagine here shortly that it will be full and I will have to dump a bunch of songs fiddle around with what I want to listen to every day etc. Uggg…

    So the implied problem is that my ipod has a certain amount of space to hold all my songs. So I have to jog everything around. The solution is “This Tweak” and the benefit is “MyIpod Can Now Hold Twice As Many Songs!”

    Catch what I am saying?

  121. (How To) Teach Yourself to beat the market.

    My choice 😉

    s-
    ============

    Developing a site that will teach you how to beat the market (seriously). Here are some thoughts, anyone have suggestions?

    Free Yourself By Learning To Beat The Market

    (ultimate benefit expressed clearly)

    Teach Yourself [How] To Beat The Market

    (no ultimate benefit, but simple & succint, ‘how’ is optional)

  122. 1) Working on a get-organized product (PDF of 250+ guided checklists for organizing 12 different life ares.)

    2a) Here’s my logo tagline:
    The Step-by-Step System for Taking Charge of your Life

    2b) Here’s my webpage tagline:
    The smart, easy way to a more organized life

    3) Target is women, 40+, professional, who want to ‘finally’ get their act together.

    I’d love your feedback! Thanks 🙂

  123. @Sean:

    Revised and gridded per your request:

    Our website: EBSQ Self-Representing Artists http://www.ebsqart.com

    Problem: artists, often without access to (or interest in) traditional high-end galleries and licensing deals, want to take control of their art careers and sell directly to the public but don’t know where to start

    Solution: we provide a way for artists to connect with each other, easily show their work online, give them easy-to-use marketing tools, exhibition opportunities, and the ability to link to other places where they sell online (we’re currently a portfolio site only, not a sales venue . Think Flickr for art, although we predate them by about 4 years)

    Target: artists who are interested in selling online exclusively or in addition to traditional venues, many of whom live outside of urban/art centres, and who may or may not be interested in connecting with a larger artist community

    Current tag: Get out of the vacuum and express yourself!

  124. @Sean – Commenting again and putting it in your required format.

    Problem: New parents are overwhelmed when a new baby arrives home. Moms have challenges with breastfeeding. New parents are sleep deprived. Parents of premature or sick babies need to keep track of critical information. Moms go back to work. They want to know what is happening with their babies. Parents don’t have easy ways to share in one location milestones, baby activities, and create first year baby album with family tree.

    Solution: Web and mobile software to help new parents communicate about childcare, understand their baby’s patterns and cues, manage their schedules, and make the transition into parenthood easier. Our apps help track breastfeeding, bottle feeding, diapers, medicine, pumping, immunizations, sleep as well as create a milestone based online baby first year album with family tree. You can see our parent stories here: http://www.babblesoft.com/testimonials.php

    Target: New parents, Expecting parents, people buying baby shower gifts who like to use the Internet and mobile devices.

    Current tagline: “Easy-to-Use Web and Mobile Solutions for a New Generation of Parents… ”

    Previous taglines: Web and Mobile Solutions That Make the transition into parenthood easier; Making the transition into parenthood easier…

    Aruni
    company: http://www.babblesoft.com
    blog: http://www.entrepreMusings.com

  125. Hope this is still going, as I could do with some guidance.

    Been tossing and turning many ideas about describing my blog (in production right now)

    I picked up a copy of Mark Joyner’s The Irresistible Offer, and that REALLY got me thinking (maybe too much by the looks of things)

    So…

    My blog is about Network Marketing and Social Media / Web 2.0. Basically about using online strategies to build your business.

    I am trying to deliver the message of No Hype, straightforward, trustworthy resource and authority.

    So far my best combination of words are:

    Clear Cut Concepts for the New Breed Network Marketer.

    …Okay, let me have it!!

  126. @Brogan – too long. “Converting Social Media Blather into Profits” makes more of a promise than “action”, and indicates your audience: business.

    I finally figured out a half-way decent tagline for Gateway Blogging: Transform Your Blog into a Gateway that Turns Readers into Buyers. I’d like it to be shorter, but just “Turn Readers into Buyers” might be too short.

    Remarkablogger tagline is a total no-brainer that has served me well: Remarkable blog consulting and coaching.

    Awesome job, James, Sean, and others. This rocks.

  127. @Sean…

    Apologies for missing the grid. Let me revise:

    Problem:
    Network Marketers are looking for ways to build their business online, but battle with the learning curve and get caught up with hyped up push-button-lottery-ticket solutions.

    Solution:
    Providing clear cut, straight forward advice and strategies to prospect online focusing on high-tech high-touch techniques.

    Target:
    Network Marketers

    Current tag line:
    Clear Cut Concepts for the New Breed Network Marketer

  128. I’m confused… 🙁
    What do you mean by logo tagline and webpage tagline? How could they be different?

    And to get back to the grid:
    1) What is the problem?
    2) The solution?
    3) Target (you’ve mentioned it, but let’s hear it again, just to be sure–because it’s a pretty big sorta demographic).

    1) Working on a get-organized product (PDF of 250+ guided checklists for organizing 12 different life ares.)

    2a) Here’s my logo tagline:
    The Step-by-Step System for Taking Charge of your Life

    2b) Here’s my webpage tagline:
    The smart, easy way to a more organized life

    3) Target is women, 40+, professional, who want to ‘finally’ get their act together.

    I’d love your feedback! Thanks 🙂

  129. Rock and Roll Mama, please answer the following 🙂

    1) What is the problem?
    2) What’s the solution?
    3) Target?

    Hi! Great opportunity, thanks. My website is
    http://www.rockandrollmama.com, and is aimed at helping moms maintain their musical identities after having children.

    The tagline is “Because you’ve still got it.”

    But people seem to prefer another phrase on the site “Keeping you inner Janis alive.”

    Thanks for any feedback…

  130. In many cases–if not most–the tagline is going to be part of your graphic…so your ALT tag is going to matter, and not the text.

    Great thread, Brian!

    Do any of the experts have comments on the SEO implications of the recommended approaches?

    For example, how much do you weigh the trade off between a shorter tagline vs. more keywords.

  131. @ Michael Martine – Remarkable blog consulting and coaching

    Weeelll, it does sound a little boastful (That’s my gig, not yours!), it’s feature rich, not benefit rich, and there’s no answer to “so what?” Why should someone hire you? Yes, you’re remarkable (so am I) but what’s in it for THEM? How about just a little addition?

    Remarkable Blog Consulting and Coaching for Top Results

    That isn’t strong, because ‘top’ isn’t the best word, but already, I know what you do, what you’ll give me and what I’ll get.

    Now. “Gateway Blogging: Transform Your Blog into a Gateway that Turns Readers into Buyers”. Long, yes.

    Build a Blog Gateway and Turn Readers into Buyers
    Blog Gateways that Turn Your Readers into Buyers
    How to Build Blog Gateways for More Buyers
    Building a Small Business Blog for More Buyers

    Still too long, but better. Your turn?

    @ Scott Fox – Taglines are for people first. Unless the keyword is something that will resonate directly with a reader in a split second, I’d say the SEO value is low. Also, most taglines online are built into graphic elements like headers, which crawlers don’t read. Go for people. Not spiders 🙂

    @ Sean D’Souza – Dude, I ain’t workin’ off a grid 🙂

    More soon!

  132. @ David – Determine your case by learning your case

    Alright, so you learn my case. Then you determine it. Then what? What’s in it for me? What makes you different from all the other lawyers out there? What’s the benefit for people?

    @ Georg – Clear Cut Concepts for the New Breed Network Marketer.

    Well, heifer’s a breed, but I like to think that I’m James 😉

    How about Straightforward Business-Building Strategies for New Marketers

    @ Mike – Leadership, Communications, Strategy, and Operations Taught By Dynamic
    Practitioners”

    That’s a long, long one. Cut that down, bring it to size and focus more. There’s also no benefits to a reader. How about this?:

    Improving Your Business with Dynamic Leadership Strategies

    @ Yuwanda – The Authority Site on How to Start a Freelance Writing Career

    Hmmm, for your intents and purposes, I’d keep that one with just some minor tweaks. Instead of “how to start”, why not put “build”? It’s shorter with more impact. Could you add an adjective to that career? A successful freelance writing career? A fulfilling one?

    @ Kristen – Helpful resources for teachers, students, and parents…”

    Where’s the benefits? So what? Why should I read this? How about this instead:

    Teaching Resources that Help Students Learn Better

    @ Séamus Anthony – Doing One Thing Every Day

    Well, what’s a *thing*? Why do you do one thing? Why should I as a reader care about that? How does this change my life?

    @ Jerry – Service Secrets that Create Loyal Customers

    The ‘service secrets’ reminds me of something sneaky like the Secret Service. But overall, this one is good. What you offer, an adjective and what the benefits are.

    Customer Service Secrets to Create Loyal Clients

    How’s that?

    @ Aruni – Easy-to-Use Web and Mobile Solutions for a New Generation of Parents

    How about:

    New Baby Resources for Plugged-In Parents (and Peace of Mind!)

    @ Steve H – Father and Son….and $10 in 30 days

    I’d actually work on leaving that $10 open for growth instead of making it look like that’s all you want. Alright, so benefits to reader? None. You’ll need that too.

    Learning How to Grow $10 into Substantial Money for a Better Future

    Long, but you get the picture. Trim this down. Think a bit. What do you give to people? (your learning on how to grow) Benefits? (better future and substantial money).

    @ Jeremy – Which market? Stock market? Online market? Business niche market?

    Tips on How to Beat the Market to Secure your Future

    @ Michele – The Step-by-Step System for Taking Charge of your Life

    Teaching You How to Organize your Life One Step at a Time

  133. Hope it’s not too late for the tagline clinic (since it’s now tomorrow) but here’s mine…

    Blog title: Someday Syndrome
    Tag: Procrastination. Choice. Happiness

  134. >>The Step-by-Step System for Taking Charge of your Life

    I’d keep that.

    As far as different tags, there’s the graphical tagline that is part of the header, and then there’s the title tag for the home page.

    Ideally, it would be the same, although sometime people want to hit keywords in the title tag for SEO, and that’s why it might be different. But why not take care of both with one tagline?

    So, my header tag is “Copywriting Tips for Online Marketing Success.”

    My title tag is “Copywriting Tips for Online Marketing Success from Copyblogger.” Just to get the brand in there.

    My main keyword is first (copywriting), “tips” is a common modifier that becomes a targeted keyword phrase, and “online marketing” is the general keyword space I operate in.

    Who says you can’t write for people and search engines at the same time? 🙂

  135. @ Alex – Hey! A would-be Frenchman!

    Alright, I’m going to need more from you, because a trip to your site had me thinking more on the redesign it needs and I couldn’t find the service you provide to people.

    What do you offer? What’s the benefit to people?

  136. The tagline for my freelance writing/editing business is “Solving Your Word Problems.” Skirts the edge of cutesy, but it seems to play well. A lot of my clients are scientists.

  137. This is awesome. Thanks to all.

    I just put up a new blog here: http://www.hypnosisanddiet.com and I don’t have a tagline yet. I put it up to sell weight loss cds.

    Problem – weight loss is hard.

    Solution – hypnosis/relaxation makes it easier by training the subconscious mind (let your subconscious do the work)

    Target – anyone, mostly women, who are stressed out, having tried many different ways to lose weight, and who want to make the whole business of losing weight easier.

    ANY suggestions are appreciated. Many thanks!

  138. Sean said: “Amie:
    For artists that are sick of snooty galleries.

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com

    My problem with this solution is two-fold: a lot of our members would LOVE to eventually have work in a gallery, but currently don’t have access to one due to being self-taught or not being close to an urban centre. I don’t want them to think these aspirations mean this isn’t the place for them, or that by showing their work on our site they are running the risk of antagonizing potential brick & mortar opportunities.

    Also, a lot of our members DO show their work in galleries but we are their primary (or secondary) online presence for their work. I don’t want to scare these people away, particularly since these are quite often our more talented members (and good art seems to attract more good art).

    Our previous tag was “Find Art. Share Art. Support Living Artists.” which we felt expressed what you could do on this site, and that it was a place for both artists and people who want to view or purchase work from those artists. Conversations with Liz Strauss brought about our current tag “Get out of the vacuum and express yourself!” since it was a call to action specifically to artists to be part of our community (since they’re the ones that pay to be members). We want our artists to know that they’re not alone in figuring out how to be an artist in the 21st century since the internet has literally levelled the playing field and new rules are evolving if you want to be successful.

    I think I understand how you came to that particular tag line for us, but now I am just left really confused.

    -Amie
    http://www.ebsqart.com

  139. re Séamus Anthony – Doing One Thing Every Day

    “Well, what’s a *thing*?”

    An action to get music career or activity happening to a satisfying degree.

    “Why do you do one thing?”

    Aimed at those musicians who let excuses os whatever variety stop them from doing anything much to get it together as a muso. One Thing Everyday adds up (and is easier than several per day if you have a job, family etc).

    Why should I as a reader care about that?

    Because you are a frustrated musician looking for a simple method to overcome complete inertia.

    How does this change my life?

    Hopefully you overcome complete inertia and start kicking some butt 😉

  140. Hi Sean…I’l try.:)
    Author: Sean D’Souza
    Comment:
    Rock and Roll Mama, please answer the following 🙂

    Current tagline: Because you’ve still got It.

    1) What is the problem?
    Parents (moms especially, but Dads as well) feel disconnected with their former selves after the arrival of a baby, and are concerned that they’ll never get their mojo back.

    2) What’s the solution? Acknowledging that you’re still the same person, but have to make time to connect with non-child things that matter to you. In the case of my blog, it’s music.

    3) Target?
    Parents of one or more children who are hip in their heads, but hum the Backyardigans when asked their favorite song. (And you bet I’m in that demographic.:)

    Thanks so much!

  141. Hi everyone, I write a personal finance blog at (http://www.bargaineering.com/articles) and I’ve been struggling to find a tagline that explains such a broad topic.

    Current tagline: “earn more | save more | live more | enjoy more ”

    Problem: Finances is confusing, boring, sometimes hard.

    Solution: I discuss all matters of personal finance so that it’s not confusing, inject some of my humor to make it not boring, and people can ask questions for the things that are hard.

    Target: Anyone who handles money. 🙂

    Thanks!

  142. Sorry my first shot didn’t follow the rubric (I’m not always the best at following instructions). The tagline is both for my blog and my firm (thoughtLEADERS, LLC). Thoughts and comments on the below are most welcome:

    1) What is the problem?
    Organizations are strapped for budget dollars and struggle to find ways to deliver high-quality training to their white collar personnel. Many training programs fall short of doing this because many trainers/deliverers of content lack “real world” experience that enables them to translate their teachings into practically applicable tools that measurably improve performance.

    2) What’s the solution? Teach the most critical business skills in a manner that makes them easy to understand, relevant, and immediately applicable to someone’s job. Deliver these skills both through a classroom environment as well as through other professional development resources (webinar, conference calls, blogs, newsletters, etc.). Have these skills delivered by trainers who have “been there, done that” to ensure participants learn how the tools and frameworks apply in the “real world” of business.

    3) Target?
    Executives, business leaders, individuals seeking to improve their business skills, corporate training and HR departments who select trainers.

    The tagline:

    thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership, Communications, Strategy, and Operations Taught By Dynamic Practitioners

    (the lowercase “thought” is deliberately understated and “thoughtful” while obviously “LEADERS” speaks to being bold and leading)

    Again, thoughts and comments welcome.

  143. @Carol … The thing about weight-loss programs is they involve more work than people generally want to invest. People want a quick fix – a painless solution — so the tag needs to communicate ease.

    My suggestion: “Think yourself thin.”

  144. @James…

    LOL.. the Breed-thing does look different from that angle. I like your suggestion, thanks.

    Question: Network Marketing being traditionally a Offline business and my major focus is the online / web 2.0 sector, should I mention those features or spare the detail and focus on the entire “business-building” benefit as you mentioned?

    Thank you!

  145. Sean,
    Thanks for the reply. Here’s my thought:

    Problem: People want to create (a business, a book, a body of art, a life that they really love) but how to do it with all the other responsibilities and blocks (fears) that arise?
    Solution: Do it your way with my simple, personalized approach to making things happen
    Target: (Mostly) women who want more authenticity and expression in their lives.

  146. Sorry Michael

    Newbie Checklist

    1. Problem: Newbies feel lost, frustrated and stuck
    2. Solution: A checklist that analyses where the problems are and shows how to overcome them.
    3. Target: Newbie Marketers

    Internet Video Television
    1. Problem: People feel too technically challenged to put a decent video online.
    2. Solution: Easy to use guides, videos and software
    3. Target: Inexperienced people who want to make/upload videos

    Thanks.

  147. @Carol

    Sometimes the best taglines are simple statements of benefits. So, I think

    “An easier way to lose weight”

    is an excellent tagline. I also like what you put in parenthesis:

    “Let your subconsious do the work!”

    But if your looking for more clever taglines you could try some stuff like this:

    “Lose weight, not breath”

    “Nothing to lose but pounds”

    or how about this:

    “No Pain AND No Gain”

  148. @ Paul – Solving Your Word Problems

    Where’s the benefit to clients? Remember, it’s all about “So what?”

    @ Carol/Michael – I go with Roberta’s version or “Thinking Your Way Thinner”

    @ Seamus – Doing One Thing Every Day

    How about:

    Eliminating Excuses So That You Overcome Inertia?

    @ Jim – “earn more | save more | live more | enjoy more ”

    Not bad, not bad… benefits en masse… How about:

    Fun Finances to Help You Earn More, Live More and Enjoy More

    @ Mike/Amie/Mama – You guys are with Sean, so I won’t double back 🙂

    @ Martin Luxton – End Newbie Pain Step By Easy Step/ YOU! Can Make An Internet Video

    How about:

    Teaching You Home Videos the Easy Way
    Helping Newbies on the Net Navigate Marketing Successfully

    @ George – What’s traditional business these days? It’s offline, online and anywhere you can get it. I think it’s okay to make your reach to both groups – the world is going that way, so why not ride the wave?

    @ Brian – Ha, you’re hired! (But don’t forget the benefits!)

    People, without a clear benefit-after-the-buy in your tagline, it isn’t effective. People need to see the result before they even start to be interested in your blog/product/service. So put that end result right there where they can see it – make it easy to want what you have.

  149. @ James

    Your questions have made me start rethinking my blog entirely (which I’ve been meaning to do anyway) so no tagline as I need to go through all the other exercises that lead up to a tagline (which I help other people do but for some reason never got around to doing it myself – ah, the shoemaker’s children!)

  150. I’m working on a blog for a public library and need to come up with a tagline I can use all over the web. Public library taglines are usually cheesy puns (all booked up) but i want something blunter like, say,

    Read more books
    or
    Find the right info fast

    but better!

  151. @Martin

    The problem is that your domain does not communicate very well what the website is about. So it’s very important that your tagline DOES communicate the purpose of your site. So something like:

    “10 common problems that plague newbie marketers”

    “The essential list of marketing solutions for newbie problems”

    But if you really want something kind of cool looking that also communicates what you are about, my official advice would be this one:

    “Check this list. Stop being a newb.”

  152. @ Alex – Now that is fulfilling to hear. Yes, we can all shoot off fast advice for a few seconds of fun and some impact, but to hear that someone sat down and had a think about everything means that I’ve managed to do my job well – drive-by shooting as it was.

    Cheers, and if you need help, please feel free to contact me.

  153. @Sue … think in terms of personal, face-time, real … I like the feel if not the wording of “Face time (Get intimate) with your favorite writers” … we can get information virtually with less effort, but the feel of the library, like a bookstore, is unique.

  154. Hi Cynthia. Some suggestions:

    “Coaching for creativity”

    “Coaching the inner creator”

    “Unleashing the poet within”

    “Imagination unplugged”

    “Life lessons for frustrated creators”

  155. Hi – my post is #128 and I didn’t stick to the checklist…sorry…

    Problem: Finding what’s free for birthday’s can be very time consuming and offers are difficult to locate. Consumers are usually under the assumption that they have to settle for free desserts from restaurants instead of the multitude of free and discounted offers actually available for adults, kids and pets.

    Solution: Easy to use online directory of businesses nationwide that visitors can browse to find local offers to enjoy.

    Target: Frugal shoppers – college students, singles, parents, seniors

    Current tag line: “What are you getting free for your birthday?”

    Any advice, comments or thoughts are appreciated! Thank you so much!

  156. Weightloss without the huffing and puffing…

    This leads them to your headline.
    Which needs to do a good job.
    Your tagline can’t say everything, but it can intrigue enough to get me to the next level.

    That’s the job of the tagline. It’s not to say everything you do, but to get my attention and whisk me to the next step: Namely your headline and subhead.

    Sean
    ========

    I just put up a new blog here: http://www.hypnosisanddiet.com and I don’t have a tagline yet. I put it up to sell weight loss cds.

    Problem – weight loss is hard.

    Solution – hypnosis/relaxation makes it easier by training the subconscious mind (let your subconscious do the work)

    Target – anyone, mostly women, who are stressed out, having tried many different ways to lose weight, and who want to make the whole business of losing weight easier.

    ANY suggestions are appreciated. Many thanks!

  157. “Sometimes the best taglines are simple statements of benefits.”

    @ Brian Killian – Whew…After the comment I got earlier from Sean it you kinda reinforced my thoughts I posted earlier. For a bit I thought my thinking was all wrong.

    @james Wow you are quick to come up with some taglines! Good stuff that people can work off of. Very well done 🙂

  158. The confused feeling you’re having is not unusual. This is because you’re not clear who you want to ‘date.’ Is it the people who want to steer clear of the galleries, or those who want to supplement their gallery sale or some other group.

    This is like dating three guys. Sounds like fun, but someone gets upset. If not every one. The point is: you have to date one ‘batch of people.’ You may not want to, but this makes your message clear. If you move between several groups, it’s hard to have one message, and the tagline is only the starting point for your troubles.

    The headline goes awry.
    The subheads go crazy.
    The entire premise starts to go this way and that, catering to several audiences.

    Let me tell you that what I’m proposing is a difficult move. To choose an audience. That’s what I’m saying.
    I don’t know if you will. But that’s my advice. A niche can bring you higher rewards than generalisation.

    And that’s the honest truth.

    My problem with this solution is two-fold: a lot of our members would LOVE to eventually have work in a gallery, but currently don’t have access to one due to being self-taught or not being close to an urban centre. I don’t want them to think these aspirations mean this isn’t the place for them, or that by showing their work on our site they are running the risk of antagonizing potential brick & mortar opportunities.

    This is the audience I’d cater for. I think your audience will always see a gallery ‘as having arrived’. And hence you can’t beat the system for now. So join the system. And cater for ‘secondary gallery’. Your tagline should say ‘secondary gallery.’ That would get the attention of the audience you really seem to want.

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com
    Also, a lot of our members DO show their work in galleries but we are their primary (or secondary) online presence for their work. I don’t want to scare these people away, particularly since these are quite often our more talented members (and good art seems to attract more good art).

    Our previous tag was “Find Art. Share Art. Support Living Artists.” which we felt expressed what you could do on this site, and that it was a place for both artists and people who want to view or purchase work from those artists. Conversations with Liz Strauss brought about our current tag “Get out of the vacuum and express yourself!” since it was a call to action specifically to artists to be part of our community (since they’re the ones that pay to be members). We want our artists to know that they’re not alone in figuring out how to be an artist in the 21st century since the internet has literally levelled the playing field and new rules are evolving if you want to be successful.

    I think I understand how you came to that particular tag line for us, but now I am just left really confused.

  159. This is a good example of how the problem adds a little punch…This was Brian K’s work…just so you know.

    “An easier way to lose weight”

    = Only solution. And it works. But look below from the same post.

    “(How To) Lose weight, not breath”

    And see how the problem suddenly pops up, creating a factor of specificity. The earlier statement is simply one of many, many statements you’ll see if you look at weight-reduction sites. How many weight-reduction sites talk about ‘breath’ (or other specifics).

    This is the power of the problem.
    Ignore it at your risk.

    Sean
    http://www.psychotactics.com/blog

  160. Cutting Birthday Expenses By (insert figure here. e.g. 30% or more)

    Sean

    Hi – my post is #128 and I didn’t stick to the checklist…sorry…

    Problem: Finding what’s free for birthday’s can be very time consuming and offers are difficult to locate. Consumers are usually under the assumption that they have to settle for free desserts from restaurants instead of the multitude of free and discounted offers actually available for adults, kids and pets.

    Solution: Easy to use online directory of businesses nationwide that visitors can browse to find local offers to enjoy.

    Target: Frugal shoppers – college students, singles, parents, seniors

    Current tag line: “What are you getting free for your birthday?”

    Any advice, comments or thoughts are appreciated! Thank you so much!

  161. What’s the problem?
    Solution?
    Target?

    List them. 🙂

    Sean

    I have a personal injury law practice. All the so-called legal marketing experts say to forgo the tag line, but I tend to study and follow more of the non-legal marketing material. My site is intended (still growing) to be an educational based marketing site where a client can come and learn about personal injury cases before talking to a lawyer, etc. I am using whitepapers, etc.

    The tag line I have been considering is:
    “Determine your case by learning your case.”

    Your thoughts?

  162. @Sean:

    You’ve definitely given me (and our team) a lot to think about. When we worked briefly with Liz Strauss on this problem, we did go from the very general courting of all artists and all art collectors to simply courting artists who were interested in being part of a larger community and taking advantage of our marketing/portfolio foo. I think it’s pretty obvious that we didn’t get specific enough. And in this case it’s about more than just a tagline–we really need to think about our core business in general.

    Thanks for the boot to the pants!

  163. What’s the problem?
    Solution?
    Target?

    List them. 🙂

    Sean

    I have a personal injury law practice. All the so-called legal marketing experts say to forgo the tag line, but I tend to study and follow more of the non-legal marketing material. My site is intended (still growing) to be an educational based marketing site where a client can come and learn about personal injury cases before talking to a lawyer, etc. I am using whitepapers, etc.

    The tag line I have been considering is:
    “Determine your case by learning your case.”

    Your thoughts?

    I have a personal injury law practice. All the so-called legal marketing experts say to forgo the tag line, but I tend to study and follow more of the non-legal marketing material. My site is intended (still growing) to be an educational based marketing site where a client can come and learn about personal injury cases before talking to a lawyer, etc. I am using whitepapers, etc.

    The tag line I have been considering is:
    “Determine your case by learning your case.”

    Your thoughts?

  164. Oh you’re welcome.
    Everytime I tell someone, I get a boot in the pants too. For all the times I think of appealing to ‘everyone’.

    Sean

    You’ve definitely given me (and our team) a lot to think about. When we worked briefly with Liz Strauss on this problem, we did go from the very general courting of all artists and all art collectors to simply courting artists who were interested in being part of a larger community and taking advantage of our marketing/portfolio foo. I think it’s pretty obvious that we didn’t get specific enough. And in this case it’s about more than just a tagline–we really need to think about our core business in general.

    Thanks for the boot to the pants!

  165. Again, at the expense of sounding like a stuck record…

    What’s the:
    1) problem?
    2) solution?
    3) target?

    I’m working on a blog for a public library and need to come up with a tagline I can use all over the web. Public library taglines are usually cheesy puns (all booked up) but i want something blunter like, say,

    Read more books
    or
    Find the right info fast

    but better!

  166. Hello,

    We’re starting a blog for our website http://www.dutchbydesign.com an online retailer of contemporary Dutch design lighting, interior accessories and gifts.

    We need a tagline, it is so difficult to come up with one.

    Problem: What is the latest and coolest in the world of design? Finding what’s new and cool can be very time consuming for the consumer. We find the latest designs (which are then featured in the magazines and newspapers)

    Solutions: Latest finds are covered in the blog including tips for make-overs etc

    Target Market: Female/Male 60-40% split with an interest in design and art.

    Any advice most appreciated.

  167. @ Sean.

    #192 – thoughts? May have gone a little overboard in providing context but it’s relevant for understanding who we are, what we do and who we target. Would love suggestions.

  168. Mike: Still not getting an understanding of ‘what skills’ you’re talking about. That’s pretty critical. You mention training, but then I do training too. And so do others. What you’re specialising in, will lead to solving a specific problem, which will lead to an efficient tagline.

  169. @sean

    Biz # 1

    Prob: Small biz owners miss valuable tax deductions

    Soln: I translate IRS-speak into English so they can understand how to take the deductions they’re entitled to and stop overpaying Uncle Sam

    Audience: Solo entrepreneurs in the US, especially those who work from home

    Biz # 2

    Prob: Small biz owners are too busy and technophobic to find ways to use computers/Internet to simplify their admin tasks and focus on their billable hours

    Soln: I teach them about free & low-cost software/services and explain shortcuts/strategies to increase productivity

    Audience: Overworked, technically challenged, budget conscious solo entrepreneurs.

  170. Wow, great comments, and great ideas here!

    OK, my client is a web-based audio transcription service where you upload your audio file, a transcriptionist converts your audio to text, then you download the finished work product.

    Their current tagline is very straightforward: “We Convert Spoken Audio Into Text”. I think it’s a little too straightforward (is that possible?) and a tad cumbersome. My initial suggestion was “Putting Your Words in Writing”, but that may be a little too abstract. My other thoughts are “Converting Audio Into Text” and “Audio Transcription Made Simple”.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks!
    Kari

  171. @ Kari – Benefits of all of those?

    Here are some fun ones that don’t include benefits (breaking my own ‘rule’)

    We Write It So You Don’t Forget It
    You Speak It, We Write It
    When You Just Need to Read What You Heard
    Transcription TaskMasters to Make Your Audio Read Well

  172. Fair point, James. What people identify as their favorite things about the blog are that I’ve got lots of experience and I tell it like it is. Does that make me different from others? I don’t know, other than that my voice is unique. Another good point is that people have used my advice to launch successful freelancing careers. How do you encapsulate all of that in a tagline?

  173. @ Sharon – Ahhh, good one. How about:

    Words That Help you Launch Your Writing Career
    Experience, Expert and Extra Helpful for Your Freelancing

    (okay that one is a little creative…)

    Straightforward Freelance Advice You Can Trust for Your Career

    (long and wordy)

    Freelancing Advice to Launch your Career of Freedom

    Straight Talk about Your Writing Career

  174. @James Cute! Love the taskmaster one!

    I’m just looking for something that conveys what they do, short and simple – converting audio files into text. I think the one benefit that would be best to convey would be the ease of use – upload the file, they take care of the rest.

    Didn’t mention before – it’s a business audience they want to target.

  175. Hiya, I’m back with my info in the proper formula (my original query was #133) ::grin::

    Prob: Your family history is slowly disappearing. Photos and letters are in a constant state of decay. Cheap plastic storage boxes, UV rays, high heat and/or cycling humidity will speed up this decay. Information from vendors is unreliable because terms like “archival” and “photo safe” are completely unregulated and therefore meaningless.

    Soln: Learn how to care for your family collection the same way a professional archivist would. Without getting a library degree. In plain English, without the jargon. Practical advice for any budget.

    Audience: Family historians, organizers, downsizers… plus anyone who wants to preserve family treasures for future generations.

  176. Wow James – thank you so much for your concise and targeted feedback (comment #179). It’s interesting how this simple post is causing so many to go back and re-think more than just their tagline, myself included 🙂

    Admittedly, I’m kind of hung up on the whole “Father and Son” thing. Maybe it’s extraneous fluff, maybe it should be included elsewhere (about page/author box). I think that’s what I’ll end up doing…

    The problem: Not enough money
    The target: Parents/families who need supplemental/recession-proof income
    The solution: Free Online Internet marketing training
    The benefit: Learn how to make money online

    The elements/phrases I like are: Father and Son, learning, growing, more than $10, substantial money, better future.

    Thinking of trimming it down, the phrase “recession-proof income” came to mind – I kind of like that too.

    So, in light of those thoughts – I have these ideas…

    I suspect none of them will work…the more I think about it, the less I want to see “Father and Son” in there…

    On another note – as I was thinking about my “target” market. In reality, I’m creating my own version of written “cliff notes” for what is mostly video driven training. I think my target market may actually end up being thirty day challengers looking for written notes. The training videos are great, but sometimes I find myself wanting to locate one little snippet of information and I don’t always want – or have time, to watch a 10+ minute video to get it. So while I envision a site full of posts related to earning money online – maybe it’s REALLY about a time-saving resource for those taking this year’s thirty day challenge.

    So maybe I should also consider taglines like:

    – (Would “cliff notes” in a tag line be some kind of copyright or trademark infringement?)

    But as I’ve written and re-written and churned through dozens of ideas – I think I’ve come up with a few that encapsulate the problem/solution/benefit and will make readers (challengers or otherwise) curious enough to stick around for a while:

    I welcome any and all feedback – BTW, this has been one of the top 5 – most helpful, action focused things I’ve ever participated in.

    With gratitude…

  177. (I stuffed it up like a newbie – that should be my tagline. I had little brackets around my tagline ideas – fine in a text editor – not so good in the comments. Feel free to delete #236…

    Wow James – thank you so much for your concise and targetted feedback (comment #179). It’s interesting how this simple post is causing so many to go back and re-think more than just their tagline, myself included 🙂

    Admittedly, I’m kind of hung up on the whole “Father and Son” thing. Maybe it’s extraneous fluff, maybe it should be included elsewhere (about page/author box). I think that’s what I’ll end up doing…

    The problem: Not enough money
    The target: Parents/families who need supplemental/recession-proof income
    The solution: Free Online Internet marketing training
    The benefit: Learn how to make money online

    The elements/phrases I like are: Father and Son, learning, growing, more than $10, substantial money, better future.

    Thinking of trimming it down, the phrase “recession-proof income” came to mind – I kind of like that too.

    So, in light of those thoughts – I have these ideas…

    1)Father and Son….from $10 to recession-proof income – online.
    2)Father and Son….growing $10 into recession-proof income – online.
    3)Father and Son….turning our first $10 online into recession-proof income – online.
    4)Father and Son….learning how to turn $10 into recession-proof income – online.
    5)Father and Son….watch as we turn $10 into recession-proof income – online.

    I suspect none of them will work…the more I think about it, the less I want to see “Father and Son” in there…it belongs elsewhere.

    On another note – as I was thinking about my “target” market. In reality, I’m creating my own version of written “cliff notes” for what is mostly video driven training. I think my target market may actually end up being thirty day challengers looking for written notes. The training videos are great, but sometimes I find myself wanting to locate one little snippet of information and I don’t always want – or have time, to watch a 10+ minute video to get it. So while I envision a site full of posts related to earning money online – maybe it’s REALLY about a time-saving resource for those taking this year’s thirty day challenge.

    So maybe I should also consider taglines like:

    6) Unofficial “cliff notes” for the 2008 Thirty Day Challenge – (Would “cliff notes” in a tag line be some kind of copyright or trademark infringement?)
    7) Our time-saving notes for the 2008 Thirty Day Challenge
    8) Time-saving notes for growing $10 into recession-proof income – online.

    But as I’ve written and re-written and churned through dozens of ideas – I think I’ve come up with a few that encapsulate the problem/solution/benefit and will make readers (challengers or otherwise) curious enough to stick around for a while:

    9) Growing our first $10 into recession-proof income – online.
    10) Growing our first $10 online into recession-proof income.
    11) Turning our first $10 online into recession-proof income.

    I welcome any and all feedback – BTW, this has been one of the top 5 – most helpful, action focused things I’ve ever participated in.

    With gratitude…

  178. Extremely cool!

    I am a real estate broker in Bullhead City, Arizona. I recently started a blog at http://BullheadCityBlog.com

    Here is my grid:

    Problem: There are very few usefull online resources for information about the Bullhead City community and real estate market. (BTW, we have lots of part-time residents -some that come in the winter to escape the cold and others that come top play on the river in the summer.)

    Solution: I provide market updates and commentary, community information, and talk about news and events.

    Target: Full-time and part-time residents, investors, and visitors to the Bullhead City area.

    My current tagline is “Connecting you to Bullhead City”, but that now seems quite vague and address the target.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Evan

  179. @ Steve H – As I said to Alex, if I can get one person to really *think* about what they’re doing and by that, help them be more successful or reach their goals, then I’m fulfilled. *That* is what is important to me.

    In your case, the difficulty is that it’s personal. This is something close to your heart, which is great – but it also cans any objectivity you might have. (You’re not alone. Trust me, this is common.)

    Father and son is great. You have a story. Tell it. But your tagline is not the place to do it. Your site copy, your blog posts, your about us… all those areas can tell your story. Yes, your tagline has to reflect that, I agree – but you’re not *selling* anything but yourself and your story, so the tagline becomes more challenging.

    You do want to help others, though, so that has to be taken into consideration.

    Learn how to make money online isn’t a benefit, by the way. It’s an action. A benefit is the answer to, “So what?” Learn how to make money online so… so what?

    …So you can buy nice things
    …So you can get rid of debt
    …So you can feed your kids
    …So you can make ends meet.

    These are benefits of what you offer. How about:

    Marketing $10 into More Income for an Easier Life
    $10 Internet Marketing To Recession-Proof Your Life
    Tips for Turning $10 into a Better Life

    I’d rework the title of your site: Our 2008 30 Day Challenger. See, it’s all about YOU. That’s great for you, but why should readers care? They care about THEM.

    Why not call it 30 Days to More Money? Or even The Father-Son 30 Day Challenge?

    Or make your tagline 30 Days. $10. Financial Freedom (alright, that’s a huge stretch, but you get where I’m going.

    That help?

    @ Sharon – Tell him I sent you. Or, wait, don’t do that… 😉

  180. Hey James thanks for your feedback. Getting involved here sure has got me thinking about the effectiveness (or lack of) so far of my blog’ss new direction. I am not sure that your suggestion below is quite it BUT it does drive home the point that I need to move the focus of the blog from “look at me” (old muso habits die hard) to “What’s in it for you”. Trouble is I want to do it as a sort me-as-guinea-pig thing rather than preach about the theory of something I haven’t actually done in reality.

    You suggested

    “Eliminating Excuses So That You Overcome Inertia”

    Which is fine but it doesn’t qualify a few important points. Rather than use this space to come up with my own ideas, let me open it up and put it into the “grid” format.

    Problem: Many musicians have trouble getting some momentum going with marketing their music, and this causes great frustration for them (and their partners ;-). I know because I am talking about myself here! Part of the problem is the tension between having to work, look after families and finding enough time to get anything done about the issue.

    Solution: (as suggested by me) Do One Thing Everyday to move closer to your goal of having a fulfilling musical “thang” happening. Why one thing? because it can feel overwhelming to write down everything that needs to be done and think about doing it all as quickly as possible, when if you just actually did something – even just one thing – everyday, you would move ahead in leaps and bounds.

    Target: Loosely all frustrated musos but perhaps could focus on post-30 age group as these are the musicians who start to feel the time pinch closing around the old neck.

    Any further suggestions dudes?

  181. @ James – your advice is outstanding, a big help. Thank you so much!

    I’ve renamed the site to:

    The Father & Son Thirty Day Challenge|2008

    And the tagline now reads:

    30 Days. $10. Repeat & Grow. Recession-proof your life.

    You’re absolutely dead-on in saying it’s personal and because of that, my objectivity goes out the window. That’s what makes this so tough. Tough to come up with ideas and tough to choose just one.

    I do like how it looks and reads a lot better now. And I think it does a much better job of addressing the problem/solution/target rubric. But I’m open to any additional feedback…

    Again – gratefully…

  182. @ Sean – thanks. Fair points. We cover the problem and skills we build in the abstracts of our courses on the site but it’s hard to do the same in the tag line given we teach multiple subjects to varied audiences. The common thread across all our courses is they’re practical, applicable business skills and the courses are all taught by guys who have substantial real world experience. I’ll try to take a step back from all of it and nug something out in the coming weeks. Thanks (as always) for the candid feedback. I appreciate your time and energy.

  183. Yes, but a transcription service does that. My transcription service fixes the grammar while transcribing.

    That’s different. So while audio is a ‘problem’ and text is a solution, you still want to define some specifics here.

    s-

    OK, my client is a web-based audio transcription service where you upload your audio file, a transcriptionist converts your audio to text, then you download the finished work product.

    Their current tagline is very straightforward: “We Convert Spoken Audio Into Text”. I think it’s a little too straightforward (is that possible?) and a tad cumbersome. My initial suggestion was “Putting Your Words in Writing”, but that may be a little too abstract. My other thoughts are “Converting Audio Into Text” and “Audio Transcription Made Simple”.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks!
    Kari

  184. Yes, but a transcription service does that. My transcription service fixes the grammar while transcribing.

    That’s different. So while audio is a ‘problem’ and text is a solution, you still want to define some specifics here.

    s-

    OK, my client is a web-based audio transcription service where you upload your audio file, a transcriptionist converts your audio to text, then you download the finished work product.

    Their current tagline is very straightforward: “We Convert Spoken Audio Into Text”. I think it’s a little too straightforward (is that possible?) and a tad cumbersome. My initial suggestion was “Putting Your Words in Writing”, but that may be a little too abstract. My other thoughts are “Converting Audio Into Text” and “Audio Transcription Made Simple”.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks!
    stone
    exam

  185. Wow!
    Virtuoso performances by the experts and tons of great material here. I would love to see a “before and after” shot of the Web that reflects how many tag lines were changed in the last 36 hours thanks to all this expert coaching.

  186. Thanks guys, for totally wrecking my day yesterday. I was so glues to the comments that my whole TO DO list had a big fat nothing on it. But I digress lol…

    This clinic has been the BEST! I just loved following the suggestions and comments, and tracking how taglines were being created. I became addicted to the process.

    I’ve been searching for a new tagline as well, but nothing has inspired me until last night. Right in the middle of a newscast, it came to me and it still makes sense this morning.

    I’m a Master Coach and a leadership facilitator specializing in strategic systems thinking and whole brain technology. No-one ever knows what that is!

    Client problem: limiting their choices, muddled thinking, stuck in past

    Solution: new ideas to move forward with choices and decisions; shift from vulnerable to resilient

    Benefit: open up the possibilities, redesign systems, create standards and measurements.

    Target: leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and their teams (on another level, organizations)

    New tag line: “Strategies to Think Ahead”
    – with the pun on “a HEAD”…

    Comments? I’m excited…can you make this any better?

    Thanks for your guidance!
    Maggie

  187. @James… thanks once again, that’s outstanding.

    @Sean D’Souza, would really value your feedback as well…

    #170, 179, 197, 202

    Thanks,

    George

  188. @Aruni … here’s a few variations

    Technology that Takes the Worry out of Baby Management

    The Digital, No-Worry Way to Keep You and Your Baby On-track and Connected

    Digital Baby Minder & Record Keeper for Ultimate Peace of Mind

  189. @Maggie

    If the ‘head’ pun refers to the ‘whole brain’ concept, no one will understand it but you. As you said, no one understands what that means. But if you like the ‘head’ pun, maybe it would work a little better as ‘get ahead’. As a tagline, I would suggest something like:

    ‘Get ahead. Ideas that open your horizens. Strategies that take you there.’

    or

    ‘Ideas to keep you moving. Reaching for tomorrow’s possibilites today.’

  190. @Aruni, I thought Roberta’s were terrific.

    Worry, for me, was the #1 factor with a new baby. Everything else was secondary. I don’t think that’s all that unusual.

    One twist I might take on one of Roberta’s would be Technology to Take the Worry out of Parenting Your Baby

    @Maggie, since as you say, no one understands your feature (whole brain technology), it’s esp. important for you to stick with benefits.

    I’m thinking something like Sharpen Your Thinking, Explode Your Success

    (That’s fairly awful, James come help please.)

    The only thing is, I think there are a lot of folks out there pitching leaders on how to improve their mindset and mental game. Is there a “plain English” way to talk about how you do that in a different way?

  191. Sheryl – Let’s see what I can do.

    Biz # 1:

    Teaching you IRS tips to Stop Overpaying Taxes
    Easy Tax Tips for More Money in Your Pocket
    Understandable Advice That Helps You Pay Less Taxes
    Helping You Spot Tax Deductions You’ve Been Missing

    Biz # 2:

    Strategic Shortcuts and Software to Save You Time (and Money!)
    Shortcut Tips So You Work Less and Make More

  192. @ Sonia – Only because you called so sweetly…

    @ Maggie – How about:

    Mental Tricks to Help You Get Ahead
    Strategic Tips to Boost Thinking Forward
    Forward-Thinking Tips for Better Business Strategies
    Exploding Your Success with Sharper Thoughts
    Quick Wits, Quick Success
    Faster Thinking for Successful Strategies

    ?

  193. @James

    Thanks

    AND

    It doesn’t seem to me that your suggestions identify the target audience…exactly the problem I’ve been having trying to come up with something clear and short enough for a tagline…

    I’m hoping for something that will make my perfect prospects realize that I’m speaking to them

  194. Thank you Sean, James for your advice. I’ve thought about my tagline some more and came up with:

    “Uncommon wisdom for life’s common problems.”

    How does that sound?

    (BTW, I loved this thread also because I discovered some blogs I didn’t know about and quickly subscribed to them. There are so many interesting people here!)

  195. @ Sheryl – Your target audience knows who they are. What you want to do is offer the solution to their problem (they know their problem, too).

    If you want to say, “Everyone else is excluded, so don’t read here,” then yes, go for Brian’s taglines (sorry, dude). If you want to reach anyone who could use your advice, then address the problem and give the solution.

    Make sense?

  196. James, fair enough. But sometimes starting with a tightly defined niche that excludes others is the best way to grow.

    For example, originally Copyblogger was “How to Sell With Blogs and RSS.”

    As the site gained in popularity, I expanded it to include all of online copywriting in general – “Copywriting Tips for Online Marketing Success.”

    Trying to appeal to everyone before you have any traction often means you appeal to no one. Plus, Sheryl says she wants solos, so I gave her solos. 🙂

  197. @ Sean

    I think I’m at the phase where a tightly focused niche makes more sense. Even though my ezine and soon-to-be-reactivated blog might appeal to a larger audience, my consulting services and eBooks are definitely targeted to a narrower group (e.g. subject = how to save money with a home office deduction).

    Also, by defining the target group more narrowly I think I have an easier time locating them.

    @Brian

    While the productivity tips might be “simple” I’m not sure that’s the right word for the tax biz. And I’m also wondering about “tips.” Do you think that makes it sound like I’m offering a quick fix?

    The tax saving strategies I teach take some time and effort to implement. In the Teaching Sells jargon, I think my unique difference is positioning. I make the information easy to understand and the “packaging” makes it portable and easy to use.

    Thanks to both of you; I really appreciate the dialogue.

  198. Hmmm… Dare I join in? 😉 I like to use: Inspiring readers one word at a time… It’s on the home page at my website – http://www.micheletune.com and it was on my blog header until I had it designed. I think it would be too crowded to add it now there now.

    I get a lot of feedback that I’m encouraging, inspiring, uplifting… so I thought it fit.

    Is it a bad choice?

    *winces*

    -Michele

  199. @Roberta – thanks for the great ideas!

    @Sonia – liked the way you combined Roberta’s suggestions into one cool phrase!

    This morning I changed my current tag line to the one James – Men with Pens suggested. I’ll try it out for a while and then try one of your ideas out too!

    Thanks this is great stuff! Next I’ll have to come up with a new blog tagline but I’m happy with the one I have now (‘babbling about business, babies, and parenthood’) but I’ll probably be changing it by end of year.

    Aruni
    co: http://www.babblesoft.com
    blog: http://www.entrepreMusings.com

  200. I am currently invisible and maybe this will help.

    I have a blog Monkey Barrel Musings and my tag line is:
    “Thoughts from the Top Banana at Monkey Barrel Press.”

    Point of blog is to stimulate interest (and sales) in my first Children’s book – “My Name is Not Isabella” either through my publishing company website at http://www.monkeybarrelpress.com (tagline: The Fun’s Inside) or standard routes (i.e. Amazon, B&N, local indies, etc.)

    The book is a picture book that targets the 4-8 age group (and this one predominantly girls). Prime customers would be Moms looking for reading options, positive message, girl power role models. Later books may not fit that mold, so I need some flexibility.

    Blog mixes dicussion/lessons of my journey to write, produce, self-publish, market, promote, sell book. Also talks about being a mom and my family life. Also thinks I find interesting or amusing.

    So a blend of amusing items, advice from writing/publishing, and “mommy blogger” stuff.

    So maybe I am too all over the place? But, about the tagline?

    Thanks so much for doing this.

  201. I apologize that the website is not up and running as of yet, but we are a creative services firm that offers web design, print design, animation and illustration. We wanted a tagline that fit with our company name “12 Grain Studio”.

    What we came up with was – Wholesome, Creative, Goodness

    And also, for marketing collateral (mailers) – 12 Grain because we thought 15 might be too much to swallow.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

  202. My two cents: most taglines are platitudes. Actually, I stole that idea from Y2 Marketing (no, I’m not an associate). They (Edward Earle and Rich Harshaw) use a guidepost in judging taglines. It’s simply asking yourself, upon hearing/reading the slogan, is my reaction, “Well, I should hope so”.

    The tagline should be more that a descriptor. I beleive it’s main purpose is to differentiate your business in a positive, understandable way.

    My own tagline is: Helping smaller companies profit from the power of branding. I like it because it identifies my market, suggests a benefit and defines my service category. Together, those functions ddifferentiate my business.

  203. James and Roberta did quick, stunning work during the last clinic for 360 Alliance, but I am now branching out on my own into something different, something that blends my business, theatre and coaching.

    My new biz/site under construction is called:
    Humanity At Work
    I coach smart working women who want to change the world. Leadership, balance, performance, presence. I routinely blend tools from the actor’s bag of tricks in my work with women leaders with great success.

    So far, here’s what we have:

    Humanity at Work
    Bringing Balance, Presence and Performance to Smart Working Women
    or
    Coaching smart working women who want to change the world

    Thanking you already!
    Lisa

  204. G’day from Sydney, Australia …

    What creative and generous suggestions!

    I would appreciate feedback on my tagline for this website http://winatworkzone.com/blog – “win at work without sacrificing your values” OR “maximize your professional performance without burning out”.

    Other suggestions?

    Value your life, live your values,
    Your ValuesCoach, Karyn Clarke

  205. For a blog-to-be…

    It’s about helping other young people figure out what to do in their careers and how to go about doing it. Emphasis is on personal entrepreneurship – goals are being financially secure and working independently.

    Ex:
    Career Growth Lessons for Young People

    Personal Entrepreneurship for Young People

    Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

  206. @ Karyn – Hmmm… How about:

    Winning Strategies to Get Ahead and Stay Nice
    How to Win at Work without Being a Jerk
    Blending Getting Ahead with Values for Feel-Good Strategies
    Max your Performance and Stay True to Yourself

    @ Lisa – Ah, good to have you back! Let’s take a look…

    I’m not sure from the description what the benefits would be. Changing the world is nice, but so what? Why should these women want to get involved with what you offer? Why do they need coaching to change the world? Change the world how, exactly?

    @ Martin – Pretty much, though I prefer answering the question, “So what?” to find the clincher.

    Your tagline is: Helping smaller companies profit from the power of branding.

    You’re missing the “so what” – while you do hint at it, it’s better to nail it than skirt around the edges.

    Powerful Small-Business Branding for Stronger Success
    Small Business Power Branding for More Profits

    Same message – but now the reader knows what he gets from you. Stronger success, more profits. Mm-mm.

    @ Laura – Wholesome, Creative, Goodness

    Well, that’s the problem with being clever over being clear. Remove your tagline and site name, and people will think it’s about healthy food. Your business depends on the visual to clearly convey what it is you do, so you’ll be walking around saying, “We do graphic design,” an awful lot.

    What’s important (especially in your niche) is differentiating yourself and putting the benefits right there. Wholesome, creative and goodness aren’t benefits – why should I do business with you? What’s in it for me? Discover that. Get it up there. Avoid cute and go for clarity.

    @ Jen – “Thoughts from the Top Banana at Monkey Barrel Press.”

    You’re quite right in that this is rather invisible and meaningless. I have no idea who Top Banana or Monkey Barrel Press is, and as a casual observer, nothing makes me want to learn more.

    Your blog is about you, a personal one that also helps boost sales – that’s great. Tell people what you’re about. What’s the so what? Your book is about positive role models for girls, so why not use that? Parents are all about their kids (and spending money on them). Tap into that.

    Jen Fos: Writing positive role models for readable books for girls

    A little long, but you get the picture. Who are you, what are you about, and what’s in it for me?

    @ Michele – Not bad, no… but it puts the focus on you. It doesn’t really drive home that you’re all about me. (Me as in the reader.)

    I do think it’s just a question of rearranging the words a little – “Inspiring YOU one word at a time?”

  207. @James – Thanks so much! I hadn’t thought about the focus being on me. Sheesh. Thanks for pointing that out. I’m going to change readers to you like you suggest. I believe it will make a huge difference.

    Again, thanks!

    *smiles*
    Michele

  208. I am a newborn in the world of blogging 🙂 My tag-line is more a tag-paragraph! Here’s where I am:
    http://architadasgupta.blogspot.com/

    Heading: We, the *Target Audience*
    Description: Dear Marketing Manager: @million ideas per second, you “target” us each day. Don’t pay another $ to study me – here’s what I think…

    Would love some pointers – as well as any other feedback you can send my way.
    Thank you!

  209. @james
    @roberta
    @anyone else who wants a stab at this

    hello all–back for another round. I have given last week’s discussion (comments 166, 177, 187, 213, & 217) a LOT of thought over the weekend.

    Our current tagline for EBSQ Self-Representing Artists:

    “Get out of the vacuum and express yourself!”

    and the two proposed taglines from Sean were:

    “For artists who are sick of snooty galleries”

    and

    “Secondary Gallery”

    both of which hit upon our two target markets (artists tired of working within the gallery system and artists who have not yet made it to the gallery system due to location, opportunity, inexperience, etc) but neither of which really work as a tagline for us. The first is a bit too off-putting, particularly for our members who are with us online in addition to showing work in a more standard way, the second being a cool concept that will probably be worked into our marketing text, but doesn’t really work for us as our primary tag or selling point.

    Ideas we’d like to put forth include:

    Artists having access to a cyber community–you don’t have to live in New York to be a successful artist anymore.

    DIY Marketing tools for artists

    Create your own opportunities

    Again, our basic concept is that we’re pretty much flickr for art, not a sales venue. Ours is a space to share your art online, enter online shows, hang out in our forums, learn new art skills and marketing tactics, and basically manage your online art presence from one space.

    Anyone else interested in giving this another go? Sean came so close, but it doesn’t feel like a bullseye yet.

  210. Hello everyone,

    I just spent a long-part of a day reading this clinic, and was humbled. So many great people with so many great blogs out there! So many teachers giving advice for free to so many others!

    Now… I know James ‘hung out his pen’ for this clinic; but in case anyone else is still interested in helping out, below is my case. But before I get to me, let’s talk about you:

    @Sally: How about

    “Helping your memories last forever”
    “How to make your memories last forever”
    or
    “Wise advise to keep your memories from vanishing”

    @Amie:
    my 2 cents worth are

    “Connect with other artists and unleash the power within!”
    or
    “Join our community of artists and express yourself online”

    Ok, back to me. My blog has evolved over the previous year a bit; it started as a self-reflection avenue (almost an online journal); and has evolved into a philosophy / life coaching / how to guide for improving your life. In James, format:

    Target: People who are interested in learning & growing personally, professionally, spiritually

    Problem: Too many acronyms; too many books to read; too many micro-specialisations to master and too little time in this life

    Solution: Simple advise from the great masters that will help you change your life, one small step at a time.

    My previous tagline was

    “Ideas for more energised, connected & aware living”

    and I recently changed it to

    “Simple ideas to create the life you want”

    But since this clinic started, I have been considering:

    “Simple ideas to create the life you want”
    “Helping you find simple answers to life’s difficult questions”
    and even
    “Simple advise from the great masters that will help you change your life, one small step at a time. ” (which is a bit too lengthy for my liking).

    Anyone has better ideas? Suggestions? Which one do you like the most?

    As an aside, although this was a tag-line clinic, I have also been reflecting on the title of my blog. “Reflections of a Crazy Colombian” doesn’t really say much about what it is I do; I would like to keep the ‘Crazy Colombian’ bit for 2 reasons (It’s my ‘personal brand’, and links to my URL – crazycolombian.com); but can’t figure out what to do with the title. One of the benefits of not having exploded my subscriber base yet is that I can still play and muck around with my blog without much opportunity cost. Any ideas or suggestions anyone?

    @ James, Roberta, and Sean: Thank you for this great opportunity. It has been absolutely awesome! I think, however, you may want to create a ‘clinic’ portion of your blog, with constant advise. If you structure it as a forum people can start a thread for their blog/web site; and if you create a community of copybloggers who regularly come, read, and contribute, you will not have to drive the advise all the time. Just an idea.

    Thanks all for making my day today,

    Diego
    The Crazy Colombian
    crazycolombian.com

  211. My mum always said you have to give first, so my $0.02 for @nimic is “Planet-saving tips that won’t cost you the Earth”

    My blog is ‘Fortify Your Oasis’ and its current tag is ‘Consultant and author Rowan Manahan’s musings on the world of work, career management and personal development’

    Having read all the thoughts above, my two reactions now are: “Rowan who?” and no problem/solution offering.

    Problem – the world of work is not a bundle of laughs
    Solution – stop, reflect, apply common sense and a dollop of learning-from-other-people’s-mistakes
    Audience – 28-45, ambitious, thinking managers and executives

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  212. Hello there, i hope it’s not to late to add my site in. I run Chiles Advertising… oh well, here’s what really matters:

    Target audience: Small-medium sized business owners, professionals who are secure in their fields.

    Problem: Their sales have leveled off and they are not using their website/advertising well. The copy is stale and not emotional, they have no list or value-offers, and are not using social media tools either. Basically, they need a 21st Century Content Upgrade

    Solution: I write copy that hits your visitor’s hot buttons, and entices them to buy your products, services and ideas. Creating “value products” like persuasive video and audio, white papers that convert your visitors from “maybe” to “yes, I want that now” buyers.

    Right now my tagline is “Making money online with higher-profit strategies”

    What about” Turning your website visitors into repeat customers time and time again”.

    Thoughts?

  213. Hi everybody! I will start a (simple) twitterish project in another language. I would love to hear some mindblowing taglines for this microblogging webapp. Of course i will then translate the tagline into my language. Please avoid something like “What are you doing”.

  214. I am going through a brand change, and I am in need of a tag line. My new brand name is Momnificent. In a nutshell, I help moms feel good about who they are and the life they live. Most moms come to me feeling stressed out and unhappy with some aspect of their lives. I offer solutions to their most common problems either through life coaching, workshops, personal growth products, and online tips. Anyone have ideas?

  215. Hi REALLY need some help coming up with a tagline. Don’t have one currently and am trying to create one.
    The mission is making people feel different. Originally it was “the missing PEACE is you” trying to convey that the missing piece of you is you and by finding it you will find peace.
    The other part is “unlock your power inside”
    It really is about transforming your life through one-one counseling, hypnotherapy or group workshops Would absolutely love some feedback…or something totally new THANKS!

  216. Sorry, just read up and realized I need to give you more…here goes…

    Problem: People feel stuck in their lives. They aren’t living the life they want or desire. Some are but still feel unfulfilled as they haven’t dealt with past issues

    Solution: One-to-one counselling sessions and group workshops to assist you on your path to success and true happiness/fulfillment. Overcome fears, personal obstacles, substance abuse, trauma, lose weight, determine your goals – personal and professional

    Target: anyone…one to one clients or corporate meetings

    Current tag line: there are a few floating around as mentioned earlier but also “FEEL DIFFERENT…THINK DIFFERENT… LIVE REAL”

    Thanks again!

  217. Hi, Great thread. Really struggling with a tagline.

    Just in the middle of writing my first ever blog post but here is my spec for it:

    I would describe my blog as holistic in nature. It is meant feed and stimulate mind, body and spirit and encourage new alternative ways of looking at life with a spiritual perspective and a ‘back to basics‘ simple minimalist approach.

    There will be articles to encourage people to become more intuitive and to relax more as well as discussions on metaphysics and psychic and supernatural matters. It’s meant to provoke people into rethinking their current perceptions and going against the ’norm’ and questioning the conventional approach. There will also be articles on how to read tarot cards, rune meanings etc.

    As physical health comes into the equation I will also be advocating the raw food lifestyle which has a spiritual element to it.

    Also there will be book recommendations, selected poems, inspirational quotes and photographs etc.

    It will include ANY piece of information I feel is fascinating or important eg facts about bees, for example, or other cultures… Another important element of the blog will be the coverage of eco and ‘green’ topics.

    The tone will be humorous. Inspiring, cool and quirky.

    I did consider “WARNING! This Blog Could Change Your Life.”

    Any suggestion gratefully received…Jem 🙂

  218. Okay, here comes the first comment of 2010 🙂

    @Jem

    Check these out:

    * Whatever it takes to help you get better
    * The friendly place to know how to have a better life
    * There’s always a better way and this site is about that

    Let us know what tagline you’re going to use.

    Thanks!

  219. Help! I am starting a new venture in my real estate career. I have earned a Senior Real Estate Specialist designation. I don’t want to limit myself, but would like to cater to Baby Boomers. I need a tagline that would appeal to all. Anyone have suggestions for me? Thanks in advance for your help!

  220. Hey, Deb … add your tagline need to my new blog-ette, WriteABetterTagline.com and see if we can’t help you stir the creative pot a little.

    But I’ll add a bit here for fun – if you want to cater to Boomers, then tag to boomers.

  221. Thanks Roberta…will do! I am with Keller Williams Realty, but the name of my company within it, is going to be;
    Guardian Group. Thanks again and I hope it will stir up some great ideas!

  222. Thanks Roberta…will do! I am with Keller Williams Realty, but the name of my company within it, is going to be;
    Guardian Group.

  223. I’ve been struggling with my tagline for ages. I have an iPhone application for professional photographers (Second Shootr), it basically helps them keep track of client information which leaves them to get on with the shoot.

    Anything I write is too long winded – I need more snap!

  224. @Roberta
    “Leave us to handle the client details, you focus on shooting”
    “Second Shootr leaves you free to do what you do best… taking awesome photos”

  225. I run the new “Geeked On Goddard” science blog at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

    What you have to offer:
    An inside peek at the very cool science and interesting people who work here.

    The type of people you’re trying to reach:
    People interested in astronomy, space science, earth science, but also just interested…in what we are learning about the universe.

    Your current tagline if you’ve got one:

    Geeked On Goddard:
    Bringing science at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to you

  226. Hi all,
    Wow-some great ideas floating around here. I’m (more than)a little embarrased to say that I don’t even have a tag line. I write reviews and stories about Girlfriend Getaways. They run the gamut from luxury to adventure, near and far, and usually involve a lot of good food. My company name is Travel with Taste.
    Any suggestions for me?

  227. @Roberta
    Photographers need to know:

    – client names, addresses, phone numbers, email address, location.
    – What shots the client wants.
    – Where to be and at what time
    – What kit to bring
    – People involved in a shoot (for example, a wedding photographer would need to know the Best Man’s name or the name/contact details of the vicar).

    to name but a few

  228. Whoops! Forgot to answer the how bit.

    If a photographer’s mind is focussed on remembering all the details above, their mind isn’t going to be on taking the best photograph(s) they can take. So Second Shootr helps aleviate this issue by giving the photographer an easy-to-access repository of all this data.

  229. @Roberta
    Alas, another NASA blogger has already claimed the word “awesome”!
    Thanks for your idea…
    Actually, there has been some pushback here at Goddard about using the word geek. The older people don’t understand that geek is now chic.

  230. I am a Christian concert photographer

    My website is http://www.collidephoto.com

    My offerings are 2 fold
    1. Live Christian Concert Photography
    2. thoughts on how to defend the Christian Faith with intelligence and well reasoned

    My audience..still learning about.. not 100% sure of yet.
    Maybe 22-40 year old Christians who are totally into music and are serious about their faith

    current tagline: Where faith and music photography collide

    thanks!

  231. Man, I suck at this – please don’t laugh.
    I’ve had a few more attempts:

    “Your personal, electronic photography assistant.”

    “Like a Second Shooter, but won’t carry your kit.”

    “Enabling photographers to focus on the art, not the admin.”

    I think the last one is close, but maybe too wordy and probably a little too serious.

  232. Hi and Thanks for this opportunity.

    I run a blog helping artists with online sales and business

    What you have to offer:
    Real life experience advice tips and support to help artists, crafters and creative people sell more of their work online and set up creative businesses successfully.

    The type of people you’re trying to reach:
    Artists, crafters, photographers & any creative people looking to support themselves from their creativity and quit the rat race to find creative freedom.

    Your current tagline if you’ve got one:
    Selling art online & escaping the rat race through creative micro businesses
    [horribly convoluted I know. Definitely in need of some simplicity I think. I find being concise so difficult]

  233. @Roberta
    I don’t think ‘hip’ and ‘pocket’ should be together. Sounds like your trouser pockets are too high 🙂

    The problem with ‘pocket’ is that it limits us to a mobile phone, we’re branching out to iPads and desktop computers soon too.

    Something like ‘Your personal, portable client manager” is probably close, but I think it needs SOMETHING to do with photography in it!

    gah! This is hard 🙁

  234. Interesting, and something I’ve struggled with, in particular for my business blog – I was hoping part of that was I wasn’t really sure where I was heading with it. It does seem as though I’m blogging more and more about business and financial analysis, however – but at the same time, most people think about stocks when they hear the term financial analysis – and I like to talk about the future a lot, since I’m a part-time futurist as well. Sigh. Right now the tagline I’m using is “Business. Finance. Futurism.” That, however, doesn’t ellucidate a lot of passion or interest I don’t think. Sigh.

  235. Man, do I need help!
    I am a coach. Bottom line is I help people determined to bust out a bigger life, by coming up with those different choices way outside their box and to start making them. I happen to be doing it while walking-my-talk (uprooting myself, selling everything and living/coaching on the road in an RV across the country for a year, blogging about it.) I will finish my site this month, and need that no tag line. Nothing has hit me. Nada.
    So, from wild vision to ‘big’ choice and then walking the talk. I just don’t know how to say that in a nutshell, or if that is still way too vague. Hope you can help!
    Ginny
    visionbasedcoaching.com

  236. Our flagship product/service is an enterprise risk management framework that “overcomes learned blindness” like led to BP, the Challenger trajedy, the KC Hyatt disaster, etc. Video at [http://su.pr/1Ih7at] which as you may’ve guessed is a vital yet esoteric product. Very open to input!

  237. This is my blog tagline…it seems a little long

    Home of a seemingly normal chick that accidentally became a farmer. Part photo essay, party stand-up routine… Authentic country all the time!

    Or maybe,

    A farm chick raising organic fruits, veggies, critter, kids, and…a camel!

    Or even shorter,

    Hilarious and heartwarming tales of a small farm

    Thanks, this was a great exercise!

  238. @Roberta – Ooh! I like that. I’ll play about with that and see what I come up with.

    The client data is portable because whatever the photographer puts in the desktop app, they’ll get on their phone/ipad etc too. But I think you’ve pretty much nailed it above. Thanks.

  239. You guys are awesome. My new site is about health supplements. The objective is to advice people on buying the right supplements without spending a fortune, going too cheap and buying junk, or buying hyped up stuff that is useless. I’m a supplements user, especially of the muscle building genre, and I know I’ve spent a fortune stuff that either did not work or I did not need and this is why I started the site (http://vitaminsandhealthsupplements.com). Thanks in advance.

  240. What a cool idea — thanks!

    My blog is ever-evolving…it’s essentially lifecasting, mostly about healthy living (triathlon, fitness, healthy food, etc.) although sometimes dips into social media advice/tips, my job as a TV producer and I also use it as a dumping ground for travel, journaling, etc.

    So…I don’t really have a tagline! I’ve messed around with Social Media Producer | Healthy Living Advocate | Cool Chick and right now my header says “Head in the Clouds Feet on the Ground.”

    HELP!

  241. This is a resubmit because I didn’t answer all the questions:

    – I’m a tax attorney who defends clients who owe at least $20,000 to the IRS.
    – We are a strong advocate for clients
    – 17 years experience
    – we want our clients to know all their options, not just the ones they may hear about on TV
    – we have clients in all 50 states
    – We don’t make unrealistic promises to clients, we speak the truth to them.
    – proud of our history of integrity in a very difficult practice area

    Ideas?

  242. Hi Tagline Team! OK I know you’re already bombarded with SOS entries, so hopefully you’ll get to this one. http://www.HomeDataGuard.com is a new online back-up service that is for non-technical people who don’t want to download software to their PC in order to protect and preserve their data (real estate/mortgage papers, business, receipts, photos, etc.). It looks and acts like a life-like file cabinet- with drawers that roll open and manila tabs to help people put their data in an organized fashion. We need a tagline that gets people to really understand that we’re not just another automated pc backup solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated and valued. Thanks in advance!

  243. Hi ! What an interesting and busy thread! I’m going into manual therapy in a very competitive market. One thing that I feel sets me apart is that I am not ‘fringe’ – and there is a lot of fringe in this field. I do what is proven to work. Anyway, the problem is usually pain or discomfort – the solution is my service( which is based on evidence and no fluff or fads and which uses my unrelated psych background to choose among the solutions to find the one that will work best – the target audience is anyone in pain or anyone who desires more successful physical performance. I don’t yet have a site and I really stink at self promotion that is concise 🙂 or catchy! Thank you in advance!!

  244. Hi Team! I’m a graphic artist and “The Logo Maven” is a new site I’m creating to focus on logo design.

    What I have to offer:
    Creative logo design from a seasoned graphic artist.
    Guidance on how to visually brand a new business.
    Personal service.

    The type of people I’m trying to reach:
    Entrepreneurs and small businesses who want a professional logo for their product or service.

    Your current tagline if you’ve got one:
    THE LOGO MAVEN
    Harness the power of your logo.

    Thank you!

  245. @Shannon – lots of logo designers out there. What makes you different?

    @Jeff – Experienced, ethical advocacy that gets results for over 17 years.

    @Inadvertent Farmer – A farm chick digs and dishes the dirt on living the authentic country life … with kids, critters, and a camel!

  246. Hi Roberta – I believe my point of difference is that I’m a 15-year entrepreneur myself and know how much there is to consider (and do) when starting a biz.

    I can take the logo (and graphics) portion off a busy business-owner’s overflowing plate. Thoughts? And thanks!

  247. Target audience: second-language speakers of English (primarily in Asia)
    Problem solved: unclear, unfocused writing at work
    Solution brought: advice (and an e-book) on how to write clearly in workplace situations
    TASTE = a writing process (Think, Arrange, Sketch, Trim & Edit)
    I’ve never been able to come up with a tagline — can you help?
    Thanks!

  248. @Deborah – Write Better Business English, Right Now
    @Tracy – Effective, hands-on pain management and relief
    @Dina – As familiar as the family file cabinet, only safer and more secure.
    @Katy – (with more focus on your core mission, the better and more obvious your tag could be.)
    @David – Where faith and music photography come together to serve (Him)
    @Helen A – Learn the art of running a creative business without losing your soul

  249. My business name: Get A Love Life:
    My Tagline (which I was happy with until I read this) Dating Coaching for Midlife Singles.
    How can I jazz it up? My program opens up my clients eyes to unexpected ways of finding love with people they never knew existed. They become confident and secure in themselves while dating.

  250. I’m getting ready to launch a ‘real’ online shop and lack of a proper tag line is driving me nuts. Currently it’s “Cute, functional and affordable products.” So it sucks.

    After reading the blog posts, I started to come up with something hopefully a bit more sophisticated like “Say it with Style”. But I get stuck feeling like that doesn’t really adequately describe my product lines. Any help, suggestions or constructive criticism are welcome. My current website is http://owlsay.etsy.com

    I have an excellent, already well-loved logo for all my products. The bulk of my orders are for travel gear (passport covers, luggage tags and travel wallets). My target audience is mainly women 18-45. My overall mission is quality, cheap products – affordable on any budget. Thanks!!!

  251. You all are amazing! What a great idea and thanks so much….

    My website:

    http://www.AnsweringTheSacred.com
    Helping those ready for their life to reflect what their spirit wants most

    1. what I have to offer:
    one-one coaching, classes to redesign specific part of life (though it’s related to all other parts of a life), and longer, 6 month program to teach people how to self-coach

    2. the type of people I’m wanting to connect with:
    People motivated by their values of family, leadership, integrity, who want to learn how to manage their energy as they move through conscious transformations.

    My work/training is non-denominational but works with a person’s connection to inner Wisdom and Guidance.

    3. My current tagline:

    Helping those ready for their life to reflect what their spirit wants most

  252. Thanks so much for offering to give feedback! My sites still so new, I’m trying to learn as much as possible.

    What I have to Offer – Gardening advice blog with discussion forums. Setting up a store to sell garden items
    Who I’m trying to reach – Anyone who enjoys gardening
    Current Tagline – An exploration into the fun and exciting world of gardening

  253. I’m an attorney and author working on a parenting book based on the Socratic method that helps parents to develop their own philosophy and to parent using discipleship over strict discipline (punishments and rewards). My current tagline is “Know yourself. Know your child.” It attempts to incorporate the old Delphic Oracle proclamation to “Know Thyself”

    Thanks for your feedback!

  254. Thanks and would love your feedback.
    I am still working on my site – will be changing it to CenterforGreatContent.com

    1. I am a Copywriter, Content Creator and Consultant. My focus is on customizing content for engaging new B2B buying habits and attracting customers.

    2. My Target Audience is Small to Mid-sized B2B Technology Companies (minimum 25 employees)

    3. Current Tag Line:
    Leverage the Power of Valuable Content to Attract Customers

    Thank you for your help.

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