Brand Expression Series

How to Write a Tagline

A great tagline captures your brand essence in just a few words. Learn how to write one that's memorable, authentic, and effective.

By Vik ChadhaJanuary 21, 202510 min read

Not every brand needs a tagline, but a great tagline can be powerful. It's a short, memorable phrase that captures your brand essence and sticks in customers' minds. Think "Just Do It" or "Think Different"—these taglines are instantly recognizable and communicate everything about the brand in just a few words.

This guide is part of our Brand Expression series. We'll walk you through writing a tagline that's memorable, authentic, and effective.

What Is a Tagline?

A tagline is a short, memorable phrase that captures your brand essence. It's not your value proposition or mission statement—it's a catchy phrase that reinforces your brand message. A great tagline should be:

  • Short: 3-7 words is ideal. Shorter is more memorable.
  • Memorable: Easy to remember and share. Uses rhythm, rhyme, or wordplay.
  • Unique: Distinctive and not generic. Could only apply to your brand.
  • Authentic: Reflects your brand personality and values.

Do You Need a Tagline?

Not every brand needs a tagline. If you can't create one that adds value, it's better to skip it than to have a weak one. A good tagline reinforces your brand message. A bad tagline weakens it. Only create a tagline if it's truly memorable and adds to your brand.

How to Write Your Tagline

Keep It Short

3-7 words is ideal. Shorter is more memorable.

Example: "Just Do It" (3 words) vs "We help you achieve your goals through innovative solutions" (9 words)

Make It Memorable

Use rhythm, rhyme, or wordplay to make it stick.

Example: "Shave Time. Shave Money." uses repetition and wordplay

Reflect Your Personality

Your tagline should match your brand personality.

Example: Playful brand = playful tagline. Professional brand = professional tagline

Focus on Benefit, Not Feature

Tell customers what they get, not what you do.

Example: "Save time" (benefit) vs "Automated workflow" (feature)

Test Multiple Options

Create 10-20 taglines, then test with customers.

Example: A/B test different taglines. See which resonates most.

Tagline Formulas

Use these formulas as starting points, then customize to make them unique:

[Action] + [Benefit]
"Just Do It (Nike)"
Simple action-oriented tagline with clear benefit
[Adjective] + [Noun]
"The Ultimate Driving Machine (BMW)"
Descriptive tagline that positions you as the best
[Problem] + [Solution]
"Shave Time. Shave Money. (Dollar Shave Club)"
Addresses pain points with clear solution
[Emotion] + [Outcome]
"I'm Lovin' It (McDonald's)"
Emotional tagline that focuses on feeling

Real-World Tagline Examples

NikeInspirational

"Just Do It"

Why it works: Short, memorable, action-oriented, inspirational

AppleAspirational

"Think Different"

Why it works: Simple, memorable, reflects brand personality, aspirational

McDonald'sEmotional

"I'm Lovin' It"

Why it works: Personal, emotional, memorable, positive

BMWBenefit-focused

"The Ultimate Driving Machine"

Why it works: Specific benefit, aspirational, memorable, confident

Dollar Shave ClubClever

"Shave Time. Shave Money."

Why it works: Playful wordplay, clear benefits, memorable, unique

Next Steps

Once you've written your tagline, you're ready to move forward with the rest of your brand expression. Learn about developing your complete brand expressionor explore our brand guidelines tool to document your messaging framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a tagline?

Not every brand needs a tagline. If you can't create one that adds value, it's better to skip it than to have a weak one. A good tagline reinforces your brand message and is instantly recognizable. A bad tagline weakens your brand. Only create a tagline if it's truly memorable, unique, and adds to your brand. Test it with customers—if it doesn't resonate, don't use it.

How long should my tagline be?

The best taglines are 3-7 words. Shorter is more memorable. "Just Do It" (3 words) is more memorable than "We help you achieve your goals through innovative solutions" (9 words). If your tagline is longer than 7 words, it's probably too long. Try to distill it to the essential message. Every word should earn its place.

What's the difference between a tagline and a slogan?

Taglines and slogans are often used interchangeably, but there's a subtle difference. A tagline is a short phrase that represents your brand long-term (like "Just Do It"). A slogan is often campaign-specific and changes more frequently. However, in practice, most people use these terms interchangeably. The key is creating something memorable that reinforces your brand message.

How do I know if my tagline is effective?

Test your tagline: Is it memorable? Do people remember it after hearing it once? Does it reflect your brand personality? Could it apply to any competitor? (If yes, it's too generic.) Share it with customers and ask: "What does this tagline make you think about our brand?" If their answer matches your intended message, it's working. A/B test different taglines to see which resonates most.

Ready to Write Your Tagline?

Once you've written your tagline, bring your complete brand expression to life with Magnt's AI-powered branding tools.

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