Top Gear: Useful Internet Marketing Strategies & Tips to Move You Forward: 7 tips to creating a memorable slogan

What is a slogan? A slogan is a catchphrase that represents a product or company and communicates the key benefit you want consumers to associate with your business. And if crafted with care, it can keep your brand front and center in the minds of consumers — until they’re ready to buy. Read on for inspiration and tips to help you create a compelling, unforgettable slogan:

Slogans with staying power

If you’re creating a new product or business slogan, you want something that represents your brand and is easy to remember. Some well-known slogan examples are:

Just Do It. (Nike)
I’m Lovin’ It (McDonald’s)
Finger Lickin’ Good (KFC)
Melts In Your Mouth, Not In Your Hand (M&Ms)

Although the above slogans are likely already at the tip of your tongue, there are many other great ones. Recognize these?

Because You’re Worth It. (L’Oreal)
What’s In Your Wallet? (Capital One)
Shave Time. Shave Money. (Dollar Shave Club)
They’re G-R-R-REAT! (Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes)
M’m! M’m! Good! (Campbell’s)
Get In The Zone (AutoZone)
The Quicker Picker Upper! (Bounty)
Save Money. Live Better. (Walmart)
Maybe She’s Born With It. Maybe It’s Maybelline. (Maybelline)
Challenge Everything (EA)

To help you create catchy slogans for your business, here are seven tips to get your creative juices flowing:

1. Keep it short and simple

If Las Vegas had tried to use “Whatever you do while you’re in Las Vegas, Stays in Las Vegas” instead of “What Happens Here, Stays Here,” it might never have caught on as one of the most popular slogans of all time. Keep your slogan under 9 or 10 words.

2. Be consistent

Consistent branding is key whether you’re a small business or household name. Make sure your business slogans complement your existing logo, company name and projected image. For example, General Electric’s slogan “Imagination at Work,” draws attention to their brand with a simple, yet powerful logo that celebrates human imagination and innovation. All of their products from lightbulbs to CT scanners, bare this testament to creativity and quality.

3. Focus on what makes you different

Figure out what your unique selling proposition is and use it. Is your delivery business done with a fleet of electric cars? Does your dental practice cater to those with high anxiety? Crossoak Family Dentistry features a big chicken on its website, along with the slogan “We cater to cowards.” Incorporate what makes you special into your slogan if possible.

4. Make it timeless

Verizon had a good run with “Can You Hear Me Now?” but it was only a matter of time before technology made nearly all cell phone calls clear. You have to change with the times, but when you’re working on a slogan you want to think of its longevity. That’s why references to technology and phrases like “the only” are risky. Good slogans use wording that can stand the test of time, like Rolaids and their “How Do You Spell Relief?”

5. Ensure it can stand alone

Your slogan shouldn’t be a mystery! You want a slogan that tells your audience what your business is without needing any additional information. For example, Cartoon Network’s “The Best Place for Cartoons” tells people exactly what they’ll get when they tune in.

6. Consider your target market

You’ll also need to consider if your customers are local, national or international. While some locals get Philadelphia’s new slogan, “PHL: Here For The Making,” it may have left tourists scratching their heads. And if you do business internationally, keep in mind that translating your slogan to another language can significantly change the meaning. When KFC launched in China, their “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan translated to the less appetizing “Eat Your Fingers Off.”

7. Get input

Being creative is a tough job, but there are ways to avoid going it alone. Use VerticalResponse’s Surveys feature to get opinions from your followers. Take to social media like Facebook or Twitter to host a slogan contest with a designated hashtag to track entries. Or consider some free tagline generators, like Slogan Generator, to get your brain warmed up.

Done right, a memorable slogan will stick around long after consumers interact with your brand. Use these tips, or leverage expert designers, to create a catchy slogan that fits your business.