I wasn’t a fan of tag lines.
I had nothing against them. I just didn’t think they were necessary. Or helpful. Our name becomes our brand more than any cute or catchy tag line ever could.
But recently, my opinion has evolved.
I’ve become a fan. Not because I think a tag line will translate into a ready-made brand. But because having a tag line is a great place to start when creating a website.
When my web designer started designing various headers, I gravitated toward the ones that had a place for my name and a tag line. The ones with just my name felt a bit sparse. Like something was missing. I wanted something to go with my name. Something that might give visitors a quick idea of what to expect. So when my lovely in-house marketer suggested Writing faith and romance, I pounced.
It’s straightforward. It’s simple. And it fits.
So I went with it.
And I soon discovered that starting with a tag line went a long way in the content department.
All of a sudden, I had a theme.
62% of the 89 people who took my online survey said they go to author websites to learn more about the author. And many of those people commented that they enjoy learning something more than a simple author bio. So when it came time to think about what information to include on my website, I capitalized on my tag line. I shared about my Writing Journey, my Faith Journey, and my Real-Life Romance. When it came time to organize my blog posts, I could categorize them according to my tag line. Now, if a reader is interested in reading posts about faith, they can find them all in one convenient spot.
So yeah. I’ve become a fan of tag lines.
I think they are a great tool when it comes to building a cohesive, thematic website. One that will appeal to our readers.
Let’s Talk: Are you a fan of tag lines? Why or why not? Do you have a tagline? If so, have you used it to build your website?
In other news, if you signed up for a welcome packet, I’m still waiting on a couple items before I can send them out. You should get them before Christmas. Thanks for signing up!
Hi, this is a great post! Thanks..
I like taglines. I recently changed mine to “Stories That Resonate…” Used to have “Stories That Stir The Soul and Soothe The Spirit” but I came to the conclusion (after a couple of years of using it!!) that’s it is a bit of a mouthful. Like you, I prefer the short and simple.
I appreciate a good tag line. If I could come up with one I liked for myself, I would adopt it! No luck so far. Love yours though. Perfectly eloquent!
I’m lovin’ how you’ve organized all of it. And your tag line is perfect. “A hopeless romantic living in a Thomas the Train world.” Long, but totally describes my life right now. 🙂
I like tag lines. They reveal a little more about the writer. I used to think they were necessary to building a brand until I read posts by agents suggesting otherwise, but they do assist in revealing that brand. By the way, that was a great idea doing a survey for your website to see what to add. You should tell us more about the results!
Yes, I’m definitely a fan of tag lines. I also recently had a header done, so I worked on a tag line of my own. It was a bit scary to make that commitment to my platform, but I have received such positive feedback.
I like your tag line and it looks great on your website!
I’ve thought alot about mine and decided on “Faith, Fun, and Forever Love”. Funny though…I haven’t added it to my blog yet. 🙂
Get to crackin’ girl! Put that baby up. 🙂
I came up with my “perfect” brand three years ago, but this year I ditched it. It no longer fit me. For now I’m content to have the genre books I write in my header. 🙂
Another good point, Jill. Which is why I don’t think our taglines could ever really encompass our brand. We are our brand. And we’re a lot more complicated than three to five words. So it might be a good starting point for a website, but ultimately, our name is our brand because our name represents us in a way our tagline never will.
One of the first things that attracted me to your old blog was your profile description. It was clean, simple, yet descriptive. I couldn’t imagine being able to break down my life or profile that way. It’s a skill I wish I had. So yeah–taglines are great for clarity.
Maybe I should’ve brought my profile description over to my new website!
Your tag line fits you perfectly! Well done. I’ve never given a tag line much thought since opinions vary greatly. I may need to rethink tag lines myself. Thanks!
You bring up a great point, Donna. Opinions do vary greatly! That’s why I like to stay away from anything too cutesy or tongue-twisty. Some people might love it, but a whole lot of other people might hate it.
I am a tagline fan, but I like the kind that are short and pithy and give a very clear direction for who the author is and what they write.
And I absolutely love how your website reflects that. I browsed through the entire site the other day and really loved what I saw. I’ll be taking notes. 😉
Yay! I’m glad you like the website Casey!
I like taglines! But that’s partially ’cause my last name is Tagg and my blog is called Tag(g)lines. 🙂
Love your tagline, especially, because it’s simple and says a lot in a few words. Nothing tongue-twisting or overly cutesy.
The only downside I see is that once I pick something (if I ever do or am far enough along to need to) is that I’ll have to commit to it…hehehe…
This is precisely why I would never get a tattoo…
Your tag line works well, Katie. I’ve yet to come up with one. I’ve tried a few, but nothing has stuck. One day, perhaps . . .
And I shall be there to cheer you on when that day comes. But really, I don’t think it’s a big deal to not have one. Not one little bit. 🙂
I like it! Like you, I go back and forth on taglines. Mine is “Tender Romance for Fierce Hearts.” I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving!
I’ve gone back and forth too, but hoping to stick with this one. I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop writing about faith or romance.
I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving too!
Oh sure, just because they are so stinkin’ fun to come up with.
Seriously though, it depends. On what…well, we could talk for hours on that. Mostly though I believe it depends on how well the author identifies w/ the tagline in their work. How much the tagline really rings true. Am I making sense?
Come visit me!
~ Wendy
You always make sense, Wendy! I speak your language.
It definitely fits you, Katie, and I like how simple it is.
No tagline for myself here, but that’s no surprise as I’m just starting out. I do, however, have a tagline for my blog itself: “A blog on writing, living, and achieving a dream.” However, this isn’t something I’d really carry over to a website if I’m ever at your stage in the game.
I like your blog tagline! It pretty much covers the spectrum of life, but does so in a specific, intriguing way. 🙂
The first thing I noticed about your new site was your new tag and it fits for sure!
I’ve got a tag, but I’m not sure it will stay since I write contemp/rom suspense but as of now it’s:
romantic suspense…overflowing hope
because that’s what I write and one consistent thing in all my books are overflowing hope. But who knows if I’ll hang on to the first part. This is where I sigh and blow papers off my desk.
LOL about the sighing and paper blowing. I totally know how you’re feeling. 🙂
Love your tag, Katie. It’s just right. And it adds to your blog.
Mine is “Writer, Reader, Random Blogger,” but I expect it to change once I’m published. I’m like Sarah. I’m letting it simmer. 🙂
Thanks V.V.! You bring up a good point….should our blog tag lines be our actual tag lines? On my old blog, my tag line was: life and writing and the fuzzy line in between. But that obviously doesn’t fit for a website.
I haven’t thought of one yet. Probably should. It feels like all the good ones are taken, HA!
I like yours though. and I really like that it is simple!!!
Are your considered humorous, Krista? You could have something equally simple like: humor, faith, and romance. Or something like that.
Yeah, I like it when a tag line fits. Yours fits you!!
It’s nice to go to an author’s site and know immediately what that author is about. Your tag line does that.
But like brands, I wonder if it’s difficult to find the right tag line before you’re far enough along to know what’s going to fit long-term. I think writers have to experiment a little and not be afraid to do so. Does that make sense?
Poi-fect sense, Heather! And I think you’re totally right. I played around with tag lines. Heck, I’ve played around with the stories I write. It takes awhile before we find our niche, and even now, I’m not 100% confident I’ve found mine all the way.
I like your tag line, Katie. It’s simple and straightforward.
I think there’s a big distinction, though, for people who are at your stage of the publishing journey versus those who are just starting. I see some people pigeon-hole themselves with a tagline before they’ve even finished their first book, and that just doesn’t make sense.
I’m in a let-it-simmer stage where I’m not exactly sure what my tagline would be. But I have a feeling over time, it will become clearer.
Happy simmering, Sarah!
i had a tag….”where romance meets therapy.” but i almost think my tag has become “the character therapist.” ane mulligan told me at conference that it wasn’t my brand, though. her tag is also her brand….”southern-friend fiction.” ronie kendig’s tag is her brand – “rapid-fire fiction.” my tag of “the character therapist” wouldn’t really tell you what my books are about, so i agree with ane. now, “where romance meets therapy” would. so i’m thinking if/when i venture into published fictional work, i’ll probably go with that. 🙂
i meant to tell you that i do like your new tag, and never got around to it. kudos to you!
Jeannie – your fiction tagline (where romance meets therapy) is really great. Simple, to-the-point, and totally gives a flavor for what you write. Do you think you’d ever do a separate website for yourself as a fiction author, or would you just combine it with your Character Therapist website?
Nice tagline, Katie. It works for you–and it fits.
And, yes, I like taglines — but only if they fit. I don’t like a tagline for a tagline sake. I mean, I don’t want an author to have a tagline because they have to have one. One of my favorites:
Brandilyn Collins: Seatbelt Suspense: Don’t forget to breathe
That tells you straight up what you’re gonna get if you read Brandilyn’s books.
Do I have a tagline? Not yet. I’ve experimented and just haven’t found one that fits. So right now my website has my name and my areas of expertise: author, speaker, editor.
I like Brandilyn’s too. Hers is one I automatically go to when I think of tag lines, because it’s so effective. It’s totally her brand. Same with Karen Kingsbury, who uses Life changing fiction.
Guess what I’m a fan of? YOU!
Right back atcha Ashley!!