Do authors need to have a tagline?
Taglines—I’m talking about those little messages that sometimes are found on author websites, business cards, blogs etc. A little one sentence, sometimes only a few words, that tells you what an author writes. Maybe it’s “Sexy, sassy, suspenseful Sally X” who writes romantic suspense. Or maybe it’s “Take a bite out of love with Sally X” who writes paranormal romance. *I made those up, can you tell?! 
I’m toying with the idea of a tagline, but I’m not sure if I really want one or not. So I thought I’d do what I always do when faced with a decision and I’m just not sure of, ask my fellow authors/writers/readers. Does it make a difference to you if an author has a tagline on their website or business card? Does it make them more memorable? Do you think it’s silly?
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!
I really don’t have a tag line, but when I need one I use eclectic writer. Some people do and some don’t. Actually I seldom pay attention to them.
I like taglines when they’re memorable, and forget them quickly if they’re not. But, even an unmemorable or cliche tagline gives me a sense of what type of story I’m in for if I buy an author’s books.
My favorite taglines are humorous or have the author’s name in them, which makes me more likely to remember them.
My tagline is: Sexily *Evers* After
To me this shows a few things – first, that I write sexy stories, second, that they are romantic stories with a HEA, and third, that my last name is Evers!
So I’m all for a tagline. You can put it on your business card, on your website, and in your email signature.
Thanks for your thoughts, Janet and Shoshanna! I’m still undecided about using a tagline. I guess I’ll let the idea settle a little before I make a decision. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I think taglines are catchy and clever. It instantly gives the reader a little more info. about you. My tagline is “Erotic stories to light your fire.”
Hi Cara,
I like your tagline! Tells me instantly what you write. I’d like one, but just haven’t been able to settle on anything yet.
Heather, I like the concept of a tagline, but I can’t think of one for the six novel ms. I’ve already completed … much less the dozens of others I have notes or starts on.
Not claiming any special status here, but I think a lot of writers have numerous writing weapons in their arsenal. How could one tagline do them all justice?
Maybe if a writer has different pseudonyms for all her/his different types of fiction … perhaps then she/he could develop a tagline for each.
Or, maybe my tagline would be: “writes what he feels like”.
LOL
Hi Jeff,
See I can’t think of one either. I don’t think an author *needs* one to be successful, but I do think that it helps to build our brand. But coming up with something that is appropriate and catchy is challenging. And we always think the synopsis is hard!
absolutely. I HATE writing the synopses!
Hi Heather, this is a great subject – I do not have a tagline and I am torn with this decision also. I like catchy ones but I need to see it over and over again to really remember. My biggest problem is my niche. I write erotic romance, sexy contemporary romance, children’s books and working on a parenting book. So, I am all over the map. I was toying with A Little Bit Naughty…A Little Bit Nice but still unsure.
Sorry – I dont’ think I helped answer your question!!!!
Jennifer, I like that tagline! Seems fitting for you. I think I *may* have found my tagline. We’ll see if it sticks.