A good name can get you far in life. Apple. Elvis. Madonna. Nike. But, a great tagline can get you remembered. I am not a crook. You like me, you really like me! I’m lovin’ it. Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.
In the Blog-O-Sphere, you need to have a great title to attract readers to your sight. Even with posts, you must be creative, witty, and informative when labeling each and every article. “A Post About Doctors” is not nearly as fun and enticing as “Turn Your Head and Cough.” A great title can help or hinder a sight from rising to great heights.
When thinking up a moniker for your site, however, there is a sub-title which can be applied, as well. This is called the tagline, and it serves to offer another label to define your blog. The taglines I’ve seen have typically been humorous, or even straight to the point. A blog about travel. A site for mothers. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Over the river and through the woods. A few more words to leave you with to give the blog more character. Simple and effective.
For the past 2 months, Miracle on 32nd Street has exhibited a very festive holiday theme, which was retired for the season this past Monday. I also updated my blog picture, opting to also store away the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree logo until next November. I’m beginning to take down the rest of the holiday remnants, which will be completed by the end of the week, but there is one item that leaves me scratching my head: the tagline.
The holiday tagline was, as it is still displayed above, “Helping to make the season brighter”…taken as direct inspiration from the timeless carol “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting).” It also correlated with my challenge to accomplish one random act of “Christmas” (RAC) per day. But now, almost three weeks removed from Christmas, the tagline has to change for the new year…and I confess…I’m stuck.
How do I label my blog now that the original inspiration for its creation has wrapped up? I puzzled over a new tagline all morning and all afternoon, and now? Nothing. Blank. Zilch. Nada.
I even solicited help today to concoct a winning tagline…Uncle Lewis was at the ready and all too willing to offer his thoughts:
Aunt Bethany: I need a new tagline for my blog.
Uncle Lewis: One woman’s take…from RAC to CARE…everything from A-Z…
Aunt Bethany: From my bedroom to yours?
Uncle Lewis: Straight from the pillows of my bed!
Aunt Bethany: Ugh, this is tough.
Uncle Lewis: Your light at the darkest time of the year.
Aunt Bethany: The pepperoni on your pizza…
Uncle Lewis: The meat in your Meat Lover’s!
Aunt Bethany: A snowball in hell…
Uncle Lewis: A bright spot in a dark place!
Aunt Bethany: A wet spot in a dry place!
Uncle Lewis: Go to the light!
Aunt Bethany: Trust the force! Don’t call me Junior! It’s not a tumor!
Uncle Lewis: Boys have penises… girls have vaginas!
So you see, we didn’t get anywhere. My later Twitter update still revealed I had made no progress:
It’s incredibly hard to find a label for an idea which was born out of another idea. I started this blog as a way to chronicle my RACs throughout the holiday season. Now, I’m blogging for blogging’s sake, keeping humor at the forefront of each and every post. There is no specific aim: this isn’t a photo-blog, although there may be pictures. This isn’t a baking site, although there may be recipes. This isn’t your daily dose of inspiration, although my words may humbly inspire. And, above all else, laughter is key. But, how on earth do I sum that up in one sentence?
So, I set the challenge to you, my dear friends. Anyone inspired in the ways of The Tagline? Someone, anyone…help me, Obi Wan Kenobi…you’re my only hope. Otherwise, my tagline will consist solely of inappropriate jokes and sandwich meats.
Miracle on 32nd Street 
Posted by thoughtsappear on January 11, 2011 at 8:19 am
I like the one from Kindergarten Cop.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 8:24 am
Ha ha, but WHICH one? There were 2 mentioned in the dialogue…
Posted by thoughtsappear on January 11, 2011 at 8:57 am
Oops…forgot about the tumor one you mentioned first. I like the penis-vagina one.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 8:59 am
I just cackled out loud. You may have just made my morning 🙂
Posted by Chase McFadden on January 11, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Actually, it’s bagina.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Okay, you need to insert a warning before you say things like that. I’m likely to snort milk through my nose…it bagina.
Posted by The Edmonton Tourist on January 11, 2011 at 8:51 am
Blogging for blogging’s sake since Monday
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 8:53 am
Ooh, E.T. That’s a good one. But what if by next Monday, I want to blog for Pete’s sake? Just sayin’…
Posted by Uncle Lewis on January 11, 2011 at 8:59 am
I still love “If you love me, you’ll post on the wet spot”
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 9:14 am
Posting from my wet spot to yours?!?
Posted by fnkybee on January 11, 2011 at 9:09 am
haha! It’s a tough one. I try to rethink mine from time to time because it is so generic but yet it says exactly what my blog is about..all things…but it’s just boring.
It will come to you, like a lightbulb turning on.
I like the boys have penises and girls have vaginas! Love it!
Posted by fnkybee on January 11, 2011 at 9:12 am
You know what, I am a complete dumbass. What I just talked about is my title…so just act like that part of my comment never existed. Wow..it’s too early for me to be commenting.
My tag line is “always..dance like no one is watching”. I have this for a couple of different reasons. One I love to dance and two it reminds me of my mom because her and I would dance like fools in the living room and it reminds me of her.
Ok i feel better. I am checking my brain and will not comment on any other blogs until I have more coffee pumping through my veins.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 9:16 am
It’s never too early for you to comment, Fnkybee. PLEASE comment more when there’s no caffeine in your system. In fact, do a whole POST with no caffeine…and draw pictures.
I love the idea behind your tagline. It gives me an idea to incorporate something personal, but private, into mine.
Go. Drink. Caffeinate. 🙂
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 9:14 am
You’re the second person to vote for that one!
Posted by Tori Nelson on January 11, 2011 at 11:46 am
That’s a toughy. I’m actually glad you posted this because it made me realize that I have a really stupid tagline that I’ve been “meaning to change” for months.
Maybe play up the “Aunt” thing! “Like your Aunt…but CRAZIER!”
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 11:59 am
I’m open to suggestions! So far, the few people have come up with have either been hysterical or inapppropriate (which is always a good combination)!
Posted by leglamp5 on November 7, 2013 at 10:06 pm
“Don’t throw me down Clarke…I”ll try not to Aunt Bethanny” OR ” Is your house on fire Clarke?” We love where Clarke asks her to say grace and she says “grace? She died 30 yrs ago!” And then my 4 & 5 yr olds w/ me & my husband say grandpa’s quote with the pointing to his gross teeth, “THE BLESSING!” Funny as hell. Mine aren’t dirty as others…but those were good!
Posted by ferabeth on January 11, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Ooohhh! I love the new layout! I had the same problem with my tagline, so I decided that, much like consciousness, taglines are a crutch.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Very wise! For a moment, I thought you said, taglines can be a “crotch”….COMPLETELY different sentiment!
Posted by thereadingdate on January 11, 2011 at 12:30 pm
This is a tough one – tag lines are hard to come up with, but it looks like you have some good ideas so far. Keep brainstorming and you will stumble upon one you love.
I was looking at your About page and think your tagline could still incorporate the holiday theme. Like Christmas Every Day or something about keeping the spirit alive all year.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Hey Lucy! Glad to see you over here! I enjoyed reading your stuff this morning. You’ve offered the first idea which keeps Christmas in the tagline somehow…I’ve entertained that thought, too. Just want to have a phrase that can be inclusive to my other interests as well.
Posted by marinasleeps on January 11, 2011 at 3:18 pm
This one!!!!
Trust the force! Don’t call me Junior! It’s not a tumor!
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Ha, I never considered the ones I joked about…you may be on to something here…:-)
Posted by educlaytion on January 11, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Ooh fun game. First of all, depending on your goals you could always go with a revolving/topical tagline if you’re not terribly concerned with branding. Very postmodern.
I don’t think anyone can come up with your tagline, but I’ll try. I reserve the right to come back later and try again.
Miracle On 32nd Street:
The Princess Is In Another Castle
The Princess’ Other Castle
“You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.”
I’m Not Left-Handed Either
Psycho Ballet Dancers Shouldn’t Do Drugs
Acey Ain’t In Charge No More
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 5:05 pm
I gotta admit…I love the one about not being left-handed. Oh, and “the princess is in another castle,” straight from Mario World. Of course, then I like the ballet dancer one because of the insanity which was “Black Swan,” and the Home Alone line also grabs my attention. Sigh…too many great ideas, Clay…got any more?
Posted by Larry Hehn on January 11, 2011 at 6:17 pm
– Not just for breakfast any more.
– Oh dear, did I break wind?
– Because every day is somebody’s birthday.
– The gift that keeps on giving.
– Same great taste, with half the calories.
– Because real life doesn’t have a laugh track.
The last one is my favorite. Hope you like ’em!
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Larry, some GREAT ideas! I love the “breaking wind” one, and the last one. I think I am going to post all of the suggestions I’ve received tomorrow, and debate it further! You are already giving me great ideas!
Posted by Chase McFadden on January 11, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Looking at the shitter as half full.
Print it.
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I can swear on WordPress, right? There won’t be another official email into my inbox reprimanding me for saying “shitter”? I already got one for inserting my website link into comments….I got my wrist slapped for that.
Posted by Chase McFadden on January 11, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Your sidebar says “Sweet Tweets of the Season,” as well. Another clever tag you need to come up with. Just saying…
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Ah, Chase…you need to come on board as my editor. I’ll even give you an official pin and free popcorn while you’re here.
Posted by educlaytion on January 11, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I love Larry’s “Oh dear, did I break wind?” even though casual passers by won’t get it. Aunt Bethany is the star here so…
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 10:46 pm
So did I! I have so many ideas to choose from….it’s going to be hard (“That’s what she said!”)…
Posted by territerri on January 11, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I am ALL for inappropriate jokes and sandwich meats! Which reminds me, when I set up my blog MONTHS ago, I vowed to change the title AND tagline to something more, well… ME. Still haven’t done either.
Anyway… back to YOUR tagline. Don’t forget that there’s a whole library of Jack Black lines that could be fun. And there’s always my favorite from Mean Girls. “Boo! You Whore!”
Posted by auntbethany on January 11, 2011 at 10:52 pm
I rather like your blog title! It’s unique, and it always grabs my attention when your email subscription lands in my box!
I’ll add “Boo, you whore!” to the list! I’m going to compile all of the suggestions and go from there!
Posted by Angelia Sims Hardy on January 11, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Mindful Mirth
Don’t forget the little people when you are bloggy famous because of it. 🙂 lol
Posted by auntbethany on January 12, 2011 at 12:24 am
Man…I keep getting really good ideas for this tagline. This is going to be a hard decision.
And when will I be “bloggy” famous, huh?? How about we write Oprah together and petition her to give us lots of money to publish our blogs…sound good?