Podcast Taglines, Hooks, & the Power of Words
Taglines, hooks, and slogans stick in our minds, whether good or bad. You definitely want your podcast to be memorable, but not because of a bad podcast tagline. After your title, this is what introduces new listeners to your podcast. Many people struggle to craft memorable podcast taglines, hooks and podcast slogans. Are they worth the trouble? Do they add value to your podcast? Yes – on both counts.
Podcast Taglines
A tagline is part of your personal brand. Your listeners, especially the loyal among them, will probably be able to recite your tagline by heart. Taglines come in all shapes and sizes. They can be long or short, simple or cryptic. There’s no prescribed formula, but creating your own one can be fun. The best way to get started is to look at some of the taglines from popular podcasts.
The Incredibly Simple Example
Steal The Show (Michael Port)
“Welcome to Steal the Show With Michael Port. This is Michael.”
This podcast tagline tells us the name of the show and who is speaking. It’s the simplest possible introductory podcast tagline. Simple is memorable.
The Two-Step
A common variation of the introductory podcast tagline involves the combination of two individual tagline elements to create a podcast slogan.
First, you tell the audience who you are, and/or the podcast title. Next, you tell them what this podcast will do for them. It creates a slightly lengthier introduction, but if it’s clearly broken down, it can work well.
Here are a few examples.
Smart Passive Income Podcast (Pat Flynn)
“This is the Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn, Session Number 189.
Welcome to the Smart Passive Income Podcast, where it’s all about working hard now, so you can sit back and reap the benefits later. “
Podcraft (The Podcast Host)
“Welcome to Podcraft: Honing the Art of Podcasting, the bite-sized show that covers one topic, in-depth, each series.
Podcraft brings the pieces together, so you don’t have to.”
The Bio Format
Some podcasts, especially by well-known personalities, take a more biographical approach to their podcast. If building a personal brand is important to you, this approach can help position you as the expert and star of the show.
The School of Greatness (Lewis Howes)
“Welcome to The School of Greatness. My name is Lewis Howes, former pro-athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur, and each week, we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you discover how to unlock your inner greatness. Thanks for spending some time with me today – now let the class begin.”
Beyond the Podcast Tagline: Hooks
You can apply the same tagline principle and use these brief statements in other areas of your podcast. Maybe your show has a couple of key sections that repeat in each episode. I make the distinction and call these elements “Hooks”.
For example, you might use a hook:
- To introduce the “interview of the week” or “question of the month”
- As an end-of-show Call to Action (review, email, subscribe, etc.)
- As a way to promote your sponsor
It’s worth noting that many sponsors will provide their own hook for you. But if they don’t, here’s an idea—why not create your own for them? This demonstrates your commitment and will strengthen your relationship with one of your key commercial partners.
Think of hooks as the chapter headings in a book. They help your listeners navigate the course of your podcast. Don’t overdo it, but a strong opening tagline, combined with one or two hooks, can help make your podcast memorable.
Podcast Tagline Tips and Hook Hints
While there’s no hard and fast formula, hopefully, these words of wisdom will help.
A podcast tagline should be:
- Short
- Simple
- Clear
- Direct
- Memorable
When I constructed the tagline for my business, I wanted to share three things –
- The problem you are experiencing
- The solution I’m offering
- Who it is that I serve
That problem, solution, audience combination makes for a magic combination that draws people in.
In Lewis Howes’ ‘School of Greatness’ introduction, it works like this:
- Problem: Not living up to your potential. “Unlock your inner greatness.”
- Solution: Education and Inspiration. “Each week, we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you…”
- Serve: Although not specific, it’s clear this is for entrepreneurs who want positive change through education. “School of Greatness.” “Class Begins.”
Podcast taglines, hooks, and slogans serve as audible signposts for your audience. They provide a point of entry for new listeners and help seasoned listeners focus on your content. This makes your podcast easier to share and helps you grow your audience.
Need some more inspiration for your podcast taglines, hooks, or slogans? Check out the Alitu showplanner. It’s a free tool (no login required) that will generate a personalised launch kit, including a name, trailer script, episode ideas, audience and more!
