Success Advice

4 Slogans That Are Insanely Motivating

Published

7 years ago

Nov 4, 2016

There’s magic about incredibly simple writing. It’s difficult to convince or express meaning in a few words, but that’s exactly what a slogan does. Brands that get it right are able to convey their key value proposition in powerful ways.

In business, a slogan is a simple phrase or statement that characterizes a product or service. The best slogans are brief but they can reveal so much more. It’s as though they work on a deeper level, as more than just a way to move merchandise.

A good slogan is catchy, or memorable. For example, ‘Think Fresh.’ Whether it motivates you to go to Subway remains to be seen, but the real goal is getting that key message into consumers’ minds. Even if they remember nothing else from the ad or commercial, they’ll remember the slogan. Successful slogans are far-reaching and widely recognized. Incredibly, they transcend languages, borders and socio-economic boundaries.

Here are 4 of the most motivating slogans which represent thriving companies worldwide.

1. Nike – “Just Do It”

Interestingly, Nike’s famous slogan was inspired by infamous last words. The advertising executive who coined the phrase, Dan Wieden, recalled a convicted killer’s final words before facing the firing squad, “let’s do this.” Slightly altered, Mr. Weiden brought his version of the slogan to Nike and in 1988, ‘Just Do It’ appeared in a TV ad.

To this day, Nike’s slogan is one of the core components of its brand. The message is no-nonsense; it resonates with empowerment. If you want to do it, just do it. More than that, the slogan is inclusive. While Reebok was targeting aerobics in the late 80’s, Nike took a different approach. Instead of marketing exclusively to hardcore runners, Nike expanded their product line to include everyday Americans.

Famous athletes have always promoted the Nike image through endorsements and advertisements but there was a shift as people started reading into Just Do It, as motivation for much more than sport. This is how Nike went beyond fit and became insanely fashionable.

“When Nike says, just do it, that’s a message of empowerment. Why aren’t the rest of us speaking to young people in a voice of inspiration? ” – Naomi Klein

2. The Drew League – “No Excuse. Just Produce.”

“Man, get it done. Period. Excuses are a dime a dozen. Come hell or high water, find out a way to get it done and be successful.” That’s how the Drew League motto resonates with Kobe Bryant.

Forty years ago, in South Central L.A., the Drew League was six teams playing streetball in a tough neighborhood. It has since evolved into a cultural phenomenon for high-caliber basketball exhibition.

The slogan was made famous by Dino Smiley, the Commissioner. ‘No Excuse. Just Produce.’ is about pride and dedication to details. It has meant a lot to local kids and global superstars involved with the Drew League over the years. The words emphasize fierce competition over name recognition. No matter where you’re from or who you are – all are equal playing the same game.

The slogan is all the more motivating for how richly embedded it is in its own story. It started as a motto by early ballers in the league and eventually became the league’s reigning message which hangs boldly among the gym’s rafters. Unlike Nike’s slogan, which was born under a marketing microscope, the Drew’s slogan sprang from tradition and passion.

3. Apple- “Think Different”

In 1997, Apple was in a slump and Steve Jobs’ top priority was renewing the company’s image. Not only did the ‘Think Different’ campaign restore Apple’s reputation, it became a paradigm in creative marketing.

There were some unconventional rules of the campaign which would lend or bend to its iconic image over time. Most notably was the absence of products. ‘Think Different’ was introduced on television commercials but you won’t see an Apple computer in any of them. In print, Apple bought space in computer magazines as well as fashion magazines, which may have seemed insane in the eyes of its competitors at the time, but it helped the brand become iconic.

Many argued that Apple’s motto wasn’t clever or creative at all – that is was a jesting response to IBM’s ‘Think’ campaign at the time. There was even a Simpson’s episode poking fun at the slogan, writing it “Think Differently”, which is, actually, grammatically correct.

It was an uphill battle but ultimately the slogan proves originality and ingenuity to be enduring. Steve Jobs didn’t believe in a limited life. ‘Think Different’ was an extension of that notion; the importance of making your mark. If it seems crazy or ingenious, it just might be extraordinary.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs

4. Audi- “Never Follow”

When it comes to cars, automakers strive for a loyal and consistent customer base. The right slogan should call to mind a legacy – not just the newest model but all the makes and models. A memorable and effective catch phrase gets drivers thinking about the past, present and future of automobiles.

The ‘Never Follow’ campaign wasn’t inventive like ‘Think Different’ or steeped with tradition like the Drew Leagues’ motto. In fact, ‘Never Follow’ proves that slogans aren’t meant to last forever; like the products themselves, they adapt over time.

In 1971, Audi coined the slogan, ‘Vorsprung durch Technil.’ It’s one of the longest running taglines in advertising history. In the U.S., however, it never translated quite right so Audi changed it slightly and introduced it as ‘Truth in Engineering’ for U.S. consumers. In order to market its cars at an international level, the slogan had to make sense everywhere, even if it was different.

‘Never Follow’ actually preceded their current ‘Truth in Engineering’ slogan. In 2002 it was launched as one of Audi’s smaller campaigns. This was one of many tactical moves aimed at introducing a particular model with its own catch phrase. The slogan has a dreamy, elusive appeal. Rather than emphasizing advanced technologies or performance, the slogan is meant to highlight innovation and a pathway to an open road

Slogans are a great way for brands to be remembered. What is your favorite company slogan? Leave your thoughts below!

Related Topics:Apple branding Innovation motivation Nike Slogans Steve Jobs Success think different value

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Keegan is a Freelance Writer and Business Consultant to many rising and established brands. He is also in the process of establishing his own brand, BroadbandSearch.net. In his time off, he enjoys traveling and hiking with his dog as well as playing flag football. You can contact him through Twitter @Ksizzle92.

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There is no greatness without becoming and there is no becoming with authenticity

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4 weeks ago

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In just a few weeks, we will be wrapping up 2023. Can you believe it? This year has been absolutely incredible for me.

I have seen amazing doors opened, new relationships formed and I am seeing dreams realized in my life. While this seems like the hallmarks of a great year, this has also been the most challenging year of my life. With all of the change happening in my life, I have been forced out of my comfort zone and challenged to grow in every area of my life.

I can truly say that I have made the most of my moments this year and I have used everything as a catalyst for maximizing my greatest potential.

As a revolutionary leader, I have the pleasure of consulting and advising leaders around the world to fulfill purpose, realize their greatest potential and make an impact.

I want to share some insights with you that will help you to break cycles of mediocrity and manifest your greatness.

Everything legal must come through the matrix

I am sure that some of you are wondering why I am using the term matrix. However, what you have to understand is that I am trying to make a highly complex spiritual principle practical to understand.

Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, every life has an origin and I believe that origin is divine and begins with eternity. You are birthed from eternity and into time to fulfill a unique purpose and assignment in your lifetime and generation.

The matrix is simply the portal or vehicle that brings something out of the invisible realm and into tangible form. The problem with much of the teaching today is that it excludes the matrix. We are told to believe that success is instantaneous and overnight.

Nobody talks about how a dream progresses through stages beginning with visualization and ultimately culminating in manifestation. Without a matrix or portal then everything that you attempt to birth and build will be illegal.

The matrix not only makes you legal but it gives you the authority and power to function as the greatest expression of who you were created to be.

Every matrix has an incubation process

While many people admire and respect me today, I remember a time when nobody knew who I was or the significance of my message. How did I get to where I am today? I got here through an incubation process.

In other words, everything that has been destined for your life is incubating and awaiting a set time of manifestation. The problem is that most people live their entire lives idle and never initiate the incubation process.

What do I meany by that? Most people are living reckless and very few people are living intentionally. I am amazed at the number of people I have conversations with that have no vision, goals or strategies for their lives. They show great promise and they have undeniable potential.

However, without development they will die with their dreams still in them.

Everything that has been destined for your life must be incubated and converted to become realities born to time.

“Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin to build.” – Robert Collier

You must give expression to that which is not yet born to time

When you think about a matrix or a prophetic incubation process, you have to understand that potential is often unrealized and untapped. In other words, your potential is in raw form and your potential cannot serve you as long as it is untapped.

The thing that makes me valuable is that I have the ability to convert potential into power. I have done it in my own life and I have empowered leaders around the world to do the same. How do you convert potential into power?

First, it is important to note that you have to perceive potential. If you cannot perceive your potential then you can never cultivate your potential. In addition, you must take the time to cultivate your potential. We often get excited about our capabilities; however, we never expand our capacity in order to realize our greatest potential.

In other words, the strength of your potential is only discovered through your willingness to stretch. The more we are challenged the more we are empowered to expand our capacity for greatness. Most of all, you must begin to express your potential. The expression of potential is different for every person.

For example, the expression of my potential is best demonstrated through the thoughts, ideas, products, services, books, etc.

For another person the expression of potential may look like a screenplay, artwork, sports, scientific discoveries, medical breakthroughs, etc.

Regardless of the form of expression, I know that you will live empty and unfulfilled until you make the decision to express your potential. The expression of your potential gives voice to your dreams, life to your vision, significance to your moments and activates your true power.

You must manifest your greatness

As a revolutionary thinker and leader, my work has impacted people around the world. I am grateful that my life is a source of empowerment to so many people. However, before anyone could ever benefit from my life, I had to make a non-negotiable decision to become who I was born to be.

I wish I could tell you that this journey is easy and that you will get there overnight. However, in a world that celebrates us for doing we are often criticized for being. As a result, I wasted a lot of time trying to be who other people wanted me to be instead of being who I was born to be.

There is no greatness without becoming and there is no becoming with authenticity. It is through our bravery to be vulnerable that we ultimately manifest our greatness. We do not bless the world by being a duplicate. We bless the world when we honor our difference. When you honor your difference you honor your potential.

Ultimately, your difference is how you manifest your greatness.

When you present anything but your authentic self to the world, you are playing small and you are robbing the world of your significance. Manifesting your greatness requires you to master your gifts.