Slogan competitions, often known as tiebreakers, are a fun and potentially rewarding way to exercise a writer’s creativity. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned writer, participating in these competitions can hone your skills and even yield fantastic prizes. With the rise of digital platforms, there are more opportunities than ever to showcase your slogan-writing prowess. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about slogan competitions, from understanding the basics to creating winning entries.
Introduction
Slogan competitions, or tiebreakers, provide a unique platform for writers to showcase their creativity and wit. These contests often ask participants to complete a sentence or create a short, catchy phrase related to a product, prize, or brand. Winning entries can earn significant rewards, such as vacations, cash prizes, or valuable merchandise. This guide will provide you with tips and strategies to excel in these competitions, backed by examples of winning slogans and advice on where to find these contests.
What Are Slogan Competitions?
Slogan competitions involve creating a short, catchy phrase or completing a sentence related to a specific theme, product, or prize. Unlike traditional writing competitions, these contests focus on brevity and impact. Participants are often given a word limit, typically 12 or 20 words, to craft their entries.
Types of Slogan Competitions
- Product-Related: Participants create slogans that highlight the benefits or features of a product.
- Prize-Related: Slogans are crafted to express why the participant deserves the prize.
- Brand-Related: Entries emphasize the values or qualities associated with a brand.
Benefits of Participating
- Creativity: Exercise and enhance your creative skills.
- Recognition: Gain recognition and accolades for your writing.
- Prizes: Win attractive rewards, from cash prizes to vacations.
- Fun: Enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of crafting the perfect slogan.
Winning Slogan Examples
Co-Op/Ariel Alpine
Prize: A holiday in Austria
Task: Complete the sentence: “I would like to win a holiday in Austria because…” (12 words or less).
Winning slogans:
- “Land of beauty wine and song, in a place where dreams belong.”
- “Forests lakes and mountains majestic, that wonderful blend of Alpine freshness.”
- “I picture a wonderful scene, with Alpine air so fresh and clean.”
- “Viennese gateaux, strudel, schnapps, and Ariel on standby to handle mishaps.”
- “Those snowy peaks are a beautiful sight, Alpine fresh and Ariel white.”
Charter Quality Ham
Prize: A Mediterranean cruise
Task: Complete the sentence: “Charter Quality Ham is a firm family favourite because…” (12 words or less).
Winning slogans:
- “We’ve cruised the aisles, selected the best, quality assured by Charter’s crest.”
- “Quality prime is something rare, just the ticket for first class fare.”
- “Dishes fit for the Captain’s Table, are created with the Charter label.”
- “The label means plain sailing at the table.”
- “Charter Quality on the label sets the course to the Captain’s Table.”
Take off/Flora
Prize: £2,000 in Thomas Cook vouchers
Task: Complete the sentence: “I deserve to take off with Flora because…” (20 words or less).
Winning slogans:
- “Whilst striving for a healthy heart, Flora gives me a ‘flying’ start!”
- “As a lifelong user of delicious Flora spread, the prize is health, the bonus is ‘The Med’!”
- “Over Channel, Atlantic or Med, Flora’s the healthiest, tastiest spread.”
- “I would declare over the Pacific, Atlantic and Med that Flora is always the tastiest spread.”
Sainsbury’s/Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Prize: A school minibus
Task: Complete the sentence: “My school deserves to win a minibus with Heinz Tomato Ketchup cos…” (12 words or less).
Winning slogan:
- “Footballers willing, transport lacking, could ‘ketch up’ opposition with Heinz backing.”
PG Tips pyramid bags/Safeway
Prize: Egyptian Tour/Cruise
Task: Complete the sentence: “PG Tips always makes a great tasting cup of tea because…” (12 words or less).
Winning slogans:
- “This novel Pyramid brewing technique guarantees a flavoursome cuppa unique.”
- “Success reigns when it pours.”
- “Loose, triangle, circle or square; the best tea tasted anywhere.”
- “Bond goes on mission impossible to get the best leaves.”
- “The Sphinx told Brooke Bond the secret.”
- “In days of old, pyramids held gold, guess what? They still do!”
- “Choice tips in great shape, ensure a brew no-one can ape.”
- “Given this flavour and pyramid style, even the inscrutable Sphinx will smile.”
- “The quality stands out like the pyramids.”
- “Pyramids maximize tea-leaf movement, but PG needs no improvement.”
- “Tender leaves have room to brew, pyramids are great, letting flavour through.”
- “No competition can ape the flavour.”
- “Relax ‘take it easy’, the pyramid is tops.”
- “It lifts the taste buds to the top of the pyramid.”
- “It’s the taste that launched a thousand sips!”
- “It’s often stirred, but never beaten.”
- “They know how to fill everyone with ‘infusiasm’.”
- “Cleopatra knew it’s the ‘Safeway’ to a great cup of tea.”
- “With a PG infusion you are sure of a phar-aoh cuppa.”
- “A sip of tea does for me what doctors could never do.”
- “It makes life richer for the pourer.”
Writing Tips for Slogan and Tiebreaker Competitions
Follow the Rules
Adhering to the rules is crucial in slogan competitions. Pay particular attention to the word count and any specific guidelines provided. If you exceed the word limit or ignore other rules, your entry may be disqualified.
Hit the Three Ps
To create a compelling slogan, ensure it addresses the Three Ps:
- Product: Mention the product and its key features.
- Prize: Include a reference to the prize being offered.
- Promoter: Highlight the company or brand sponsoring the competition.
Remember to Rhyme
Many winning slogans rhyme, typically in the form of a couplet. Rhyming makes slogans more memorable and enjoyable to read.
Example:
- “Those snowy peaks are a beautiful sight,
Alpine fresh and Ariel white.”
Use Puns
Puns can make your slogan stand out by adding humor and clever wordplay. However, avoid forced or awkward puns that detract from the message.
Example:
- “The taste that launched a thousand sips.” (Based on “The face that launched a thousand ships”)
Establish Connections
Create connections between the product, prize, and promoter to craft a cohesive and appealing slogan. Use common themes and imagery to tie these elements together.
Example: In the Ariel Alpine competition, winning slogans connected Austria, the Alps, and snow with freshness and cleanliness.
Brainstorming a Slogan
Brainstorming is a critical step in crafting a winning slogan. Start by listing relevant words and phrases associated with the product, prize, and promoter. This raw material will serve as the foundation for your slogans.
Example Brainstorming Session
For the PG Tips/Safeway competition, brainstorm words related to tea, pyramids, Egypt, and quality. Here’s a sample list:
- Ape
- Infusiasm
- Sphinx
- Best
- Infusion
- Sphinx’s smile
- Brew
- Leaf movement
- Square
- Brooke Bond
- Leaves
- Stir
- (James) Bond
- Loose tea
- Stirred
- Choice
- Success
- Circle
- Novel
- Taste
- Cleopatra
- PG Tips
- Taste buds
- Tasted
- Cup
- Pour
- Tea drinking
- Cuppa
- Pyramid
- Tea-bags
- Flavour
- Quality
- Tender
- Flavoursome
- Rich
- Tea-Leaf
- Gold
- Safeway
- Tops
- Great
- Shape
- Sip
- Triangle
From this list, you can create potential slogans. For example:
- “No flavour worries when you drop, a pyramid bag in your teapot.”
Where to Find Slogan Competitions
There are many websites dedicated to listing current competitions. In the UK, popular sites include:
- UK Competitions: Comprehensive listings of various competitions.
- Loquax: A well-known site for finding competitions in the UK.
- The Prize Finder: Offers a wide range of competitions, including slogan contests.
Although many of these competitions are UK-based, a significant number are open to contestants worldwide.
FAQs: Mastering Slogan Competitions
1. What are slogan competitions?
Slogan competitions, also known as tiebreakers, are contests where participants create a short, catchy phrase or complete a sentence related to a specific theme, product, or prize. These competitions often have word limits and focus on brevity and impact.
2. How do I find slogan competitions to enter?
You can find slogan competitions on dedicated competition websites. In the UK, popular sites include UK Competitions, Loquax, and The Prize Finder. Many of these competitions are open to contestants worldwide.
3. What should I include in my slogan?
A compelling slogan should address the Three Ps: Product, Prize, and Promoter. This means mentioning the product and its key features, referencing the prize, and highlighting the company or brand sponsoring the competition.
4. How important is it to follow the competition rules?
It is crucial to follow the competition rules. Pay close attention to the word count and any specific guidelines provided. Ignoring the rules can lead to disqualification.
5. What are some tips for writing a winning slogan?
- Hit the Three Ps: Ensure your slogan addresses the product, prize, and promoter.
- Use Rhyme: Rhyming makes slogans more memorable.
- Incorporate Puns: Clever wordplay can make your slogan stand out.
- Establish Connections: Create links between the product, prize, and promoter.
6. How can I brainstorm effective slogans?
Start by listing relevant words and phrases associated with the product, prize, and promoter. Use this list as raw material to craft your slogans. Spend at least twenty minutes brainstorming to gather a comprehensive list of key words and phrases.
7. Can you provide an example of a winning slogan?
Sure! Here’s an example from the Co-Op/Ariel Alpine competition:
Task: Complete the sentence: “I would like to win a holiday in Austria because…” (12 words or less).
Winning Slogan: “Those snowy peaks are a beautiful sight, Alpine fresh and Ariel white.”
8. Why do many winning slogans rhyme?
Rhyming makes slogans more memorable and enjoyable to read. It creates a rhythmic and catchy phrase that sticks in the reader’s mind.
9. What role do puns play in slogan writing?
Puns add humor and cleverness to a slogan. They can make your entry more engaging and stand out to judges. However, avoid forced or awkward puns that detract from the message.
10. How can I ensure my slogan stands out?
- Be Original: Avoid clichés and common phrases.
- Be Concise: Stick to the word limit and make every word count.
- Be Relevant: Ensure your slogan is directly related to the product, prize, and promoter.
11. Are there specific formats or styles that work best for slogans?
Couplets (two-line rhymes) are commonly used due to their brevity and impact. However, the style may vary depending on the competition guidelines and the creativity of the writer.
12. What are some common mistakes to avoid in slogan competitions?
- Exceeding the Word Limit: Stick to the specified word count.
- Ignoring the Rules: Always follow the competition guidelines.
- Forced Wordplay: Avoid awkward or strained puns and rhymes.
- Lack of Relevance: Ensure your slogan is relevant to the product, prize, and promoter.
13. How can I improve my chances of winning a slogan competition?
- Research Previous Winners: Study past winning slogans to understand what works.
- Practice Regularly: Keep participating in competitions to refine your skills.
- Seek Feedback: Get input from friends, family, or writing groups to improve your slogans.
14. Can slogan competitions help improve my writing skills?
Yes, participating in slogan competitions can enhance your creativity, conciseness, and ability to create impactful phrases. It’s a fun and practical way to sharpen your writing skills.
15. What are some benefits of winning slogan competitions?
Winning slogan competitions can bring various benefits such as cash prizes, vacations, valuable merchandise, and recognition. It also boosts your confidence and adds to your writing portfolio.
Conclusion
Participating in slogan competitions is a fantastic way to sharpen your writing skills, have fun, and potentially win great prizes. By following the rules, hitting the Three Ps, using rhyme and puns, and brainstorming effectively, you can craft compelling slogans that stand out. Remember to stay creative, enjoy the process, and keep practicing. With dedication and effort, your next slogan could be a winner.
This comprehensive guide is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips for writers interested in slogan competitions. By incorporating keywords related to writing, slogan competitions, and creative writing tips, it is optimized for search engines, ensuring that it reaches a wider audience of writers seeking advice and support.