ph-tagline-writer skill

---
name: ph-tagline-writer
description: Create compelling Product Hunt taglines that convert. Use this skill to write, test, and refine taglines under 60 characters that clearly communicate your product's value proposition and stand out on the homepage.
---

# Product Hunt Tagline Writer

This skill helps you craft perfect taglines for Product Hunt - the single most important piece of copy that determines whether users click on your product.

## When to Use This Skill

- Writing your Product Hunt tagline
- Testing multiple tagline variations
- Refining existing taglines for clarity
- Adapting taglines for different audiences
- Checking tagline against best practices

## The Golden Rules

### Rule 1: Under 60 Characters
- Product Hunt truncates longer taglines
- Optimal length: 40-55 characters
- Every character must earn its place

### Rule 2: Instant Clarity
- Reader should understand what product does in 3 seconds
- No jargon, no buzzwords, no fluff
- Assume zero context

### Rule 3: Value First
- Lead with the benefit, not the feature
- Answer "Why should I care?"
- Focus on the outcome

## Proven Tagline Formulas

### Formula 1: "X for Y"
Compare to known product for instant understanding.

**Structure:** `[Known Product] for [Target Audience/Use Case]`

**Examples:**
- "Notion for personal finance"
- "Figma for video editing"
- "Stripe for marketplace payments"

**When to Use:** When your product is similar to something well-known

---

### Formula 2: Action + Outcome
State what user does and what they get.

**Structure:** `[Action] [Object] [Positive Outcome]`

**Examples:**
- "Turn feedback into product improvements"
- "Write emails that get replies"
- "Build apps without code"

**When to Use:** When the action-result relationship is clear

---

### Formula 3: Problem Killer
Directly address the pain point.

**Structure:** `[Eliminate/Stop/End] [Pain Point] [How]`

**Examples:**
- "Never lose a customer email again"
- "Stop wasting time on manual reports"
- "End meeting chaos forever"

**When to Use:** When your audience has a clear, urgent pain

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### Formula 4: Speed/Ease Promise
Emphasize how fast or easy something becomes.

**Structure:** `[Action] in [Timeframe/Ease]`

**Examples:**
- "Create landing pages in 60 seconds"
- "Deploy APIs without configuration"
- "Design logos with one click"

**When to Use:** When speed or simplicity is your key differentiator

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### Formula 5: Transformation
Show the before/after state.

**Structure:** `Turn [Current State] into [Desired State]`

**Examples:**
- "Turn ideas into shipped products"
- "Turn strangers into loyal customers"
- "Turn chaos into organized workflows"

**When to Use:** When the transformation is dramatic and desirable

---

### Formula 6: The "But Better"
Position against existing behavior.

**Structure:** `[What they already do], but [improvement]`

**Examples:**
- "Spreadsheets, but for product teams"
- "Email, but without the noise"
- "Notes, but with AI superpowers"

**When to Use:** When improving on something people already use

---

### Formula 7: Specific Number
Add credibility with specifics.

**Structure:** `[Number]x [Improvement] for [Activity]`

**Examples:**
- "10x faster database queries"
- "3x more replies from cold emails"
- "50% less time on code reviews"

**When to Use:** When you have impressive metrics to share

## Tagline Testing Checklist

### Clarity Test
- [ ] Can someone outside your industry understand it?
- [ ] Does it pass the "explain to mom" test?
- [ ] Would a 10-year-old get the gist?

### Specificity Test
- [ ] Could this tagline only describe YOUR product?
- [ ] Is it different from competitors' messaging?
- [ ] Does it avoid generic terms?

### Value Test
- [ ] Is the benefit immediately clear?
- [ ] Does it answer "What's in it for me?"
- [ ] Would you click based on this tagline alone?

### Character Count Test
- [ ] Under 60 characters? (Required)
- [ ] Under 50 characters? (Better)
- [ ] Every word necessary? (Best)

## What to AVOID

### Red Flags
- ❌ "World's first..." (Unprovable, distracting)
- ❌ "Revolutionary..." (Empty buzzword)
- ❌ "AI-powered..." (Overused, meaningless alone)
- ❌ "All-in-one..." (Vague, unfocused)
- ❌ "Best..." (Subjective, unbelievable)
- ❌ "Next-gen..." (Meaningless)

### Common Mistakes
- ❌ Being clever over being clear
- ❌ Using internal jargon
- ❌ Focusing on features over benefits
- ❌ Trying to say too much
- ❌ Being vague to sound inclusive

## Tagline Workshop Process

### Step 1: Brain Dump (5 min)
Write 10+ tagline variations without judgment

### Step 2: Categorize (3 min)
Group by formula type (X for Y, Problem Killer, etc.)

### Step 3: Test Clarity (5 min)
Share top 5 with someone unfamiliar with your product

### Step 4: Character Count (2 min)
Trim all options to under 60 characters

### Step 5: Final Selection (5 min)
Pick top 3, sleep on it, choose winner

## Examples from Top Launches

| Product | Tagline | Characters | Formula |
|---------|---------|------------|---------|
| Notion | "All-in-one workspace" | 21 | Category |
| Linear | "The issue tracker you'll enjoy using" | 38 | Experience |
| Raycast | "Supercharged productivity" | 26 | Benefit |
| Loom | "Video messaging for work" | 26 | X for Y |
| Figma | "Design, prototype, collaborate" | 30 | Actions |

## Output Format

When generating taglines, provide:

```
TAGLINE OPTIONS FOR: [Product Name]

TOP RECOMMENDATION:
"[Tagline]" (X characters)
- Formula: [Formula type]
- Why it works: [Brief explanation]

ALTERNATIVES:
1. "[Tagline]" (X chars) - [Formula]
2. "[Tagline]" (X chars) - [Formula]
3. "[Tagline]" (X chars) - [Formula]

TESTING SUGGESTION:
Share these 3 with [target audience] and ask:
"Based only on this tagline, what do you think this product does?"
```