It’s no secret that the world of marketing is a competitive one. So if you want your brand to succeed, you need to find creative and effective ways to reach your target audience. The meme is one of the most popular and effective marketing tools in recent years.
Why Memes Work for Marketing
Before using memes for your marketing efforts, you need to understand why they’re so effective. It can be hard to break through the noise in a world where people are bombarded with marketing messages. Memes are one way to do this.
When you see a funny meme, your first instinct is to share it with your friends. This is because we’re wired to want to connect with others and share experiences. So when you see a meme relevant to your interests, you’re more likely to pay attention to it and remember it.
In addition, there are several reasons why memes are particularly well-suited for marketing.
They’re Shareable
People love sharing funny or clever content with their friends. So if you can create a meme that resonates with people, they’ll be more likely to share it online since it’s something their friends will enjoy. This is good news for your brand because it means more people will see your message.
They’re Timely
Memes are often timely, which means they can be used to capitalize on current events. So, for example, if there’s a popular movie or TV show that’s trending, you can create a relevant meme.
Phi Dang, Founder at Sidepost, “If you can tap into what’s current and create timely content, you’ll be more likely to reach your target audience.”
For example, Netflix has used this very effectively. Take this Thanksgiving meme for example:
They’re Cost-Effective
Creating a meme doesn’t have to be expensive. You can create one with just a few minutes and a few dollars. This makes memes an excellent marketing tool for small businesses or businesses on a tight budget.
They’re Easy to Produce
Not only are memes cost-effective, but they’re also easy to produce. You can create a meme in just a few minutes if you have a good idea. This makes them a great marketing tool for businesses of all sizes.
They Can Go Viral
Most importantly, memes have the potential to go viral. If you create a clever or funny meme, it could be shared thousands or even millions of times online.
This is the holy grail of marketing, and it’s why memes are so popular among marketers. If you can create a meme that goes viral, you’ll be able to reach a large number of people with your message.
Tips for Using Memes in Your Marketing
Before you start creating memes, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are 11 tips to help you market your brand with memes.
Keep Up with Internet Culture
The first step to creating successful memes is to keep up with internet culture. This means understanding the latest trends and what’s popular with your target audience. If you’re unsure where to start, plenty of resources are available online, such as Know Your Meme and Reddit.
Create Original Content
To make your memes stand out, you must create original content. This means coming up with your ideas instead of simply copying and pasting what’s already out there. If you can be creative and develop something new, you’ll be more likely to grab attention and get people to share your memes.
Make it Relevant
When creating a meme, make sure it’s relevant to your brand. This means using images, videos, and text related to what you do. For example, you could create a meme about fashion trends if you’re a clothing company. By keeping your content relevant, you’ll be able to better connect with your target audience.
Brian Nagele, CEO at Restaurant Clicks, reminds brands, “It’s important to make sure the content is on-brand and will resonate with your audience.”
Use Appropriate Language
It’s essential to use language that’s appropriate for your brand. For example, avoid using profanity or offensive language if you want to be taken seriously.
Similarly, don’t use slang terms that could date your content quickly. Instead, opt for language that’s clear and easy to understand. This will help ensure your memes have a longer shelf life and don’t turn people off from your brand.
Consider Your Brand’s Image
When creating memes, you need to consider how they will impact your brand’s image. You want to ensure the memes you create align with the overall message you’re trying to communicate.
For example, if your brand is known for being professional, you’ll want to avoid too silly or irreverent memes. On the other hand, if your brand appeals to younger audiences, you can afford to be a little edgier. Just make sure the image you present is one that you’re comfortable with and will resonate with your target audience.
Be Careful With Trends
It’s essential to be careful when using trends in your memes. You don’t want to seem like you’re trying too hard to be relevant or hip. Additionally, some trends can be controversial, so you must be aware of the potential risks before using them in your marketing. Finally, if you decide to use a trend, ensure it’s done in a way that’s tasteful and appropriate for your brand.
Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
One of the best things about memes is that they don’t have to be serious. Some of the most successful memes are funny or irreverent.
For example, Yappy.com, a personalized shop for dogs, does a great job of this, as can be seen from this meme of theirs:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqfmjyDHdF/
If you can make people laugh, they’ll be more likely to remember your brand. Just make sure you don’t take yourself too seriously. If you can’t laugh at your own memes, your audience won’t. You’ll come off as try-hard, and your memes will fall flat.
Wrap Up
Creating memes can be a great way to connect with your target audience and promote your brand. Just make sure you keep these tips in mind to ensure your success. And, most importantly, have fun!
Memes should be enjoyable, so don’t take yourself too seriously. If you can do that, you’ll be sure to create memes that will resonate with your audience and help grow your brand in a new and exciting way.
