Using memes as a part of marketing strategy has become relatively common recently. Several world-famous companies made memes one of the most powerful marketing tools on social media. With social media continually on the rise, memes marketing has changed the faces of some brands. Being a small local business or a vast enterprise, you can try to apply memes marketing to the benefit of your business. Although not every brand using them was successful, you’d better seriously consider this option for your brand.
To be well aware of all the possible pitfalls, we focused this article on the power of memes marketing, why it is so beneficial. Furthermore, you will learn about the most effective and successful usage of memes by famous brands and even how email signature software can benefit branded memes.
What is a meme?
Although memes have been around for quite a long time, it is a taught task to provide a comprehensible definition of this phenomenon. Let`s try, at least. Thus, memes appear to be a common belief, idea, concept, or joke that goes viral due to its humorous meaning and appealing visual form.
In other words, a meme is a lighted-hearted image paired with some witty or hilarious text remark. Most memes usually take an image format, but video or text pieces are appropriate formats as well. Although there is an endless variety of memes, according to EssayOnTime marketing expert, Jim Hudson they may be divided into the following categories:
1. Trending memes
These memes appear from nowhere and skyrocket in popularity soon. However, their lifespan is brief.
2. Pun Memes
Memes are based on a combination of text pieces containing a play of words and a well-known image.
3. The evergreens
Memes that have already become classics and suit all possible situations in the best possible way.
4. Serial memes
This type of memes usually makes sense while incorporating a whole series of different images to transmit the message.
5. One-hit wonders
Creative and funny memes destined to seem funny only for the first time. The more times you see them, the less funny they seem to be. Being around from the early-mid 1990s, memes have exploded in recent years. Memes are going to keep trending ever after.
Low-cost easy-to-create type of visual content
When it comes to marketing memes, they appear to be low-cost, easy to create visual content with high chances to go viral and boost your brand popularity and exposure. Here are some other visual content types that can serve an excellent company to memes in your marketing strategy and won’t require excessive funding.
- Branded Images
Branded high-quality stock photographs or illustrations featuring your logo provide additional context, increase brand awareness and provide users with experiences seasoned with colorful imagery.
- Video
The users much appreciate video content. According to Cisco, the video will account for 82% of all internet traffic by 2022.
- Infographics
Infographics conveniently package data visualization into a digestible format that is easy to share.
- Screenshots
Screenshots help to minimize awkward situations when some complex processes or notions require real-life illustrations.
Besides low-cost in their production, these types of visuals are multifunctional. In addition to being published on your website or shared via social media, email marketing can also be used. Draw signature, draft an email copy and reuse your appealing visuals as many times as you need.
Using memes adds humanity by entertaining your audience
Apart from being easy to create, memes are also easy to consume. Therefore their popularity grows every day. However, before incorporating memes into your marketing strategy, make sure they click with your target audience.
Usually, memes are well perceived by the user as they add a human touch to your ads. That is what users like. Furthermore, the meme’s success heavily depends on the tone you use. Voice and tone matter as they provide consistency to your brand personality. Makes sure your memes come as a natural fit for your brand voice.
Memes show high engagement results
No matter what social media you use as an ordinary user, you cannot avoid the millions of memes posted daily. The same statement applies to the representatives of your target audience.
According to a report of YPulse’s social media behaviors survey, 55% of 13-35-year-olds send memes on a weekly — and 30% send them daily. At the same time, 74% send memes with intending people smile or laugh — and 53% send them as a reaction to something. Thus, a meme appears to be an easy and light-hearted way to increase engagement.
Examples from famous brands
Here are some of the most brilliant and successful examples of recent years to give you an idea of how brands use memes marketing for their benefit:
1. Gucci
Memes can be luxurious, sophisticated, and fashionable. Thus, this brand has commissioned Alessandro Michele, a famous Italian designer, to curate memes created by different artists. Their total reach was over 120 million, and they have received nearly 2 million likes.
2. Netflix
Netflix created a sub-account on all their social media platforms, specifically for meme-marketing purposes. They make memes based on their shows. Thus the success of these memes is enormous.
3. Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is famous for catering to its young audience. Similarly to Netflix, they created memes based on their cartoons. Thus they promote their TV schedule and increase brand awareness at the same time.
4. HubSpot
HubSpot has used the famous ‘What People Think I Do/What I Really Do’ meme. They have managed to generate significant engagement by posting series memes about top professions.
5. Bugles
This crispy corn chips brand is famous for its bugles-featuring memes. Due to these memes, Bugles fans go crazy about them, and people who haven’t tried them before start loading Buggles into their shopping cart without even noticing it.
Conclusion
Memes can be incredibly efficient when used appropriately as a part of a marketing strategy. Given the right opportunity, they can increase engagement and attract new prospects to your brand.
The brands mentioned are just a few examples illustrating memes efficiency. They have developed their recipes for a good meme. Undoubtedly, This recipe varies depending on what type of product or service you are selling, but most meme formats can be adjusted to almost any product.
Once you’ve researched a perfect meme format for your brand, it is time to start an active memes marketing campaign and enjoy the results.
