Memes represent a unique category of digital content designed for the modern consumer. Concise, easily shareable and highly adaptable to social media platforms, they leverage humor—a universally appealing element—to capture attention and foster engagement. Their widespread use in contemporary marketing strategies is a natural outcome of their effectiveness.
Consumers demonstrate a strong preference for content that is visually driven and easy to process. This affinity for simplicity contributes to the high engagement and viral potential of memes. When thoughtfully integrated into a marketing strategy, memes can enhance brand perception and expand audience reach.
Meme Best Practices
Memes get the most traction on social media platforms, but you don’t have to stop there. Use them when appropriate in your blogs, newsletters and even in your advertising spaces.
There are countless ways to approach meme creation, allowing you to develop content that resonates perfectly with your target audience. However, successful memes go beyond humor—they must also be relatable, timely, easy to understand and aligned with your brand’s values.
The outcome of a well-crafted meme may be increased sales, but that’s not the primary goal. The real objective is engagement. A viral meme draws attention to your brand and expands visibility rather than driving immediate conversions. Overly promotional memes, on the other hand, often fail to connect and lead to reduced engagement.
The Value of Memes
Savvy marketers know that memes offer more than viral reach. They bridge language and cultural divides, making them powerful assets in global campaigns. Yet their strength lies in flexibility; memes can be just as effective in driving local engagement, giving even small brands a powerful way to connect with their audiences.
There is also the benefit of brand recall. Consumers remember the brands that have utilized memes, as the humor paired with familiar imagery or cultural moments creates an emotional connection that is slow to fade. Some believe that their audiences subconsciously link the brand to the meme, creating a memorable impression.
Where to Begin?
Delving into a marketing campaign that involves memes can be a problem for many business owners who lack the time or creative bandwidth to build something of substance.
Working with a professional can bring focus, consistency and awareness to the effort. At SJC Marketing, we’re experienced marketers who understand what it means to strike the right balance. Contact us and let’s discuss the process for creating memes that will engage with your audience.