How to Use Memes in Marketing: A Guide for Marketers

Whether you still find yourself pronouncing it as “me me”, or you’ve fully embraced the power of this online trend, there’s no doubt that memes are one of the most popular forms of content on the internet. And while they might seem like a frivolous way to spend your time, memes can actually be a powerful marketing tool—if used correctly.

Over the years, we’ve seen Evil Kermit, Drake, the Success Kid, and even Obama get meme-ified, and there’s no sign of this internet craze slowing down anytime soon. This is why lots of brands, including luxury ones like Gucci, have been using memes to reach new audiences and promote their products or services. And in this article, we’re going to show you how you can do that effectively and not just be another company trying to jump on a trend. Let’s begin!

Why Use Memes To Market Your Brand?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to market your brand through memes, let’s take a closer look at why this form of content is so effective. Here are some key reasons:

They’re Shareable

Memes are meant to be shared. Whether it’s because of the witty caption, the relatable message, or even a piercing political statement, there’s usually something about a meme that makes people want to share it with others.

And when people share your memes, it’s essentially free marketing for your business. When done right, your memes can quickly go viral, exposing your brand to a wide audience that you might not have otherwise reached.

They’re Memorable

Another reason why memes are such a great marketing tool is because they’re highly memorable. And admit it, many of us even have a few favorites saved on our computers or phones.

Because memes are often clever or funny, they tend to stick in our minds more than other types of content. So when people see your brand’s meme, they’re more likely to remember it—and your business—long after they’ve seen it. Thus, they not only help with expanding your reach but also with building brand awareness and recall.

They Dominate Social Media

While trendy TikToks and aesthetic photos of celebs and influencers might be all the rage right now, memes still dominate social media. In fact, a quick scroll through any platform—be it Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram will show you that memes are still being shared left, right, and center.

In fact, there are lots of meme pages that have close to 50 million followers and are making more money from ads than influencer accounts (YPulse). This is why some marketers are starting to focus more on creating viral memes and getting organic reach, rather than shelling out big bucks for influencer marketing.

They’re a Great Way to Connect With Your Audience

If you’re targeting younger audiences, then you know that they can be tough to connect with. They have short attention spans, are constantly bombarded with marketing messages, and are often jaded when it comes to advertising.

This is where memes come in. Because they’re often relatable and relevant, memes are a great way to connect with young audiences on a more personal level. In fact, statistics show that 55% of internet users between the ages 13 to 35 years old share or send memes on a weekly basis.

Such figures just go to show that if you’re targeting the young gens, memes should definitely be a part of your marketing strategy.

They Don’t Cost Much (Or Anything) to Create

One of the best things about memes is that they don’t cost much—or anything—to create. All you need is a good idea, some clever copywriting, and maybe a dash of Photoshop skills and you’re good to go.

This is in contrast to other marketing materials like video production or even influencer marketing, which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. So if you’re on a tight budget, memes are definitely the way to go.

When’s the Best Time To Use Them?

Timing is one of the most important aspects of marketing, and that goes for memes as well. After all, you don’t want your meme to get lost in the shuffle or be irrelevant to what’s going on in the world.

Thus, here are few instances when using memes can be particularly effective:

When a Meme Just Got Viral

As the saying goes, “strike while the iron is hot.” If there’s a meme that’s blowing up on social media, jump on the bandwagon and create your own version. Not only will you be able to ride on the wave of the meme’s popularity, but you might also be able to get some organic reach immediately as well.

Just make sure that you’re quick about it and that the content is actually relevant to your brand. The last thing you want is to be accused of riding on someone else’s success or being tone-deaf.

When You’re Launching a New Product or Service

If you’re launching a new product or service, using a meme can be a great way to generate buzz and get people talking. You can use them for your teasers, announcements, or even post-launch content.

For example, you can create a series of memes showing what life is like before and after using your product. Or you can make a meme about how your product is the solution to a pain point that people didn’t even know they had.

Not only will this help with generating excitement for your launch, but it can also be a great way to educate people about what your product does and how it can benefit them.

When You Want To Compare Your Product to a Competitor’s

There are dozens of funny meme templates that you can use to take a jab at your competitor. If done right, this can be a great way to get some attention and make people laugh.

Just make sure that you’re not crossing the line and that your competitor memes are actually funny. Try to keep it friendly and lighthearted, rather than mean-spirited.

When There’s a Trending Topic or News Event

You can also use memes to weigh in on current events or trending topics. This is a great way to show that you’re up-to-date with what’s going on in the world and that you’re not afraid to take a stand on issues that matter to your audience.

Just be careful not to be too controversial—you don’t want to risk alienating potential customers. Remember, the goal is to connect with people, not to start a fight.

Some Tips on Marketing Through Memes…Effectively

Ready to start memejacking and make some hilarious content of your own? Here are a few tips to get you started:

Study Your Audience

Just like any other marketing strategy, using memes is all about understanding your audience. The thing is, while most memes get viral amongst the majority, there will always be a segment of the population that just doesn’t get it. And that’s perfectly fine.

The key is to find memes that will resonate with your target audience. For example, if you’re marketing to anime enthusiasts or fans of a certain TV show, you can use memes that members of that group will definitely relate to. This way, you can be sure that your content will be well-received, plus you’ll get to contribute to the inside jokes in the community.

Keep Tabs on the Meme World

Of course, you can’t just jump on the meme bandwagon when something goes viral—you have to be proactive about it. The best way to do that is to keep tabs on the meme world and be up-to-date with the latest trends. You can do this by following relevant hashtags or simply scrolling for a few minutes each day on social media platforms like Twitter, Tumblr, and Reddit.

When you see a meme that’s starting to pick up steam, that’s your cue to start brainstorming on how you can use it for your brand.

Use Free Meme Generators

Memes are all about putting your own spin on a popular concept. And you don’t necessarily need to be a Photoshop wiz to do that. There are plenty of free meme generators online that you can use to create your own content—just like Imgflip and Make a Meme.org.

All you need is a creative mind and a few minutes of your time. With these tools, you can easily add text to images and create a meme that’s uniquely yours.

Don’t Force It

You don’t have to jump on every meme trend just because it’s popular. In fact, if you try to force a meme that doesn’t really fit your brand or message, it will show. And that’s the last thing you want.

It’s always better to focus on quality over quantity. As long as you’re creating content that’s genuinely funny and relatable, people will appreciate it—even if you only post once in a while.

Think Before You Post

Before publishing anything, always ask yourself: Is this offensive? Does it make sense for my brand? Could it be misinterpreted?

If you can’t answer yes to all three questions, then it’s probably best to ditch the idea. Remember, memes are meant to be lighthearted and fun. They’re not an excuse to be reckless or insensitive.

You can also ask your friends or colleagues for their thoughts before you post anything. This way, you can get a second opinion and avoid any potential PR disasters.

Use the Right Hashtags

To make your content more discoverable, be sure to use relevant hashtags when you post your memes. This way, people who are interested in that particular topic will be more likely to see your content.

Just be careful not to overdo it. Hashtag stuffing is a major turn-off, and it will make your content look spammy. A few well-placed hashtags should be enough.

Have Fun With It!

Memes, in the end, are all about having fun. So don’t take yourself too seriously when creating content for your brand. Be creative, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

Who knows? You might even end up making a few friends from your target audience along the way. 😉

Ready to Boost Your Shares & Sales With Some Witty Memes?

While they’re often random, lighthearted, and downright silly, memes can actually be a powerful marketing tool, especially for small businesses.

So if you’re looking for a way to stand out from the competition and connect with your target audience on a deeper level, start creating some memes today! Just remember to follow the tips above and keep your audience in mind at all times. You’ll be sure to create content that won’t only make them laugh but also get them talking about your brand!

Want more tips on marketing and branding your online POD store? Check out our blog for more helpful articles!