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Memes are cultural shorthand that evolves with the users like other forms of communication. Nobody can claim to understand or know all memes that exist as they are numerous and personal to people that create and share them. However, there are common elements that can help understand them.
What Makes Memes?
Although memes seem challenging to understand, the chances are that you come across at least one that makes sense. Whether you partake in the ‘keep calm’ mug on the desk at work, ice bucket challenge, or have used words like ‘winning’ or ‘fail’ ironically or not, you have then participated in memes. You know about it by word of mouth, understand it, change its context and appropriate it to your usages.
While you can’t find a nail-done meme outright definition, the term is commonly associated with a video or image that portrays an idea or concept usually spread through forums, social media, news sites, or instant messaging apps. The videos and images that convey such messages are typically altered and built upon, resulting in the revolution of original ideas into something entirely new.
The context significantly impacts a meme’s meaning and relevance to a recipient. They impart more information than simple text. Like emojis conveying an emotion or complex mood ideas, a meme imparts a state of mind, complex idea, or shred understanding quicker than when you type and read written explanations of concepts.
What Are the Most Popular Memes of 2021?
Shocked Oprah
The master interviewer’s reactions to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s struggles in the royal family apply to us commoners.
when you leave things for tomorrow and tomorrow arrives pic.twitter.com/hSmglFZOz4
— Shafeeq (@Y2SHAF) March 9, 2021
The House of Gucci Retro Luxury
The first glimpse at Lady Gaga and Adam Driver in their 80’s-snow-bunny reminds children of the ’80s of their parents’ apes ski picture.
your stepmother and i are just checking in from the vacation. make sure you take your sister to soccer practice. pic.twitter.com/lwIV0LXEpF
— Mark Berman (@markberman) March 9, 2021
Kim Kardashian at Met Gala
One of the most visible women in the negative space had the most memed look during the always meme-able event.
me and my anxiety when i go out #MetGala #MetGala2021 pic.twitter.com/nqP8JQ2Fc3
— merry kristen? (@kristen_siebs) September 14, 2021
Harry Styles’ Dazed Shoot
Styles’ latest spread has sparked endless imagination to fans.
How the Grinch got everything in the divorce pic.twitter.com/NBOio3pBCA
— Danielle Perez she/her (@DivaDelux) November 16, 2021
Check On Gyllenhaal
The release of Swift Taylor’s version of Red led to faux concern for the Gyllenhaal, which inspired sweet-revenge songs such as ‘All Too Well’.
jake gyllenhaal after knowing that taylor swift just directed a short film of all too well ten minutes version: pic.twitter.com/LQwQCkCATv
— ces? (@swifolkfolk) November 5, 2021
For The Better
This meme is based on conversations between Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars. It has turned into a joke where when the first person says something, the second person responds with a hopeful answer. In meaningful silence, the first person gazes while the second follows up nervously.
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) June 12, 2021
Suez Canal
When Evergreen blocks the Suez, and the world had a thousand (memes) to share.
The Suez canal blockage captured the world’s attention, but sea lanes are not as important as many claim https://t.co/MvkOe7YRrf
The Ever Given container vessel is finally freed
?
This is how they did it ?@pettet50 @alisonleary1 @HereBeProof @JohnWest_JAWS @2Tone4Real pic.twitter.com/NTe4DZyLee— nigelj (@nigelj08223325) March 30, 2021
When Facebook and Instagram were down
View this post on Instagram
or during the Friends Renunion
View this post on Instagram
Whether through videos, texts, or GIFs, memes are essential to brands differently. Moreover, they provide social validation to the Millennials or Gen Z.
How to Use Meme Marketing for Your Brand
Businesses that need to begin meme marketing can either create their own or use existing memes.
Recycling Memes
The easiest way is to jump the bandwagon. With a tinge of imagination, your brand can adapt its creative to the latest memes out there.
Typically, memes have a short life cycle since they base on trending events, and the marketing is only applicable as long as it trends. Also, they must be funny and original (to your brand or category). But don’t kill the essence of your brand while trying to do so.
Crating Your Memes
This can be challenging since audiences won’t trust, recognize or recall your meme, making it a miss or a hit technique. Daunting as it seems, it’s not impossible entirely. When correctly done, it offers more benefits than recycled memes. It becomes a true meme original if it catches momentum. Let’s not forget the monetary value that memes can fetch if their values as NFTs.
There are specialists who might be able to help you with your meme marketing.
Critical Considerations When Creating Memes
There are some basic rules to follow to begin meme marketing:
Who’s your Audience?
Typically, only a few people will relate to your content, and you need to know them and create something to cater to their interests. This can be tricky because meme should appeal to a large diverse audience. Having said so cultural sensitivity is of immense importance. A meme should never be in bad taste.
Know their language
Not only must the talent crafting your brand’s meme be native, but they also need to know the lingo, cultural trends, influences, and tastes of the audience.
Don’t try too hard
Trying too hard to be cool and relevant will not go down well with the audience. They’ll sense it. Timing is another important variable for a successful meme blast. Correlating it to socio-cultural will take the meme places.
The brand ethos
If you have your brand involved, ensure the meme content does not dampen the brand’s essence or purpose of existence. Resurrecting a brand’s image from a PR nightmare can be a next to impossible task. The positives or values of your brand must reflect in the content of the meme.
Reasons to Use Memes for Marketing
Memes are a way to develop a relatable and funny brand personality that connects to your target audience. While they have short lifespans, they are incredible engagement tools that boost customer interaction and reach. Here are the reasons to use memes.
They Are Good ROI
Among the content on social media, a meme is one of the inexpensive ways to connect to your target audience. They’re simple to create. It takes a good idea and a few editing tools. The secret sauce is the way to promote them on social media. The outcome of a good meme can equate to the result of millions of dollars of advertising spends.
Memes can bond
They control the narrative in today’s time, reflecting on socio-cultural events. People love to share experiences and their take on these events, and this inevitable builds a pathway for a bond.
Memes are good for your (brand’s) image
They make your brand stay relevant. A good meme can boost your brand’s image multifold.
Memes are here to stay
Memes are increasingly popular across channels like IGTV, Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Therefore, meme marketing promotes your services or products without coming off salesly, and shares the brand persona. However, it’s critical to follow new trends and understand what the audience finds effortlessly intriguing.
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