A meme is defined as an image, video, phrase with bolded, capitalized text that is virally shared across social media networks. They usually have a somewhat hidden meaning that speaks about a popular culture reference.
When you login to your social media accounts, chances are you will see plenty of memes being shared among your friends. Since you’ve enjoyed memes in your personal life, would they make sense as a part of your organization’s social media strategy?
The truth is that memes can make sense if you use them strategically. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that will help make your meme strategy as successful as possible:
Do:
- Be funny, but consider your target audience and make sure that the meme you choose will resonate with them.
- Stay on top of Internet culture to keep a pulse on popular culture events that would be relevant for meme’s.
- Attach social buttons to make sharing easy.
- Include relevant hashtags if you are posting on Instagram and Twitter to receive more views.
- Do measure social networks to see how well your viral posts are doing.
Don’t:
- Use a meme that you don’t understand one where you need to remove elements from a meme that aren’t appropriate for your brand.
- Post outdated memes. If it is not relevant, it won’t resonate with your audience.
- Use a meme that has offensive double meaning behind the meme you’re posting.
- Include your tagline or sales pitch into a meme, it will come across as overtly promotional.
- Overuse a single type of meme, your audience will get tired of it quickly.
- Post viral content continuously just to be funny. Like any joke, it’s all in the delivery.
