Have you seen BirdBox? Or have you seen the video Social Chain MD, Katy Leeson made about BirdBox? If not, allow us to explain…
The video explains how BirdBox is one of, if not the most successful releases Netflix has ever launched. It was reportedly watched by a third of all Netflix users by its third week, with viewers sticking it out for an impressive 70% of the film.
Leeson’s theory as to why Netflix triumphed with BirdBox was accredited to the marketing magic that is created when the modern ‘meme’ is used correctly.
So, as the title suggests, we’re going to delve into the method behind the madness of incorporating memes as a serious business marketing strategy.
First, though…
What TF is a meme?
Forbes describes the infamous meme as “inside jokes, ways of speaking, or unique photos that become instantly recognisable across the globe thanks to social sharing and the vast power of the internet”.
Put simply, it’s an image paired with a witty bit of text that becomes viral as it is shared millions and millions of times around the world via the internet.
One image can be accompanied by endless different captions, which make it funny, sarcastic or ironic and in turn, relatable to a wide and diverse audience.
This universal appeal and shareability are precisely why what seems to be social media tomfoolery on the surface has actually become a strong and credible marketing tactic.
How memes can boost your marketing strategy
This contemporary form of content that we all spend a good portion of our days chuckling at has become so credible in fact, that the term ‘Meme Marketing’ has reared its new-fangled head.
But why?
A boost in brand exposure – The beauty of memes is that they work through the wild spread of viral content. When you attach your brand to this, you can piggyback off the popularity of pre-existing content.
Reach a more diverse demographic – As your brand footprint grows, so will your reach. This means your content should hopefully end up in front of many more eyes than a regular social media post might do, for example.
Memes are also extremely adaptable to different age groups, genders, hobbies, humour etc. So the content then becomes much more multi-faceted and versatile.
Appeal to younger generations – Basically, all of the cool kids are doing it. Speak to them in their language and you’ll be able to tap into the next generation of customers who are dealing in memes on a daily basis.
Some things to consider when using meme marketing:
- Make sure it’s suitable and appropriate for your brand.
- Don’t overuse it. Less is more in this case.
- Don’t be too controversial. This could backfire.
- Stay current – keep an eye on trending topics and content.
- Keep it original, shareable and relatable to your audience.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on meme marketing (or if you’d just like to show us your favourite memes), come and join us over on Twitter and Facebook!
