Photo courtesy of the blowup @theblowup
Imagine if Jimmy Fallon wants to hire you as a comedy writer.
But you have to pass his test by making jokes about the following statement:
Florida bans drinking on beaches for spring break.
If you’re given 60 seconds, can you write anything funny?
Let’s come up with a few…
Then weed it is!
Girls Gone... never mind.
Looks like the only thing getting lit this year will be the tiki torches.
What about banning the guy in the Speedo?
Do you know there’s a hack for finding humor in ordinary things?
Why does this even matter? Because humor is a powerful weapon in your marketing.
Humor Strengthens Your Brand
By sharing a joke, you’re no longer a faceless corporation.
Humor points to a group of real people who understand their customer’s struggles and can relate to them. Comedy breaks down barriers.
Geico’s brand has skyrocketed with the success of its silly commercials. Remember the Caveman campaign?
Humor Makes Your Message More Memorable
People remember things that make them laugh.
If your marketing makes someone chuckle, they're more likely to recall your brand and what you're selling.
That’s why Wendy’s “Where’s The Beef?” commercial is still talked about decades later.
Humor Makes You More Likeable
In a sea of bland marketing, humor helps you stand out from the crowd.
When you make someone laugh, you're creating a positive association with your brand.
The apparel brand Moosejaw is a perfect example.
The Humor Marketing Framework
Let’s talk about a quick framework for finding some humor jewels. Think SEO… and no, it’s not search engine optimization.
With the right framework, you can do it!
S = Sarcasm
Prompt: Florida bans drinking on beaches for spring break.
Sarcasm = That’s okay, college students don’t drink anyway.
Think of Sarcasm as a lie stated as truth.
E = Exaggeration
Prompt: Florida bans drinking on beaches for spring break.
Exaggeration: Violators will be abandoned in the Everglades.
Think of Exaggeration as a ridiculous outcome.
O = Opposite
Prompt: Florida bans drinking on beaches for spring break.
Opposite: Doesn’t matter, FL’s drink of choice is Listerine.
Think of Opposite as the other end of the spectrum.
The Funny Business of Marketing
Depending on your brand, add playfulness into your marketing. It’s perfectly fine to show personality!
Being a bore is a cardinal sin. Unless, maybe, you’re a brain surgeon. Patients don’t want Jerry Seinfeld operating on them.
And you never know… Jimmy Fallon might use your jokes in his monologues. Until then, don’t quit your day job.
Check out the Genie Jar website to see how we add humor into our messaging.
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian, co-founder of Genie Jar Digital. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I recently released a young adult novel called The Jungle Within.
