Content marketing is about getting read, shared, and commented on. The secret to a successful content marketing strategy? Use the right tone and approach. And one thing to utilize is humor to grab your audience’s attention.
If you want to be funny without being funny, you should know how to use humor in your content marketing-wise.
Humor has several benefits for marketing. Because humor heightens the level of engagement with a brand, people are more likely to pay attention when they’re being entertained and informed.
In addition, funny or tongue-in-cheek content can create a positive relationship with consumers—something many brands struggle to build with their customers. It’s easy for customers to like and trust their favorite brands because humor is usually an indicator of “friendliness” from an individual or brand. Here are some examples of where companies can use humor in content marketing.
Social Media
Humor is a powerful tool for any brand or company. It can engage with customers, create unique content, and even boost sales.
In social media, humor is an essential part of the mix. People like to laugh, and if you can provide them with something funny or entertaining, they will appreciate it. You’ll also find that humor can help break down barriers and make people feel more comfortable with your brand.
Here are some ways to use humor in social media:
- Be relatable and share personal anecdotes: Humor is about relating to your audience and connecting personally. Share stories from your life and the lives of people around you so that your followers feel like they know you better, making them more likely to engage with your content.
- Make fun of yourself: Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself or even get a little silly if it means people will laugh along with you. You don’t need to be perfect or always have the correct answer—nobody does!
- Use jokes and memes as part of your strategy: If there’s an opportunity for humor, jump on it! A good meme can go viral quickly, especially if it relates to something happening in the news recently.
- Use GIFs: GIFs are viral on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. They’re often used as reaction images rather than standalone pieces.
Website Content
Using humor in website content is a tried and true method for attracting visitors and keeping them on the site.
The interesting thing about humor is that it’s not always amusing to everyone. Some people might find your jokes hilarious, while others will be perplexed. For this reason, knowing your audience is essential before you start writing witty copy.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your website’s overall user experience, here are some tips for using humor in your website content:
Know your audience.
If you have a specific target audience in mind when writing content, there are certain things you can do to ensure that this group will well receive your jokes.
Be witty, not sarcastic.
Sarcasm can sometimes be taken incorrectly by readers or visitors who don’t understand that you’re being funny. The best way to avoid confusion is to stay away from sarcasm altogether— at least until you’ve established yourself as an authority in your industry!
Err on the side of caution if you’re not sure how something will be received.
If you have doubts about whether your audience will appreciate a joke or funny story, leave it out. Better safe than sorry!
Use humor sparingly and strategically.
A few lighthearted jokes here and there are acceptable—but overdoing it can backfire on you quickly if it distracts readers from the message you’re trying to convey.
Blog Posts
Humor is a great way to engage your readers. But how do you use it effectively? Here are some tips on how to use humor in your blog posts:
- Use words that trigger emotions.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously; be confident in what you’re saying and know that it’s funny even if you don’t think so at first glance.
- Read other people’s humorous posts and see what makes them funny, then try to emulate that style or find another way to do it because there are many different types of humor out there!
Emails
Using humor in emails can effectively engage readers, but it’s essential to do it correctly. If you’re not careful, your joke could fall flat and make you appear unprofessional.
Here are some guidelines for using humor in your emails:
- Always keep it clean. Never make jokes that are offensive or inappropriate.
- Don’t overdo it. A few well-placed jokes will go a long way; don’t try to cram too many into one email or you’ll overwhelm your audience and lose their attention.
- Don’t use humor in every email; mix it up with other types of communication so your recipients don’t get bored with hearing from you—or worse, start ignoring your emails entirely!
So you want to be funny?
Do you need to use humor in your marketing? Maybe, maybe not. But if you have a personality to match your brand, why not try it out? It’s all about making your audience feel like they know you—someone more than just who you are and what you do. If you can convey that, it will make them more likely to share your content. Use pieces of your personality. Be funny or not. That’s up to you! If you want to help with content generation, contact us today!
