Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past decade, you’ve seen a meme or two while scrolling through your phone. Often, these funny images aren’t meant for much more than a laugh or two but are not limited to entertainment.
Large and small businesses have started using memes in their social media marketing to appeal to their audiences. Considering how many Gen Z and Millennials use memes daily, it’s a great (and low-cost) way to make your brand more memorable.
So, can you use this marketing for your kids activity center? Absolutely! Our guide to meme marketing will walk you through everything you need to know to become an industry “memelord” (that’s someone who makes a lot of memes, by the way.)
What Is Meme Marketing?
Before we go into the “how” of meme marketing, let’s go into what meme marketing is. Essentially, rather than using traditional images for your business’s ads or social posts, you can post relatable memes that your followers and potential customers will understand.
Companies often use existing meme formats but add their own text or other spin on them. Some businesses search for pre-existing memes and upload them to their social media accounts, but more often than not, it’s better to make your own edits to tailor them to your audience.
Why You Should Consider Meme Marketing
Laughter has a place in marketing. It disarms viewers and makes them feel less like they’re being sold something, and it helps them remember brands. Think of all the funny commercials you’ve seen and remembered–some might have even convinced you to do business with them.
Memes work similarly, albeit on a much smaller (and cheaper) scale. By making a funny meme, you’re engaging them AND making your brand stick in their minds. Plus, the widespread use of memes allows you to tap into something recognizable while putting your own spin on it.
For kids activity centers, memes are a great way to reach potential customers. Whether you’re advertising dance classes, gym classes, swim classes, or other activities, a majority of KAC owners aim for parents between the ages of 24 – 56 – and a majority of that age range is made up of Millennials, who are very meme-savvy.
By appealing to your target demographic via memes, you’re being funny and speaking to them in a way they speak among their friends. With that, you build trust and familiarity, and that’s a step closer to becoming a household name.
How To Use Memes Effectively
While anyone can use memes for their marketing, it’s not something that’s always done very well. At its core, meme marketing is still marketing, and that requires you to use strategy and research to reach your audience successfully.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start using memes:
Keep it short and sweet
Part of the appeal of memes is that they easily convey thoughts in a short, visual format. Don’t get too wordy with the memes you create, or people will keep on scrolling.
Keep it on-brand
Tons of memes go viral, but not all will work for your business. Be sure to use memes that fit the tone you want to represent your business and keep the topics tailored to what you’re selling. Seeing your meme go viral might be exciting, but it doesn’t do you any good if it doesn’t result in students coming through the door.
Keep it recognizable
You want to stick with memes that are recognizable to just about anyone. While a niche meme style might get YOU to laugh, that doesn’t mean it’ll make your audience laugh. There is a great deal of timeless and recognizable memes, and be sure to keep an eye on popular memes so you can jump on the bandwagon–though be warned, not all of them last very long.
Also, if you decide to edit memes or create content inspired by memes, you want to make sure the format is still easily recognizable.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to use memes in your marketing, it’s time to get out there and start editing! With this new tool in your arsenal, you’ll reach your audience in a fun and effective way, and it might even give you the edge over your competition.
If you have any questions about digital marketing for your kids activity center, we’re here to help! Schedule a free consultation today to see how we can help your business thrive!