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When you think about it, connecting with a business is no different than forming a new friendship. We’re inherently drawn towards charming people who make us laugh and know how to keep the conversation light-hearted.

After all, nobody wants to be around someone as excited as a wet paper towel or only talks about themselves. I’m sure you’ve experienced that at some point. The crux of the matter is that something magical brings us all together, and it’s not a secret that it’s laughter – the best medicine on earth.

“Make them laugh, make them cry, make them go hmm. It’s what works in selling.”- Michael Thibault

In marketing, humor reigns supreme and is the secret ingredient to make your business stand out. Numerous examples of brands have effectively sprinkled wit and charm into their personality. What’s the result? SALES!

Ask anyone about their favorite ad, especially football ads during the big game, and chances are that it brought a smile to their face and connected with them in a way that still lives long in their memory. It’s a universal truth that everyone loves having a good hearty laugh, which is good news for businesses trying to attract attention and be heard, as a pinch of humor can make all the difference, irrespective of what you’re selling.

The Power of Humor in Marketing Your Business

Want to know a secret about marketing? Nearly half of the global ads are deemed “funny” or “light-hearted.” According to a new survey by Clutch, a B2B research and reviews firm, more than 53% of people say they’ll remember and enjoy an ad if it tickles their funny bone.

Apart from that, The Nielson Global Survey of Trust in Advertising discovered that 47% of people have a soft spot for humor in ads. In a world where we’re bombarded with a banquet of information daily, humor is that dazzling garnish that captures our attention. Crack a joke; you’ve got them hook, line, and sinker.

Comedian Victor Borge once said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” That could easily apply to your business and its potential customers as laughter bridges gaps and helps create a bond.

People Remember Things That Make Them Laugh

If a post or advert makes you laugh, you won’t forget it anytime soon, and if it’s really good, you might just share it with your friends and family. That should be your ultimate goal of using humor in your marketing. Getting people to share it.

Take the fast-food joint Wendy’s, for instance. Their witty X (formerly Twitter) account has turned viral marketing into an art form.

From a sassy bio that claims they make tweets better than anyone expects from a fast-food joint to their snappy interactions with followers, Wendy’s knows how to serve up social media hilarity. Remember the guy who asked Wendy’s how many re-tweets he needed for a year’s supply of chicken nuggets?
Their response was “18 million,” and guess what? It went viral with 3.6 million re-tweets and counting. Now that’s some mouthwatering engagement!

Even the dullest products can find a new lease of life with a dash of humor. Take toilet paper, for example. Long gone are the days of talking about strength and softness, as Charmin, the “sassiest” brand on Twitter, has turned bathroom humor into art. They engage their audience with cheeky and heartwarming posts by adding fun to the most mundane subjects.

How to Craft a Humorous Voice

Ever heard the phrase, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? Take a moment and listen to your own business’s voice. Is it the voice of a captivating storyteller, someone you’d love to have coffee with? Or is it a robotic drone spewing marketing mumbo-jumbo? It’s astonishing how many brands need to improve by sticking to dull facts and jargon.

Audiences don’t want to be sold; they want to be entertained.

Funny enough (pun intended), people pay more attention to humorous ads than serious ones. Humor is like the Pied Piper of branding – it breaks down walls, shows personality, builds trust, and reveals the human side of your brand.

Final Word

A sprinkle of humor can take your business from mediocre to magnificent. It’s like a secret ingredient that adds depth to your brand’s voice, making it relatable and lovable. As you venture into the world of humor-infused branding, remember to dance to the rhythm of your audience.

Humor creates a bond, a connection that customers keep returning for, and it does wonders for your sales. So, tailor your humor to suit their tastes, and you’ll find success, no matter the menu. After all, when humor’s the chef, even the most unlikely ingredients can make for a delectable feast.

Looking to lighten up and make new friends (i.e. customers)?

Click the button below to schedule a chat with a DFY Marketing comedian (ok… that may be a stretch) to discuss your marketing plan. We promise to try to make you laugh.

Michael Thibault

Known as “The Done For You Marketing Guy for Restaurants.” International Speaker on Restaurant Marketing. Published contributing author of 4 Marketing Books. Industry expert on Google Searches and Review Sites. Recovering Independent Restaurant Owner and Caterer of over 21 years. And, all-around good guy.