How memes can be valuable part of social media marketing

In what can offer a lesson or two for marketing gurus and brand managers, an increasingly larger number of people are consuming or creating memes for brand building and as a creative outlet. And why not? On an average, an internet user spends thirty minutes a day on the internet only consuming memes. The shareability of memes makes them popular among groups with the same interest or even globally because most people find them relatable. The internet is the most powerful global communications tool ever invented. With just a device and a connection, we can speak our minds to audiences all over the world - but sometimes, words aren't enough to convey what we need to say. When words fail, there's always a meme to get your message across. Thus, it comes as no surprise that in just the last on year, nearly 80 per cent have increased meme consumption.

If this is one part of the story, the other part is how consumers are turning themselves into creators and how the business of meme creating apps is heading northward. Interestingly, nearly 90 per cent of consumers are open to creating memes themselves, indicating large latent demand for meme creation apps, if a recent study by Redseer Strategy Consultants is anything to go by.

It is pertinent to mention here that in their simplest form, memes were images paired with text, often making light of a current event. Over time, however, the term 'meme' has become a catchall phrase. For some, memes are a form of entertainment, while others use them to express themselves, and still others use them as a tool to promote their brands. If you want your buyers to notice and positively remember you, memes can be a valuable part of your social media marketing strategy.

Little wonder therefore that various social media platforms have allowed everyone to try their hand at content creation, thus, this has paved the way for the rise of meme creation apps and platforms.

That's not all. There is another important aspect of this trend. Most users enjoy memes as a good way to release stress! Interestingly, the latest study suggests that nearly 50 per cent expect their meme consumption to increase. For most people, memes are an easy way to distract themselves from the hustle and bustle of life and work. The strong association between meme use and positive emotions is why marketers are increasingly turning to them as a way to connect with their audiences and build a rapport. This is especially true when it comes to funny and entertaining content, as it's often the first thing users turn when stressed. Social media is the primary source for access to memes, followed by word of mouth from friends and family.

Marketers, on their parts, know that getting through to younger audiences is vital to their long-term success. For these audiences, memes are an indispensable part of online communication. Another study suggests that globally 38 per cent of millennials and 64 per cent of Gen Z-ers follow dedicated meme accounts on social media.

Therefore, memes are now at the peak of the entertainment sector. To keep up with this rising demand, meme creation platforms are crowding the market, indicating that monumental growth is on the cards for this industry.