How to Leverage Viral Meme Culture to Boost Your Brand Awareness Organically

May 29, 2024

In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, brands must be creative and quick to make an impact. Enter: meme culture. Memes are a form of digital communication that are relatable, shareable, and, when done right, can help you connect with your audience on a personal level. But how do you use memes to boost your brand awareness organically, without appearing forced or off-brand? Let’s dive into the strategies that will help your business tap into viral meme culture effectively.

Understanding Meme Culture

Memes are everywhere—from your Facebook feed to the trending section on Twitter. They are funny, often absurd, and offer a way for people to share a collective experience. This makes them a powerful tool for boosting brand engagement with memes. However, the key to using memes effectively is understanding their context and timing.

When a meme goes viral, it’s usually because it captures a sentiment or moment that resonates with a broad audience. Brands that can tap into this collective feeling have the chance to amplify their message and boost brand awareness without spending heavily on paid advertising. But, it’s crucial to approach meme marketing with authenticity.

Why Meme Marketing Works

Memes work because they tap into cultural moments. They’re typically short, visual, and to the point, which makes them easy to share. When brands tap into trending memes for marketing, they become part of the conversation, showing that they’re in tune with what their audience is talking about. This creates an opportunity for brands to increase visibility and engagement in an organic, relatable way.

A successful example of this is how Netflix used the “Bird Box” meme when the movie became a viral sensation. The brand engaged with audiences by creating their own meme variations, linking back to the movie and encouraging more people to watch. This approach shows that memes, when used correctly, can generate buzz and increase brand exposure.

How to Use Memes to Boost Brand Awareness

  1. Know Your Audience
    Before you can create a meme, you must understand your audience. Are they into pop culture, or do they enjoy tech and gaming references? Understanding your audience’s interests will help you choose memes that resonate with them. Use tools like Google Analytics to understand your audience demographics and preferences.some text
  2. Stay Relevant and Timely
    Timing is everything in the world of memes. To make the most impact, you need to tap into trends when they’re fresh. This means staying up-to-date with social media and trending topics. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram are excellent sources for discovering what’s trending in meme culture.some text
    • A great tool for monitoring social media trends is Hootsuite. It allows you to track trending topics and identify when a meme has potential for your brand. Using a meme that is already out of the spotlight can make your brand seem outdated or out of touch.
  3. Be Authentic
    When leveraging meme culture, authenticity is key. Your audience should feel like the meme naturally fits with your brand voice. If it feels forced, it’s likely to backfire. This is particularly important when using humour—ensure that the joke aligns with your brand’s personality. For example, brands like Wendy’s have successfully used sarcasm and wit to engage their audience because it fits their established voice.
    When using memes, think about your brand values and voice. If your brand is playful and lighthearted, memes can be a great fit. However, if you’re a serious, professional brand, memes might not align with your image. In that case, other forms of organic marketing might be more effective.
  4. Create and Share Relatable Content
    One of the reasons why memes work is their relatability. People love memes because they often reflect a shared experience. To tap into this, create memes that relate to your audience’s daily challenges, interests, or industry-specific humour. For instance, a tech company might create a meme about the frustrations of software updates.some text
    • Incorporate long-tail keywords like “How to create viral content for social media” to optimise your content for search engines. When people search for tips on creating shareable content, your brand’s blog or social media post could appear in search results, driving organic traffic to your site.
    • For more insights on developing engaging content, check out our blog on The Power of Storytelling in Content Marketing and learn how to craft stories that resonate with your audience.
  5. Use Tools to Create High-Quality Memes
    Creating quality memes that fit your brand’s aesthetic can be a game-changer. Tools like Canva or Adobe Spark are perfect for designing professional-looking memes. Ensure your meme is high-quality and visually appealing, as this increases the likelihood of it being shared.
    Using these tools, you can incorporate your brand colours, logo, or subtle branding elements without being too intrusive. This way, even as people share the meme, your brand presence remains.some text
    • Canva is a fantastic tool for brands looking to create visually appealing memes that fit their brand identity.
  6. Monitor Engagement and Adjust Strategies
    Once you start using memes as part of your strategy, it’s essential to monitor their performance. Use analytics tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Insights to track how your audience engages with the content. This will help you understand what works and what doesn’t.some text
    • If a particular meme resonates well, take note of why it was successful and try to replicate that approach. Perhaps the meme was well-timed, or it referenced a universally relatable situation. Analysing these factors can help you fine-tune your organic marketing strategies for small businesses.
  7. Highlight Successful Examples of Meme Marketing Campaigns
    Some of the most successful meme marketing campaigns show how brands can authentically engage with their audiences. Take Gucci’s #TFWGucci campaign, where they used memes to promote their new collection. The campaign was successful because it combined humour, relatability, and high fashion, which aligned perfectly with Gucci’s brand identity.some text
    • Another example is the way Spotify used the "wrapped" meme to engage users. They created personalised meme content based on users' listening habits, which led to widespread sharing and high engagement rates. This shows how brands can use successful examples of meme marketing campaigns to connect with audiences on a personal level.
  8. Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
    Memes are highly shareable, and the best way to increase your brand’s visibility is to encourage your audience to create their own content using your meme templates or concepts. For instance, run a competition asking followers to create their own meme based on a template you provide. Offer a prize for the most creative one, and you’ll not only increase engagement but also expand your reach as users share their entries.

Final Thoughts: How to Create Viral Content for Social Media

Memes, when used correctly, can be a powerful tool to increase your brand’s visibility and engagement. By staying relevant, being authentic, and understanding how to create viral content for social media, you can organically boost your brand awareness. But remember—meme marketing should never feel forced. It must align with your brand’s voice and values to be effective.

At Scroll Content, we specialise in creating impactful and engaging content strategies that resonate with your audience. Whether it’s leveraging the latest meme trend or building a comprehensive organic marketing strategy for small businesses, our team is here to help.

Ready to take your brand’s social media presence to the next level? Contact us today!