10 Ways GIFs and Memes Can Rev Up Your Content Marketing

Gifs and Memes, these two too-cool-for-school content forms are those untraditional formats that all brands are using to boost engagement on their social media channels. Let’s see how to do content marketing by using them!

Content consumption online is on the rise, and businesses are looking for inventive ways to engage with users. 

The use of memes has been popular since the inception of the internet, and the trend is growing stronger with each passing day. A meme can be an image, video, or some text that is usually humorous and is replicated and spread speedily by internet users with some variations. There are countless websites dedicated to memes on a set pattern or a topic. 

Similarly, Graphics Interchange Format or GIF is another widely popular content marketing trend that drives a lot of engagement. Almost every social media platform allows developers to upload GIF visuals to create a vibrant collection of content exchange. They’re often a great alternative to videos simply due to the engaging visual elements.

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Have you ever wondered what was the first meme ever made? It was a computer-animated baby called Baby Cha-Cha-Cha or Dancing Baby. It was the first-ever meme to go viral on the internet. The meme created in 1996 showcased the unique capabilities of CGI software released by Kinetix Character Studio. It quickly gained popularity among internet users. The Dancing Baby screensaver was a popular addition to desktops everywhere.

People on the internet are always looking for funny and interactive ways to engage with your brand. If you haven’t unlocked the myriad marketing benefits that come with using memes and GIFs, you should rethink your strategy. 

Here are ten reasons why GIFs and memes can rev up your content marketing efforts:

1. Easy To Consume

When content is easy to consume, it can deliver a message more effectively to more people online. GIFs and memes are very easy on the eye, often resulting in a ‘wow factor’ that engages viewers while conveying your message. No matter whether your content is funny, witty, satirical, smart, urgent, or neutral in tone, it’s likely that people will make the most of every GIF or meme that goes with it. Provided you can create a powerful context, this content marketing trend is here to stay. Indeed, memes and GIFs are like virtual gifts that spark interest in seconds.

2. More Relatable

Memes often create a cult following, especially when a certain niche is developed through consistent content delivery for target consumers. GIFs have a similar impact and have a more visual undertone to the creative aspect of consumption. In a nutshell, connecting with or appearing relatable to target audiences is the key objective of creating memes and GIFs. A Harry Potter meme can, in fact, work for any business considering how popular the fictional character is in the 21st century. You just have to get the message right. The critical point to remember is that everybody responds differently, and your job as a content creator is to catch up with the latest content marketing trends online.

3. Easily Shareable

When you find something interesting, you will mostly share it within your close circle. The internet has made sharing so much easier, and most users are looking to share something or the other all the time. Memes and GIFs are extremely shareable as posts, in comments, as messages, or even as greeting cards. The best thing about memes and GIFs is that they have a peculiar power to catch you off guard and ensure an instant impact. People share what they find fascinating – it can be a meme with text or a visually stunning GIF.

4. Speak the Internet’s language

The more relatable a piece of content is, the more it will get shared and generate engagement online. The internet has evolved, and more people are using the platform today than ever before. While a few things have changed, some things on the internet have stood the test of time. One of these things is the internet’s language. 

When everything about the internet relies on how information is presented, users look for the most inventive messages. Memes and GIFs are part of this glorious nature of internet activity. Memes are designed to spark a sensation among viewers who can deeply relate to the message quickly. Likewise, GIFs have the potential to transform anybody’s mood with visual splendor and wit. The internet’s language is all about presenting information in the most inventive manner possible. 

5. Mobile-friendly

A long video may consume a lot of space on your smartphone while low-resolution images may be a buzzkill for an ordinary internet junkie. However, memes and GIFs hold a special place in the heart of every internet user. They’re short bits of visual content that instantly convey a message. In a highly responsive setting, this makes the combo of memes and GIFs an excellent content marketing tool that’s mobile-friendly as well. They don’t consume much space and contain potent messaging that’s visually appealing in any form.

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6. They are addictive

When you share content online, you always hope that people get hooked on the message you are trying to send. In the case of a blog or a video, the content must be compelling. Memes and GIFs have a unique capacity to get people hooked on an idea in no time. That’s because the piece of content they are viewing doesn’t take too much of their time and attention and has something unique to offer. That’s exactly what a well-written meme or a well-designed GIF is all about. It’s very similar to how people get attracted to slogans and logos that catch their eye.

7. Multi-platform compatibility

Anybody using the latest versions of Instagram, Whatsapp, Telegram, or any other messaging platform or even chatbot knows the power of emojis. They’re compatible with multiple online channels. GIFs and memes are highly relatable for a vast majority of internet users, making them almost as good as emojis. Their impact is quick, and they draw an instant response. Most messaging services have integrated GIFs and memes that are used quite liberally by users. They have now reached every corner of the internet and branched out into web technologies. 

8. They tell a story

The most widely appreciated aspect of GIFs and memes is that they have a lot of activity condensed in such a compact space. They can narrate an entire story in just a split second. Therefore, they are great creative content marketing formats ensuring a long-lasting impact. Popular TV shows, film clips, political icons, historical figures, and cartoons are often featured in memes and GIFs. Additionally, this type of content encourages the online space to get inventive and bring in a new story of its own. 

9. Original thinking

Memes and GIFs are among the most popular content marketing trends because they display original thinking. Creators are often tested with numerous ideas, which finally boil down to one stunning copy. Internet users are quick to commend people for their originality. Memes, GIFs, and graphical elements are a great way of exhibiting this creative flair.

10. Made for people

GIFs and memes are created to inspire people. They’re meant to deliver a message that resonates with the interests of internet users. Hence, it can be said that these forms of content are made for the people. They’re easy to share, widely used, and in abundant supply. The use of memes and GIFs underscores the creativity that has made the internet so popular. Without these forms of content, a content marketing strategy can be losing out on a humane touch that boosts user engagement.

Advantages of doing Content Marketing Keeping Memes and Gifs in Mind

1. Fostering great user experiences

Memes and GIFs are a great way for businesses to break the mundane cycle of information overload. Besides, if you can repurpose your blogs or infographics with a meme or GIF, you’ll be facilitating better user experiences. People want to be entertained and even if you talk about taxes, there’s a fun way to project information. That’s what makes every meme and GIF so special to internet users. With a well-done meme, you can make the most of your content marketing strategy.

2. Universal experiences

Another great advantage of using memes and GIFs to relate to your audience is that anybody can understand it. Not all memes have to be culturally significant or based on a movie. You can make memes that speak about basic human experiences. The reason why memes are universally accepted is that no matter what the topic is, viewers will find amusement, humor, knowledge, or fun by relating to the context or visuals. Memes and GIFs have a powerful way of making people think, relate and identify with varying experiences. As you learn how to use more GIFs and memes, you learn more about the response to your content marketing strategy.

3. GIFs are inspiring

GIFs are a brilliant showcase of the creator’s creative thinking and ability to represent thoughts into visuals. This makes a GIF highly regarded among viewers. Almost everybody on the internet takes a liking towards GIFs. People of all ages can relate to GIFs. This kind of inspiration through art is a shining beacon of hope for all of humanity. For a brand, GIFs are a great way to utilize innovative visuals and expand their market reach. After all, anybody who sees it is going to feel it. This makes a GIF a great content optimization strategy.

4. Spark powerful emotions

The ability to evoke emotions is the strength of creative content marketing. As part of your content marketing strategy, you should be able to employ memes and GIFs wisely. Taking responsibility for the experiences of your users involves learning how to use memes and employing the ideal social media strategy. You don’t want to spark unrest by taking a shot at culturally sensitive issues. Even though some memes may seem extreme, you can always learn how to do content marketing without hurting anybody’s feelings.

5. Building a brand voice

Since we’ve already established how awesome memes and GIFs are, the biggest advantage is that you can use them to build your brand’s unique voice. By embracing the cheerful and enthusiastic spirit of your content marketing strategy, you can benefit by building a unique identity that resonates with a large group of internet users. Through consistent delivery of content that engages people, you can start your own brand with only memes and GIFs. The only catch is, you have to relate to people and their situation using creative content marketing, a content optimization strategy, and content marketing best practices. After all, your brand wants to build value and your memes and GIFs can help you do exactly that.

Conclusion

That being said, there are numerous other ways to create compelling pieces of content, like by using infographics, interactive videos, contests, and polls. But, memes and GIFs are an evergreen concept. If your brand can crack the art of creating apt memes and visually appealing GIFs, you are in for a treat. While 56% of 18-20 year old’s follow memes online regularly, 23 million GIFs are posted on Tumblr every day. That’s just one statistical segment of the world wide web. Why not make the most of these fascinating content marketing trends for business?

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