Funny Business: How to Charm Your Audience with Humor
In an age where Reels and TikTok trends are smattering our screens, personal brands are becoming frustrated with differentiating themselves from the rest of the competition in their industry. But the rising popularity of levity in digital content is also giving brands room to be their true selves and be successful at the same time.
Humor is not just for stand-up comedians or sitcoms to use — it’s for everyone. In fact, being a little off-beat can be one of the best tools in your brand's utility box. Let’s explore why it may be time to let loose a little bit in your content so your brand is seen, heard, and trusted loud by your audience.
Why add humor to your brand?
Humor builds relationships. Laughter is a universal language that connects people. A good chuckle creates a brand experience where your audience feels comfortable being open with you, sharing their thoughts, and having authentic discussions.
Humor establishes trust. When leaders show they are human beings, their authenticity breaks down walls. It shows that you are an approachable brand and encourages open communication.
Humor encourages creativity. It allows us to look at problems from a different angle, think outside the box, and develop innovative solutions to problems that we are trying to solve in our industry. What might seem like a good laugh may turn into an "ah-hah" moment for you, a client, or both!
Humor elicits positivity. We all want to live in a world where positivity reigns. Laughter brings about happiness, which creates an uplifting atmosphere. Create a high-vibe community around your brand by using levity in your content, networking, and client interactions.
How to strategically add humor to your brand
Know Yourself: Your humor should be a natural extension of who you are, so knowing yourself is the first step to incorporating humor into your brand. This means understanding your personality, your style of humor, and what makes you laugh. If it feels forced or unnatural, your audience will sense this, which could backfire. Instead, stay true to yourself. This authenticity will resonate with your audience and help you build a stronger connection with them.
Know Your Audience: Research your audience’s likes, dislikes, and sensitivities. Remember, what one person finds hilarious, another might find offensive or inappropriate, so it is a fine balance worth exploring. This will help you tailor your humorous content to resonate with them and avoid any potential pitfalls or crisis management.
Use the "Surprise" Method: This method works because our brains are wired to pay attention to different or unexpected things. This involves introducing something unexpected (like a joke) into an otherwise ordinary situation. Start small and apply contrast - a well-timed funny comment can re-engage an audience that's losing interest in a dull or familiar subject.
Vary Your Content: Use a variety of formats and mediums to deliver your humorous content. This could include anything from GIFs and funny filters to trending audio clips. The key is to make your content entertaining, memorable, and share-worthy. By varying your content, you'll keep your audience guessing and eager to see what you'll come up with next. Plus, if your content is truly entertaining and unique, it's more likely to be shared, helping you reach a wider audience!
Incorporating humor into your brand is a way to stand out from the crowd and a powerful tool to connect with your audience on a deeper level. It's an opportunity to show your authenticity, foster trust, and create a positive atmosphere around your brand. However, it's important to know both yourself and your audience, use surprise elements effectively, and diversify your content. Doing so ensures that your humor aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your audience. So go ahead, crack a joke, share a funny story, or make a humorous comment that supports your brand’s messaging. Be the reason someone smiles today!
About the Author:
Ashley Falletta is the CEO of InDemand Studios and a brand marketing strategist from New York. She helps women thought leaders, authors, and speakers position themselves as an expert in their industry with impactful marketing and PR strategies tailored to their messaging. Ashley holds a Master's degree from Medaille College and studied marketing at the World Coach Institute. She also holds a certification in the StoryBrand framework by Donald Miller. Ashley has appeared on the Marketing Made Simple podcast and as a featured speaker for the Business Systems Summit, Life Mastery Foundation, Entrepreneurette Summit, and BossSquad TV Show. When she isn't awkwardly writing about herself in the third person, she spends time with her husband and sons, cuddling with her puppy, and singing a tune or two while cooking Sicilian family recipes. Connect with her at www.AshleyFalletta.com, or send her a message on LinkedIn and Instagram to say "hello!".
