Let memes show you the way

While internet memes come in all shapes, sizes, forms and flavors…

…there’s one important takeaway that you can leverage with your marketing photos.

I really don’t know where memes started, but I have to thank that person for creating such an entertaining approach to content online. 

I mean, I’ve seen some really ridiculous ones in the past that have me slapping the table from laughter. 

They give me inspiration to up my wittiness game :) 

While memes have been created to share a wide variety of thoughts, opinions and jokes, they all share one commonality amongst the lot of them:

Visual punctuation

In order for the thought, opinion or joke to land effectively, the visual needs to seamlessly compliment the copy. 

When the visual and the story work together, a potential viral post has been created:

See how the words and visuals play so nicely in the sandbox together? 

This approach to creating effective memes can also be used in the way that you implement photos into areas across your online presence, from your website and printed materials to your online content and presentation slides…and everything in between.

As I’m sure you already know, there is virtually nowhere online where you simply post a photo without words attached to it in some way.  

As a result, when selecting the right images for the specific marketing need, it’s important to first understand the emotional sentiment of the copy or story that you plan to share. 

Is it inspirational? A rant? More on the vulnerable side? Introspective? Gratitude? Pride? Rumination? 

Whatever the sentiment, identify that first, and use it as your North Star to help select the ideal photo.

To do that, look through your image portfolio and choose potential photos that could visually punctuate the sentiment of that copy or story based on your facial expression, body language, and activity engaged in front of the camera. 

Once you’ve selected 2-3 potential winners, place the photo near the text to see how they look together.

If you’re working on a social post, throw the words on top of the image in your editing program to preview. If it’s for your website, insert the visual in the image placeholder on the page. Wherever the text and image will live, give yourself the chance to preview the two of them together.

Marinate on the options for a second and see which ones resonates with you most…and then, you’re done!

The good news for the rejected photos is that at some point down the road, you’ll eventually find a need for them, and they’ll be waiting with bated breath to be used in that instance. 

When you truly understand why memes are so powerful at communicating a joke, opinion or thought, that serves to help inform your process of sharing powerful images in a way that visually punctuates the sentiments of every single story you want to tell. 

And when you do that, it helps to creates impactful online content that draws the attention of those you serve…and inspires them to stick around long enough for them to learn more about how you can help solve their problems. 

And, isn’t what all your marketing efforts are for in the first place? 

Damn right it is!

For more visual storytelling strategies and insights for experts, I’ll talk your eyes off through my blog. Sign up to receive them directly in your inbox, and if you have any questions, set up a time to chat with me and then I’ll talk your ears off, too :)