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What’s in a Meme?

 

mēm/noun: an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, esp. imitation.

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Memes: from the Philosoraptor to Grumpy Cat, we all love them. But out here in the desert wasteland where change is slow and technology is quick to die (re: Oklahoma), how do you get a handle on what the cool kids are up to? Are you even sure you want to?

Memes are smart advertising, and here’s why: not only are they a smash hit on the internet thanks to pop culture, they can reach farther and further than you could have ever imagined. That is, if you build a meme correctly. It may not seem like much—to pair a picture with a joke and send it out to the black hole that is the Internet—but it can make all the difference.

Take Tartar Sauce, for example. Once an ordinary house-cat pouting his way through life in Arizona, he’s now an international celebrity. Of course, you probably know him better as Grumpy Cat.

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  • Despite whatever you may have learned, memes are still journalism. Stick with me here: for a meme to be successful, regardless of where you’re using it, you’ll need to be timely. Some of the most popular memes aren’t simply funny due to the picture and the punchline; they can be broken down.

 

For instance: take a fan favorite, the Rape Sloth. In the pop culture that is my very own generation, borderline creepy and always inappropriate punchlines have been humorous to some for reasons unknown. But the sloth image is piggy-backing on an inexplicable craze for the awkward creature, undoubtedly adding to its success. Should we blame or thank Kristen Bell?

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  • You’ll also want to choose your platform carefully. How many of you have attempted to explain SEO or Google algorithms to an outside party, and received nothing but blank stares in return? Exactly. If you’re going to make a meme, and let it do well, you’ll have to carefully choose where your meme is going to be placed.

 

  • Finally, test your punchline carefully. As funny as you may think that joke about the two marketers walking into a bar is, you may also be the only one. If you think you’ve hit virtual meme gold, test it out on your family, friends, and colleagues. Ask if they’re laughing at you or with you if necessary. Whatever you do, don’t publish a bad meme. The internet has a way of never letting things go.