Typically we buy from people we like. And people who are charismatic. In my last blog I talked about the characteristics of charismatic people which included their ability to openly share their failings – usually with good humour.
Watching the social media space I often get a giggle out of some of the Memes people post and I am trying to decide whether humour influences my buying habits.
Sam, social media guru from #Good Funny Smart, bases her social media postings on these three areas – having good and smart things to share as well as the funny.
In my days of University and marketing 101 using humour in campaigns was seen as a dangerous game to play. Funny ads can run the risk of confusing or offending your potential customers. The Claude Hopkins lectures warned: “ ad writers forget they are salesman and try and be performers. Instead of sales, they seek applause.”
There is no room in the market for boring however there is a fine line between clever and funny and crass and you need to find the balance to match your brand values. And it needs to be something you are personally comfortable with. Never outsource your humour!
We do not like to buy from grumpy salesman, we would much rather be greeted with a smile and the same goes for the on-line space. Friendliness works. Use humour to build familiarity, to re-enforce your brand promise, and to attract (rather than distract).
However you use humour the bottom line is to never lose sight of the fact you are using your social media space to engage with customers for the purpose of sales. And smile while you’re at it! Does humour work for you?