HUMOR IN MARKETING CHEAT SHEET

Below, you’ll find the Humor in Marketing CHEAT SHEET, number two of the three main resources from the book.

• Humor in Marketing Cheat Sheet

Zog, The Alien: Your Navigator through the Cosmos of Comedy

To truly understand how to add humor to your marketing, we’ll dive deeper into the details that keep us organized and moving toward success. Use these examples and others you discover as inspiration to launch your own media and marketing campaigns. “Be curious about the world in which you live. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else—that’s how you’ll get ahead.” (Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist)

Step 1: Observation

Observation is where we gather material for your marketing campaign using humor. Think of this step as setting the stage for a mini movie: Subject, Character, and Location.

Tips for Effective Observation:

1. List Everything: Humor lives in everyday life. List quirky, absurd, or relatable moments.
2. Highlight Details: Specific, relatable details enhance humor’s impact.
3. Focus on Patterns: The mundane can become funny when you notice and twist patterns.

Why Details Matter:

1. Setting the Scene: Create relatable, immersive contexts that make humor impactful.
2. Building Anticipation: Guide the audience’s expectations, then flip the script.
3. Enhancing Relatability: When the audience recognizes themselves, the humor resonates.
4. Adding Surprises: Realistic setups make absurdities stand out.

Examples to Observe:

1. Daily Routines: Getting ready in the morning, grocery shopping, or commuting.
2. Technology: Autocorrect fails, virtual meeting mishaps, or gadget quirks.
3. Relationships: First dates, family dynamics, or workplace humor.

Step 2: Write and Filter

This is where your ideas take shape. Think of it as creating a mini story. Aim for brevity—humor should land quickly.

Writing Tips:

1. Pick a Humor Type:
   • Mismatch: Combine unexpected elements.
   • Misplaced Sincerity: Apply exaggerated seriousness to trivial situations.
   • Exaggeration: Push a normal scenario to absurd extremes.

1. Collaborate: Work with humor writers or comedians if needed.
2. Edit Ruthlessly: Focus on delivering one impactful joke.

Step 3: Create

Now, it’s time to bring your concept to life. Your goal is to make the humor visually and narratively clear.

Creation Checklist:

• Storyboarding: Sketch key scenes to plan the flow.
• Characters and Setting: Ensure these enhance the humor.
• Visualize the Punchline: Make sure the comedic payoff is clear.

Byte’s Humor Examples:

1. Mismatch: Medieval knights use a fitness tracker.
   • Punchline: A knight proudly announces his steps as preparation for jousting.

1. Misplaced Sincerity: A tissue ad compares it to a life companion.

1. • Punchline: A solemn man offers a tissue as though it were priceless.

1. Exaggeration: An energy drink transforms an office worker into a superhero.

1. • Punchline: The worker reorganizes the entire office in minutes before jogging up a mountain.

Step 4: Launch and Test

Platforms:

1. Social Media: Perfect for quick, shareable humor.
2. Email Campaigns: Embed humor to surprise and delight subscribers.
3. Landing Pages: Test humor on specific pages to measure engagement.

Testing:

1. A/B Testing: Test two variations to see which resonates.
2. Engagement Metrics: Track likes, shares, and comments.
3. Surveys: Collect feedback on humor effectiveness.

Additional Observational Humor Ideas

• Cultural Norms: Holiday traditions, fashion mishaps, or viral trends.
• Consumer Experiences: Shopping quirks, product reviews, or unboxing.
• Weather & Seasons: Seasonal changes or weather-related inconveniences.
• Pet Peeves: Traffic jams, long lines, or common annoyances.

Final Thoughts:

Humor can transform marketing when done right. Follow Byte’s step-by-step process to craft campaigns that entertain, engage, and leave a lasting impression. Let humor be your secret weapon in making your brand unforgettable.