Social media managers on using humour on social, and the brands that do it best
Whether it’s a headbanging cat or some classic Scottish patter, there are a thousand ways to be silly on social media. Social media managers know just how important it is to use humour to rake in engagement, as well as lift spirits in what can often be a challenging territory. But how do they walk the line between poking fun, without compromising intergrity?
Whether it’s a headbanging cat or some classic Scottish patter, there are a thousand ways to be silly on social media.
We all know that social media can be a minefield – from Twitter debates, to brand slip-ups, anything and everything stressful can play out across a timeline.
Social media managers know firsthand the stresses that working on social can bring, and it’s well known that spending a lot of time on social media can have an adverse effect on mental health.
So how can social media managers make social a more fun place to be? It’s not always doom and gloom. From landmark pop culture moments to memes and gifs, there are a plethora of ways that social media managers can bring a little light to the dark, and remind us just how and why social is essential.
Take a look below to find out some tips and tricks from the social media managers themselves, as well as some top picks of brands and agencies that they think can bring a smile the best:
I would say it's really important to be active on Twitter with your personal account so you can get to grips with the pace things move at and how memes start and proliferate. Understand it properly, basically. — Helen. (@HelenGradwell) November 9, 2020
I mean @innocent are gods amongst humans when it comes to a hilarious, light heart approached to social, right? Plus they're never frightened to make fun of themselves.
A few things we try:
✅ GIFs (ofc)
✅ Puns
✅ Replying to comments like a human (ofc)
✅ Topical messaging
— Loom Digital (@loomdigital) November 9, 2020
Don’t try and fabricate what the brand’s sense of humour would be. Brands aren’t sentient. Hire someone with a sense of humour and let their personality shine through. @KFC_UKI perfect example — Christmas Eve (@evelilyyoung) November 9, 2020
Looking at what our audience find funny and putting our own twist on it. https://t.co/SwQBTil6Vm
— Mark Pryde (@MarkPryde) November 9, 2020
As for companies that nail it: @innocent @BBCEarth @JOE_co_uk @KFC_UKI — Mark Pryde (@MarkPryde) November 9, 2020
@TheMERL surely top this list
— MakingGiants (@MakingGiantsUK) November 9, 2020
Personally I love @YorkshireTea — JenE (@Beanie8_8) November 9, 2020
hire social natives/comedians/ a *shit hot agency @TangerineComms https://t.co/Zsvu9ckofi
— Lisa Hale (@xxlisaHalexx) November 9, 2020
If the joke involves reacting to the news agenda, we'd say: 1) Act quickly and don't overthink it. The first gag that springs to mind is probably along the right lines 2) Make sure there's a clear connection to your brand, or it'll seem forced 3) Write it like a human https://t.co/Hdgtpb6uHu — Tangerine (@TangerineComms) November 9, 2020
4) Open it up to the team. Five minds are better than one, plus you can agree which idea is funniest
5) If you find your copy is overexplaining the joke or the link to your brand isn't coming through, it might not be the right opp. And that's OKhttps://t.co/Hdgtpb6uHu
— Tangerine (@TangerineComms) November 9, 2020
And lastly... With breaking news, timing is key. But a good QT can put your brand's spin on a post that's days (or occasionally even years) old. https://t.co/Hdgtpb6uHu — Tangerine (@TangerineComms) November 9, 2020