Pop culture expert Sington told Bored Panda that it’s useful to compare memes to jokes when gauging what is going to succeed and what might flop. "Jokes that are relatable, funny, and relevant to the audience are going to get the biggest laughs. But even a great joke can bomb if the delivery is bad," he told us.
According to the expert, the most successful memes tap into shared experiences and emotions. “They make you think, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s me!’ or ‘I know exactly how that feels.’ This relatability can be about anything from the struggles of everyday life (like trying to adult) to niche interests (like a love of a particular video game)," he said.
Sington pointed out that funny memes tend to be easy winners because humor connects people. Using clever wordplay or relatable social awkwardness is relatable and can help the audience laugh at themselves or the world around them.
Moreover, the very best memes are culturally relevant and capture trends or comment on what's already on people's minds. Of course, the pop culture expert pointed out to us that even brilliant ideas can flop if the execution is messy. "This means using visuals that are clear and catchy, keeping text concise, and ensuring the format is easy to share," he said.
Meanwhile, Sington shared a few key insights about standing out in a social media landscape that’s already filled to the brim with memes. This requires “a blend of wit, relevance, and a touch of originality.”
For example, content creators can add more originality by moving beyond the same old trending meme formats. In short, they should strive to innovate. "While popular meme templates can be a good starting point, try to go a bit deeper. Look for fresh image sources or niche formats that resonate with your audience," he suggested.
They can also subvert the audience's expectations by adding an unexpected caption or twist to the meme. In the meantime, the caption of the meme should be short, sweet, and punchy to better pair with people’s scrolling speeds. If the captions are relevant and humorous, you also increase your likelihood of leaving a good impression.
According to Sington, creators can also try jumping on trending topics or news events to create fresh content. Alternatively, they can always find inspiration by looking at the calendar. For example, they could post memes related to the holidays, award shows, or even something like seasonal weather changes.
The pop culture expert also advises picking a niche and sticking to it. Creators should try to cater to a specific community and develop a signature style by leaning "into what makes your memes unique."
Of course, there are other aspects to consider when trying to stand out. For one, you have to post consistently. "Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and looking forward to your next meme. However, avoid spamming. Quality over quantity is key," Sington warned.
On top of that, you should try to engage with your audience to a certain extent. You could, for example, respond to some comments or participate in some threads created by the members of your community.
“Remember, the meme world is ever-evolving. Stay on top of trends, experiment, and, most importantly, have fun with it!" Sington told Bored Panda.
‘Sarcasm Daily’ is an incredibly well-known social media project. Founded all the way back in 2016, it now has 708k followers on Instagram. A huge part of the account’s success lies in the relatability of the memes that get shared.
One way to connect with your audience is through laughter. Another is to tackle questions and issues they care about.
If your content resonates with your audience on a deeper level, they’re more likely to stick around for more similar content. Not only that, but they’ll also be happy to share your posts with their social circle, too. And a meme that’s (re)shared and goes viral is a true meme, by definition.
Another potential reason behind the account’s popularity is that its curator does everything that they can to keep the page relevant. They constantly post memes on a regular schedule. That way, ‘Sarcasm Daily’ constantly reminds its audience that it exists by popping up in people’s feeds.
Meanwhile, the memes themselves—aside from being comical and relatable—have very clear formats. The quicker your audience can grasp the message, the more likely the post can go viral.
That’s why it’s so important to create an overall sense of visual clarity and fluency. Ideally, the images are high-quality and to the point, while the text is short and uses a good font.
Some of the memes shared on ‘Sarcasm Daily’ deal with some pretty serious issues. Unfortunately, a lot of people find things like constant anxiety, dealing with seemingly never-ending exhaustion, and burnout at work to be relatable. In short, stress is something that many people deal with daily.
Statista reports that the most common sources of stress among American adults include work, money, and health. The leading cause of stress among US employees is being overworked. 48% of US employees revealed that they experience stress a lot of the day. In the meantime, 42% of employees with a high level of burnout said they felt depressed.
