Social media has changed public relations as much as it has every other form of marketing. One example of this shift is in the funny, often pointless, but also powerful potential of the MEME.

Memes are designed to convey immediate power and create an immediate response. The power of this combination cannot be overstated. Sure, Good Guy Greg may never help you sell your products or services, but there is much more to this platform than just the reflexive LOL. Here are 3 ways the MEME can help improve your public relations potential.

Quick Delivery

One of the biggest benefits of the meme is in its immediate delivery. There is precious little time needed to think or understand. The impact of a well done meme is immediate and all encompassing. This is because the weight of the message is “felt” all at once.

Both Sides of the Brain

Memes combine language and imagery to engage both sides of the brain at the same time, in the same moment. This “wakes up” the mind without truly engaging the thought processes. In fact, a well executed meme engages the brain without ever causing a person to think. It bypasses the thought processes, and lands on the emotions, while the brain is busy translating stimuli. This is a potent psychological combination.

Sharing the Feeling

The single most important aspect of meme marketing is the impulse to share the emotional reaction. Humans are hardwired to want to share emotions. Meme responses all but demand a social response. Social media is a ready made platform that allows people to emotionally connect with a message, without ever mentally evaluating that message. This is a marketer’s dream come true.

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While this might seem to be a nefarious application of the power of the meme, it is nothing more than an easy step to get past the de facto “no” that most people are set on. They want, and need things, but throw up walls of suspicion and doubt unless that marketer can get past those hurdles and engage with a person on an emotional level. This is when the PR campaign can connect with people as they are and where they live.

 

Discover more from Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian’s Professional Profile on Muck Rack
GuideStar Profile for Ronn Torossian Foundation
Ronn Torossian’s Articles on Entrepreneur
Ronn Torossian’s Blog Posts on Times of Israel
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Ronn Torossian
https://www.5wpr.com
Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.

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