Memes! We can all name a few. But they have become a recognized language of their own with millennials. Memetics is a way of approaching the transfer of cultural information scientifically, as a reflection of pre-existing evolutionary models. This school of thought is now being used to discuss the importance of meme culture. If every generation has a literary breakthrough, are memes millennials’ masterpiece? Millennials in every culture can now recognize the most popular memes such as “one does not simply” or the “ALIENS” man from the History Channel.
In its own twisted way, this development shows the beauty of the internet. People collectively enjoying, laughing and sharing these simple photos of sayings. Millennials have created something as equally culturally relevant as it is ridiculous.
Memes as a business model
Businesses have started using memes as a marketing tool. Christian Bauckhage writes in his article, Insights into Internet Memes, that “professionals in marketing and campaigning have embraced internet memes as a way to build rapport with trendy communities.” Other companies, such as State Farm insurance and Ihop, have started using memes on their social media sites, making them not just a form of comedy, but a relatable ad series. Memes thrive on recognition, so as long as companies choose carefully, using memes is a smart marketing tool that can serve to attract millennial buyers.
However, like any form of advertisement, companies must choose how they use memes, since they could have the opposite effect and make companies seem like they are trying too hard to appeal to millennials. Businesses also have to be careful to stay on the light side of the internet,and to not contribute to any of the cyber bullying or trolling that can happen. When memes are used correctly, their use can help a business seem trendy.
Meming authors?
Memes not only can be used in marketing, but also as a business themselves. Books such as A Grumpy Cat book, are based on the infamous cat meme of the grumpy cat as he is permanently frowning and appears to hate the world. Or the book Regretsy by April Winfell, which shares stories of DIY crafting projects gone wrong. Both of these books have more than 500 customer reviews on Amazon, as well as have at least four and a half stars. Author Christen Lander jokingly created a blog dedicated to mocking stuff white people like and has been given multiple book deals as well as a reported $350,000 advance. These authors use internet crazes as inspiration for their comedy books, and sales were much better than expected, which shows that people want to buy these products.
The concept is a little ridiculous, but we have to recognize that the internet, as strange as it is, has created graphics that are a career for people. People whose images are used as memes, such as ridiculously photogenic running guy have even been on the Ellen show discussing their internet fame. Memes have created a language of their own, as well as a new meme culture. In this digital age, I applaud those who have found ways to make a profit on internet memes, and turn that into an entrepreneurial career.
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