Good morning, and welcome back to Marketing Qualified. Here are today’s topics:
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How to make your marketing more memorable. Use a well-known line, then make it your own.
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What marketers can steal from stand-up comics. The comedy metric that you should be using too.
🧠 How to make your marketing more memorable.
Want to write something memorable? Here’s a quick copywriting trick: take a line everyone knows and give it a clever twist.
Here’s a perfect example from IBM:
It works because it plays on Descartes’ famous philosophy: “I think, therefore I am.”
By borrowing a line everyone knows and giving it a unique spin, IBM creates instant recognition and ties it to their brand identity.
The reason this works so well? Your brain already knows the original line. So when you see the twist, it creates this satisfying little “aha” moment. It’s familiar… but different. That’s what makes it stick.
Need a few more examples? Here are some that we mocked up:
Next time you’re stuck trying to write something memorable, give this a go:
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Think of a famous quote or saying that relates to your message.
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Keep most of it intact.
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Change just one or two words to make it yours.
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Make sure the new version still makes sense on its own.
Just remember: the best twists feel clever, not forced. If you have to explain it, it probably isn’t working.
📰 In the news this week.
👩⚖️ Trump filed a Supreme Court bid to save TikTok.
🤖 Instagram previews coming AI video elements.
🛍 Coupon sites: The hidden threat to your brand.
😬 6 controversial campaigns from 2024 & what went wrong.
🤯 The online moments that defined 2024.
🎤 What marketers can steal from stand-up comics.
Stand-up comedians have a tough job. They’ve got to grab your attention, hold it, and make you laugh. All while competing with hecklers, distractions, and a two-drink minimum.
What you might not know is that comedians have a metric to gauge how well they’re doing during a set. It’s called laughs per minute (LPM).
Pro comedians aim for 4-6 LMP, which means they keep the energy high and the crowd engaged.
What does this have to do with marketing?
Well, marketers are also in the business of engaging audiences. Sure, you’re not aiming for belly laughs (probably), but the concept of engagements per minute—AKA how often your audience connects with or reacts to your message—is crucial.
How marketers can use “Laughs Per Minute” as inspiration.
1) Social Media Posts
If they want people to pay attention, comedians must have a strong setup line for their jokes. Social media is the same. If you don’t grab attention fast, your audience scrolls right past. Instead of jokes, focus on high-impact lines, clever visuals, or punchy CTAs that get immediate reactions.
2) Landing Pages
Just like comedians build up to a big laugh, marketers need to guide their audience toward a satisfying conversion. Keep every section tight, valuable, and engaging so visitors stay with you until the CTA punchline.
3) Email Campaigns
Comedians know the importance of a strong opener. So should marketers. Your email’s subject line and opening lines need to “hook” your audience, just like a comedian hooks their crowd.
Then, keep the momentum going with frequent bursts of value or humor.
4) Webinars/Presentations
Webinars and presentations are like full comedy sets. You must keep the energy up throughout to avoid losing your audience. Incorporate quick wins, relatable moments, and interactive elements to maintain engagement at every point in your talk.
5) Ad Copy
Every word in your ad counts, just like every line in a comedian’s set. Focus on making your copy punchy and delivering a clear payoff quickly.
Like great comedy, great marketing is all about timing, delivery, and connection. Whether you’re crafting a social post, email, or webinar, think like a stand-up comedian: Aim to drive multiple engagement moments per minute.
😂 Marketing meme of the week.
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