Memes — they have become a part of our lives. We know them, we love them and we share them with just about everyone we know. Every time something happens in pop culture, our social feeds are flooded with memes about it. But what are they exactly, and is it really worth it to jump on the meme train?
Are your social media DMs filled with memes that you send and receive?
Same!
That means that you take part in meme culture. Congratulations!
But will memes help your social media?
Alrika Möller from media update asks the question: To meme or not to meme?
What is a meme?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "a cultural feature or a type of behaviour that is passed from one generation to another, without the influence of genes."
It means something that gets shared or replicated a lot. Every time someone uses the same concept to make a joke, it's a meme.
Is there value in posting memes?
Memes are a universal language of humour. They can be used to communicate and relate to a bigger audience. We all understand the meme of the boyfriend looking at another girl, while his girlfriend gives him the look.
The memes you share also show people who you are. We post memes of things we either find funny or that we relate to.
Someone can see a meme on your post and find it incredibly relatable or funny. This can lead to a follow, or even some engagement. Memes can be incredibly useful for both brands and users who want to grow their platforms.
Are there downsides to posting memes?
Memes fall within a complicated copyright area. If you use a meme that someone else created for commercial purposes, they can ask you to take it down or charge a hefty fee.
Meme generators can help solve this particular issue; just make sure to check the website's terms and conditions before posting anything.
Then there is always the chance that people might not enjoy your meme or not get the joke. Sadly, I have no advice for that one. Good luck though!
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Jumping on social media trends can be a little scary. You don’t want Gen Z to think you are uncool! That is why we created our guide to Nostalgia on Social Media [Infographic].
*Image courtesy of Canva