Your Marketing Secret Weapon is Relatability.
Allow us to kick Reels to the curb reel quick.
Ever since IG adopted the TikTok model of vertical video, we've been listening to our clients sigh about creating Reels content. AND WE GET I... it can be creatively, mentally and physically exhausting on top of the full-time gig you've already got going for you. (also we love reels sm and just stay with us for the sake of this blog post…)
Anyway, we'd just like to invite you to try an alternative option that has just as much, if not more, potential to reach your audience…
Drumroll please…
Memes.
Yes, you heard us correctly. Memes. Not exactly a new concept, we know... They've literally been around since the dawn of the internet, but we're bringing them to your attention because they're so incredibly effective in the content landscape today.
Here's why...
Relatability and share-ability = Viral(ability) baby!
Your audience craves content that speaks their language. Memes are just that; relatable, easy to digest, and shareable. They have the magical ability to create instant connection and resonance, which builds trust. So, when your audience feels seen, they’re more likely to engage—and IG’s algorithm loves engagement. It tracks swipes, shares, and saves, rewarding content that keeps users interacting.
Boom. Resonance, connection, instant trust. Plus, not only will the algorithm favor you because your audience is engaging, they'll be sharing it with their friends. And from here, the viral ball is rolling.
The best part is, you don't even need to necessarily create the content. Throughout the week save all the niche specific memes you come across and do a roundup of those. Just be sure to credit the OP (original poster)!
Why Carousel Posts Are Your Friend
Like Reels, Carousel format posts are like nutrients for the algorithm.
Because it takes longer than half a second for someone to look through them, IG will reward you for creating content that keeps someone on the platform. Carousel swipes are actually an engagement metric that IG records to qualify your content.
Take this meme roundup that our CEO shared. It reached nearly 75k accounts in one week,, compared to her usual 12-15k reach. Like hello!! And y'all this was not even a super-polished, high-production post (love you though, Krista).
But in all seriousness, sometimes it is about working smarter and not harder. Authenticity in marketing is not that heavy!!!
Being authentic in your marketing means bringing all of you to the forefront. Your expertise, inspirational stories, hardships AND your playfulness, silly side, your humanness. Which means your content calendar should be comprised of multiple pillars, including education, inspiration and entertainment.
Nowww if humor isn't truly authentic to you, there are other “meme" or storytelling style formats you can use to capitalize on this strategy. There's a trend on IG where you'll post a photo carousel with photo captions expressing how you really feel about social media.
We love this post from @girlsthatinvest, a platform that empowers female financial literacy, showing her own struggles with money despite her impactful social presence. She's speaking her truth, and honestly that's why it does so well... because her truth resonates with all of us! #relatable
So what?
Memes (and other storytelling carousel formats) can be just as viral-able, if not more, than Reels when used strategically. When your audience connects with you on a human level, they engage—and IG rewards that engagement.
So next time you feel that pressure to whip out your camera and dance on Reels, remember: sometimes a meme speaks louder than 10 seconds of video. Whether it's rooted in humor or humility, your meme strategy should be authentic and relatable to your niche audience.
Let the viral magic begin.
