Special Series: The MEME PLAYBOOK You Didn’t Know You Needed | Bathroom Break #65

Release Date: July 21, 2025
Hosts: Jay Schwedelson (Do This, Not That Podcast) & Daniel Murray (Marketing Millennials)

In this collaborative episode of "Bathroom Break #65," Jay Schwedelson from the "Do This, Not That" podcast joins forces with Daniel Murray of "Marketing Millennials" to explore the dynamic world of memes in modern marketing. Titled "The MEME PLAYBOOK You Didn’t Know You Needed 💡," the episode delves into how memes can be leveraged as a powerful marketing tool, offering actionable insights and strategies for brands looking to enhance their digital presence.

Introduction: Setting the Tone

The episode opens with playful banter between Jay and Daniel, discussing light-hearted topics like condiments and personal food preferences. This casual start establishes an engaging and relatable atmosphere, making the listeners feel comfortable as the hosts transition into more serious marketing discussions.

• Jay: “Welcome to a new special series called the Bathroom break...” ([00:01])
• Daniel: “This collab is going to be super fun...” ([00:13])

Memes: The Language of the Internet

Daniel Murray kicks off the main discussion by asserting the integral role of memes in today's digital communication landscape.

• Daniel: “Memes are the language of the Internet.” ([02:33])

He explains that memes and video formats now dominate personal communications, such as direct messages on Instagram, overshadowing traditional content like ebooks and white papers. This shift underscores why brands must incorporate memes into their marketing strategies to stay relevant and engage effectively with their target audiences.

Aligning Memes with Brand Voice

Both hosts emphasize the importance of ensuring that meme content aligns with a brand’s identity and voice. Daniel highlights that not all brands need to adopt a humorous or playful tone, but there are ways to integrate memes that resonate without compromising the brand’s core values.

• Daniel: “If you’re not...don’t want to add any fun to your brand then, or any humor, then it’s fine. But I think there’s ways to do it that could work on both camps.” ([04:08])

He suggests customizing meme formats to fit the unique voice of the brand, such as using employee photos or creating original cartoon characters, thereby maintaining professionalism while still leveraging the engaging nature of memes.

Crafting Memes that Resonate

Creating effective memes requires a deep understanding of the audience’s pain points and preferences. Daniel shares his approach to developing memes that strike a chord with viewers.

• Daniel: “When I create a meme, I try to reverse engineer the comment section or the DM... I see if you have five or six pain points and one liners and hooks that you know are going to work and you just match them with different images, usually they will hit with an audience.” ([04:40])

By addressing specific challenges and emotions that the audience experiences, memes can elicit strong reactions such as humor, relatability, or thoughtfulness, thereby enhancing engagement and shareability.

Adapting Meme Formats: Video vs. Static

The conversation shifts to the evolving formats of memes, particularly the increasing prominence of video memes over static images.

• Jay: “Is that what everyone should be doing or we. Or is there another format?” ([05:53])
• Daniel: “If you can have swipe through of different like pain points, that’s a good format too.” ([05:53])

Daniel notes that video memes tend to perform better on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, where video content is favored by algorithms and tends to reach a broader audience. However, static memes still hold value for their predictability in garnering likes and shares. The key takeaway is to align the meme format with the platform’s strengths and the brand’s capabilities.

Leveraging Trends and Existing Popularity

Instead of reinventing the wheel, Daniel recommends tapping into already popular meme formats and adapting them to fit the brand’s message.

• Daniel: “We look for images or videos of other memes that have... circulated massively, you know, millions of views... and then we recaption it.” ([07:03])

This strategy leverages the existing popularity and proven engagement of certain meme templates, ensuring that the content is more likely to resonate and perform well within the brand’s industry context.

Understanding Platform-Specific Algorithms

A critical aspect of meme marketing is understanding and navigating the algorithms of different social media platforms to maximize visibility and engagement.

• Daniel: “If you add watermarks to something, it’s going to get deducted in the feed... or if you repost the same meme... it’s going to get deducted.” ([07:46])

He advises brands to be mindful of specific platform rules, such as avoiding watermarks on Instagram or not reposting the same meme multiple times in a day. Such practices can lead to reduced visibility as algorithms may penalize content that doesn’t adhere to best practices.

Best Practices for Meme Marketing

Jay and Daniel distill several best practices for brands looking to incorporate memes into their marketing strategies:

1. Customization: Tailor meme content to reflect the brand’s voice and message.
2. Platform Alignment: Use video memes on platforms that favor them (e.g., Instagram Reels, LinkedIn) and static memes where appropriate.
3. Trend Utilization: Adapt popular meme formats to fit the industry and brand context.
4. Algorithm Awareness: Stay informed about platform-specific rules to avoid penalties and maximize reach.
5. Continuous Testing: Regularly experiment with different meme styles and formats to determine what resonates best with the audience.

• Daniel: “If you had a meme that crushed it six months ago and you want to do it again... you take the image, resize it a little bit different, and then post it.” ([08:56])

This approach ensures that previously successful memes can be revitalized without violating platform guidelines, thereby maintaining engagement over time.

Light-Hearted Interlude: Condiments and Food Preferences

Throughout the episode, Jay and Daniel weave in light-hearted conversations about condiments and favorite foods, adding a personable and entertaining layer to the discussion. This segment serves to humanize the hosts and keep the conversation engaging.

• Jay: “I’m a big mayo guy. Mayo on a burger. Mayo on anything.” ([01:34])
• Daniel: “I love Taco Bell.” ([09:37])

Closing Remarks: Encouraging Engagement and Follow-Up

As the episode wraps up, both hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content on social media and stay connected for future insights.

• Jay: “Check out my podcast, Do This, Not That, for marketers. Each week, we share really quick tips on stuff that can improve your marketing and hope you give it a try.” ([10:40])
• Daniel: “Go follow the Marketing Millennials podcast, but also tune into this series... We talk about marketing tips that we just spew out...” ([10:50])

Key Takeaways

1. Memes as Essential Marketing Tools: Memes are now a fundamental aspect of digital communication and should be integrated into marketing strategies.
2. Brand Alignment: Ensure that meme content aligns with the brand’s voice and values to maintain authenticity and effectiveness.
3. Format Versatility: Utilize both video and static memes based on platform preferences and brand capabilities.
4. Trend Adaptation: Leverage existing popular meme formats and tailor them to fit the brand’s specific industry and audience.
5. Algorithm Savvy: Understand and adhere to platform-specific rules to maximize content visibility and engagement.
6. Ongoing Experimentation: Continuously test and refine meme strategies to stay relevant and maintain audience interest.

Notable Quotes

• Daniel Murray: “Memes are the language of the Internet.” ([02:33])
• Daniel Murray: “When I create a meme, I try to reverse engineer the comment section or the DM...” ([04:40])
• Daniel Murray: “We look for images or videos of other memes that have... circulated massively... and then we recaption it.” ([07:03])

Conclusion

This episode of "Bathroom Break #65" provides a comprehensive exploration of how memes can be effectively utilized in marketing. Through engaging dialogue and practical advice, Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray offer valuable insights for brands seeking to enhance their digital presence and connect deeply with their audiences. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just beginning to explore meme marketing, this episode serves as a crucial guide to mastering the art of memes in the modern marketing landscape.