Think with Team Vavoza (November 2023)

Insiders – We’re excited to introduce a new monthly series called “Think with Team Vavoza” in which key members of our team will share their raw thoughts and ideas with you, including helpful marketing tips and insights.

Our goal is for you to feel more connected to our team, improve your overall experience with Vavoza, and help you grow your business faster in a more meaningful way. Each Vavoza team member has something unique and useful to share with you, so strap in and enjoy the ride in this month’s special release! 😎

JaMarr’s Take

Contrary to popular belief, funny doesn’t grow on trees – but thankfully, humor can be flexed like a muscle with enough comedic exercise. Though some are born with enviable wit, even the most wooden can learn to tickle the funny bone with regular workouts at the laughter gym.

Humor can be a powerful tool for increasing ROI, but it must be used thoughtfully. Leading with laughs often backfires, leaving audiences confused or annoyed. Instead, focus humor around your core message. Craft amusing analogies and witty phrasings that support your point rather than distract. This approach builds engagement and memorability while ensuring the humor serves your goals. 

When your funny bone fails you, rely on classic comedic devices. Hyperbole and irony highlight absurdities that people relate to. Imagery and comparisons conjure silly scenarios that stick in minds. Framing mundane things unexpectedly also elicits smiles, like describing paperwork as “the business world’s bumper cars.” Lean on tropes with care, though; forcing humor risks flopping.

Lastly, imbue your content with a playful personality. Brands that exude levity, empathy, and wit build connections. Having a lighthearted tone, without overdoing jokes, makes even dull topics more human. Sprinkle in emojis, gifs, and of course, the classic LOL and LMAO when appropriate. And interact with commenters humorously when possible. Show you don’t take yourself too seriously. Because haters gonna hate, but you can always elevate.

The key is using comedy as a tool, not a crutch. Thoughtful humor galvanizes people around messages. But chase laughs alone and risk undermining the meaning. With practice, any brand can learn to tickle the funny bone effectively and watch the ROI of LOL fatten those coffers.

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JaMarr Johnson
Content Writer, Vavoza

Vadim’s POV

You know the saying, “It’s like riding a bike.”? Well, I’ll tell you what: marketing isn’t quite like that. From what I see, marketing is constantly changing, and those who don’t keep up with the latest trends are failing faster than succeeding.

In the infamous words of Ricky Bobby, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” I see this regularly, where people keep doing what they’ve always done for years and then wonder why their business is plateauing. In my opinion and experience, you should always brush up on your marketing skills and stay ahead of the curve. And what better way than with Vavoza Insider?

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Vadim Silchuk
Agency Manager, Vavoza

Vlad’s Insight

A few years ago, I was offering free consultations to business owners in the city in which I live, and I had the opportunity to speak with local entrepreneurs from various industries. Would you like to know what the biggest thing was that caught my attention about businesses that were struggling to get customers?

It was their appearance and vibe!

In other words, the perception they were giving off was unflattering and repulsive to potential customers. They say looks can be deceiving (and rightfully so), but from my experience, appearances often paint a very clear picture.

I remember this clear as day: It was a snowy winter day and I walked into a local hair salon to give a young woman a free marketing consultation. From the moment I walked into her salon, I was thrown off by the appearance of the place. It was a mess! It looked cluttered and unprofessional. The equipment looked old and gross. There wasn’t even a hanger for my coat…

I thought to myself, “The people who come to this salon must be her close friends and relatives,” because I couldn’t imagine someone stumbling upon that salon on Google, seeing the pictures and reviews, and saying to themselves, “I should go get my hair done there!”

Can you guess what kind of marketing consultation I gave her? Hint: Think of Gordon Ramsay’s show “Hotel Hell!” (but a little nicer, of course…) 😶

So, what’s my point?

Perception is everything. The way that your prospects perceive your business impacts your conversions significantly. Your customers are a reflection of your business, and most customers are not ugly, so good luck getting enough customers if your brand looks unattractive!

Here’s my advice for you today:

• Manage your perception strategically and deliberately. What exactly do you want people to think when they notice your brand?
  
  
• Create an energetic and positive vibe around your brand. Strive to make people feel energized, inspired, and empowered when interacting with your business!
  
  
• Modernize and keep up with popular trends. Stay fresh and relevant.
  
  
• Keep it clean and simple. Avoid clutter on your website, in your ads, emails, the background of your Zoom calls, your office space, etc.
  
  
• Make people feel good about doing business with you before they interact with your brand and discover how good you are at your craft.
  
  

Without this, you may not get the chance you deserve to prove to your potential customers that you have the best solution for what they want or need.

That is it for today.

See you in December’s edition of Think with Team Vavoza and weekly in Vavoza Insider. Keep crushing it. 😎

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Vlad Strizheus
Founder, Vavoza