Using Cartoons to Kill Your Readers…With Humor

Those who want to write off cartoons as just another childish pastime haven’t heard of them as being an important part of a well-functioning web-content strategy. Whether you call them cartoons or comics, the use of illustrations to explain boring or complicated subject matter has seen proven results. Using cartoons sort of lightens the mood and makes it easier for readers who want to absorb the subject matter you’re discussing.

Cartoons are becoming a popular staple in content marketing campaigns. Not all content marketing topics are alluring or exciting, which is why the use of cartoons is the perfect vehicle to help explain some marketing topics to audiences. Want to tell someone how a mere brief ends up turning into a full-fledged ad? Marketoonist Tom Fishburne knows all about this, which is why his cartoons help readers understand the process a bit better. He’s even drawn marketing cartoons that lampoon push marketing and marketing and a/b testing.

It’s important to note that cartoons belong in different genres. Knowing which genre your cartoon falls into can help in tailoring your marketing message to the right demographic. Cartoons generally fall into information, social commentary and humor categories. See this post for an example of humorous cartoons. Note also that the subject matter of these cartoons is something not too serious (various forms of content marketing), which is why humor works in explaining the concept behind them. However, if your subject matter is more serious—such as abortion or AIDS—then it’s best to go with an informative cartoon.

As with any successful piece of content that gets published, you should aim to make an impact on your audience; that helps in getting them to associate your brand with value. Start by planning the cartoon by using an outline to help guide the flow and content. Then, generate a stockpile of cartoons, so that you have lots in reserve…just in case you’re not capable of creating one for a period of time. Finally, be open-minded and immune to criticism of your cartoons. Always ask for reader feedback to help you constantly improve the cartoons.

The future of cartoons on the internet looks bright. While newspaper readership continues to decline (and print cartoon exposure with it), the internet provides cartoons a vast audience that only continues to grow.

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