Internal Communications: Using Memes and Gifs to Effectively Communicate with Colleagues

by Frances Chang, vice president - communications 21

Internal Comms Meme evil Kermit. Me: employee communications should always be serious and authoritative. Also me: naw...let's make them fun and talk to employees like they do to each other.
meme example

In order to provide quality service, you need a remarkable team. And to foster great teamwork, you need effective internal communication. How do you adjust your communication style when interacting with your team compared to communicating with your client?

Here’s what I do – I use memes and gifs to connect with my colleagues. Yes, of course, you should always be professional and appropriate, but I find using humorous imagery not only conveys my mood, my point of view – and my need for attention, it lightens up our Teams messages, diversifies the day-to-day and can often actually provide pertinent information.

When used correctly, the perfect meme or gif (pronounced with a hard ‘g’ – fight me): 

  1. Gets the attention of the recipient
  2. Provides context to the incoming message
  3. Elicits an audible laugh or chuckle
  4. Establishes a bond or trust
  5. Subliminally implants a disposition for mind control
  6. Makes you the funniest and hippest person in the office
Seal drowning meme

While I don’t recommend this mode of communication with clients or business affiliates, it has proven quite effective in casual industry-related groups as well. For example, the following meme portraying a distressed seal with the words “I’m Drowning, I’m Drowning,” posted to a marketing Facebook group when we were understaffed and looking for help resulted in a plethora of reactions and dozens of contractor applications. This led to connecting with the amazing Meghan Stoneburner, who is now a full-time c21er as a Director! This meme literally increased our staff – with a person who we knew already had the right vibes.

But seriously, maintaining a positive atmosphere and sense of humor with your colleagues is an effective way to build rapport and foster teamwork. When the team gels together, you get results that really stick.


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