Even though we are all going through tough times, one thing we can all agree on is that memes have a way of brightening our moods. Also, when it comes to social media, you could say that memes are in plenty.

Whether it’s Facebook or Instagram, it will only take a few minutes to see a meme as you scroll down your timeline. If you’ve been curious to find out how memes came to be, then you’ll be surprised to find out that memes are not a new thing and have been around since the late 1970s.

Richard Dawkins, a biology professor, coined the word “meme” in his famous book called The Selfish Gene. His original idea meant to explain mutation through Darwin’s theory; however, human creativity altered the meaning entirely.

Thankfully, this biologist has since embraced internet memes and even participated in a 2013 meme showcase by Saatchi & Saatchi in Cannes.

How to create a meme-Guide to writing memes

Creating a meme is quite easy as you only need an app or website that allows you to upload and edit an image by adding text to it.

Here’s how to create a meme using Opera snapshot.

Browse the internet for the image you’d like to use
Open snapshot then drag the picture to frame it
Once you’ve ‘captured’ the image click the tools option to edit
Add text using the desired font and color
Once you’re done, you can either copy it or save it
Voila! Your meme is ready

Once your meme is ready, the hardest part is perhaps getting it to go viral. This goal is even more important for brands hoping to use memes as a marketing strategy. If this is the case, then it would be best to know the different types of memes that are widely used.

The dilemma meme. The image used will display two choices, the first one being the conventional option and the other one something weird that people would typically not do
The evil guy meme. The goal of this meme is to show how a person does a good deed and cancels it out by doing something terrible
The when meme. This meme is as simple as the name. This meme will start with the word when. People use such memes to show a specific emotion usually a sad one
The nobody meme. This meme is perhaps the most popular at the moment. You’ll see it almost everywhere, even on the YouTube comments section!

Dos and Don’ts when using Memes

It might seem like it’s all fun and games. However, there are specific rules, mostly unspoken ones, when it comes to writing memes.

Let’s start with the Dos

Know your audience. This rule applies to everyone starting from a social media manager or an online retail page. Millennials relate to edgier memes. An older audience might be more sensitive or may not aware of trends. Therefore, they may not understand your meme at all
Have a clear grasp of your message. First, you must know which memes are appropriate for your brand. Secondly, you must have a clear goal to understand what meme will be useful. Gucci successfully used the “Arthur’s fist” meme to market their Merveilles watch in 2017
Confirm the image rights. Writing memes is a fun thing; however, be careful not to use copyrighted images to avoid getting sued. Fortunately, there are so many free-to-use images on the internet. Plus, you could always use your own.
Timing is everything. Think before you post a meme. This rule is especially important when using dark humor memes

Here are some of the don’ts

Don’t create memes that are insensitive to people’s races as well as culture. A controversial meme has the potential of ruining careers as well as reputations
If you don’t understand the meme, then don’t post it.
Avoid the use of outdated memes.
Don’t overuse a particular meme

Best iPhone Apps for creating memes in 2020

If you want to sound funny writing memes, there are countless apps to help you unleash your wild. Here are the three most popular ones for this year.

1. Mematic

This app is not only easy to use but also has popular meme templates and numerous stock photos for you to use. You may also use your pictures. You can purchase the app for a monthly fee of about $3 for premium features.

2. Meme!!

Meme!! is another simple phone app with both classic and up-to-date meme templates. Just like memetic, you would have to pay a fee to get all app features.

3. Imgur

Imgur is an excellent option for people not willing to pay for a meme-creating app. Another advantage is that this app has a lot of funny viral memes that will inspire you as you create yours.

Now that you have a clear understanding of how to create memes, the best way to learn is by doing. So, pull out your phone and get to be creative. Remember, writing memes is supposed to be fun, so don’t overthink it. You should also not give up if your memes don’t go viral. Keep trying until you perfect this art.