Simon Alexander
How to Use Humor to Increase Sales: Humor is more than just a laugh—it’s a powerful sales tool. In today’s saturated marketplace, brands compete not just for attention but for connection. And humor, when used strategically, can be the bridge that builds trust, creates engagement, and drives conversions. Whether you’re a solopreneur, e-commerce owner, marketer, or cartoonist selling digital art on platforms like Toons Mag and Cartoonist Network, understanding how to leverage humor in your messaging can unlock surprising revenue potential.
This guide explores how humor can increase sales, backed by behavioral psychology, real-world examples, and actionable techniques—ensuring you don’t just entertain but convert.
Why Humor Works in Sales: The Psychology
Let’s start with the basics. What makes humor such a compelling sales device?
1. Humor Builds Trust
Laughter is a social glue. Research shows that people who laugh together develop stronger bonds. When a brand uses humor, it triggers a psychological mechanism called the “affective heuristic.” This means consumers are more likely to judge the brand positively simply because it made them feel good.
Example: Think of the Dollar Shave Club’s now-iconic launch video. It used self-deprecating humor and witty lines like “Our blades are f***ing great.” Not only did it go viral, but it also translated directly into millions in sales.
2. Humor Increases Recall
Humorous ads are 47% more likely to be remembered than non-humorous ones. If your message is funny, your brand is sticky. This is why Geico’s absurdist commercials or Old Spice’s surreal humor remain memorable long after the initial view.
3. Humor Humanizes Your Brand
People don’t buy from faceless corporations—they buy from people. Humor breaks down corporate walls and makes your brand feel like a friend rather than a salesperson.
Types of Humor That Sell (Without Offending)
Not all humor is created equal. The wrong joke can damage trust. The right joke can multiply your sales funnel. Here are humor styles that consistently perform well in marketing:
- Self-deprecating humor: Makes your brand relatable (e.g., “We messed up. But we fixed it—promise.”)
- Observational humor: Comments on everyday experiences your customers relate to.
- Exaggeration and absurdity: Push things to the edge to stand out, but ensure it aligns with your brand voice.
- Visual humor: Cartoons, caricatures, and comics—especially effective on platforms like Toons Mag or Cartoonist Network.
Pro tip: Avoid sarcasm, especially in written formats, as tone doesn’t always translate. Never punch down. Humor should uplift or entertain, not belittle or divide.
How to Integrate Humor into Your Sales Strategy
1. Make Your Sales Copy Entertaining
Humor doesn’t have to be loud—it can be clever. Add it to:
- Product descriptions (“These socks are like hugs for your feet.”)
- CTA buttons (“Click here if you’re awesome.”)
- Error pages (“404: This page took a wrong turn at Albuquerque.”)
Even subtle changes can lift conversion rates. A/B test humorous variants to find your sweet spot.
2. Use Cartoons and Comics to Visualize Your Pitch
Toons Mag and Cartoonist Network provide platforms where artists can use comics not just for expression, but for monetization. Sales pages that incorporate visual humor—comics or illustrated metaphors—enjoy higher engagement, especially on social media.
Example: If you’re selling eco-friendly water bottles, a comic strip showing a fish applauding you for not polluting the ocean can be both funny and emotionally resonant.
Visual humor:
- Is highly shareable
- Breaks up text-heavy sales pages
- Communicates complex ideas quickly
3. Deploy Funny Testimonials and Reviews
Encourage your happy customers to leave humorous reviews—or turn their quotes into funny graphics.
“I gave this beard oil to my husband. Now the cat loves him more than I do.”
Funny social proof disarms skepticism and improves trust. Display it on landing pages, product pages, and email campaigns.
4. Leverage Funny Emails and Subject Lines
Your inbox is full of boring. Humor wins attention.
- Subject Line: “Oops! We just did something you’ll love.”
- Opening Line: “If you’re reading this, your coffee hasn’t kicked in yet—but don’t worry, we’ve got something better.”
These tactics not only increase open rates but also improve click-throughs and conversions. And if your brand’s tone is fun, subscribers will look forward to your emails.
Brands that master humor can turn customers into advocates. A funny video, meme, or comic is more likely to be shared.
Strategies:
- Turn FAQs into a comic series
- Create memes tied to product benefits
- Share humorous behind-the-scenes clips
Platform tip: Upload your comics and humorous content to Cartoonist Network, where art meets commerce. You can monetize it via downloads, gain exposure, and build community around your brand voice.
Real-World Examples of Humor Boosting Sales
🧼 Squatty Potty
The viral ad featuring a unicorn pooping rainbow ice cream turned a niche bathroom product into a household name. The humorous video didn’t just entertain—it educated and drove a 600% sales increase in one year.
📦 Cards Against Humanity
From “We’re a party game for horrible people” to their Black Friday “Give Us $5 For Nothing” campaign (which earned over $70,000), their humor is edgy, risky—and it works because it’s aligned with their brand identity.
🧦 Bombas Socks
Their emails often use humorous metaphors, like describing mismatched socks as “the Bermuda Triangle of laundry.” It adds personality, increases brand loyalty, and keeps customers engaged.
Humor in B2B Marketing? Yes, Please
Humor isn’t just for B2C. B2B brands are finally catching on.
- Slack uses quirky illustrations and playful messaging like “Where work happens.”
- Mailchimp has a famously fun tone, with lines like “Let’s get this email party started.”
B2B buyers are still people. And people love to laugh. Humor helps you cut through industry jargon and make your solution feel accessible.
Using Humor with Cultural Sensitivity
If you’re marketing across cultures—as many artists do on Cartoonist Network, which is available in 24 languages—it’s essential to localize humor carefully. Jokes that work in Norway might flop in Japan.
Tips:
- Test humor with native speakers before publishing
- Use visual humor (like cartoons) when language barriers exist
- Avoid idioms or sarcasm unless you’re sure it’s understood
Tools and Platforms That Help You Add Humor
🖼️ Toons Mag
Create editorial cartoons, comics, and caricatures that promote your brand’s message in funny, digestible formats. Great for social causes and awareness-based sales.
🎨 Cartoonist Network
An artist-driven platform where humor meets art meets monetization. You can:
- Upload humorous illustrations or animations
- Sell them via the digital art store
- Get analytics on what style or joke format performs best
- Build an audience that loves your humor style
How to Measure the ROI of Humor
Using humor is creative, but it must be strategic. Here’s how to track its impact on sales:
- Engagement Rates: Are your funny posts getting more likes, comments, and shares?
- Email Metrics: Test open/click rates with funny vs. serious subject lines.
- Conversion Rates: Did that humorous landing page outperform the control?
- A/B Testing: Use tools like Google Optimize or Unbounce to test joke vs. no-joke variants.
Start small. Test. Scale what works.
How to Use Humor to Increase Sales: Humor Converts Because It Connects
Humor done right is the ultimate sales hack. It lowers resistance, boosts trust, and turns marketing from a monologue into a conversation. In a world of forgettable ads and soulless emails, humor makes your brand human.
So whether you’re sketching a comic on Toons Mag, uploading a gag cartoon to Cartoonist Network, or writing your next email campaign—ask yourself, “What if this made someone laugh?”
Because if you can make them laugh, chances are you can also make them buy.
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