When it comes to talking in texts, tweets and snaps—sometimes words just aren’t enough. And in the age of character-limits, well, you might just find yourself without enough words. So, where to turn when words fail you?
👉 The emoji.
They do say a picture is worth a thousand words, so a single emoji can add significant value to a message without sacrificing brevity. Let’s take a look at this revolutionary addition to the way we speak in the modern, digital age and how stepping up your emoji-game could be vital for your business or personal brand.
Emojis are Serious Business 👩💼
The early adopters of emoji usage in the United States may have been teenagers, but if you think emojis are somewhat childish or or ‘not serious enough’ for professionals, think again. As a digital strategist, I coach entrepreneurs who are already at the top of their game and emoji usage is prevalent across their digital profiles. Even the owner of a multi-billion dollar company uses emojis like they are going out of style!
Still skeptical? Here is some evidence that suggests emojis are serious business: A 2014 study by the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory found that social users who use emojis tend to be more influential than those who don’t.
“The emoticon features achieved high performance, suggesting that there is a strong link between emoticon use and social power. Powerful users tend to use emoticons often and high Klout is strongly associated with positive emoticons,” the study concluded.
The effect of the emoji is leveraged by companies too. In-house marketing teams and agencies alike, under constant pressure to empower brands to stay relevant and current, are quickly figuring out how to put emojis to work inside content strategies. A recent study by Appboy, a mobile marketing automation company, found that emoji usage in marketing messages is experiencing a phenomenal growth rate of over 775 percent annually. ? The White House, Goldman Sachs, IKEA, Coca-Cola, GE, Taco Bell, and AT&T are just a few brands embracing the emoji.
The impact of the strategically placed emoji is already having a noticeable impact, with Appboy also finding that Android and email messages perform slightly better when emoji are used (based on open rates). Inside our chaotic inboxes, emojis used in subject lines catch our eye, enticing us to open the message. This extra weapon, while seemingly small, can be a formidable competitive edge for brands struggling to stand out to customers.
Emojis Can Make You Appear MORE Competent 👓
At first it might sound hard to believe, but emoji use can influence your audience’s perceptions of friendliness and competence, according one study in which participants who chatted online with experts in film and health rated the experts who used emoticons (the early predecessor to the emoji) as friendlier and more competent.
After all, the world is changing and so is the way we communicate. Walls of text are boring and feel stuffy. The modern consumer expects brands to speak to them on their level. This means less “proper” and more conversational. Emojis are fun, popular, and relatable—essential qualities for brands interacting with today’s consumers! The right emoji in the right place shows your audience that you GET THEM.
Emojis Are Our Happy Place 😍
Emojis that evoke positive feelings (think ✨💖😃) trigger positive feelings in the minds of audiences. And even when your message isn’t meant to be received 100% positively—for instance, when giving critical feedback in the workplace—emojis can help can increase receptiveness. One study found that employees are more likely to feel good about the message and more likely to follow the directions given to them.
Appropriately timed emojis in tweets or Facebook posts can add color and creative flair to a message and interplay with the post’s context. Whether on your personal profiles or in your digital marketing campaigns, emojis are a powerful way to enhance your messages.
Are you using emojis? Share your own thoughts and tips in the comments below!
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