78% of people believe brands can do more to deliver happiness
People want brands to make them smile and laugh, but business leaders fear using humor in customer interactions. According to a new study from Oracle and five-time New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin, people are searching for new experiences that make them smile and laugh. In fact, consumers will reward brands that embrace humor with loyalty, advocacy, and repeat purchases—and walk away from those that don’t.
Gretchen Rubin and comedian Katie Boyle discuss happiness today and how brands can deliver joy.
Learn more about The Happiness Report
People are looking for more happiness, and they are looking for it in surprising places. And they are willing to spend money to get and keep happiness.
What brings us joy, especially in recent years, has changed. But one thing bubbles to the surface—we want brands to help us be happy through humor.
People are seeking out happiness in new ways, and they want more humor from companies. So, business leaders must be responding, right? Not quite.
Infographic
41% of people are willing to leave a brand if it doesn’t make them smile
Nearly everyone (91%) wants brands to make them smile and laugh. Despite this preference, brands rarely use humor. Why? 95% fear using humor in customer interactions, and 85% don’t believe they have the data insights or tools to successfully deliver humor.
Humor can pay dividends—if done right:
80%
would buy from a brand again
72%
would choose that brand over a competitor
63%
would spend more money with that brand
“For brands aiming to contribute to the happiness of their target audience, the process starts with data and knowing your customers. Only then can you bring the appropriate mix of humor, personality, and brand experience that will drive loyalty and brand advocacy.”
Customer story
Happiness by design
Cairo-based developer Mountain View and two other global companies formed a partnership to bring the land to life and make people happy, from the inside out. Their philosophy: When you have happy employees, you have happy customers.
The impact of humor on customer engagement
Explore the impact of humor on advertising, marketing, sales, and customer service interactions—and where brands are missing the mark.
Funny ads are remembered
90% of people said they are more likely to remember ads that are funny, but only 20% of business leaders said they use humor in advertising campaigns
Funny subject lines get clicks
69% of people said they are more likely to open an email with a funny subject line, but only 24% of business leaders said they use humor in marketing campaigns
Funny salespeople drive purchases
77% of people said they are more likely to buy from salespeople who are funny, but only 16% of business leaders said they use humor in sales interactions
Funny chatbots boost engagement
68% of people said they are more likely to engage with funny chatbots/digital assistants, but only 27% of business leaders said they use humor in digital customer service interactions
Explore more resources to help enhance your customer experience
They say you can’t buy happiness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use humor to increase sales. In fact, making customers laugh could be what sets you apart from the competition. People are prioritizing happiness, and they’re willing to reward companies that make them smile.
Data is telling us something we know intuitively to be true: Laughter is the best medicine. Business leaders only refrain from using humor because they aren’t sure it will be used appropriately. Data and AI can help guide decisions on when to use humor in customer interactions—and when to steer clear.
Why funny advertising campaigns make you stand out (and why some business leaders avoid them)
Michael McNichols, Content Manager, Oracle
What are the benefits of humor in digital advertising? It humanizes your brand. It catches the eye. It delights your audience. With humor, an ad can go from simply intrusive to an entertaining use of someone’s time. If they smile and laugh, you’ve won them over. So, by making someone chuckle or smile, you made your ad more memorable. You made it resonate. Continue reading to learn how.
Read the complete postAdditional coverage
- USA Today Survey: 4 in 10 people are still unhappy two years into the pandemic
- NBC KPRC 2 Some Americans have forgotten what it means to be ‘truly happy,’ survey finds
- Sunday Express Workers ready to take pay cut if it will guarantee happiness
- Marketing Dive Consumers are looking for humor but brands aren’t delivering, survey finds
- Fox 5 Washington DC Finding ways to regain happiness (video)
Start using data to better inform your customers’ experiences
Oracle Advertising and Customer Experience offers a connected suite of applications that goes beyond traditional CRM to help you create, manage, serve, and nurture lasting customer relationships. Build a complete view of your customers and their every interaction—no matter how, when, where, or with whom they engage. Empower your entire business to deliver exceptional customer experiences—from acquisition to retention—and everything in between.