Ask yourself three questions:

1. When was the last time someone parodied you?
2. When was the last time someone parodied your idea?
3. When was the last time someone parodied your company?

If your answer is, "Never," then that should tell your something.

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery," as the old saying goes.

So, if people aren't at least TALKING about you - much less joking about you - you're in trouble.

LESSON LEARNED: Businesses that get made fun of get more business.

Usually.

Obviously, Enron isn't exactly a thriving corporation anymore.

Obviously, Crystal Pepsi didn't exactly win the Soft Drink of Year.

But in many cases, people and ideas and organizations that are joked about, parodied - even made fun of - are usually the ones who are making a name for themselves.

And in my experience (as someone who gets made fun of a lot) there are five reasons why parody leads to profit:

1. You're getting NOTICED. Amidst the clutter, infinite choices - and within the narrow window of time you have to get your message out - it's an accomplishment just to get someone's attention!

So, because nobody notices normal anymore, breaking through that initial clutter is the most important step. Just being recognized is a victory!

2. You're being REMEMBERED. That's the next step. Because usually, those who get noticed ... get remembered. That is, as long as there's SOME substance to back up the shtick.

Of course, the brain (still) HAS to be appealed to emotionally! So, that's why when it comes to memory, humor works best. That which is ridiculous and exaggerated is remembered.

3. You're getting TALKED ABOUT. Oscar Wilde once remarked, "The only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about." So, even if you or your ideas are being parodied, joked about or spoofed on, think of it as a compliment AND a victory. In fact, if clients aren't actively telling their friends about you, that probably means THIS.

4. You're being IMITATED. If people are imitating your idea, that should tell you a few things. Things like:

o It's remarkable
o It's worth copying
o It's simple to understand
o It's the origin, not the echo
o It's unique, not different.

Sounds like a good idea to me!

5. They're being MARKETED. Sure, it might sting a bit to see a group of 16 year-old kids parody your company in a YouTube video. But at the lowest common denominator - that's still free advertising! If I were you, I'd send them a thank you note.

Now, understandably, nobody likes being made fun of.

So, I'm not encouraging you to go out there and humiliate yourself. Nor am I suggesting that any company who gets made fun of automatically becomes successful.

However, let us not forget the power of the poke.

Because parody often leads to profit.

After all, if people aren't at least TALKING about you, your idea and your company, you're doing something wrong.

Spoofs contain truths.

LET ME ASK YA THIS...
Are you parodiable?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
For the list called, "46 Marketing Mistakes Your Company Is (Probably) Making," send an email to me, and I'll send you the list for free!