Why You Shouldn’t Use Humor in Marketing

Comedy is everywhere. It’s in our favorite TV shows, movies, and even everyday conversations. And naturally, it made its way into advertising too.

But there's a problem: Humor in marketing is a double-edged sword. Sure, it grabs attention—but it rarely convinces people to buy.

Let’s talk about why relying on jokes might be the worst thing you can do for your ads.

Funny Doesn’t Always Sell

Humor in ads sounds great in theory. You get people laughing, they pay attention and boom, your brand gets remembered.

But here’s the catch:

Most of the time, people remember the joke… not the product.

Think about it. How many times have you laughed at a funny commercial only to forget what it was even for? That’s the trap of humor in marketing. It entertains, but it doesn’t sell.

The truth is, creating a funny ad that actually works is like playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun. The odds are against you.

Why Humor is So Risky

To pull off a great ad with humor, you need:

• A joke that lands perfectly.

• A message that connects to your product.

• An audience that genuinely finds it funny.

And even if you check all those boxes, there’s no guarantee your ad will work. Why? Because humor is subjective. What makes one person laugh could leave someone else rolling their eyes.

But let's be positive. Imagine that you manage to pull it off. Your ad is funny, your audience loves it, and it goes viral. Guess what? There’s still no guarantee they’ll buy your product.

Attention alone ≠ sales.

So What Actually Sells?

Selling sells.

If you want your ad to work, focus on the things that matter:

• A compelling offer.

• A killer headline.

• Clear reasons why your product is worth buying.

• Proof that it will make their life better.

Because here’s the deal: Any confusion in your audience’s mind will make them scroll away faster than you can say “punchline.”

Humor can entertain, but it rarely converts. If your goal is to sell, keep your ads focused on selling. It’s that simple.

Talk soon,

Enrique

P.S. Want to create an ad that actually gets results? Get in touch