What's your test to make sure humor doesn't cross the line?

Here's a counterintuitive response to your query.  Your brand - Your Tone - Your Personal Persona - Your ideal audience's perception - Your History - Your Future - The Purpose for Your Humor

Only those are important to the best answer for you. YOU and only YOU must decide how you behave anywhere, not just social media.  HOW will your tribe react? Here's a couple of REAL LIFE examples.

Tony Robbins - Strong Personal Brand - a Highly-Skilled Motivator - Tone is mixed; Drops the F-Bomb like it is normal conversation in his seminars, but never in print. His tribe can't get enough of him. History of Tony started out attracting baby-boomers in their early prime; masterful, clean-cut motivator but morphing over time to be who he is today. Funny - a lot of humorous statements, actions, and his tribe can't get enough.  His future will be stronger than ever because he has mastered speaking to the Millennials, Gen Z's like a cult following. Masterful 

Gary Vaynerchuk or Gary V - Strong Personal Brand - Niche Marketer and Motivator - Tone Rough and Tough- No Misunderstanding what his market position is. Again, F-Bombs like they are handing candy to children. You'd think there are cash bonuses for every time he spouts one. His tribe loves him. A lot smaller tribe than Tony but Tony's been around a lot longer. Funny - mixed reviews on that, but often yes. Offensive is my opinion, but every person to their own tastes. 

What I have just written is not LIbleous nor Slanderous; it's true for each of them. Both of these two people are masters at what they do, no question.

Do they use their personas in written form? Highly doubtful. Are they who they REALLY are on social media?  Are they funny online? Often, but it can't be offensive because the social media police are cracking down on just about anything that isn't sanitized.

My brother is hilarious almost all the time - even on F-Book. But, he's been in F-B jail so many times I cannot believe he hasn't been banned for life.  His tribe adores him because he uses real life in all his spur-of-the-moment humor. He knows exactly who he is and who he is for. 

So, have you figured out Who You Are? and, Who Are You For?  Those are the questions you begin with BEFORE you even verify your ideal client. Should you be funny? I don't know, you tell us?

Is what you're about to risk worth losing what you have?  There is your answer.  There is never a reason to risk business over a borderline social media post.  Why?  You can be funny, clever, and interesting without going anywhere near the line.  It takes greater skill, smarts, and intellect.  Prove yourself worth it.  Stay away from the line.

Decide what you want to do.  Be a social media star or run a business.  Be a comedian or run a business.  Blog or run a business.   A well run business should be colorblind, tolerant and welcoming.  Treat everyone the same, no matter what.  You either want to provide a service or sell a product.  Concentrate on doing that well if you want my business. 

I recently posted, "Where is the best place to bury a body? On the SECOND page of Google." I believe humor can help increase transmission of everything - including a marketing message. The point we are making is that no one will find you unless you are on the first page of google which promotes the ability to get them on the first page of Google in as little as 2 weeks.

Well, personally I like to mostly post things that uplift people - positivity quotes, beautiful photos of nature, cute animal photos and occasionally a “groaner” joke.

I sprinkle in some networking photos and family pictures, but my family is VERY camera shy, so you won’t see many of those, lol!

So, what do I feel “crosses the line?” Well, I don’t air my “dirty laundry”, my bad moods, or  post memes that raise eyebrows. Nasty words about others are out too - who needs to see that, right? I think it colors how you view the person.

Humor is a type of appeal in the advertising design process and connected to the means-end-chain of an ad campaign, regardless of the market space, traditional or virtual. To make sure the humorous appeal of the ad campaign resonates with a desired audience, the brand should test it (verbal and visual message) through qualitative research before being launched. 

The verbal and visual message must be encoded based on the mindset of the target audience to facilitate effective decoding from such audience, minimize (noise) risk and increase positive feedback. The latter is your best indicator to avoid intrusiveness and offensiveness.

It goes back to the old “ gut feeling “. If you hesitate to post it then you shouldn’t. 

It’s a fine line of appropriateness and you have to remember that what you post is a reflection onto you and your brand. Save the funny humor and inappropriate humor and opinions to those close to you - an opportunity to have a face to face conversation 

The challenge with any medium or channel where people can't see your face, is that they have to rely on your words.

Your words, then, convey the meaning.  And words mean different things to different people.

The obvious easy avoids are:   no vulgarity, no inappropriate photos, no slurs or slights against any person or group.

Beyond that, humor that creates a twinkle or a smile, where the WORDS describe that emotion, will work.

Happy writing.

rt

My checklist:

1- Avoid humor in business/professional posts & comments.

2- Don't belittle others to elevate your business on social media.
3- Treat it as a public forum (like a store floor) and keep your posts focused on growing and supporting your business.

If you find every little thing offends everyone, you may want to cover it up ;)
 

Humor can be powerful, but it can also be lethal. You must know your audience, your customer base, and know where they stand on important issues before you use humor to describe them. What’s funny to a 25-year-old might not be a bit funny to a 55-year-old. Ask yourself, do I care if I lose business as a result of saying this possibly controversial comment? Or, do I think it will be so strongly supported by the customers I value most that I don’t care if I lose some other customers ? If it feels wrong “in your gut,” maybe it’s not the best thing to do.