The best lies are half-lies and half-truth. The same applies to April Fools’ Day campaigns.
But things can easily go south depends on what you decide to lie about. Note that sending your customers a fake €400 bill is not funny.
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I cannot help but wonder, with the risk of making a fool of themselves and their customers, why should brands do April Fools’ Day campaigns? Well, it depends on what you want to achieve with this campaign.
1.To make some buzz and build brand awareness
Introducing the thing you never asked for, but definitely always wanted—Tinder Height Verification. Coming soon.
— Tinder (@Tinder) March 29, 2019
Read more about it here: https://t.co/8MER0L1U6W pic.twitter.com/hZ507zSoic
2. Engage with an audience outside your typical audience
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In honor of the year anniversary of working from home, we designed a product that helps you take your work with you wherever you go… in your home that is.
— Poo~Pourri (@PooPourri) April 1, 2021
Introducing the Doo Desk! 🧑💻🚽
Never take a break again! Like... ever.
Get yours here 👉 https://t.co/P11t9Uj3sm pic.twitter.com/t6a1ykDxSO
3. (My Favorite) Test the water for (crazy) potential new products..the responses might surprise you!
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Language learning is hard... so we made it soft.
— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 1, 2021
It's time to turn your bathroom into a classroom with our latest innovation: Duolingo Roll – toilet paper (yes, toilet paper) that teaches you phrases in new languages! 🧻https://t.co/IwQke0z0gT #DuolingoRoll pic.twitter.com/ilVLtx5Cbl
Never step on a LEGO brick again! SmartBricks, coming soon... pic.twitter.com/enRuvdGYjP
— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) April 1, 2021
Executed right, April Fools’ Day is a once-in-a-year opportunity to get away from business-as-usual content and could be a cost-effective way to do brand awareness, product promotion, and market research.
TL;DR April Fools’ Day Campaigns ≠ one-day Jokes