Facebook Status Tips
It feels rewarding to write a Facebook status update that’s funny enough to draw a chain of comments from your friends. But a poorly written Facebook status update can bring shame to your friends and jubilation to your enemies (although, if you’re enemies, why are you friends with them on Facebook?).
So if you’ve been having trouble tickling the funny bones of your social circle, here’s your chance to flex your internet muscle, stun the opposite sex, and convince your grandmother that you’re just as sharp as Sid Caesar in his prime.
This article will provide a handful of useful tips to keep in mind when you’re making your single sentence status masterpieces, and provide you a few clever examples to get you rolling.
1. Popular Culture - Pop culture references are always solid. There are plenty of effete comedy snobs who’ll tell you that just referencing something your friend recognizes isn’t really comedy, but it is – laughter is our body’s response to something we didn’t expect, and a status update like “X is out of Pokemon! X blacked out!” has the same effect as a comedian calling back to a joke he told earlier in his routine.
2. Use Many Facebook Status Updates - It doesn’t have to fit into one update. Plenty of people on Facebook try to smother their comic updates in words, over explain their joke, or ramble on. Keep two things in mind: first that sometimes a quick joke will pack a harder punch than a stronger one, and second, if you post two Facebook status updates consecutively, they’ll work as a setup and a punch line. You’ll have to remember that since your page will start with your most recent status updates, you’ll have to lead with your punch line and follow with your setup line. “I can’t believe it, it worked!” followed by “My time machine is complete! Now to put it through the first test…” will grab a couple of laughs.
3. Sell Your Joke - Imagine that you’re selling your joke. “X is” is a strong lead-in to any number of familiar advertising pitches, and if the thing you’re selling wouldn’t really apply to a human, so much the better. “X is five time more absorbent than the leading brand!”, “X is just one option for dealing with your depression, make sure you consult your doctor before talking to X”
4. Break the fourth wall - Your friends are probably looking over a long list of Facebook status updates at once, and a status update that stands out from the crowd has better chances of getting strong responses. “X is in your news feed”, “X is no longer your friend”, “X is [an error occurred while processing this directive]” are all unexpected reminders that they’re on the computer. It’s strange to dissect comedy in that sort of way, but it’ll grab results.
5. Remember your Audience – Is the audience your friends on Facebook or family members? Classmates? Are they guys or girls? Do you share the same hobbies and interests? In the same way a comedian has to work a crowd before getting them to laugh, you have to know that your grandmother and your girlfriend aren’t likely to “get” the same brand of humor. If “X is going the distance. He's going for speed” doesn’t ring any bells; try again with a set of references your friends are likely to understand.
There have been plenty of updates in technology over the last few years – plenty of mobile phones have Facebook services, so you won’t have any problems showcasing your wit the moment a funny thought strikes you. Keep this advice in mind, be on the lookout for opportunities to showcase your wit, and soon you’ll be the life of the online party.
