3. Memes, Symbols & Repeatable Language
Conspiracy theories use specific language, inside jokes, and visuals—QAnon’s “Where we go one, we go all,” or the ever-present Illuminati triangle.
Marketing Lesson:
Create brand elements that are visually and linguistically sticky. Memes, emojis, and hashtags that your audience adopts can do the heavy lifting.
Example:
Think of Wendy’s Twitter voice—sarcastic, meme-heavy, and unique. Or look at Nike’s iconic slogan “Just Do It.” It’s short, punchy, and universally recognized.
Leveraging this aspect is another way to apply marketing lessons from conspiracy theories.
4. Use of Emotional Triggers
Fear, curiosity, and distrust fuel many conspiracy theories. These emotions can override logic and lead to fast-spreading beliefs.
Marketing Lesson:
Tap into emotions ethically. Use FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), urgency, or curiosity to spark action—but don’t manipulate.
Example:
Amazon uses scarcity and urgency during Prime Day sales—“Only 2 left in stock!” or countdown timers push instant decisions.
Emotional storytelling is central to effective marketing lessons from conspiracy theories.
