There's something cathartic about commiserating in awful shared experiences -- especially if you can find humor in them. Like that one time you were working on four hours of sleep and included a typo in a blog post title. The typo got included in a notification to all of your email and RSS subscribers, and they all made fun of you in the comments for being a terrible, horrible, no good blogger. Horrifying at the time (seriously, you will never make that mistake again!!), but when you describe the situation later to a fellow blogger, it's funny and makes everyone feel a little better about that same situation happening to them.
That is the precise reason why I love funny marketing blogs -- they somehow manage to identify all of the awful, frustrating, and down-right hilarious things that happen in our marketing jobs. And the following 10 are ones that really take the cake. So if you've had a rough week or just need a few minutes to hear about someone who has, check them out. Be warned: Some of these blogs include profane language.
1) Clients From Hell
Whether you work in an agency or just across teams within your company, you will love this website. While it's created from the viewpoint of a designer, we've all worked with people who have nearly impossible standards to meet and questions up the wazoo. So step into client hell -- and maybe even submit a story of your own.
2) Sharp Suits
Okay okay, this isn't exactly a blog -- it's an art project -- but it's hilarious and definitely deserves to be included here. It's basically "Clients From Hell" ... but in visual format. And trust me, the visual format is what makes it. Just look at an excerpt below to see what I mean. I check them out and wonder if real human beings actually say some of these things -- while also knowing that I've definitely said at least one of them in my lifetime.
3) Tom Reads His Spam
Spam is slowly taking over the internet. It's overflowing inboxes, dominating comments, and even creeping into Twitter accounts. It's funny enough when you see it ... but have you ever listened to it? Lucky for us, Tom Webster, VP of Strategy and Marketing at Edison Research, makes listening to spam possible -- and hilarious. Embedded below is my favorite one, but definitely give his blog a gander.
4) What Should We Call Social Media
Lots of us manage our company's social media accounts, which comes with a whole bunch of highs and lows. You're scared of getting called out by unhappy customers. You're pumped when someone influential mentions you. You're scared of making a typo (just like our blogger friends). And then you're pumped when someone favorites something of yours (Yes! Engagement!). With all of these universal, polarized emotions, it's only natural that someone would capture these highs and lows on a blog with GIFs.
5) I Love Charts
You already know how to make gorgeous charts and graphs, so you'll know well-designed -- and hilarious -- graphs when you see them. If you love visual content, pop culture, and snark, which sometimes turn into full-out rants, you seriously have to check out this blog.
6) I Am the Client
So we've already covered a few funny blogs from agency folk, but what about our in-house, corporate, or start-up friends? Don't we get a cathartic, funny blog? Introducing, "I Am the Client," a blog for the rest of us. While the blog hasn't been updated since April, the posts are pure gold. The latest post -- "Laugh your way to the top" -- is just so truthful and funny that you want to start reading more and more and more ... and then you realize it's an hour later and you haven't left the site. If you need something to help kill the last few hours of your workday, this is your best bet.
7) 99 Problems but a Pitch Ain't One
Now, a blog for our friends in public relations. A spin-off of the very popular Tumblr GIF blog, "What Should We Call Me," this blog documents the all-too-true day-to-day situations of a PR pro. Had an email pitch fall flat or an executive let something horrible slip on camera? Read this blog to feel a little bit less alone in this world.
8) The Oatmeal
Though technically not a marketing blog, "The Oatmeal" is hands-down one of my favorite blogs in this universe. Matthew Inman, the author, draws comics that often touch on marketing, business, or just general web trends. While you're reading his often random yet spot-on assessment of our industry, you can't help but laugh. If you're into snarky, funny cartoons, you better check out "The Oatmeal."
9) This Is Advertising Life
Like "99 Problems but a Pitch Ain't One," "This Advertising Life" is a blog with GIFs -- but it focuses on advertising professionals. (Shocker, I know.) So if you're a GIFanatic like I am, go bookmark this blog for the next time you need a little pick-me-up.
10) Crap Brapps
Last, but certainly not least, is a blog all about apps from brands that are unfortunately ... crap. While a branded app could be a smart move in certain campaigns, you'll often wonder who thought of the app ideas featured on this blog. My favorite? T.G.I. Friday's YOLO app ... for all of your YOLO moments with friends and family. Be warned: This one probably has the filthiest language of all.
These are just a few of the marketing-, advertising-, or business-related blogs that make us laugh. Do you have any others to add? Let us know in the comments.
