# Comedic Self-Promotion Entrepreneurs turn to humorous credentials to express personal traits. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jan 30, 2014, updated Apr 9, 2014 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/comedic-selfpromotion ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Comedic Self-Promotion trend? **Comedic Self-Promotion:** Making an impression within the employment industry is becoming increasingly difficult, prompting entrepreneurs to look beyond standard methods of promotion. Infusing humorous elements into business cards allow individuals to showcase their personality as well as their imaginative capacities, forcing employers to take notice. This illustrates a turn toward more expressive advertising, allowing for more creative inputs. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: May 16 to Dec 2, 2013 - Published: Jan 30, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Comedic Self-Promotion trend ### Humorous Self-Promotion Entrepreneurs are infusing humor into their business cards to showcase their personality and imaginative capacities, highlighting a turn toward more expressive and creative advertising. ### Multi-Functional Business Cards Businesses are exploring ways to make business cards more functional beyond serving as credentials, using them as bookmarks and cheese graters, suggesting that multi-functional and surprise-value credentials may become the new thing. ### Customizable Inspirational Messaging Businesses are customizing business cards with inspirational lyrics and motivational quotes, demonstrating the appeal of customized messaging to make a lasting impression and create brand loyalty. ## What the Comedic Self-Promotion trend means for industry ### For Advertising and Marketing As businesses experiment with different ways to promote their brand and stand out from the competition with innovative and creative advertising. ### For Printing and Graphic Design As designers and marketers explore new and unique business card designs to create the most effective and memorable brand image. ### For Food and Beverage As businesses in the food and beverage industry experiment with unique and innovative ways to promote their brand and products. ## Trend signals for Comedic Self-Promotion Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 52%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 59% - Activity: 52% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Comedic Self-Promotion trend 6 featured examples from May 16 to Dec 2, 2013. - [Business Card Bookmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creative-bookmarks): These Creative Bookmarks Can Help Promote Your Brand (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The printing and stationery industry can explore new opportunities in creating innovative and multi-functional business card designs like bookmarks. - [Masculinity Affirming Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/man-cards): These Man Cards Prevent Manliness from Being Questioned (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The creation and customization of Man Cards present disruptive innovation opportunities within the printing and design industry. - [Chewy Business Card Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beef-jerky): These Beef Jerky Business Cards Come From Company ‘Meat Car (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore the use of edible promotional materials, like beef jerky business cards, to create unique marketing campaigns. - [Lyrical Rap Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rap-business-cards): These Motivational Business Cards are Designed by Arianna Orland (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Printing and Design companies could offer customizable motivational business cards with unique designs. - [Cheese Grating Company Credentials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grater-card): Bon Vivant's 'Grater Card' Grates and Promotes Cheese (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The stationery and printing industry can explore new product offerings by developing innovative business cards that have additional functionality. - [Musical Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katharina-holz): The Business Cards by Katharina Hölz Can Be Used to Play Music (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Musicians and music groups can use musical business cards to promote their work and create a memorable impression on potential clients and collaborators. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)