Funny store can either be effective, or can make your store look unprofessional, so perhaps, the safest answer to this question would be an ambivalent YES and NO.
YES because funny signs can encourage customers to visit your place. It provides a homey, laid-back and casual vibe that makes them feel comfortable and welcomed. This has been proven to be effective, that even big shot brands occasionally adapt this strategy to attract more customers.
On the other hand, NO because of course, you would want your customers to take your business seriously, right? Hence, this does not suggest that every establishment owner should get back to the drawing board just to come up with a classy joke that they can incorporate with their business. That’s why don’t take this post’s every word for it.
There are quite a number of stores around the world that deemed successful not only because of the goods and services that they are offering. Their store signs are one of the major factors that led their business towards fame and popularity (some of them, locally to say the least). Most of these businesses are in the food & beverage industry, furniture manufacturing, grooming and even marketing firms.
With these quirky, unusual names and signages that use word play to impose a unique identity, are they risking the reputation of their business? Isn’t it self-deprecation? Maybe, or maybe not.
As for the owner of one particular furniture and antique shop in Michigan, the strategy seems to work well. In fact, according to their website, “[Despite the name] at Wooden-It-Be-Nice, we take our work very seriously. If you are looking for steady craftsmanship and detailed attention, stop by our store room.”
Another example of this is in Manila, Philippines, where the “unapologetically incorrect”, experimental Japanese-inspired joint, Wrong Ramen, made a bold move of trying a “reverse psychology” kind of approach in marketing their brand. True to its name, the restaurant offers its “different kind” of ramen in a self-deprecating way by deliberately lambaste itself in almost any way imaginable, telling everyone their ramen sucks, and even promotes other competitors. As a result, more people were instead intrigued, tried and actually loved the food they’re serving. In an interview, Dwight Co, managing director and founder of the ramen joint told about the initial plan was “scary, uncomfortable, and most people we told about our plan thought it was a bad idea. But we felt that’s precisely why it had so much potential. Nobody else would dare do it”
But unlike the said establishments mentioned earlier, hospitals, clinics, law firms, hotels, fine dining restaurants and schools are a different story. These institutions rarely, if not never use this strategy because primarily, these businesses have a strict code of conduct, and making jokes out of a scrolling LED board is the last thing in their mind. Therefore, it is not apropos to use such signage. Otherwise, these businesses may compromise their credibility (unless if they are trying to pull a “Saul Goodman”). Although there are still some straight-edge offices that unintentionally carry some of the weirdest “cannot be unseen” names displayed outside their offices, but refused to re-brand their business and at the same time, managed to maintain its strict, formal and straightforward integrity despite the laughable title. Call it coincidence, call it intentional, as long as it works for them, then it’s all good.
As a business owner, deciding on whether or not to come up with a playful signage will still be up on you. As said earlier, you must have to gauge it according to the type and nature of your business. If you think a funny attention-grabber signage will get the customers to like your place, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do it. However, be mindful, as this name will forever be associated with you and your business.
YES because funny signs can encourage customers to visit your place. It provides a homey, laid-back and casual vibe that makes them feel comfortable and welcomed. This has been proven to be effective, that even big shot brands occasionally adapt this strategy to attract more customers.
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| Photo courtesy: themetapicture.com |
On the other hand, NO because of course, you would want your customers to take your business seriously, right? Hence, this does not suggest that every establishment owner should get back to the drawing board just to come up with a classy joke that they can incorporate with their business. That’s why don’t take this post’s every word for it.
It’s A Sign!
There are quite a number of stores around the world that deemed successful not only because of the goods and services that they are offering. Their store signs are one of the major factors that led their business towards fame and popularity (some of them, locally to say the least). Most of these businesses are in the food & beverage industry, furniture manufacturing, grooming and even marketing firms.
With these quirky, unusual names and signages that use word play to impose a unique identity, are they risking the reputation of their business? Isn’t it self-deprecation? Maybe, or maybe not.
As for the owner of one particular furniture and antique shop in Michigan, the strategy seems to work well. In fact, according to their website, “[Despite the name] at Wooden-It-Be-Nice, we take our work very seriously. If you are looking for steady craftsmanship and detailed attention, stop by our store room.”
 |
| Wooden It Be Nice antique shop in Belvidere, IL. Photo courtesy: Wooden It Be Nice Facebook fan page |
Got the Guts to Go for the Gag?
Another example of this is in Manila, Philippines, where the “unapologetically incorrect”, experimental Japanese-inspired joint, Wrong Ramen, made a bold move of trying a “reverse psychology” kind of approach in marketing their brand. True to its name, the restaurant offers its “different kind” of ramen in a self-deprecating way by deliberately lambaste itself in almost any way imaginable, telling everyone their ramen sucks, and even promotes other competitors. As a result, more people were instead intrigued, tried and actually loved the food they’re serving. In an interview, Dwight Co, managing director and founder of the ramen joint told about the initial plan was “scary, uncomfortable, and most people we told about our plan thought it was a bad idea. But we felt that’s precisely why it had so much potential. Nobody else would dare do it”
 |
| Photo courtesy: pepper.ph |
Not My Kind of Thing
But unlike the said establishments mentioned earlier, hospitals, clinics, law firms, hotels, fine dining restaurants and schools are a different story. These institutions rarely, if not never use this strategy because primarily, these businesses have a strict code of conduct, and making jokes out of a scrolling LED board is the last thing in their mind. Therefore, it is not apropos to use such signage. Otherwise, these businesses may compromise their credibility (unless if they are trying to pull a “Saul Goodman”). Although there are still some straight-edge offices that unintentionally carry some of the weirdest “cannot be unseen” names displayed outside their offices, but refused to re-brand their business and at the same time, managed to maintain its strict, formal and straightforward integrity despite the laughable title. Call it coincidence, call it intentional, as long as it works for them, then it’s all good.
 |
| Wigger Law Firm in North Charleston, South Carolina Photo courtesy worldwideinterweb.com |
Are You Willing to Take the Risk?
As a business owner, deciding on whether or not to come up with a playful signage will still be up on you. As said earlier, you must have to gauge it according to the type and nature of your business. If you think a funny attention-grabber signage will get the customers to like your place, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do it. However, be mindful, as this name will forever be associated with you and your business.
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