GIFs are a cornerstone of internet culture, and they’re a fun way to add humor to your everyday conversations. If you already use GIFs regularly in your conversations, it’s natural to wonder if you can use them at work. There are plenty of ways to use GIFs on the job.
When used effectively, they can lighten up a boring or stressful day at the office. You might even be able to use them in your content marketing and social media strategies. However, you’ll need to be mindful of how you use GIFs and keep things professional. Here are seven tips for using GIFs in a professional way.
1. Understand the Context
The key to effectively using GIFs in a professional setting is understanding context. Before sending a GIF, make sure you’re fully familiar with its origin and meaning. This will help you avoid any potential miscommunication.
You’ll also need to consider your current situation and your audience. A light-hearted GIF might lighten up your everyday Slack messages with coworkers, but the same GIF could be inappropriate to use with your boss. It’s also best to avoid using GIFs when communicating with clients unless you already have a close relationship with them.
2. Create Your Own
If you have an idea for the perfect GIF, but can’t find it online, make it yourself! This is an opportunity to let your creativity and personality shine. When you create your own GIFs, you can tailor the humor to your team’s inside jokes. You’ll also be able to keep everything appropriate for the workplace.
One of the easiest ways to create your own GIFs is by using a screenshot app. You’ll be able to turn your favorite moments into GIFs, just by recording them. Since GIFs don’t have sound, you can even annotate them to add more context.
3. Keep It Relevant
You and your team need to stay on task while at work, so don’t let your GIFs fall into distraction territory. Before you send a GIF, stop to consider whether it’s relevant to what you’re working on or discussing. Each GIF should add to the conversation, rather than derailing it.
This is also important to keep in mind if you’re using GIFs in your marketing materials. These small animations can liven up a blog post or an email newsletter, especially if your branding is fun and youthful. A well-chosen GIF needs to support the point you’re trying to make and enhance the content.
4. Maintain Professionalism
Even if you’re very close with your coworkers, you still need to keep your communication professional. You should always avoid using GIFs that could be viewed as offensive or inappropriate. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and keep it to yourself.
This is especially important when you’re working at a new job. As a new hire, you’ll be under more scrutiny than your colleagues, and you’ll want to avoid any silly mistakes. Take time to assess the company culture and learn what’s acceptable in your work conversations.
5. Use Sparingly
Moderation is key when using GIFs at work. If you use them too frequently, even the most well-intentioned GIFs could start to feel like spam. This could leave your coworkers feeling annoyed and even frustrated.
Instead, use your GIFs sparingly to make more of an impact. This ensures that you’re not distracting anyone or undermining the importance of your work. Developing close relationships with your coworkers can certainly make work more fun, but it’s also important that your coworkers still take you seriously.
6. Consider Cultural Sensitivities
Humor is subjective, and it’s deeply influenced by your cultural background and personal experiences. Since not everyone shares your cultural background, not everyone is going to share your sense of humor either. What’s hilarious to one person might be perplexing or even offensive to another. Before sending a GIF, consider the diverse perspectives of others in your workplace.
Be mindful and opt for GIFs that are easy for everyone to understand, rather than just appealing to one group of people. This is particularly important if you work remotely with international colleagues. Different countries have significantly different work cultures. In some cultures, it’s normal to joke around with your boss, but in others, it’s considered a deep sign of disrespect. Educating yourself on international work norms can help prevent frustrating miscommunication.
7. Consider Technical Use Cases
In most cases, you’ll just be using GIFs to have fun in conversation. However, there are also some technical ways to use GIFs at work. Many people are visual learners, so you can use GIFs to demonstrate your point in a tutorial or presentation.
For example, if you are implementing a new software program, you can create GIFs of the program’s most important functions. Include these GIFs in training materials to help your team master the program. You can also create GIFs to use in digital presentations to illustrate a before-and-after or demonstrate a step-by-step process.
Final Thoughts
GIFs can be a delightful way to add personality to your work interactions. When used mindfully, they contribute to an engaging and positive work environment. They’ll lighten the mood during tough conversations and help your entire team feel welcome and included. They can even brighten up your marketing materials to boost your brand image. When in doubt, keep things professional and respectful to prevent confusion.
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