Who doesn’t like a good joke?
But how many business owners make joke-telling a key part of their advertising strategy?
Enter Norman the Floorman of Norman Carpet One in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Norman Chaikin, owner of Norman Carpet One, has been in the flooring business for more than 40 years, and is a frequent advertiser on local radio stations.
A key part of his advertising is telling a joke, and I must admit that I find the jokes, even though they are a bit corny, funny. I guess they would fall into the category of dad jokes.
Here are some examples:
- I went to my psychiatrist, and told him: “Doc, nobody listens to me!”, he replied: “Next!”
- I failed math so many times, I can’t even count.
- I went to my psychiatrist and told him: “Doc, I can’t stop stealing!”, he replied: “Take these pills for three days, and if they don’t work, get me a digital camera.”
- “My best friend has been married now for thirty years, and he tells me he still loves the same woman. If his wife finds out, she’s gonna kill him!”
- A guy walks up to me last night and asks if I’ve seen any cops around. I say “no”, he says “stick em’ up!”
- I haven’t talked to my wife in three weeks, she hates when I interrupt her!
If you’d like to hear one, here’s an audio clip:
Even their trucks and vehicles have humorous sayings as part of their branding; here’s one example:
- “Driver carries no cash. He’s married.”
According to Norman, they have had parents bring their kids here and say, “Our kids are obsessed with Norman. Does he really exist?” Having that kind of relationship with people has been a nice aspect of the business.
It’s probably hard to say what is the dollar value, if any, of being known as the guy who tells jokes on the radio. But to me, it’s a great way to build brand awareness, and in the highly competitive flooring business, that would seem to be a critical success factor.
I know that if someone were to ask me to name a flooring business, Norman Carpet would be the first one that would come to mind.
Norman is also a believer in supporting the local community, and over the years has donated carpet to several non-profit organizations.
So congrats to Norman for his success, and I look forward to more jokes in the years ahead.
Is Dr. Liepet the psychiatrist? Thanks for the laughs, though I may have made a face about the last one. LOL! I have a feeling I know certain stooges who will really like the wife jokes! 😜
I will agree that it is a good business strategy.
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yes, Dr. Liepet seems like the kind of guy Norman would go to. and there does seem to be a thread of classic wife jokes here..
and I agree, it seems to work for him…
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Good for Norman! I think he’s funny (and having fun, which is always a plus). Having an identifiable schtick is a good technique for comedians and it appears businesses also. Norman’s style reminds me of Henny Youngman and Rodney Dangerfield. One of Henny’s oldies but goodies that I remember goes:
Man walks into a psychiatrist’s office.
Psychiatrist says, “You’re crazy!”
Man says, “I demand a second opinion.”
Psychiatrist says, “You’re ugly, too!”
Not a one liner but funny. Its all in the timing. 🤣😄😉
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I din’t think abou the having fun, but you are right, he does seem to enjoy doing these commercials. And every time I hear him, I think of Henny Youngman. (I actually got to see perform!)
And thanks for sharing that classic joke, one of the best!
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That’s cool you saw Henny Youngman. You must have been fairly young.
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I believe I was either in college or had just graduated. I tried to write his jokes down, but I just couldn’t keep up with him!
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Humor works well in most situations. My son’s previous job was at Montana Tech University in Butte, MT. He just missed coaching under this Montana legend, Bob Green, who likes to tell one joke after another. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwGB6jwawM
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he seems like he would have been a fun guy to work with – thanks for sharing that clip…
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What kind of carpets does he install? With my bald head, I could use a toupee. Ba-da-bing!
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Haha! Yes, the glare from your head hurts my eyes, even from so far away! Ba-da-bing! 😄
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mike drop… 🙂
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😄
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I knew someone would appreciate the humor, sven if Tippy can’t see it! 😂
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I just like using the phrase mike drop… 🙂
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LOL!
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👍
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That was a schtupid joke.
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they’re the best kind…
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😛
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perhaps he carries Mohawk products…
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I love local businesses that have the owner as the star of their own commercials. it seems less and less common these days, but I remember the heyday of these types of ads, and the owners really do gain a bit of a cult following. bravo to Norman –
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you’re right, it doesn’t seem like there are as many owners who star in their own commercials. it seems like you might have a bit more trust in the business in such situations, since the owner is putting his or her reputation on the line.
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I have a friend who sold cable ads, and she said it could be a nightmare, as each owner thinks they will be a great actor, though not all are. the ones that have an angle and a natural undefined something, can really create a loyal following and customer base.
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I think this guy keeps to the radio – maybe a bit easier than trying to do it on TV…
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“When life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic”….Humor is certainly a great vehicle to make something memorable. And just one more in honor of our beloved Quincy the Clown….”If attacked by a mob of clowns, go for the juggler.”
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😂
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those were classic… 🙂
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😂😂😂
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my reaction as well!
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thanks for the one liners – I haven’t heard of either one! of course, I’m a bit partial to the clown one 🙂
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Humor is a great way to be memorable!
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it worked on me!
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Humour makes anything memorable – clever using it for ads. Maybe I should try that. 😂
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and if it doesn’t help his business, maybe he could go into stand-up!
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Perhaps he’s already combining both. 😂
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So much better than just the bad jingle most local commercials are known for. I’d shop at his store if I was local and needed flooring.
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Whatever sells, right? He reminds me a bit of a Toronto icon, Honest Ed. His store was lined with all kinds of funnies and puns.
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Honest Ed sounds like my kind of guy – what did he sell?
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Everything!
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even better!
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honest_Ed%27s
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thanks for the link; I liked the saying “Only the floors are crooked!” Sounds like it was quite the store; it’s a shame it no longer exists…
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This was our go to store when we moved to Toronto as immigrants.
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it seemed like it would have everything you need…
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Love those old-style jokes. Like George Burns and Bob Hope. Always loved the fact that they didn’t rely on putting others down to get a laugh.
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yes, clean simple jokes. most comedians have gotten away from that unfortunately…
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If I could just remember all the jokes that cracked me up, I’d actually be funny once in a while. As a self-diagnosed dyslexic I loved Brad’s “When life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic.” I tried spelling melons backwards and just now got that you have to turn the word inside out. OMG I am soooooo slow. I thought it was just funny that you see lemons as melons (visual). Oh well. I’ll hang up now. No jokes from me today. 🙂
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yes, the melon joke was a good one, I had not heard it before. And I am the same way with jokes. In fact there is one Norman the Floorman joke that I thought was his best, and I can’t remember it!
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LOL!
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I appreciate a guy who tries and this business seems like he’s trying to stand out from a sea of carpet businesses! Also, gotta love a good joke/pun!
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I’m sure it’s not easy putting yourself out there like that, since you never know what the reaction might be. I’m glad it seems to have worked out well for Norman…
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I love those kind of jokes!
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same here; they always get a chuckle from me…
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I had a sense of humour but lost it.
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well maybe if you start using some of these jokes it will come back…
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I hope you got free carpets for your advertising plug.
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I’ve been waiting for that phone call…
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I’m having a good laugh here
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he does have some good ones… glad you enjoyed it…
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Jokes at business is a joke
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👍
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Humour is the best way to advertise and now I have heard the famous Norman!
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Norman the Floorman has gone global!
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A good joke will definitely make a business more memorable!
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I think so…
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I love this! Hats off to Norman and his great jokes.
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thanks, Jennie. Norman is a local treasure…
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You’re welcome, Jim. I know I would love this guy.
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he seems to enjoy what he is doing…
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In a perfect world everyone should enjoy what they do.
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and be able to make a living from it…
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You hit the nail on the head.
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without hitting my thumb!
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Hahaha!!
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🙂
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Great article!
I think the joke factor just comes down to becoming remembered!
What if people don’t like the jokes though? They still won’t forget you!
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good point; it’s away to increase awareness of your company…
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Thanks for the good read :’-)
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“Driver carries no cash. He’s married.” <— I have to say, you're onto something with this one.
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