Telling Jokes as Part of Your Business Plan

ads, business, happiness, humor, lessons learned 2 Minutes

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.

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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79 thoughts on “Telling Jokes as Part of Your Business Plan”

  1. 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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  2. 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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    1. 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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  5. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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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  6. “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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  12. 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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    1. 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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