Millennial Marketing Tips
Millennials grew up with a presence of technology in their lives—and because of that, they react differently to certain triggers than generations before them. If you're hoping to garner the attention and business of millennials in your marketing, consider these six tips:
1. Sharing is caring.
Millennials spend a lot of time on social media. If you want to engage with the generation, you have to spend time (and maybe some hard cash) there, too.
Not every social media site is going to be right for your business. Consider the demographic you're hoping to reach, and think about where they're likely to be hanging out.
2. Forget about the hard sell.
Bottom line? There is no bottom line.
As a general rule of thumb, millennials value authenticity and are more likely to listen to fellow consumers than promotional copy. Use social media to your advantage and collaborate with others. With the right partners—influential bloggers marketing your product or service, for instance—you could capture millennials' attention.
3. Monitor your reviews online.
Again, millennials are more likely to trust other consumers when considering a product or brand. It's important to monitor reviews of your product on social media and other sites, such as Yelp, Trip Advisor and Google.
4. The 9 to 5 lifestyle is dead.
Millennials grew up with technology at their fingertips. As such, they're always connected. Whether you're posting on social media or expanding customer service hours, be willing to communicate outside of normal office hours.
5. Use promotions.
Millennials have a surprisingly old-fashioned method for saving money—coupons. According to PRRI, 87 percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 34 have used coupons so far this year. If you advertise special promotions on social media, the clients will follow.
6. Understand that loyalty is hard to win.
Baby boomers typically feel secure sticking with a brand they know, but millennials aren't afraid to diverge. It's not that millennials are disloyal—it's just that retaining loyalty is a constant process.
