Gen Z Newsletter

This newsletter will be different from others that you have read. I want to inform you of current trends, the technology that young people are using, how to feel knowledgable when talking to young people, and anything else that is relevant.

You may not think this newsletter is important, but it is. Gen Z wants to know they can relate to you. If you understand the games they play, the songs they listen to, the apps they use, you will have a better relationship with Gen Z.

One tip - don't brag to Gen Z about the new information you learn about here. That makes you look about 40 years older than you currently are. Why? Because these are the things that have been ingrained within us for awhile.

This is written by a Gen Zer to help explain what we do & why we do it. This is not based on research or data that I have found, but what I see happening in our world.

There isn't a cookie-cutter way to group all of Gen Z together, so this is more a general overview. Every Gen Zer is different, so don't assume what I tell you will apply to everyone.

Each month will be a different topic or concept. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and ask!

This topic: Short-form media & how it's changing our generation

Eight seconds.

That's how long our attention span is. Notice how I don't have long paragraphs? Yes, that's for a reason. We don't want to read a magazine - we want the highlights.

People way smarter than me realized this and started creating different apps that Gen Z would like - let me go over two of them.

1. TikTok
2. Quibi

In the broad scope of things, TikTok is still relatively new, but everyone has heard of it. If you're in your late 20's or early 30's, you may question the success because it is "the same as Vine".

This platform is revolutionary for Gen Z and is quite different from Vine. The reason TikTok will be more successful is that it enables people to build a large following. The viral aspect of TikTok is incredible and it fits into Gen Z's desire to become entrepreneurial.

We grew up admiring Youtuber's over movie stars. We want to be able to relate to these people. Anyone can get TikTok famous - you don't need a special ability or anything. It's easy & digestible content.

I'd highly recommend spending 30 minutes a day on TikTok. You'll understand the platform and why kids enjoy it. People are able to spend a ton of time on there because TikTok's algorithm is brilliant. It will keep showing you the content that you engage in.

Here's what's happening on TikTok:

Drake released a new song on April 3rd called "Toosie Slide". Nothing crazy, but here's the catch: he produced it specifically for Tik Tok. This is the first time a song has been made specifically for TikTok and it's a genius move.

TikTok's platform is great for going viral & creating trends. If there's a popular song on TikTok & they hear it elsewhere, they will often say "That's a TikTok song".

"Blinding Lights' by The Weekend is also a popular song that causes a lot of viral videos. Songs essentially become popular, and people create different videos based on the songs.

Everyone's feed is going to look different. I digest more sports content, trick shots, Golden Retriever content, or random funny things. My feed doesn't have a lot of popular dances, but everyone's feed will be different.

Many professional athletes and celebrities are also using #stayhomestaystrong to promote people to stay inside.

Indoor workout videos are quite popular. Bored at home videos are also going viral.

Anything and everything can go viral on TikTok, which is why people love it. It might be the only platform where people the explore, or for you page, more than the people they actually follow.

Use TikTok to build an audience. Everyone is unique and can think of something they enjoy doing. Recording yourself trying to figure out TikTok would be funny!

TikTok is here to stay, but it isn't overtaking Instagram, Snapchat, or YouTube yet. These are still the most used platforms.

The next app worth noting is called Quibi, standing for quick bites.

Many people were excited about the release of this app. Quibi is a video streaming app intended for people who have quick breaks. Each video is only 6-10 minutes long. For example, they can make a movie, but break it up by chapter. Instead of sitting down for 2 hours to watch a movie, you can watch one chapter while eating breakfast, one while taking a bathroom break, one over lunch, one between meetings, etc.

Quibi is also created for your phone. The only place you can watch the videos is your phone. Not even an iPad will work. Again, they are targeting people on the go.

The content is professionally done. Many popular actors and actresses star in these films, making it that much more enjoyable.

This app will resonate well with Gen Z and Millenials. Quick form of content that we can watch at a time convenient to us.

I'd check it out, it's a cool app. If you want a recommendation, "The Most Dangerous Game" is really good.

So that's the first Gen Z newsletter. I want to keep you informed on the latest trends. Let me know if you enjoyed this too! If you have questions about anything mentioned, feel free to reach out. Have a good week!