Marketing to Millennials: How to Reach Them

Not too long ago, humans (just like us!) learned about world news by reading the Sunday paper. They got gift ideas from television commercials, and discovered the latest in fashion by flipping through magazines. Those days are all but gone thanks to smart phones and social media, where at the touch of a button the world is our consumable oyster.

The new era is upon us and with it, the introduction of our new customer: the millennial. They range in age from 18-35 and they’re the largest living generation. They spend much of their time buried in their phone, they ignore traditional media ads, and they crave engagement. Get to know them, because they’re here to stay.

Here’s how to reach them:

Social Media

You’ll find the millennial on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter on a daily basis. Social networks are the primary way millennials find their information. They’re scrolling through feeds searching for a laugh, for inspiration, for food, and for news.

Craft your content to appeal to millennials. How?

Lighten up: Make it funny. 70% of millenials say they share content because it makes them laugh. Put a humorous spin on a serious discussion. Find trending topics and capitalize on them by posting silliness.

Provoke an emotional response: Millennials want real, they want gritty, and they want to be moved. Get deep and create content that tugs on those heartstrings.

Engagement

You’re not working the social media circuit if you’re not engaging with users. Millennials are hungry to be part of something bigger, and they need to be accepted. Nothing provides acceptance like addressing users personally. This means commenting back, responding, and keeping conversations open. Users who are engaged with accounts (not just broadcast to) are much more likely to share, recommend, and tell friends about the brand they feel a bond with.

Video

Video marketing is the gold standard these days. According to Animoto, “80 percent of millennials consider video content when researching a purchase decision.” 80 percent! Yes, you need to do video.

Millennials want to be informed as well as entertained, so create video content that demonstrates expertise in your field while keeping your brand relevant and lighthearted.

You have video options galore: customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes livestreams, demonstrating products in action… get creative! Video provides an unprecedented opportunity to make a meaningful connection with the masses.

?? Here is a great online video maker that we use at Streambank Media for our own videos and our clients. Lumen5 has even been noted by Social Media Examiner as one of the best tools to make videos.

 Millennial consumers have changed the marketing landscape, and traditional marketing no longer works. The sooner you embrace new methods for reaching this demographic, the sooner you’ll see your business grow.

How will you change your marketing efforts to cater to this very important generation?