Marketing to Millennials: What You Need to Know

Like every group identified in society, whether based on age or geographic location, millennials have characteristics that are unique to them. Don’t forget that they are not a mass of mindless followers, even though they are often portrayed as such. Every individual in any demographic is different, and millennials are no exception. With about 80 million of them in today’s U.S. population, this is a market you cannot ignore. If you’re marketing to millennials (and you almost definitely are), here’s what you need to know. 

Marketing to Millennials: What You Need to Know

Technology is always at their fingertips. 

In fact, they most likely are never more than a few feet away from their smartphone. This is to your advantage, because you now have a direct line of communication with them. The struggle will be getting them to listen. Continue reading to learn about the types of content that appeal to this generation of consumer. Your brand may already be on social media, but you should constantly seek new ways to engage with your followers. This could mean changing up your usual style of posts, or hopping on a platform you haven’t tried before.

Outbound marketing will not work. 

Millennials know exactly what they want. They know where to find it and actively work to get it. Traditional advertising has very little affect on them and they tend not to trust it. Millennials favor a personal experience, rather than an ad that has been designed to appeal to the masses. They value authenticity and story telling. They expect content to be meaningful and substantial, not just a promotion of the company. How-to information or advice from an expert are the forms of inbound marketing that this group is looking for. This content is more shareable and increases the likelihood of your brand reaching a larger audience.

They are always on the move. 

We mentioned how millennials are always connected. However, this does not mean they are sitting at home with their laptop searching the internet all day. Now, more than ever, your website must be mobile friendly. The bounce rate will be much higher than it should be if your website is not easily navigated and visually appealing when pulled up on a mobile device.

Fun is a priority. 

Making purchases is fun for millennials. They enjoy the search process and get excited about buying something new. Shopping is one of their favorite activities, so make sure to make it a simple, streamlined, and “beautified” experience. Just don’t expect them to come back over and over. Millennials are often not loyal consumers, quickly moving on the next thing on their wish list. However, it is not impossible to gain their loyalty – it is simply more challenging. If you have won them over with your authentic brand and informative content, they will return.

Stayed plugged in and you will understand what millennials are looking for.