“Kids these days.”
Your average millennial is used to hearing this phrase. From parents and sometimes from their bosses, millennials are plagued with negative press.
They hear they’re lazy, bad at communication, and even narcissistic. Ouch.
As the “selfie generation,” millennials are sometimes synonymous with smartphones, social media, and filtered images. And, using the internet will be your main marketing medium.
Millennials are often misunderstood as a target audience. They want to work hard, but they also want to feel like they are valued. They want to take care of themselves, but they also want to be taken seriously.
To accurately reach this target audience, you’ll need a strategy that appeals to their values, beliefs, and lifestyles. As one of the largest populations in the U.S., you simply can’t afford to not create a marketing strategy for millennials.
We all want to be ahead of the latest trends and marketing tactics. But, when it comes to millennials, a sense of authenticity can go a long way. Read on to discover 11 tips for marketing to millennials to catch their attention.
11 Tips to Successfully Marketing to Millennials
So, who does the millennial generation consist of? Well, that’s up for debate.
The largest age range estimates the millennial generation is 17 to 40 years old. Others claim a more accurate birth timeline for millennials is in the 1980s and the 1990s.
So, what does this mean for your marketing strategy? Well, getting it just right won’t be a walk in the park.
It will be difficult, especially with a wide variety of hobbies, lifestyles, and interests. But, it’s certainly not impossible.
Using the following tips for marketing to millennials, you can discover common elements to use in your marketing campaigns.
1. Let Go of the Reins
Millennials don’t want to be told what to do. Sure, they’re open to being guided, but they are perfectly comfortable with making up their own minds.
Let go of the marketing reins a bit when marketing to millennials. Encourage them to create user-generated content. Allow them to be co-creators of your marketing content.
Do this by creating a hashtag on social media to use. Millennials will see these posts as more trustworthy than traditional branded content.
2. Word of Mouth
Word of mouth marketing is as old the invention of selling goods. But, millennials still rely on word of mouth to purchase their products. A large majority of millennials trust word of mouth reviews to ensure they are getting high-quality products.
Create campaigns that get millennials talking. Analyze your business as a whole to see what is worth talking about. Then, capitalize on these strengths.
3. Be Genuine
Millennials can see straight through traditional marketing tactics. Paid for ads and flashy banners simply won’t do.
Millennials connect with genuine companies.
Look, this population has seen it all. They grew up with the internet and have seen thousands of ads in their lifetimes.
Be straight forward with millennials.
Leave out the marketing language and talk to them as human beings. When you make a promise, keep it.
4. Support a Cause
Millennials want to buy products that stand out by supporting a cause. Not only can this strategy decrease your marketing budget, but it can also improve your brand reputation. Some millennials will even pay more for your products if your company is interested in bettering the world.
5. Rely on Reviews
Online reviews can be just as powerful as word of mouth marketing. For better or for worse, your company’s online reviews can dictate the trajectory of your business.
Encourage each of your buyers to leave a review. And, don’t be afraid to ask more than once.
Ask in-person, via email, or on a receipt.
6. Capitalize on Social Media
Millennials spend a large amount of time on social media.
You need to have a strong presence on social media to catch their attention.
Start by creating one to two social media profiles, posting regularly, and creating unique, authentic content.
7. Cultivate Brand Awareness
Millennials need to see your branding. And, they need to see it often. The more brand awareness you have, the more millennials will trust you.
Create branding materials that support your overall mission and allow millennials to help you expand your reputation through user-generated content.
8. Be Their Cheerleader
Millennials take a lot of heat. Aim to be their cheerleader by providing encouragement, connecting with their values, and being empathetic. In a tasteful way, you can also create relatable content that demonstrates the nonsensical nature of millennial stereotypes.
9. Content, Content, Content
Content is king. There’s just no way around it.
But, millennials expect your content to be customer-oriented, educational, and purpose-driven. They don’t want to be sold to, they want to join a movement. They want to be included and they want to feel like the products they’re buying matter.
10. Lean on Your Purpose & Mission
What does your company stand for? Why does your company exist? As time goes on, it’s easy to forget why we were so driven to create our company in the first place.
The daily grind soon takes the place of inspiration, but millennials nudge us to reach for more. Outline your company’s mission, values, and purpose. Allow your answers to guide your marketing campaign strategies.
11. Discounts
Millennials love to share and they also love a great discount! Create promotional sales and coupons millennials can share on social media. Your company can also offer discounts after your customer purchases their first item.
This encourages them to return for more and meets their need for finding a bargain.
Marketing to Millennials: Gaining Support
There’s no doubt that marketing to millennials can be a challenge. But, these tips should help you to start crafting the perfect marketing strategy.
If you need more help, don’t be afraid to outsource. Outsourcing your marketing strategy creation to a reputable company can help you to save time and money in the long run. Instead of trying a million different tactics and campaigns, you can lean on an expert to assess your strategies for you.
Interested in hiring a digital marketing agency? Contact us today for a consultation to determine the perfect strategy for marketing to millennials in your industry.
