In the United States alone, millennials make up close to one fourth of the population. This is a generation that holds a great deal of buying power, and are able to be walking advertisements if appealed to in the right ways.
Today’s generation is more connected than ever before. Not only are they connected to each other via social media, but they are connected to the internet every second of the day. With this connection comes limitless opportunities to market and expose your brand to millennials. The key is knowing how millennials use the internet, and where to place your brand so that it is seen by many, and looks like it matches the modern Internet world.
Social Media
A social media presence is a must for any company looking to expand their marketing to millennials. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Snapchat are all growing social media platforms that can be used to expand your brand. Another perk that comes with using social media is that it allows for diversifying of content. Millennials are looking for more than words and paper ads. They are looking for videos, pictures, blog posts, and more information that is quick and easy to access. Content on social media is also built be shared. A user who is happy with what he/she sees, is able to share it with a friend with the click of a button, thus becoming an advertisement for your brand.
Mobile Friendly
A mobile friendly website is another way to appeal to millennials. A study from 2016 in The Wall Street Journal shows that desktop and laptop usage has diminished over time. The reason for this dip comes from the increasing use of mobile phones amongst millennials. With more and more Internet browsing being done on mobile devices, companies without mobile friendly pages look like they are falling behind and out of date. There are even some websites that, when not on a mobile friendly page, will not load if accessed from a cell phone. Not having this functionality on website can make it seem behind the times, and unreliable.
Coupons and Discounts
When selling a product, a good way to create a happy customer is by using digital coupons, or online discounts. Online shopping has become very popular as brands tend to grow their online stores, and companies like Amazon continue to expand. Millennials tend to be loyal towards companies that they like, and are more likely to be loyal to the company if they offer deals on merchandise (Baldassarre). When appealing to the generation just out of or still in college, which is often a huge financial strain, sales are a good way to convey money saving, and make your brand more attractive to buyers.
Specialized Content
When marketing a product, one must be aware that products will not appeal to every customer. While niche marketing may be seen as a negative by some, it can be very popular and profitable to your company if done right. To start, one must know exactly what the target audience is and how to appeal to their needs. There is also a specific language that must be used to attract a certain audience. Not only must the marketing message match what the niche wants to see, but all of the content must reflect that message. Millennials also prefer quality, informational content, over content designed simply to sell. Making content that is authentic and that gives the audience the feeling of being uniquely cared for creates more loyalty towards the company, and makes its viewers more likely to return.
With the market continually growing with technological advances, and a generation that is savvy with technology, companies must adapt in order to survive and appeal to a powerful new generation. This tips on how to market towards millennials will provide your brand with information that will continue to be relevant into the foreseeable future.