Millennials are not the One-Size-Fits-All Generation when it Comes to Marketing

Marketers have a lot to learn from millennials. The rise and growing presence of millennials as buyers have meant more attention paid to them than ever. Arrogant to some and justified to others, this is a generation that demands customization and personalization.

When it comes to communicating with millennials and marketing towards the population, there’s no one-size-fits-all. For a brand to succeed, a lot of investment needs to be made in learning about the audience and in developing the infrastructure that allows for personalized marketing messages to be sent.

There are two facts about millennial marketing we want to highlight. Anyone successful at marketing to millennials, they take full advantage of these statistics.

 84 percent of millennials don’t trust traditional advertising, including print and TV ads. Marketing messages displayed and communicated through traditional means are either ignored completely or they are not followed up on by millennials. If you’ve been using traditional advertising methods offline and have not seen much of a return from the millennial demographic, this is why. If you want to market towards millennials, think of creative, unexpected ways to maximize the marketing channels you have available. This might mean challenging your campaign with messaging you wouldn’t normally use or shifting the tone of your marketing to something more interesting.

 89 percent of millennials trust recommendations from friends and family more than advertisements. In digital marketing, even online ads sometimes do not work with millennials. In fact, it may make more sense to seek out video ads on YouTube, guest blogging, influencer marketing, or a way to associate yourself with brands trusted by millennials. Customers who have already shopped at your brand should receive regular email marketing messaging from time to time, reminding them you exist and offering them something of value. Be genuine and build a relationship with your customers, giving them a reason to recommend you to their family or friends.

Millennials buying power in the United States has reached $200 billion this year. Unlike what you may have been told, millennials do not all share the same values, have the same needs, and similar interests.

There are some who are white-collar workers and others blue-collar. There are some millennials more in line with how we’d define traditional consumers and others who are at the extreme end of messaging choosing to ignore virtually all marketing. If you’re looking to generate money from marketing to millennials, you need to know the audience you’re aiming for and which millennials you’re trying to appeal to.

Above all other recommendations, companies who succeed with millennials are those who are authentic and who are providing something unique. If you’re ‘just another eCommerce company’ or are ‘just another company in the marketplace’, you’re going to have a lot of trouble attracting millennial eyes. Most consumers in this age bracket want to spend their money on brands that matter to them and make purchasing choices that reflect their identity. You need to be able to communicate what’s special about you.

Learn more about how to market to millennials. Speak to a digital marketing expert at Unlimited Exposure today and find a strategy that works for your business. Carve out your own path and win results. Be clever. Be innovative. Don’t try the same thing that’s worked on older generations. Remember, millennials want to be made to feel special and they should. Market to them directly and be authentic – you’ll win them in big numbers when you do that.