Whatever online publication you sift through, you are sure to find a headline with the word “millennial” in it. This developing frenzy over the last couple of years is due to the strong influence of the millennial generation on today’s society. Truth be told, companies of all industries have been restructuring their marketing strategies to attract this cohort that holds a growing percentage of the buying power in our economy. If your company is still scrambling to make this adjustment, below are 3 easy and effective ways of targeting a millennial audience.
- Demonstrate your company’s core values
Millennials are not triggered by the same things as their predecessors. Studies show that millennials are drawn to brands that are cause-driven and practice corporate social responsibility. For this reason, it is important for your company to express your core values to your audience. If you are unsure of how to develop this, a good start is to envision your company as a living person and think, “what values would I want him or her to possess?” Alternatively, your brand should pay attention to popular social causes and consider supporting any that you feel are in alignment with your company’s values. The key is to be sincere. Don’t be that brand that supports a cause simply because it’s the “cool” thing to do.
- Be up-to-date with the latest social networks
It’s no secret that millennials love interacting on social media. That is why it is important to keep an eye out on new platforms that are popular with millennials (Tech Crunch and Futurism are great sources for discovering new tech). While your company may not be compatible with every social media platform out there, experimenting with new technology will let your audience perceive you as an early adopter who is not afraid of change. Currently, Snapchat is the world’s hottest application among millennials. Snapchat is a great platform to show a behind-the-scenes look at your company and demonstrate your brand’s personality. Listed women’s rights as one of your core values? Record your team attending any upcoming women’s marches!
- Adopt a contemporary communication style
A conversational style of communication is a great way of not only attracting millennials, but also humanizing your brand. This does not mean using internet acronyms like “LOL”, but something as simple as replacing your “services” section on your website with “what we do best” goes a long way. Additionally, writing articles on LinkedIn and Medium on current topics that can spark conversation is another great way of developing a millennial audience. This will also position your company as a thought leader!
Author bio – Jesus Sifuentes is a recent graduate of UCLA. Currently, he is the communications strategist at Karina Social – a marketing and PR agency. If you need help elevating your brand, don’t hesitate to give them a call!
