The Do's & Don'ts of Selling to Millennials

Millennials are the last generation born in the 20th century. They are between the ages of 18 and 36 years old. They are often labeled with bad fame, such as carrying the narcissism trait, but they are also the generation that receives the most marketing attention. Nearly every marketer focuses and caters to Millennials. With approximately 80 million Millennials in the United States and $600 billion spending power each year, it’s crucial to acknowledge and understand the dominating group.  

Millennials are known to be tech savvy. They own various tech devices and stay connected through social media so connecting with Millennials requires an approach that goes beyond the traditional marketing strategies. Don’t waste time and money advertising on radio, billboards, prints and television. You will not reach Millennials through those channels. Do invest your time on social media. As mentioned in the Huffington Post, “55% [of Millennials] rely on social media as their primary source for shopping, news, and information.” Use social media to build and maintain customer relationships.

Millennials are always on-the-go and stay connected through their mobile device. BazaarVoice reports that 73% of Millennials make purchases directly on their mobile devices. Do develop a strong mobile shopping app to reach Millennials.

Millennials “attention spans are short and demands for personalization are high,” as described by BevyUP. Furthermore, The Millennial Consumer Study reports that 42% are interested in helping companies develop new products and services. Don’t create products and hope that your targeted audience will consume them. Do encourage Millennials to become a part of your product development process. Focus on building customer relationships by encouraging feedback and in response develop a customized brand.

Communication is key with consumers so stay connected and engage with Millennials. Allow them to voice their opinion and interact on social media, also consider other platforms like Pinterest. Listen to their needs and become acquainted with their behaviors. For instance, Millennials spend hours online so give them the flexibility to add an item to a Wish List and purchase later. A Wish List can serve as a reminder for the consumer and help you pinpoint product interest. Approaches like this will help build your brand and keep Millennials intrigued.