As colleges and universities are preparing to launch their fall recruitment campaigns, they are asking themselves one big question: How do we reach millennials? This generation, which is now the largest in the U.S., has unique characteristics that present a unique challenge for marketers. While there is no one silver bullet solution, there are a number of effective marketing strategies that can be employed to reach this coveted demographic. Here are five of the best.
Understand What Millennials Want
Millennials are often characterized as being narcissistic and entitled, but the reality is that they are simply a product of their environment. They grew up in a time of great technological change and have been bombarded with marketing messages from a young age. As a result, they are very savvy consumers who know what they want and how to get it.
To reach millennials, it is important to understand what they want. What are their needs and desires? What motivates them? Once you have a good understanding of these things, you can start to craft messages that will resonate with them.
Some things that millennials care about include:
Making a difference in the world
Having a work/life balance
Being able to customize their education
Having access to technology
Being able to find a job that they love
If you can tap into these needs and desires, you will be well on your way to reaching millennials.
Use Social Media Platforms That Millennials Are Active On
As mentioned above, millennials are very savvy when it comes to technology. They grew up with the Internet and have been using social media for years. As a result, they are very comfortable with it and use it regularly.
To reach millennials, you need to be where they are. And that means being active on the social media platforms that they are using. Some of the most popular social media platforms among millennials include:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Snapchat
Pinterest
If you want to reach millennials, you need to have a presence on these platforms. You need to be creating content that is relevant to them and that they will find interesting.
Create Engaging and Visually Appealing Content
Video is a very powerful marketing tool and one that should not be ignored when trying to reach millennials. This generation loves to consume video content, whether it's watching YouTube videos, streaming TV shows, or snapping selfies.
To reach millennials with video, you need to create content that is engaging and visually appealing. This means using high-quality images and videos, as well as interesting graphics and animations. It also means creating content that is entertaining and informative.
Some ideas for video content include:
Product demonstrations
Interviews with experts
Student testimonials
Campus tours
By creating engaging and visually appealing content, you will be able to reach millennials in a way that resonates with them.
Make It Easy for Them to Take Action
Once you have captured the attention of millennials, it is important to make it easy for them to take action. If they have to jump through hoops or fill out long forms, chances are they will simply give up and move on to something else.
To make it easy for millennials to take action, you need to make your call-to-action (CTA) clear and concise. You also need to make sure that it is visible and easy to find. And finally, you need to provide multiple ways for them to take action.
Be Authentic and Transparent
It's important to be authentic and transparent when marketing to millennials. They can see through the BS and they will appreciate your honesty. So, don't try to sell them something that you're not. And don't make promises that you can't keep.
Stay Up to Date with the Latest Trends
The world is constantly changing and so are the needs and desires of millennials. To keep up with the latest trends, you need to be proactive and stay up-to-date with what's going on. This means reading articles, watching videos, and attending events.
By staying up-to-date with the latest trends, you will be able to reach millennials in a way that is relevant to them.
Conclusion
So, what do millennials want from their brands? They want to be engaged and entertained. They want to see visuals that capture their attention. They want to feel like they’re getting an authentic experience. And finally, they want it to be easy for them to buy what they see. If you can provide all of that, you’ll win over this valuable demographic. Are you ready to up your marketing game? Contact me today for a voiceover consultation – I’d love to help!