With the world of technology and social media ever-evolving, businesses must adapt to reach younger generations. Gone are the days of traditional marketing strategies; businesses must now be creative and innovative to capture the attention of younger consumers. From interactive websites to influencer marketing, businesses have devised a variety of strategies to successfully engage younger generations. Here are five of the most innovative strategies businesses are using to connect with young people.
Leveraging Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, continue to grow in popularity among younger generations. In fact, a study published by the University of Florida found that people between the ages of 18 and 34 were twice as likely to prefer social media over face-to-face communication. Given this, it’s important for businesses to have a social media presence. But it’s not enough to simply be present—brands must be engaged. Instead of simply promoting company news and updates, businesses can use social media to foster meaningful connections with customers. This can be done by actively responding to comments, participating in conversations, and asking for feedback.
Using Influencer Marketing
As consumers become savvier and more aware of marketing strategies, traditional forms of advertising often fall flat. However, influencer marketing is a strategy that continues to prove effective. Although the concept of influencer marketing isn’t new, savvy brands are using it more than ever to connect with younger generations. In its simplest form, influencer marketing is when brands partner with individuals who have an established online following. These influencers create content, such as blog posts or product reviews, that mentions the brand in some way. Advertising via influencers allows brands to more authentically connect with consumers. Studies show that consumers are more likely to engage with brands after seeing positive reviews from trusted sources online.
Creating Engaging Content
Given that consumers are spending more time on their phones, it’s critical that businesses create engaging content that’s optimized for mobile. One way to do this is by creating animated explainer videos. Animated explainer videos are a type of video that uses animation to tell a brand’s story. They can be created using a wide variety of methods, from hand-drawn illustrations to computer-generated graphics. To create engaging content, businesses can use an illustrated storyboard to create an animated explainer video. Alternatively, they can hire a video production company to help create an animated video. Using an animated explainer video when marketing via social media or email can help ensure that your content is engaging, regardless of the platform on which it’s consumed.
Hosting Live Events/Webinars
As consumers spend more and more time online, businesses are finding new ways to connect with customers in-person. One such way is through hosting live events, such as product launch parties. Hosting live events allows businesses to engage with customers in real-time. You can also use live event software, such as Zoom, to host webinars with potential customers. If your business has a product or service that lends itself to live events, consider hosting a launch party. You can invite people in your community to attend, ask them to fill out a guest list, and promote the event on social media to attract additional visitors. Hosting live events is a great way to promote new products, build brand awareness, and connect with customers in real-time.
SMS Marketing
Another strategy that can help businesses connect with a younger audience is SMS marketing. SMS, short for short message service, refers to text messages sent via mobile phones. SMS marketing is an increasingly popular marketing strategy that involves promotional content being sent to consumers via text. This strategy also allows brands to send updates, promotional coupons, and other marketing communications to consumers at any time of day. This form of broadcast text messaging can be used to drive immediate sales or encourage brand engagement. Of course, businesses must first obtain consent from customers to send these messages. They can do this by including an opt-in box on their website or by asking customers who call in to provide their phone numbers.
Conclusion
A key to connecting with younger generations is to be innovative and creative with your marketing strategies. Leverage the latest tech trends and social media platforms to create engaging content, host live events and webinars, and send out coupons via SMS. If you’re investing in any form of marketing, it’s crucial to understand the needs and preferences of your target audience. By doing this, you can ensure that your marketing strategies are successful.
