Communication of the past, such as meeting in person and talking on the telephone are not the forms of communication that the majority of millennials engage in. While they are social and like communicating with others, it has to be in a way that makes them feel comfortable. It may seem like too much of a hassle to try to cater to such strange preferences, but it is better to engage this group of people correctly, rather than bypass them completely. You can’t be a business owner and afford not to convert millennials into your customers. Here are the 5 most effective ways to communicate with millennials.
1. Partake in Mobile Communication
Millennials love their phones. Their phones are constantly in their hands, as if it were a permanent attachment. They check their phones immediately when they wake up, the phone is given more attention than actual people at the dinner table, and their phone stores almost all of their entertainment. Their phone is a very important asset for them. It is in your company’s best interest to take advantage of millennials fascination with their phones. Texting is the preferred form of communication for millennials – entire conversations can be had through text conversation. Your business should be using text marketing to communicate with millennials. They will be more receptive to this form of communication and choose to engage with it. It would be wiser to place your money in a marketing activity that will actually provide a positive ROI for your business – converting your target market into customers.
2. Create a Community
Millennials like to feel as if they are partaking in something special – something that provides them with an actual purpose. Just selling a product or service to them without a distinctive message will not work in your favor. They don’t like being sold to, instead they like engaging within a movement that feels authentic and fun. Experiences are what they crave, so your business must work to involve them within your company’s vision and mission. Develop an interactive community that puts your millennial consumers to work. Give them something distinctive to do, such as working within their local community. Or have them do something different every month, such as a new challenge to complete that will be scored against others in the community. The fun and engaging factor of your business will provide it with more attention, pulling in other millennials who want to be an active member of your growing community.
3. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Millennials are always on social media communicating and engaging in conversations that resonate with their interest. Beyond texting, social media is the form of communication that millennials frequently use to socialize. Social media platforms are where millennials receive their news and other important information. They also make their purchasing decisions based off of social media feedback and brand engagement. Your brand must engage with millennial consumers by making them a key focus of the conversation. Ask what they like and don’t like about your product or service. Make them brand ambassadors – placing them in a position of empowerment. Once they feel you actually care about what they feel and have to say, they become more loyal and willing to promote your brand to their friends.
4. Demonstrate You Understand Their Values
Millennials will only do business with those that understand their values. Among these values are: connections, experiences, purpose, encouragement, and innovation. Your company has to communicate its understanding of these values and illustrate that it considers them to be very important within its culture. Your company should have millennials as employees who are in a position of leadership. It shows your millennial consumers that you trust their ability to perform and make decisions. Their generation is constantly being talked down upon, so it gives them great satisfaction when people are willing to give them a chance to prove themselves.
5. Don’t be so Serious
Millennials understand that life is serious, but that doesn’t mean that they want to be so serious that they can’t have fun. Being too serious stifles their creativity and freedom, two things that they absolutely need to function well. Once their positive vibe is smothered, they tune out and become less productive. Show that your brand is all about fun and enjoyment. Add humor into your marketing messages and illustrate that you love for your consumers to enjoy life. Don’t make business strictly business – it has to make people feel excited to be a part of it.
Conclusion
While millennials are vastly different from previous generations, they are not impossible to reach and engage with. Take the time to understand how they communicate and what motivates their behaviors and actions. Once you truly understand how to communicate with them, the easier it will be for you to convert them into your customers. Featured photo credit: Redd via unsplash.com
