Marketing to Millennials – Interior Designers in the Marketplace

Do we focus too much on marketing to millennials here? Maybe. Then again, if you believe we do, it may be because you don’t focus on them enough!

As the first truly digital generation, millennials are quite different than the generation that preceded them. In an effort to adapt to the needs and wants of this new generation, marketers have tried a wide variety of methods to reach the world’s most powerful audience.

While most believe millennials to be the “most connected” generation in history, in some ways they are completely disconnected. By this we mean that, as a group, millennials are somewhat disconnected from people, instead relying to a large extent on “influencers”. These are the thought leaders and trendsetters found in social media, as you’ll see from some of the statistics below.

Thanks to Forbes.com, we’re able to break down the statistics that make up this group, as a means to help you understand how to best reach this massive demographic.

How Millennials Relate to Markets and Brands

• The 92 million millennials in the United States spend a total of $600 billion each year
• 85% of Americans ages 18-29 are smartphone owners
• 79% of millennials recognize that ads serve a purpose for a brand
• 68% of millennials expect that brands provide an integrated shopping experience
• 74% of teen millennials use a second screen while consuming content
• 2 out of 3 millennials use an ad blocker
• Millennial preference of digital video platforms is double the preference of traditional television
• 90% of millennials ages 18-29 are on social media
• 34% of millennials turn to their online networks in a purchasing decision
• 40% of millennials relate to online influencers more than they do their friends

If for no other reason than sheer numbers, it makes a great deal of sense for the savvy interior designer to begin focusing on the 92 million people in the 18 – 34 age range – what we call millennials.

Have you begun to market to millennials as part of your strategy? If yes, how has that worked for you? If not, what are you waiting for?

Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designer Marketing Tips – Marketing to Millennials

Millennials, those born between 1980 and 2000, are both the 20th century’s last generation and its first truly digital one. This old century/new technology dichotomy gives pause to marketers attempting to understand and connect with this key demographic. Yet, by the year 2020, these folks will spend a whopping $1.4 trillion annually – or 30% of all retail sales in the United States. When it comes to designer marketing tips, marketing to millennials should be #1 on everyone’s list.The good news is, there are trends developing that can be used to influence this demographic and bring them to your door.

1. Trust your customers to help you market to millennials – User-generated content is a great way to push Millennials further down the conversion funnel, especially since they trust it 50% more than any other type of media. Instagram and YouTube lead the way as sources for user-generated content.
2. Collaborate with influencers in your niche – Millennials are placing more and more trust into social media influencers. In fact, 60% of Millennials have said that they would try a product suggested by a YouTuber and ⅓ consider blogs to be a top media source when researching a purchase. Blogs and various social media that offer product reviews lead the way as influencers.
3. Use live video to spark interest – From Twitch to Periscope, live video is exploding for Millennials. When Millennials consume news, 43% of them value authenticity over the content itself and there are few things more authentic than live, anything-can-happen social media streams. While Twitch and Periscope seem to have a leg up on the competition, now that Facebook allows live video, it too has great value.
4. Social consciousness matters – Millennials are a socially conscious generation with a strong desire to make a difference in the world and they’ve started turning to businesses to help them make a bigger impact. Worldwide, 69% of Millennials want businesses to better facilitate customers getting involved in social issues which are a huge opportunity for businesses to start stepping in and helping.
5. Mobility matters – For businesses, being mobile is can no longer be an afterthought - it needs to be at the forefront of every single marketing strategy. Why? Because Millennials are the mobile generation, with an overwhelming 87% keeping their smartphones by their side every second of every day. And – they use them to shop! (Thanks to Shopify.com for curating much of this list.)

Have you begun to market to millennials as part of your strategy? If yes, how has that worked for you? If not, what are you waiting for?Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.