As a 20-year-old, Gen Z marketing intern, I have experienced first-hand how different my generation is when it comes to engaging with brands and content. We are the digital natives – we grew up with the internet, so we expect companies to reach out to us in innovative ways. We want to make our mark on the world, and we don't want anyone telling us what to do. That's why it's so important for businesses to understand how Gen Z prefers to engage. Below I will share some of my insights on some of the ways my generation prefers to engage – based on my own experiences.
The first way Gen Z prefers to engage is through social media. We are constantly on our phones and we love to share what we're doing with our friends. If you want to grab Gen Z's attention, you need to be on social media. We also like to be able to interact with brands on social media – so make sure you're responsive to our comments and questions. We are also very visual learners, so using platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are great ways to reach us.
TikTok is a social media platform that is particularly popular with Gen Z. TikTok allows users to create short videos (usually 15 seconds or less) and share them with others on the app. What makes TikTok unique is that it uses algorithms to personalize the content that each user sees. This means that Gen Zers are constantly seeing content that is relevant to them, which makes the platform even more engaging. TikTok is also great for businesses because it provides a way to reach Gen Z in a creative and personal way. If you're not on TikTok, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to engage with Gen Z.
Another way Gen Z likes to engage is through experiences. We love to try new things and we love to share our experiences with others. If you can provide us with unique and memorable experiences, we will remember you – and we will tell our friends about you. For example, some of my favorite experiences have been attending concerts, going to festivals, and traveling.
One of the main reasons Gen Z is more focused on experiences is because we grew up with the internet. We are constantly bombarded with ads and content, so we have learned to tune it out. The only way to really reach us and engage us is through providing unique and memorable experiences. This is why businesses need to get creative if they want to reach Gen Z. Instead of traditional advertising, businesses need to focus on providing Gen Z with experiences that we will remember and share with our friends.
An example of a business that is doing this well is Airbnb. Airbnb provides an online platform for people to find unique accommodations around the world. What makes Airbnb so successful is that it provides Gen Z with experiences that we would never be able to have otherwise. Instead of staying in a hotel, Gen Zers can stay in a treehouse, an igloo, or even a castle. Airbnb has become so successful because it understands the importance of experiences for Gen Z.
The last way Gen Z prefers to engage is through personalization. We appreciate it when companies take the time to get to know us as individuals. We want brands to treat us like people, not just another number. So, if you can personalize your marketing efforts to Gen Z, we are more likely to engage with your brand.
These are just a few of the ways Gen Z prefers to engage. If businesses want to reach Gen Z, they need to be innovative, creative, and personal. We are the digital generation, so companies need to meet us where we are – online. Only then will they be able to earn our attention and engagement.
I hope this gives you some insights into Gen Z and how we prefer to engage. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on social media or through info@alphanumeric.com.