College students are plugged in constantly. Take a look around any building on campus and you’ll likely see the glow of a screen. Laptops, smartphones, tablets; you name it, they’re using it. So what are millennials up to on their devices? Connecting with their peers, celebrities, companies, and brands on social media.
Millennials are 247% more likely to be influenced by blogs or social networking sites than traditional media. This means that traditional forms of advertisement like commercials, print and online ads, and radio spots are basically ineffective when compared to new media. That’s why it’s important to create and develop your brand’s personality on social media. This will increase brand likability and keep millennials loyal and engaged far after they make their purchase.
Things to keep in mind when trying to leverage social media include:
- Produce a variety of fresh content like blogs, photos, and videos
- Post to at least the Big 4 (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+) regularly
- Engage with fans or followers on a personal level as often as possible
- Occasional promotions, giveaways and other campaigns to keep audience interested
- Present a cohesive, consistent message across all channels
Keep in mind that a good word from a peer is often the key to winning a millennial’s heart (and wallet). 59% of Millennials list friends as the people who influence their purchase decisions. Getting students to tweet about your brand to their friends and followers is a great way to gain more fans and reach a larger audience.
