My 15 years as an Adjunct Professor at Marquette University have coincided with raising my son (or at least trying not to mess him up as I try to assist my wife). Now he is a 19-year-old college freshman, about the same age as the students I have been learning from all these years.
When it comes to marketing, just like any potential customer, you need to find young people where they live. A recent report from ExplodingTopics.com confirmed what parents have seen for years: this generation connects online.
- 58% purchase something they saw on social media
- 74% prefer shopping on phones over other devices
I watch the evolution of social media channels in my classroom at the Diederich College of Communication. A generation that has used everything from Twitter to Pinterest, Facebook to TikTok, today’s students are setting the curve on where communication for a broader audience will be focused in the next 12-18 months. What we learn from these 20-somethings has impacted how TRG counsels clients on which platforms to consider when targeting their audiences.
Students showed me Facebook was more than just a place for food photos. It has become the 21st-century Town Square, where strong messages can resonate with readers and generate feedback, two things every company wants from its marketing.
Video? You need to grab or engage your audience in the first five seconds, because every young person waiting for a video can find the “skip now” button with their eyes closed.
The way you ultimately reach your customers is unique to you. TRG Marketing helps by asking the right questions and showing opportunities our clients may not have considered…but a generation with substantial purchasing power may already be using.
Coming soon in Part II of Learning from My Students, Marc shares lessons about how to listen and be present to better understand the unique challenges his students face.
