In digital marketing, one size does not fit all, especially when targeting different generations. Understanding the preferences and behaviors of the targeted age groups is crucial for any business looking to expand its business. In this article, we will talk about how we should interact with these 3 generations.
- Generation X (GenX): born 1965-1980
- Millennials: born 1981-1996
- Generation Z (GenZ): born 1996-2012
The 3 most important elements to consider when targeting specific age groups are “platform”, “messaging”, and “personalization style”. Let’s grasp the main traits of each generation in Japan and see how they are different in each element.
GenX
Trait: They have significant spending power and are increasingly becoming tech-savvy. They value quality, reliability, simplicity, and familiarity and favor thorough and polite customer care.
Platform: Email, Facebook
Messaging: People in this age group appreciate straightforward, informative, and sincere content. They feel most comfortable with content that speaks to their life experiences rather than pushing new and innovative ideas.
Personalization Style: For GenZ, personalization means respectful communication and recognition of their experience and wisdom. They appreciate personalized emails and content that speak to their stage in life. They also love sharing their own experience. Strategies like surveys work well as they can be informative while being interactive so that they have space to share opinions.
Millennials
Traits: Millennials are the most diverse generation. They are tech-savvy, value experiences over possessions, and are highly educated. This group is known for doing extensive research before making purchases.
Platform: Email, Blog, SNS(Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and X), Influencer Collaborations. A multi-platform strategy works best for them.
Messaging: People in this generation prefer educational, in-depth information. They do initial research on their own so they are more drawn to relatable content and show interest when in-depth information is provided.
Personalization Style: Millennials value personalization in the form of recommendations and content that reflects their interests and lifestyle choices. Social media interactions and personalized shopping experiences are effective.
Gen Z
Trait: This generation is all about authenticity and social responsibility. They are digital natives who spend a significant amount of time online. Gen Z is less brand loyal and more inclined towards brands that are ethical and transparent. They are also very vocal and responsive to more interactive services. Influencer marketing and social media stories are effective ways to engage them.
Platform: SNS (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat), Influencer Marketing
GenZ prefers short-form content such as Instagram’s “story” and they prefer visually rich content.
Messaging: People in this age group are more responsive to creative, innovative, and socially conscious content. They appreciate messages that are authentic, humorous, and bold.
Personalization Style: Gen Z craves a deeper level of personalization. They expect brands to not only understand their interests but also their social and ethical values. Interactive content and immersive experiences, like AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), resonate well with this group.
To win an audience in digital marketing, it’s essential to understand the target’s generational nuances. Tailoring your strategy to meet the specific preferences and behaviors of each age group will lead to more effective engagement, stronger brand loyalty, and ultimately, successful conversions.
