Once upon a time, roughly 3 years ago to be exact, I educated our readers on the importance of marketing to Millennials and some of the lingo you should keep in mind when doing so. After nearly four amazing years of learning more of the ins and outs of the digital marketing profession, I finally thought that it was time to update that blog and even tip my cap to the generation that comes after me — Gen Z.  

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of what I will be covering throughout this blog, let’s set some facts straight. Millennials are those born between 1981 – 1997, ages 24 – 40 (that’s me!). Members of Gen Z are those born between 1997 – 2015, ages 6-24. 

Alright, so now you officially know. There are tweeners, dubbed “Zillennials” by many, like our very own Social Media Marketing Assistant, Erika Jenkins. But, you can ask her about that and why it was apparently better to be born in 1997. 

Differences Between Millennials and Gen Z

Millennials and Gen Z may look similar, but there are differences in how they shop, interact with brands and advertisements, and view money and income. 

According to a recent survey, 66% of Millennials expect a higher standard of customer service compared to 53% of Gen Z. Millennials will also pay more for greater customer experiences compared to Gen Z. 

When it comes to innovation, especially as we near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of Gen Z want significantly more new products and services, especially those of the digital variety, compared to Millennials. It doesn’t end there. Trust is a big factor too when contrasting the Millennial and Gen Z mindset as Gen Z is less trusting in general. There’s little that brands can do to earn their trust as compared to Millennials.

We all like to save money, but Gen Z has made that a lifestyle choice compared to Millennials, who are more interested in the experience above all else. Why? Experts believe the influence is that Millennials grew up during an economic boom compared to Gen Z, who grew up during an economic recession. For these reasons, a good marketing strategy for Gen Z could consist of placing emphasis on high-quality investments and offering multiple deals or bonuses. 

From a brand-centric perspective, Millennials are all-in. When this group was in their teen years, brands were popular, especially clothing. Now, they’ve aged, Millennials still tend to pay more for preferred brands. I know this for a fact because I will only buy Heinz ketchup — all other ketchup brands are trash. Sorry, not sorry. 

Taking a look at this issue from the Gen Z side of things, this group is more about creating their own brand. Gen Z’ers want to celebrate being their own person; their independence. They use social media to find and connect with their own communities or groups to feel a sense of belonging. That’s why the best way to market to Gen Z is by focusing on the individual, creating ads that let them feel a sense of independence without any type of boundaries. 

Time For Some Fun

In the blog “Marketing To Millennials: Learning The Lingo,” I hit on some key words and phrases you should know when marketing or even talking to Millennials. Well, without trying to sound too old, here are some popular words and phrases used by Gen Z: 

  • Cheugy: A term that describes millennials who are trying too hard to be trendy (I hope this isn’t me).
  • No Cap/Capping: Cap is another word for lie. No Cap means you aren’t lying while capping means you are lying. 
  • Sheesh: A term used to hype someone up when they look good or do something good. 
  • Hits different: When something is so uniquely good or better. 
  • Drip: A term used to describe a cool or trendy sense of style.

Marketing to Millennials or Gen Z? The #ENX2Crew Is Here For You

I hope that blog was an informative, educational, and fun piece for our readers. If your brand is interested in strategizing a digital marketing campaign aimed at Millennials or Gen Z, ENX2 Marketing is the agency for you. Contact our team today, and remember, LET’S BE AMAZING!