Marketing can be tricky; even once you’ve worked out your key target audience, you need to consider the diversity within that group.
Few brands only appeal to one specific demographic of people; one age group or gender, and most companies will need to appeal to a much wider variety.
This article is going to cover some of the major age groups you’ll encounter, along with the best ways to appeal to them right now.
If you’re interested in maximizing your success rate, read on.
Of course, there are more “demographics” in society than the ones we’re covering here, but this is a good start.
The Different Ages
IT ALL SOUNDS CONFUSING: Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers. If you’re not sure what the major age ranges are, take a look at this handy reference table below:
| Generation Name | Births Starting | Births Ending | Youngest Age | Oldest Age |
| Baby Boomer Generation | 1946 | 1964 | 60 | 78 |
| Generation X | 1965 | 1980 | 44 | 59 |
| Generation Y –The Millennials –Gen Next | 1981 | 1996 | 28 | 43 |
| Generation Z | 1997 | 2012 (approx) | 12 | 27 |
Source: Pew Research Center
There’s a lot of overlap and debate about exact dates – but the guide above is a fairly accurate and standard representation. It’s worth noting that this chart is applicable to Western nations; Asia and other cultures may have their own demographics and definitions.
What each of these demographics responds to is roundly correlated to the society in which they grew up.
The Baby Boomers lived through the sixties and seventies and are now financially stable, possibly retired adults. Generation X saw the beginning of the technological revolution at a younger age than the Baby Boomers, but it wasn’t as ingrained in them as it was with The Millennials – the group born on the tail end, just about remembering VHS but still on the cusp of every new emerging technology there is. And then there’s Generation Z, the teenagers. A group whose entire lives have been colored by technology.
How Do You Appeal To Each Group?
1. The Baby Boomers
Marketers all seem so preoccupied with advertising and promoting to Millennials – the media-savvy generation, that they’ve forgotten about targeting the demographic who really has money to spend – the Baby Boomers.
I think they are really missing a vital trick. This generation is increasingly social media competent and has that important disposable income to spend.
Not convinced?
- 63% use social networks to connect with family and friends
- Baby Boomers spend 27 hours per week online, two MORE hours than those aged 16-34!
- They spend more online than any other generation (source)
How to target Baby Boomers on social media
Don’t assume they don’t use social media. As time goes by, more and more of this group are setting up social media accounts, embracing new platforms, downloading new apps, and becoming increasingly competent and comfortable with this technology. Assuming that the whole of your Twitter following is sub-25 is a huge mistake to make.
Take time to look at the analytics software on your social media pages for a breakdown of your audience, and consider publishing content and revising your marketing strategy to appeal to this demographic.
Don’t underestimate the value of loyalty.
This generation is much more loyal than the subsequent generation. They’re the group that pioneered those major players, like Levis and Coca-Cola. Nostalgia definitely sells, so to make yourself compete, ensure you’re playing up the reliability of your brand.
I know it’s depressing to talk about Facebook and Twitter as “traditional” social media platforms, but that’s what they are now. Baby Boomers are much more likely to be found on Facebook and Twitter than on Instagram and Snapchat, so make sure you focus your efforts there for the time being. Remember the speed at which social media trends can change, so we recommend reviewing this to make sure you are still on the same platform.
Because the uptake of social media has been slower with this age group, they’re naturally more sceptical and suspicious of online marketing. Make sure that your adverts are legitimate and interesting, and construct your posts in a way that tackles that scepticism to negate any fears or concerns.
2. Generation X
“The Forgotten Generation” isn’t the funniest term for this group, but it is perhaps the most accurate. Straddling the gap between the technological revolution of the 90s and the economic boom and social development of the 60s and 70s, Generation X is difficult to pin down.
This group should not be underestimated. In fact, they’re poised to become the new Baby Boomers, with economic stability Millennials may only dream of and a larger grasp on social media than their predecessors.
Not convinced?
- 98% of Gen Xers own a cellphone, (Pew Research)
69% own a desktop computer, 61% own a laptop, and only 55% own a tablet. (Pew Research) - Gen Xers are the most likely to get their news from websites or apps (PRC)
- Gen Xers use social media 40 minutes more each week than millennials. They were also more likely than millennials to stay on their phones at the dinner table and spend more time on every type of device (Nielsen)
How to target Gen Xers on social media
Marketing to this age group is a compound effort of marketing to Baby Boomers and Millennials. You’ll need to bear in mind everything we said about loyalty, but also consider that this group has more than just a tenuous grasp on social media.
Embrace the technological side with this group, and you can explore some of the newer social media platforms – experiment and see where your audience is most engaged.
3. The Millennials
- Millennials are most likely to get news from social networking sites (PRC)
- 68.8% of Millennials are the most active group on social media (Influencer Marketing Hub)
- 93% of Millennials own a smartphone (PRC)
Well, marketing to Millennials is reliant on a few key things; Honesty, openness, and an embrace of modern technology. More than that, though, what really matters to this group is a sense of ‘humanness’ and not large-scale corporations.
How to target millennials on social media
You’re active on social media. Technology is part of life for Millennials, and businesses that don’t embrace it will be left behind. It can be difficult to get used to all the new platforms and networks available, but the time invested is well spent. Create profiles on the major networks, making sure to keep up to date with the latest trends and promote your store information online – that’s where Millennials look for information.
You’re using real people. Celebrities are old hat, influencers still have a few years left, and what’s really selling now are real people and real stories. Focus your campaigns on ordinary, real people living their lives; this allows your target audience to empathize with the people in your marketing, making them more likely to seek you out.
You’re open. Openness really is the key here. The ease with which this demographic accesses information means any major transgressions will be seen globally within minutes. To avoid any scandal, stay as open as possible and be sure to highlight your integrity. Frankly, it just makes smarter business sense.
4. Generation Z
Marketers are now turning their attention to Gen Z. The thing to remember about this group is that their lives are focused on technology. Everything they do is will be governed by an ever-expanding internet of things.
Not convinced?
- Gen Z represents nearly 40% of mobile users and consumes the most video content. (Forbes)
- They interact with approximately five different screens: smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and desktops. (Forbes)
- 75% of Gen Zers identify smartphones as their preferred device. (IBM)
- 69% of Gen Zers also own a laptop or desktop. (Global Web Index)
How to target Gen Z on social media
Gen Z wants to be entertained in whichever media they flow to at the time. They don’t want interruptions or barriers. This generation has never had to wait for content and has been slowed down by advert breaks and slow connections. They can happily flick around, keeping themselves amused for hours.
The key to making the most of your advertising here is to take your Millennials marketing one step further. Keep ahead of the technology game, embrace new media, and focus on the human aspect of your company.
So there you go, all the major demographic groups and how to market to them. We already said this, but remember that these terms are all fairly loose, and different statistical channels refer to them differently – so your mileage may vary.
About BeeLiked
BeeLiked offers companies an ever-growing portfolio of promotion types that are quick to create, with full design flexibility, performance tracking, and data collection capabilities to ensure your campaign and promotion exceed all your expectations.
The BeeLiked Platform can help you engage and incentivize your audience and customers across their life cycle and journey.
