This one is for all your millenial business owners and marketing professionals. It’s time for us to admit that our polarizing generation no longer calls the shots when it comes to social media any longer *sheds tear* 

The Gen Z consumer and social media guru is on the rise. In fact, in 2023, Gen Z dethroned Millenials as the generation who percieves social media as an integral part of their lives, with 66% of the population believing that they can’t live without their apps. Additionally, Gen Z spends an average of 8 hours a day on social media. Yes, you read that correctly: an entire work shift! 

Long story short, finding ways to attract Gen Z (aka the generation born between 1996 and 2010) and make them like your brand is crucial to a company’s digital success as they have a projected spending power of over $360B, but if you think you can use the same strategies to target them as millennials, think again.  

As we approach 2024, we highly recommend implementing some new strategies into your marketing plan that will help appeal to this generation. Not sure where or how to? Here are five tips to help you get started, inspired by this blog from our friends at Later.

Put Your Values At The Forefront

Gen Z is a generation that looks at values above all else. They have been raised in the era of a handful of revolutionary social movements, from #BLM to the climate crisis. If you want to get Gen Z’s attention (or dollars), make sure you stand for something and make it a core part of your brand. Some causes that Gen Z cares about the most are LGBTQ rights, sustainability, diversity, and social responsibility. 

No Bullsh*t

Having grown up with iPhones and laptops, this generation has seen it all when it comes to social media marketing. With that being said, they’ve also seen the backlash companies face from being inauthentic and cancelled. It’s for this reason that transparency and accountability is vital to appealing to Gen Z. Cut the crap, trim the fluff, and be real.

Go Bold And Show Personality

This one slightly pains me to say, but minimalism isn’t something this generation is  attracted to. Contrarily, maximalism is the aesthetic that Gen Z favors, so go bold! We’ve got plenty of bold and vibrant Packsia videos just for this reason. In addition to visual maximalism, it’s also important to have a personality online. Leave your professional copywriting and jargon at the door and have a bit more fun with your messaging. 

Entertainment Is Top Priority

More than education or nostalgia, Gen Z want to see content that entertains them whether that’s making them laugh or providing some shock value. Don’t be afraid to get a bit silly, as they say. 

Make Community A Factor

Lastly, make community a pillar of your business. Gen Z has been deemed the loneliest generation, so they often seek connection online. Make your brand a safe space for likeminded people and warmly welcome new members to your hub, whether that’s on social media or in your newsletters. Respond to comments and DM’s always and never treat your customers like you are above them by any means. 

As millennials, it can be hard to unlearn everything we know about social media and look at it through a different lens, but it is important. By implementing these simple adjustments to your strategy, you can tap into a brand new audience while not alienating your current customers either.