Marketing to different generations requires different approaches. In this blog post, lets outline the online marketing goals and best practices for different generations, from Boomers to Gen Z.

Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)

Baby boomers are the generation that grew up in the aftermath of World War II. They are currently between the ages of 57 and 75. They are often characterized as being hardworking, responsible, and loyal. Baby boomers are a large and influential generation, and they have significant purchasing power.

Online marketing goals for baby boomers:

• Build trust and credibility: Baby boomers value trust and credibility. They want to know that they can rely on a company to deliver on its promises. Online marketing should focus on building trust through customer reviews, testimonials, and case studies.
• Emphasize quality: Baby boomers are willing to pay for quality products and services. Online marketing should emphasize the quality of a company’s products and services, and should avoid using cheap or gimmicky marketing tactics.
• Keep it simple: Baby boomers are not digital natives, and they may find overly complex websites or marketing campaigns overwhelming. Online marketing should be simple, clear, and easy to understand.

Best practices for online marketing to baby boomers:

• Use email marketing: Baby boomers are more likely to use email than social media. Email marketing campaigns can be an effective way to reach this generation.
• Optimize for mobile: While baby boomers may not be digital natives, they are still using mobile devices to access the internet. Online marketing should be optimized for mobile to ensure that it is accessible to this generation.
• Use storytelling: Baby boomers respond well to stories that evoke emotion and connect with their values. Online marketing should use storytelling to engage this generation and build trust.

Generation X (born 1965-1980)

Generation X is the generation that came of age in the 1980s and 1990s. They are currently between the ages of 41 and 56. They are often characterized as being independent, self-reliant, and skeptical. Generation X is a smaller generation than baby boomers or millennials, but they still have significant purchasing power.

Online marketing goals for Generation X:

• Emphasize value: Generation X is skeptical and value-conscious. Online marketing should emphasize the value of a company’s products and services, and should avoid using inflated or unrealistic claims.
• Use social proof: Generation X is more likely to trust the opinions of their peers than traditional advertising. Online marketing should use social proof, such as customer reviews and influencer endorsements, to build trust.
• Be authentic: Generation X values authenticity and transparency. Online marketing should be authentic and transparent, and should avoid using overly polished or artificial marketing materials.

Best practices for online marketing to Generation X:

• Use social media: Generation X is the first generation to have grown up with personal computers and the internet. They are comfortable using social media, and online marketing should include social media campaigns.
• Use humor: Generation X appreciates humor and satire. Online marketing can use humor to engage this generation and build brand loyalty.
• Be responsive: Generation X is more likely to be skeptical of companies that do not respond to their questions or concerns. Online marketing should be responsive to feedback and should provide prompt customer service.

Millennials (born 1981-1996)

Millennials are the generation that came of age in the 2000s and 2010s. They are currently between the ages of 25 and 40. They are often characterized as being tech-savvy, optimistic, and socially conscious. Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce and have significant purchasing power.

Online marketing goals for millennials:

• Emphasize values: Millennials are socially conscious and value-driven. Online marketing should emphasize a company’s values and commitment to social responsibility.
• Use visual content: Millennials are a visually-oriented generation and respond well to visual content such as images and videos. Online marketing should use visual content to engage this generation.
• Be mobile-first: Millennials are digital natives and use their mobile devices for everything from socializing to shopping. Online marketing should be optimized for mobile and should be easy to use on mobile devices.

Best practices for online marketing to millennials:

• Use social media influencers: Millennials are more likely to trust the opinions of social media influencers than traditional advertising. Online marketing should use social media influencers to build trust and brand loyalty.
• Use social causes: Millennials are passionate about social causes and are more likely to buy from companies that support causes they believe in. Online marketing should highlight a company’s social causes and commitments.
• Be interactive: Millennials grew up with interactive media, and they expect online marketing to be interactive and engaging. Online marketing should be interactive, such as through quizzes, games, and polls.