The key to effective marketing is meeting your audience where they are. The millennial generation - adults ages 18 to 34 - can typically be found swiping through Snapchat stories, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook feeds or watching the latest viral video on YouTube.

Smartphones have become the prime source for millenials' daily content, which is why it is crucial to integrate video content into your marketing strategy. Whether through a 10 second Snapchat story, a YouTube “About Us” video or a Facebook Live event, it’s clear America’s millennials are best targeted through video marketing.

Why is it so important to display video content to this particular generation? According to recent studies in The Content Strategist, 80 percent of millennials turn to video when deciding what to buy. Therefore, a nearly guaranteed method to success is to stream your message directly into the hands of the buyer. Luckily, there are a variety of places to publish videos and a range of ways to successfully incorporate them into your marketing strategy.

YouTube

YouTube is among the most effective spots for video campaigns. It remains one of the most visited sites on the internet and is the second most popular search engine after Google.

According to a study by award-winning online video maker Animoto, 76 percent of millennials follow companies or brands on YouTube, spending up to an hour per session on the platform. No matter the video format - comedy, instructions, previews, etc. - this cost-effective marketing outlet enables brands to speak to their viewers on a more emotional level, while also directly driving traffic to their landing pages.

Snapchat

Whether it’s a Taco Bell taco shell filter over your face or a quick snapshot of what’s been going on behind the scenes of your brand during the past 24 hours, Snapchat is quickly climbing to the top of the social media ladder.

Millennials are content-driven, but they are also time-sensitive. Having an outlet where a brand can create relationships with their consumers without taking up too much of their time is key.

Snapchat enables your audience to see a more lighthearted side of your business, making your business feel more like a friend on their story than a brand begging for attention.

Facebook Live

Facebook Live is a fairly new feature for the world’s largest social media platform. Through live video, Facebook users are able to connect with their viewers in real time, resulting in lots of comments and shares for your page.

Perhaps you work in real estate and want to show a house to buyers while walking through it. Or maybe you’re a local restaurant sharing a secret recipe with your frequent diners. Invite your consumers into your world and watch as they form a stronger bond with your brand.

People, especially millennials, want to feel connected to the product they are purchasing. Take that extra step in building an emotional relationship with your followers and spark a conversation through video content marketing. If their faces are glued to their screens, then video marketing is the perfect way to meet them there. 

If you need help incorporating this powerful tool into your business plan, contact Sage Island and let our team make you a star.

Mike Duncan co-founded Sage Island in 1997 and since then has evolved the agency’s scope to include marketing strategy, creative design, technical development and a wide range of digital marketing services. With an integrated approach that leverages the power and measurability of the internet, the savvy Sage Island team develops strategies, builds brands, writes killer copy and delivers to clients all over the world. And they have an awesome time doing it. Sage’s collaborative working environment keeps creativity and innovation at the heart of the concept. With a 17-year history in Wilmington and beyond, Sage Island shows no signs of slowing down. To learn how Sage Island can grow your business, check us out at www.sageisland.com. To stay updated on the latest in digital marketing, follow Sage Island on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SageIsland, and on Twitter at twitter.com/Sage Island.