Marketing to Millennials. Know Them and Love Them!

Millennials!  You need them!

Understand them, don't make assumptions!

There are some things that I don't understand.  One of those things is when businesses say they don't want to market to Millennials.  First, I'm not a Millennial so don't assume I'm one of those so-called "me, me, me slackers, entitled, non-communicators" and whatever. Millennials get a bad rap!  As with every generation, the previous generation wonders how they'll ever make it or has said, "They don't show any respect!"  Ha!  Somethings never change.

They've experienced family life differently.

Seriously, when a business says they don't want to market to Millennials, I'm wondering how much longer they can keep their head in the sand.  Millennials currently make up the largest segment of the population in the United States!  Their lives touch different age groups than in the past.  Some of them were born to parents who were very young while others were born to parents who waited until their 30's-40's to have children.  Some Millennials had their own children at a very young age.  Because of that, they were exposed to either fewer or more generations than previous generations.  Some Millennials have aging parents, some have much younger parents.  Why does all of this matter for marketing?   Let's talk about that.

Think about their view of the world.

The most important thing is marketing is knowing how to communicate with any particular marketing segment and know their mindset.  Their needs can vary greatly from one to another.  Remember that this age group has seen a lot for their years including multiple wars, an economic crisis most comparable to the Depression, scandals at all levels, one of the most rapidly changing ages in technology, etc.  Some of the Millennials are also facing wages and employment opportunities that don't even come close to the cost of living in many major areas of the country.  It's no wonder that they are compared to those who grew up during the Depression.  They are not as materialistic as the Baby Boomers.  Many are very frugal and have no problem using Uber rather than owning a car, spend a lot of time on Pinterest learning about DIY projects, are overwhelmed with information but use that access to dig deep into finding the truth.  You can't nor should you try to pull anything over their eyes.

Forget about them only wanting to be texting or that it's technology or nothing.

If you want Millennials to come to your store, you will be spinning your wheels unless you offer them an experience that is different than what they receive through technology.  You can use technology to reach them, but to get them into your store, you had better make an event out of it.  Make them feel special with a "by-invitation-only" event.  They will be texting about their experience at your store, so you have to do it right and be glad you have instant positive marketing because of their connections. One more thing!  Millennials love to receive things in the mail!

Guess what?  They are human beings, too!

They are no different than any other generation.  In fact, for major events that they attend, they aren't as interested in technology being a big part of it as they are just having a good time with their friends!  Sound familiar?  This generation has been able to have a world view like no other generation before it.  With the internet so accessible, the world has literally been at their fingertips.  They are not disconnected.  They also have a great "truth meter" built into them.  They verify facts and don't assume everything that they hear is to be taken for truth. Not all Millennials are like this, but this is a fair assessment.   

They have a heart!

Justice, the environment, volunteerism are on their minds.  If you want to appeal to them, make a part of your business cause-oriented.  Pair up with charities and you will gain the respect of Millennials.  They are inheriting this world and they care about it.  More power to them!

You know what?  I'm proud of them!  How do I know them?  I planned weddings for 8 years and most of them were Millennials.  I also have umpteen nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews in this age group.  I love them!!

Wishing you the greatest of days!

Creating and Remembering the Greatest of Days in Your Personal and Business Life with Events!

Ear to the Ground, Fly on the Wall and A Crystal Ball

Contest, right off the bat!

Yes, the Greatest of Days newsletter tries to be fun and why not?  We are about events, marketing and networking so it has to lean to the fun side for events of any kind to be enjoyed, taught well, de-stressifying (if that's even a word), remembered or even comforting.  You will be in the know for everything events, marketing and networking for your business or job.  We're really going to pay attention to marketing to Millennials and zero in on the people who don't think they want to market to them.   Their bad...temporarily!

Even part of our wedding planning era stuck with us, so we still officiate weddings.  Did I say, we alleviate stress or comfort people?  Heck, yeah!  We carry tissues for our clients on these occasions, sometimes from laughing so hard.  They say laughing and crying are the same thing, right?

Haven't forgotten about the contest....just scroll on down.

Creativity is pretty much our middle name even if the logo shows that our middle name is "of".  You're in for some fun contests, brainstorming, and a boat load of information you probably never had thought of before.  In our humble opinion, the latter would be an "Aha!" moment or a "Hey!  Let's do thaaaat! Yeah."

The first contest is what shall we name this serious and crazy, 4-1-1 packed newsletter?  If you don't leave a comment, I might have to sic the dogs onto you!

We might even be splitting our business into two parts; one part for social events and the second part for business events...so be prepared for another contest.


Here's the link to sign up to receive our newsletter!http://www.greatestofdays.com/contact-us.html

Brainstorming Does Not Happen in a Box!

I count myself lucky to be in the events industry where we are constantly challenged to think outside the box!  There's nothing I love more than brainstorming with a team or an individual to work through a maze of ideas to reach a fabulous solution or creation.

This made me think about the qualities people need to be a great brainstormer.

1.  Be good listeners.

2.  Have the belief that there is no such thing as a stupid idea.

3.  Use "stupid" ideas as launching points for continued conversation.

4.  Aren't afraid to say any idea that comes to their mind.

5.  Avoid putting down other people's ideas...lets them be.  Accepts them as ideas that are growing!

6.  Realizes that some people don't always jump on board to change easily.

7.  Is willing to abandon "We've always done it this or that way".

8.  Lets things slide off their back when someone doesn't understand or like their idea.  They just haven't seen the end result yet!

9.  Knows that in real life that brainstorming skills will help them when they have to turn on a dime.

10.  Invests some time beyond the first meeting to discuss and propel the process forward.

11.  Never forgets the purpose of their discussion but doesn't discount being able kill two birds with one stone as a result of brainstorming.

12.  Invites uncreative types to participate but doesn't let the uncreative types outnumber the creative types.  

13.  Last but not least, realizes that the uncreative need to be gently pulled out of their comfort zone to shed their belief that they aren't creative.  Once they warm up,  everyone will be surprised at their contributions.

Have fun brainstorming whether it be to find a solution to a problem, to make something beautiful, work better, be repurposed or launch a new product.

When Your Business Relocates, Celebrate!

What should a business do when they are moving or have moved to a new nest, swimming hole, den, hole in the wall or a different zip code?

You would never send a "We've Moved!" notice that didn't include a new address.  We would be much more likely to send people an invitation to a housewarming party.  When you move yourself or your family within the same town, you probably don't worry about losing friends.  However, it's an entirely different story when someone has relocated a business.  As soon as all the "t"'s have been crossed, the "i's" have been dotted and the ink has dried, it's time let it be known that a big change is on its way and is just around the bend!

Many businesses don't realize how much they have become a part of a person's normal routine, are only visited because of their proximity to another area where they shop, are perceived as the only game in town or they have simply become a habit or even a luxury.  If a business gets out of that convenient location zone, they can quickly become an inconvenience.  If no one else provides their services, it's even more important that they leave bread crumbs not so they can find their way back but instead to help their customers find the new location.  They don't want people to feel stranded, lost or left out not knowing where they have disappeared to or worse yet, start a rumor that they have gone out of business.  You can compare it to when you can only find that delicious sugar-free jam, that tastes like your grandmother's recipe at a particular store and suddenly the store stops carrying that brand.  You will be looking for it everywhere or be going to the higher priced store that carries it just so you can continue getting that product.  We are creatures of habit and if a business disrupts that habit, they have some work cut out for them to retain clients.

If you have created a special bond with your clients, they will seek you out.  I'm sure we've all become attached to a particular business, product or service and have followed them perhaps even more than once.  It's nice to let customers know well in advance that you are moving.  The business is responsible to help their customers place themselves mentality in the new location.  No one else has that responsibility!  They need to build up the facts about how the new location is better, bigger, has more parking or enables them to offer more services.  

The most noticeable way for a business to get people to their new location is to have a party or some type of celebration.  They will not only be showing their clients their "new house", as a business they will be creating a good excuse for their new neighbors to say, "Hello!  I'm your neighbor three doors down and I am an interior designer" or whatever it is that they do.  Perhaps they can even set up an appointment to get better acquainted later.  Their shyer neighbors might be more comfortable coming to their event knowing that they won't be interrupting business as usual and will seize the moment that is designed to include them.

So the next time you hear that a business is moving, do them a big favor and make sure they are going to celebrate their move.  If all they plan on doing is putting up a sign that says that they have moved, the next sign they might be putting in a window is one not a pleasant to put up.  That would be a dreaded "Going out of Business" sign.  

As always...

Wishing you the greatest of days!

You might be asking, "What exactly does Greatest of Days mean?  What do you do?"  My apologies if you have to ask.  Greatest of Days is an event planning business in the Seattle area which helps individuals and businesses plan or learn how to host successful events with less stress...and officiates weddings.  (Just couldn't give that up from the good ole wedding planning days!)  I can hear you say, "Aha!  Now I get it!"  Now, I'm happy that you're happy!  

"Creating and Remembering Life's Greatest of Days"

Business Owners! Put Your Party Hats and Thinking Caps on!

This is just the beginning of showing you how you can use events to benefit your business.  I'm guessing that you wouldn't think there could be more events for businesses that there are types of typical social celebrations that your family or friends would host.  I'm going to let you in on a good thing!  Marketing with events is the 2nd most effective method of marketing, yet it is the least understood and most underutilized method.  That is great news for your business.  Isn't it all about doing what no one else is doing?

Let's think of it this way.  An event cannot be deleted or erased because events become a permanent memory.  Memories are first recalled as a visual image, yet there's a big secret to having events being remembered in the first place.  There's an element to an event that will help establish your event as a memory but that dives into your brain chemistry.  That's a completely different blogpost for another time.  (I want you to come back!)

Here's an introduction to the types of events you could either consider hosting or participating in for your business.  Have fun imagining how these events could apply to your business!  Future blogposts will cover how you would incorporate each of these types of events into your marketing.  There are even more subcategories of events not listed here.

Wishing you the greatest of days!

If you would like to attend a seminar in the Seattle area, please email me and I'll put your name on the list to be notified of the events for 2016.

Marketing by hosting events is still in the top two methods of marketing but partly that is because they are underutilized and under-optimized.  There are about 20 different types of events that businesses can choose from to meet their marketing needs.  Didn't think there could possibly be that many?  Find out how you might be missing this great opportunity in marketing and find out what it takes to host a successful event!

http://tinyurl.com/osxj75e

Learn how events are part art, science, logistics and psychology and they should involved 5+ 1 more senses!

Your Business Makes Me Sad

                                         

There's a good chance your business makes me sad.

Okay, that deserves further explanation!  I see a source for new clients, happy employees, happy clients, recognition of your hard work, showing off new equipment and a way to help it pay for itself!  I also see a way for you to show that you care about your community.  I see a way for you to look well-connected in your industry and be looked up to as a leader.  What is this source that seems to accomplish many things that has appeal to most business owners?  Hint, hint..we're talking about marketing if you didn't figure that out already.  What makes me sad is that so few business take advantage of this marketing method.

What is that method of marketing?

I hope I've begun to make up for the first sentence you read, but this source or method that can accomplish all of the things mentioned above and more is hosting events!  It's the second most effective method of marketing next to online marketing, but marketing through events has been around for centuries. I dare say that it's a lot more fun, too!

Apples and oranges.

Online marketing and marketing through events are like comparing apples and oranges even though it might appear that you are hoping achieve the same outcome.  People are beginning to crave the company of others rather than being stuck in front of a screen.  There really is no substitute for meeting face to face when it comes to marketing.  It's like the difference between two dimensional and three dimensional.  We all navigate through life with the help of the five senses. It makes sense to employ marketing where you can appeal to all five senses rather than only two.  

Part art and science.

What makes me sad is the fact that the vast majority of businesses do not utilize the unique opportunity to market through events.  Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that seldom do they know how to exercise the art and science behind successful events.  There's no reason why they would be in the know about hosting events.

If you would like to learn more about the types of events your business could host or even co-host, click here to send me a message about our upcoming launch of "How to Host a Successful Event to Boost Your Business" to help you optimize marketing with events. We will have webinars and live seminars.

Why Should You Host an Event to Boost Your Business?

Having events is one of the most under-utilized yet proven methods of marketing a business. It fits in with the motto "it's much easier to keep a client than to recruit a new one".  Aha, but you can invite a person who isn't a client to tag along with them to an event.

I'll be sharing on this blog the many ways that your business could benefit from hosting or co-hosting an event.  Yes, even those of you who have a home-based business.  You have options!

Anyone can host an event, but don't you want to do that in a successful way to make it worth your time and effort?  Events are part art and part science!  Successful events don't just happen!

We will be hosting events in the Seattle and Tacoma areas.  You can even attend a workshop on "How to Host a Successful Event to Boost Your Business".  Sign up to be placed on the waiting list  or go directly to http://www.greatestofdays.com/OtherEvents.html.

                                           

Wishing you the greatest of days!  Your business deserves them, too!