Millennials. Gen Y. Echo Boomers. Gen Next. No matter what you call them, there’s no denying their strong presence in the workforce. In fact, according to Pew Research Center’s recent analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, Millennials are now the largest share of the American workforce, surpassing Generation X in early 2015.
Because of that shift, it’s becoming crucial for associations to recruit and retain younger members. But easier said than done, right? Millennials have a completely different set of preferences and priorities than other members and engaging them can sometimes be tough.
To help you out, we’ve put together a few quick tips for engaging the next generation now. Take a look!
Speak their language
Don’t give up on white papers and case studies just yet, but do understand that Millennials are a generation used to consuming content in small bites – think YouTube videos, tweets, blog posts, etc. It’s fine to have some longer content pieces here and there, but make sure you also have a few short pieces to capture the attention of Millennials.
Tip: Millennials enjoy content that’s entertaining, so why not add a little humor to your posts? Try using a few pop culture references or animated gifs here and there. Not only will this lighten the mood of your posts, but it will increase the likelihood of your content getting shared.
Provide them with a mobile-friendly experience
For Millennials, this one’s non-negotiable. According to a 2014 report from Mitek and Zogby Analytics, 90 percent of Millennials have their phones on them at all times and 68 percent prefer to use their mobile device over a desktop or laptop. This means if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s likely to get written off.
To make your site mobile-friendly – and thus, appealing to Millennials – try switching your existing website to a responsive design. This will allow your members to easily interact with your site via phones and tablets without you having to create a separate mobile site.
Focus on career advancement
Millennials are always looking for ways to advance their careers, so why not help them out by providing a few career-driven opportunities? For example, try hosting a quarterly networking event or forming a panel of well-established professionals.
If you’re looking for a more one-on-one approach, try establishing a Millennial mentoring program. This is a great way to provide younger members with value while immersing them in your organization’s culture.
For more tips on engaging your Millennial members, download our free guide, The March of the Millennials: Tips for Engaging the Next Generation Now.
