How to Effectively Market to the Millennial Parent

Millennials are morphing from the generation that "won't grow up" to a generation firmly planted in adulthood, at least the Millennials 24-35. This section of Millennials are buying homes, having their own children, owning cars, and other "adult" things. Data states that 40 percent of Millennials are currently parents.

This generation likes to have marketing experiences that are personal and not canned/dry pushes. As a Millennial myself, and Chicago marketing company copywriter, I would agree with many other Millennials that we like products & services that are intentional and tailored to our needs. If we don't see a product or service and understand how it will make our lives better, we don't buy into it. Even if it's an extremely cool product or service.

More and more Millennials are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants. According to U.S. Census statistics, 15 percent of Millennials between 20-34 were born in another country. This is the highest rate of 1st generation immigrants in this age range since 100 years ago.

More than 70 percent of Millennials enjoy the influence of other cultures. As globalization is gaining more and more traction, the idea of understanding other cultures becomes more appealing. One aspect of globalization that has generated this is how easily people move around the country and world these days. This knowledge has forced marketing agencies to adjust their strategies when appealing to demographics based on region.

84 percent of Millennial parents say that trust the recommendation or distaste of a brand they hear from their peers. This is why word-of-mouth marketing is so huge for brands to capitalize in 2015, especially since search engine marketing and social media marketing help facilitate and even spark much of that talk.

With so much technology and fast-paced industries, it is no wonder why we all want gratification instantly. This means that many Millennial parents, while meeting the demands and requirements of their young children, not only desire a process that is easy & straightforward, they require it.

As the first truly digital-native generation, Millennial parents turn to online resources for a lot of things. Yes, they turn to it for entertainment options and other fun resources but it is common for them to turn to the web for things like advice and tips on parenting and family matters.

Millennial parents and their kids share interests. This is not a jab that the parents never grow up mentally, they just appreciate and embrace more than previous parenting generations. The parents and their kids like some of the same movies, video games, and more. This includes brands, as well. This allows some brands to appeal to both parents and kids in one marketing effort.

Is your brand's target market Millennials? Specifically Millennial parents? Email or call Integraphix and see how our creative marketing team can help you reach them effectively! We have many Millennials on staff so you get first-hand knowledge. 

This Big Brand is Taking a Big Step Forward With Its Rebranding

Abercrombie & Fitch. Famous for its shirtless models and sexualized marketing has decided to tone things down instead of toned abs.

By the end of July 2015, the clothing brand, along with its Hollister brand, will no longer be utilizing the highly sexual marketing efforts. That's right, even their famous in-store shirtless models will be gone.

A&F wants to focus on the future and be taken more seriously. They will place a major emphasis on consumer experience and make it a primary focus. This is a major shift from their current marketing slant but it could be a great marketing effort and getting a bigger market share.

This rebranding could be in response to the brand's disappointing sales, new CEO, or the mentality that many consumers have towards the brand.

Is it time for your business to rebrand? While it can be intimidating, even the big brands are willing to put it all on the line. Email Integraphix or call us and talk with our Chicago marketing agency. We will work with your business to create the optimal rebranding effort possible.

Mobile Advertising Increased 76% in 2014, Digital Advertising Becomes $50 Billion Business

According to data from Interactive Advertising Bureau, the digital advertising world widened by 16 percent last year and had sales totaling $50 billion. I thought you said it increased by 76%. Well, remember that mobile advertising is under the umbrella of digital advertising, so we'll explain.

A large reason for the increase of digital advertising was the intense growth of mobile advertising. The IAB stated that increased by 76 percent, gaining $12.5 billion last year (compared to $7.1 billion in 2013), increasing the value of digital advertising total to $50 billion.

The incredible growth in the mobile advertising sector is showing the value of mobile, which reflects the continued consumer behavior shift from PCs to smartphones and tablets.

One industry that seems to be embracing the mobile advertising opportunity is retail. Retail stores accounted for 21 percent of the marketplace in 2014, by far the most of any other buyer of mobile advertising. The runner-up was financial service businesses (13 percent) and then the auto industry (12 percent) finishes up the top three.

When it comes to what kind of mobile advertising was embraced the most, that would be video. Online video ads mastered a whopping $3.3 billion last year, increasing from $2.8 billion in 2013. Display ads had some growth but not as much, increasing five percent last year.

The methods and structure of advertising is changing! But that is how business works, no? If your business is not considering mobile advertising, then it needs to. Email Integraphix and see how it could benefit your business! It can be as simple as ads on Google, social media, YouTube, and more. We would love to talk to you! 

12 Branding Tips Every Business Needs to Know

When you shape your brand, you shape consumer perception. If you want your business to have value that lasts, then your business has to be as good as it claims. 

The quality of your brand identity and sensory experience that your brand delivers can make or break a deal or even consumer trust. 

Here are 12 points to live by for your business, according to our Chicago marketing company. Any questions? Then email Integraphix. 

Does Viral Video Marketing Work for Promoting?

We've heard a lot about this video of notoriously nice actor, Dennis Quaid, having a meltdown on the set of a movie or TV show. For many people, this video was quite a shocker since he's known for being a kind soul.

However, it turns out the video was just a big joke. Funny or Die, a popular channel for videos on sites like YouTube, was behind the joke; that's right, the whole video was one big marketing stunt for Quaid's new project.

The video was recorded with a cellphone and it looks like the cellphone holder was being sneaky, so it all seemed legitimate that he was flipping out and it was secretly being recorded. This lent to the credibility of the meltdown being real, which was smart branding from the team on set.

The video hit Reddit on Monday and by Tuesday, it was all over the web and being talked about everywhere, including the radio. See how potent internet marketing can be with viral video marketing efforts? Using YouTube for business can be a wonderful asset, if done right, and in connection with social media marketing.

Does your business need to get in front of more eyes? Then you need to try using viral video! YouTube, Vimeo, Reddit, Tumblr, and other popular sites can be what your business is missing. Email Integraphix about getting started. 

Not sure about this? Chat with our creative marketing team and see what you think! There's no commitment.

What Mobile Devices Does Your Target Audience Prefer?

When appealing to your target audience with digital marketing, it matters to recognize which devices they tend to use the most. Between Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers, the three largest demographics of consumers, are into tech and use it… a lot.

Smartphones
Smartphones are the biggest players in the digital marketing world. When it comes to effective online advertising, SEO, web design, and social media marketing, much of the efforts revolve around smartphones.

The biggest players here are none other than iPhone and Android. Android wins with Millennials by one percent; 54 percent of Millennials prefer to use Android, while 53 percent of Millennials love their iPhones.

For Generation X, Android wins by a large percentage here; 55 percent of this generation likes Android while only 38 percent of their fellow Xers like iPhone.

As for Baby Boomers, they have the largest winning percentage for Android at 50 percent; only 24 percent of them like iPhone.

What about the other people not accounted for? Well 20 percent of Millennials prefer Windows Phone and five percent like other smartphones. Nine percent of Xers like Windows and six percent like other smartphones. Finally, eight percent of Boomers like Windows, while 8 percent like other smartphones.

Tablets
iPads have a very nice grip on Millennials over Android tablets; 33 percent of Millennials prefer to use iPads vs. 20 percent of their peers who choose Android tablets.

For Generation X, the iPad loses just slightly to Android; 28 percent of Xers like to use iPads and 31 percent use Android.

Baby Boomers like Android tablets much more than iPads; 37 percent of them use Android tablets over 21 percent use iPads.

Does your business need help understanding its target audience? Does your business need help figuring out who that target audience is? Then email Integraphix - a Chicago marketing agency with over 25 years of experience in marketing.

3 Myths About Marketing That Are Costing You Sales

Myths are everywhere. They even exist in marketing. Some myths are 100 percent made up, while others were once rooted in truth. Regardless of their origins, if a myth is no longer valid, it can be harming your business.

Here are three myths about marketing that can be harming your bottom-line.

1. Not understand how in-person sales work. When doing sales in-person, or at all, really, you need to establish a connection. However, not every company has realized just how mIn the past, salespeople were the gatekeepers of information for companies; consumers could not research a product or service and obtain the info they needed without talking to a salesman. However, with the internet, people can find any info they want, whenever they want.
uch technology has changed that aspect of sales.

Don't get us wrong, salespeople are still very, very important to the success of a company. It is just that their purpose has shifted a little. Now, salespeople are who consumers call when they need answers beyond what they've found online. Today, salespeople need to be great at developing relationships, creating trust, and being able to key in on consumer needs.

2. Believing that the more communication, the better. Just like everything in life, moderation is key; yes, you want communication but too much can be overwhelming for consumers, sometimes. Due to the rise in popularity of things like blogs and social media, companies can publish so much more information than ever before.

You want good, reliable content for your clients and customers but you don't want to say too much, otherwise they get overwhelmed and a boomerang effect occurs. If it is not relevant and helpful information, then you don't need to publish it.

3. Not utilizing a marketing mix. Having great content marketing is essential for business in 2015 but it really only works if people know to look for your products or services. If you create a marketing mix, you can create a beautiful blend of content creation and great branding. This will drive demand for your products and services.

Unfortunately, too many companies want that "silver bullet" or "magic potion" that will fix everything in one go. This results in those companies ditching the marketing mix.

Do you know of any marketing myths that companies still believe in? Let us know! Email Integraphix - a Chicago marketing company.

20 Tips on How to Write Emails that Get Opened, Read, and Shared for Email Marketing

Email marketing doesn't have to be a waste for your business, it can be an asset. If done correctly. Here are 20 quick and easy tips about how to improve your email marketing. Let's dive in.

1. Make it personal. Don't write as if you are writing to several hundred or even thousands of people; write as if you are writing to one person. 
2. Make it count. Only email when you have something valuable to share. 
3. Be trustworthy. People should know what to expect from your emails and be able to trust the info inside it. 
4. Don't be creepy or weird. Use some personalization but don't use too much information or say things that could be taken as awkward. 
5. Make it rewarding. Give people a reason of benefit when they read your emails. The reader should feel some benefit of your emails. 
6. Give an incentive. Promise something good to readers. Let them know your email has something that will improve their lives. 
7. Use numbers. Specifically, digits. Such as the title of our blog post. It stops wandering eyes and intrigues people. 
8. Pique their curiosity. Use words that draw interest and make people say, "Hmm?" But don't use clickbait. 
9. Don't always go for clever. Not everyone understand clever things and people have different senses of humor; if you are unsure about using a clever remark or not, especially in the subject line, go for simple, instead. 
10. Study up. See what great email campaigns look like and model after them. 
11. Don't use pointless language. Sure, throw in some stats and facts in the emails but don't be unnecessary about it and say meaningless things. 
12. Try new things. Don't always send the same email. Change things up now and then. Of course, stay within your branding. 
13. Write quickly. This actually encourages you to write enthusiastically and readers will read it enthusiastically. 
14. Short & sweet. Shorter emails are going to be read by more people and are likely to be shared. Concise emails that give the good info are emails worth sending. 
15. Ask questions. Ask your readers questions to generate interest and conversation. You like conversation, right? 
16. Use pronouns like "you". It adds that personal touch. 
17. Be natural. Don't use rigid tones and words, be natural and type the way you would naturally speak. 
18. Don't be dull. Who likes reading something that puts them to sleep? No one, that's who. 
19. Talk about the benefits of your product or service. It is very likely that your product or service won't sell itself; highlight the reasons why your readers should care and how it improves lives. 
20. Know how to write. Need it be said? Surprisingly, yes. 

Email marketing can be a real asset for your business. Does your business need help improving its email marketing? Then email Integraphix, a Chicago marketing company with over 25 years of marketing experience, including email.