5 Myths About Millennials and Mail

With millennials poised to become the dominant force in the economy, companies must learn how to reach this demographic. US consumers ages 18 to 34 engage with brands far more extensively than their older counterparts. It’s natural to assume this generation is only susceptible to digital media. It was born and raised on the Internet. But studies show millennials engage with multiple marketing channels, including direct mail. In this article, we’ll dispel the biggest misconceptions about millennials and their relationship with mail. Plus, helpful tips for building a millennial-friendly direct mail campaign.

Myth 1: Print Marketing is Dead with Millennials

On the contrary, millennials value print. Research shows that these digitally engaged consumers are suffering from digital fatigue. Print marketing, on the other hand, has the ability to stand out. While millennials receive hundreds of emails every week, mail comes less frequently. The age group doesn’t have to tune out the messaging. According to a Gallup Poll, 95% of adults between 18 and 29 feel positively about receiving personal mail. They enjoy the tactile experience, use it to link to video or promotional offers, even share it with friends.

Myth 2: Millennials are Digital Addicts Who Only Engage Online

Millennials are digital natives, but they’re not constantly connected. Millennials make up 31% of US magazine readers and 20% of newspaper readers. And when they are online, they’re not always responding to digital marketing. Nearly half of millennials ignore digital ads. Pop-ups, banner ads, and emails are also lost in the clutter of the Internet. Direct mail has the ability to cut through the noise. 88% of millennials see print on paper as more official than digital. With the right content, direct mail can be engaging.

Myth 3: Millennials Do Not See Mail as Relevant

Though this demographic has grown up in a digital media landscape, they still interact with and enjoy direct mail. Studies have shown that 90% of people ages 25 to 34 find direct mail reliable, and 87% like receiving it. Opt for a cohesive omnichannel experience. By mentioning social media in direct mail copy, brands can bridge the gap between the print and digital worlds. Allow consumers to connect with your brand on your strongest social media channels.

Myth 4: Millennials Do Not Trust the Messages in Direct Mail

Studies have shown the opposite to be true. Millennials do trust the messages in direct mail. 75% of millennials believe that direct mail is valuable. This age group actually trusts the information they receive in the mail over other media. 82% of millennials view messages printed on paper as more trustworthy than digital messages. When considering all the players in an omnichannel marketing campaign, mail can be used to deliver the most valuable messaging.

Myth 5: Millennials Are Not Responsive to Direct Mail

Wrong. Direct mail has been a successful sales driver for this demographic. In 2014, 28.9 million millennials made a purchase from a catalog. Because this age group isn’t as frequently exposed to direct mail as it is to other digital content, it hasn’t grown hardened to its effects. A truly potent marketing campaign incorporates both digital and print tactics, allowing mail to garner interest and move closer towards a purchase, be it in-store or online.

Though millennials are the generation of the future, it doesn’t take futuristic marketing to drive sales. Digital advertisements have a limited effect on this age group. As the media landscape changes and millennials come into their own, companies will have to become more attuned to the most potent marketing tactics, direct mail included.

Reprinted with permission of USPSDelivers.com, a resource for business knowledge and insights.