<p><strong>3. They Are Driven By Their Values </strong></p> <p>We are a diverse generation driven by our values. Be clear about who you are and millennials will find you. Don’t try to disguise your marketing as social good if it’s not. Ask for help illustrating the unique qualities of your products authentically by building relationships with online and in-person influencers for honest feedback to build your plans. – <a href=”https://twitter.com/meredithmcrosby” target=”_blank”>Meredith Moore Crosby</a>, <a href=”https://leveretteweekes.com/” target=”_blank”>Leverette Weekes </a></p> <p><strong>4. They Need To Feel Engaged </strong></p> <p>Immediacy, engagement, music, purpose and speed all play into what attracts and keeps a millennial listening, interacting with, and considering your product or program. In marketing development, keep asking, &quot;Am I bored when reading, watching, listening or looking at my own strategic plan?&quot; If so, mix it up, generate momentum, and drive toward a purpose that’s meaningful and memorable. – <a href=”https://twitter.com/joannemarkow” target=”_blank”>Joanne Markow</a>, <a href=”https://www.greenmason.org/” target=”_blank”>GreenMason </a></p> <p><strong>5. Millennials Are Looking For A Purpose </strong></p> <p>When speaking to a millennial this week, I was reminded to remove the word &quot;just.&quot; Not &quot;just&quot; looking for a purpose, not &quot;just&quot; wanting to make an impact, not &quot;just&quot; wanting a great paycheck. They want to feel they are making an impact and that their presence and work are making a difference in the world. Their mindset is not &quot;just&quot; to get a job until they retire but to innovate, create and connect. – <a href=”https://twitter.com/intentionalcoachingllc” target=”_blank”>Frances McIntosh</a>, <a href=”http://www.intentional-coaching.com/” target=”_blank”>Intentional <span class=”il”>Coaching LLC </span></a></p>

<p><strong><span class=”il”>6. Quality Content Rules </span></strong></p> <p>Millennials prefer to connect with companies they support. Providing valuable content through blogs, videos and social media help them know the brand. They feel empowered by knowledge provided through these mediums and will use it when deciding which purchases to make. – <a href=”https://twitter.com/thedeborahhigh” target=”_blank”>Deborah Hightower</a>, <a href=”http://www.deborahhightower.com/” target=”_blank”>Deborah Hightower, Inc. </a></p> <p><strong>7. You Can’t Fool Them </strong></p> <p>Millennials smell a sales pitch from a mile away, yet companies keep using the same marketing tactics from &quot;Mad Men.&quot; Stop trying to fool them with predictable hooks. They want originality and they want to be respected for their intelligence and discernment. Be gritty, real, and unvarnished and you’ll gain the trust of the most skeptical millennial. – <a href=”https://twitter.com/nancymarmolejo” target=”_blank”>Nancy Marmolejo</a>, <a href=”http://talentandgenius.com/” target=”_blank”>TalentAndGenius.com </a></p>” readability=”99.059418145957″>

Millennials are a force to be reckoned with. They are a strong population segment, with $200 billion in buying power behind them annually, according to a report by WordStream. They are taking over the workforce and have values that are more social, soft and accepting than previous generations.

Targeting this group takes some savvy marketing, as millennials were not bred on the same traditions as baby boomers or even Gen Xers. With a higher focus on technology, liberal values, and music, reaching millennials takes a new approach to marketing, and an innovative strategy in order to crack the exterior shell and make an impact on this in-demand generation.

Below, 14 members of Forbes Coaches Council share the one factor to keep in mind when creating a marketing strategy targeted toward millennials.

1. Transparency Is Key

As a millennial, I’ll speak from experience, plus the experience I’ve had from working with other millennial entrepreneurs: We need transparency. As soon as something looks off, we’re the first ones to go. Make sure your marketing is on-brand, congruent, and consistent. The more honest and real you can be in your marketing, the better. We just want to know we’re doing business with real people. – Kamila Gornia, Kamila Social LLC

2. Millennials Are People First

While many seek to discover the “generational” mindset, affinity is a much stronger motivator and will help laser-target your focus. For instance, not all millennials like the same musicians. Targeting a specific entertainer’s fans may reveal the goldmine you are looking for. Focus your targeting on a specific tribe so your marketing bypasses things like generational gaps without friction. – Maurice Evans, IGROWyourBiz, Inc

3. They Are Driven By Their Values

We are a diverse generation driven by our values. Be clear about who you are and millennials will find you. Don’t try to disguise your marketing as social good if it’s not. Ask for help illustrating the unique qualities of your products authentically by building relationships with online and in-person influencers for honest feedback to build your plans. – Meredith Moore Crosby, Leverette Weekes

4. They Need To Feel Engaged

Immediacy, engagement, music, purpose and speed all play into what attracts and keeps a millennial listening, interacting with, and considering your product or program. In marketing development, keep asking, “Am I bored when reading, watching, listening or looking at my own strategic plan?” If so, mix it up, generate momentum, and drive toward a purpose that’s meaningful and memorable. – Joanne Markow, GreenMason

5. Millennials Are Looking For A Purpose

When speaking to a millennial this week, I was reminded to remove the word “just.” Not “just” looking for a purpose, not “just” wanting to make an impact, not “just” wanting a great paycheck. They want to feel they are making an impact and that their presence and work are making a difference in the world. Their mindset is not “just” to get a job until they retire but to innovate, create and connect. – Frances McIntosh, Intentional Coaching LLC

6. Quality Content Rules

Millennials prefer to connect with companies they support. Providing valuable content through blogs, videos and social media help them know the brand. They feel empowered by knowledge provided through these mediums and will use it when deciding which purchases to make. – Deborah Hightower, Deborah Hightower, Inc.

7. You Can’t Fool Them

Millennials smell a sales pitch from a mile away, yet companies keep using the same marketing tactics from “Mad Men.” Stop trying to fool them with predictable hooks. They want originality and they want to be respected for their intelligence and discernment. Be gritty, real, and unvarnished and you’ll gain the trust of the most skeptical millennial. – Nancy Marmolejo, TalentAndGenius.com