Apr
08

Millennials Experiencing Instant Internet Fame

internet spotlight

Who will be the next Internet sensation to sit in the spotlight? This spotlight seems to alternate almost every week, finding a fresh new piece of talent to focus attention on for the world to see. This blog post idea came to me when I tweeted a question to my followers asking them what they wanted to read about in regards to Millenials/Generation Y consumers.

Jennie White, writer for Boston Innovation responded,

jenniewhite @KristinEDziadul I’ve been interested in #geny and their views on fame. It seems like we’re under the impression *anyone* can be famous. Who’s to blame? YouTube? Facebook? @shitmydadsays?

I believe that with the emergence of social media and video sharing, almost anyone can become “famous” on the Internet today. A quick Google search for top YouTube stars resulted in a Wikipedia article on the Top YouTube Personalities. Some of these personalities included Amber Lee Ettinger, an American actress, Internet celebrity, and model. She created the YouTube video “I Got a Crush… on Obama”. Then there is the web-based comedy duo, Smosh (Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox), the infamous Gary William Brolsma who created an impersonation dance to the song “Dragostea din tei” called the Numa Numa Dance, and even pop music star Justin Bieber.

This list alone demonstrates the fact that Internet stars are ever prominent and it is quite easy to gain stardom just by getting out there in non-traditional ways, generating content on a consistent basis, and creating buzz around what you do on the videos.

Social media sites can also be to attribute for this view on quick fame. I have encountered many people on Twitter who have well over 100,000 followers (Boston Internet marketing sensation Chris Brogan being one of them). Other people unlike Chris try to use ‘puffery’ words in their bios to make themselves seem more prominent than they really are and try to spam people to follow them just to get big, but it does work! With the rise of Internet technologies today, and people spending more and more time on it — Millennials spend upwards of 8.5 hours a DAY on the Internet — then it is no wonder why people can become so big so fast on the Internet.

Some may say this is a bad thing since it may give people big heads and make them something they are not, but it is also a way for people to interact with others, get their word out there, and if people like it, then hey, they deserve the attention!

I came across an article by the New York Times titled ” Internet Fame Is Cruel Mistress for a Dancer of the Numa Numa.” The authors, Alan Feuer and Jason George stated, “with the Internet, humiliation – like everything else – has now gone public. Upload a video of yourself playing flute with your nose or dancing in your underwear, and people from Toledo to Turkmenistan can watch.” True, if you set yourself up for humiliation, you sure will get it!

This is where I draw the line. I think those with true talents that want to broadcast it on the Internet in hopes of getting noticed by the right people truly deserve the fame, but others who just upload videos for the sake of it to either get laughs or receive laughs should know what is coming.

In Jennie’s tweet to me, she also mentioned the Twitter account @shitmydadsays. Just take a look at that account and some of the recent tweets he has put up and you’ll see why that guy became so popular on Twitter. Although it is a strange concept, since information is racing across the Internet at the speed of light, things like this are bound to get picked up.

The rise of video has certainly become a trending theme for Generation Y today since we are seen as the “Me” generation who wants to be the focus of attention, loves technology, and likes to be socially active. For instance, I have been seeing an increasingly large number of people on Facebook sending simple videos to friends, even just to say hi.

In general, I think the quick rise to fame that is now available using many Internet tools, such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, can be a good thing for those that deserve it and have true talent. For instance, if a talented singer wants to get noticed by record labels in Nashville, TN but may not have the means to do so personally, they could turn to YouTube and social media to spread their talent and start generating buzz. However, for those who are just trying to make fools of themselves or put other random content out there, well I guess we will still be amused by them, and they can rise to fame, as statistics show (Numa Numa dance, for example).

What do you think of this hot issue?

Feb
12

Businesses Must Understand Generation Y

A powerful and informative video on who Generation Y is, what they want, how they work, what they buy, and what they want from YOU, the business. This video sums up a lot of previous blog posts I have written explaining their habits and desires. You must understand why this generation is different and what this means for your marketing program.

What are some questions your business has in regards to marketing towards this eclectic and different generation?

Feb
03

Gen Y is Reshaping Mobile Marketing


(Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons)

50% of Generation Y consumers have mobile phones. They also have much more disposable income than would be expected, and are very willing to spend it. Generation Y provides a great opportunity for marketers today, as they are reshaping they way consumers search for information and buy products. So what is a marketer to do??

Studies have found that the more mediums a customer is involved in with an organization, the more engaged and likely to respond they become. This provides a great opportunity for both social media and mobile engagement with this age group. Gen Y is hugely dominant on social networking sites, and also have access to mobile phones and text messaging. Therefore, if the two are combined, think of the buying power they will then have! Although SMS marketing is not big yet, it will be during the age of smart phones and increased Gen Y spending.

SMS can be used like Facebook and Twitter, but it is better because it results in a quicker response to a promotion. Chad Hallert, Director at Ecommerce stated, “We tried stand alone offers with mobile, social and email…when you break them up to pieces, nothing really competes with e-mail, and the other two don’t look as valuable as they are”.

When SMS and social marketing are combined in a campaign, results are improved by 5-8%. This is because the SMS alert or Facebook update is added to an already existing campaign with a website, paid search and e-mail. The increased response rate is due to higher customer engagement (Sutton).

So how has Generation Y reshaped mobile marketing? They provide companies the opportunity to reach them in a new medium that other generations may not respond to. And since they are consuming many different types of media each day, there is a high potential of reaching them in various ways, generating interest, and making a purchase.

What do you think?

Jan
21

Y Bank?

“Why should I open a bank account if I have my wallet and good money management skills?”

“Why should I open more accounts, such as a credit card account, if all I need is my savings?”

“What is banking even for?”

Sadly, these three questions are commonly asked by Generation Y consumers. There are three categories of banking consumers in Generation Y: underbanked, unbanked, and WhyBank. Generation Y consumers range from 9-29. Those on the younger age of the spectrum do not know why they need a bank account at all, simply because they do not have much of an income (probably mostly from babysitting or a summer job). If they do acquire a bank account, it is probably because their parents wanted them to, but they are likely to not keep up with the account.

Those on the older spectrum of the age group may know that they need a bank account, but do not know much about banking or which bank to choose. Personally, I only had a small savings account up until my freshman year of college. When I went to college, I had to switch to a bank that was available around my school since I was using a local bank in Connecticut at the time. I had no idea what my banking options were, nor which bank would be best for me. (Thank goodness I had my parents to advise me!)

A major reason Gen Y consumers do not use banks is either because they do not know why they would need an account, or they do not trust banks.

So what is a bank to do with these confused Gen Y consumers?

I did a senior marketing project for a bank in Western Massachusetts called Country Bank. We examined this exact question. They were looking to expand their popularity with Generation Y.

- Banks need to educate these consumers about banking services in general and THEN tell them why Country Bank is the best choice for them.

- Banks cannot simply tell Gen Y why they are the best if they do not understand banking first.

- Banks must ensure that they have the proper technology to attract these consumers. Gen Y is the most technologically savvy, so they want internet banking, mobile banking, and text messaging alerts. This makes it most accessible for them to use your services.

- Banks should also get into the social realm. Research reports that Gen Y uses friends, family and the Internet to gather a majority of their information. If people are talking favorably about your bank, you will have a higher likelihood of being chosen as their bank.

- Lastly, keep a personal touch on all communications with these consumers once they have created an account. Do not lose their trust in you, and make them feel important.

See my two Slide Share presentations under the page ‘My Portfolio’ for a detailed outline of Generation Y and their attitudes towards banking!

Jan
20

Taylor Swift: A Gen. Y SUPERSTAR!

Taylor Swift is my favorite music artist, so naturally I follow her on Twitter and am a fan of her on Facebook. Since the release of her first album a few years ago, I knew there was something different about T. Swift. The difference is that she has a lot of traits and ambitions that I have. She is young, passionate, creative, independent, and most importantly, follows her dreams.

One article in USA Today reported her saying “I’m so lucky to have these experiences.” She has a great opportunity and has been thankful for it since day one. She thanks her fans after every performance or show, and I think this is why us fans are so passionate about her. Taylor has won over the hearts and minds of so many Generation Y consumers, as she is one herself. She sings about real life situations that any of us can relate to, she is real no matter what, and she acts like a normal 19 year old girl.

Taylor has just about 3 MILLION fans just on her Facebook page and about 2.5 million followers on Twitter. I find Taylor a social phenomenon because she emerged as such a naturally talented singer with such a loyal customer base.
As one of her songs is titled, Taylor is “Fearless”

Jan
08

Information Overload for Generation Y!

Generation Y consumers are said to be the most technologically advanced and informed of all the generation segments today. This can be a good and bad thing for companies and marketers. Most of my friends and I have smart phones, laptops, iPods, Facebook accounts, cameras, and much more. We have almost TOO much technology at our hands, so we do not always know how to process all of the information. In addition to having all of these products, we are then bombarded by new products/ad/services, etc to add onto our already overloaded set of technologies.

Ads come to my phone (through Twitter text messages, ads on my iPhone apps, and other random advertising messages). They also are all over the internet, no matter what site I am visiting. We are constantly being targeted by Apple, if we already have one of their products, to get more accessories, or the most updated version of their products. Then, when we go to socialize with our friends online on Facebook, we get notifications from them about their new applications and there are also side ads on every page.

So, how do we filter all of this information? We ignore it! I personally just tune out all ads I see when i am overloaded with information, or not in the mood to investigate a new products or service. However, I find Twitter is a great way to reach Generation Y consumers in an intrusive yet acceptable way.

Twitter allows consumers to come to them, which is a great example of pull marketing. If a consumer wants to follow a specific company or person, they can. This means they agree to receive the messages, links, videos etc. that they post, and can decide whether or not they will read or watch what is posted. I personally follow a lot of businesses that I shop at, Dunkin’ Donuts in particular. I am interested to see what they are up to, and occasionally click on the links that they post to learn more.

I believe that Twitter is a great solution to the information overload that Generation Y is experiencing. However, there is a set back. The more people or companies that a person follows, the more information and posts they will receive every day. Twitter users do have the ability to create lists and ‘unfollow’ someone, so they can control the amount of information they are given.

If you can’t tell by now, I am a huge believer in what Twitter does. At first I was a skeptic, but after being on it for many months and interacting with several people and businesses, I have concluded that it is the perfect solution for this generation’s issue. Now all Twitter has to do is get more of these consumers to create accounts since hardly anyone I know even knows the purpose of Twitter, nor is even considering creating an account.

Go back to top