Gen Z’s unique quirks can make it hard for entrepreneurs to figure out the best ways to approach them. As a Gen Z’er myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that honesty, relatability, and trendiness are the trifecta for effective marketing. Gen Z can see right through a false advertising campaign; they can spot an inauthentic brand from a mile away. They want brands that make them feel seen, as if a product or experience was designed specifically for them.
With the increasing popularity of social media, it can be difficult to determine the best way to grab Gen Z’s attention. The additional challenge is that grabbing their attention may not always be enough—you also have to stand out from the crowd.
Let’s talk about how to stand out to this generation!
Gen Z Values Honesty
To stand out in Gen Z’s digital world for entrepreneurs, honesty is key when targeting Gen Z. They can quickly identify inauthentic branding and forced marketing tactics. Social media platforms can help you convey the real message behind your brand with relatable and genuine content, so make sure to take advantage of that. Use your platforms to promote honest and real content, not content you just think your Gen Z viewers hope to see.
With the surplus of social media posts published online, it’s easy for Gen Z to spot what’s real and what’s not. This is why it’s so important to be honest with your viewers about what you’re selling and why you’re selling it. People want real content backed by someone they can trust.
Here are some ideas on how to promote your business using social media trends:
- Run contests, use brand-specific hashtags, and feature customer stories to create more relatable content.
- Offer behind-the-scenes short videos of your company that humanize your brand.
- Talk with your audience in an unscripted and approachable manner in all of your content.
Another important aspect of honesty is acknowledging mistakes immediately when they happen.
Gen Z wants to know that you are self-aware and will take concrete steps to correct mistakes. This can help build credibility for your brand and with Gen Z customers.
How to be Relatable to Gen Z
Relatability is crucial in capturing the attention and loyalty of Gen Z consumers. Personally, I gravitate toward brands that I connect with. It goes beyond just liking a product. Gen Z wants to see themselves reflected in the products and the messages that brands represent.
Gen Z is highly socially conscious; they gravitate toward brands prioritizing corporate social responsibility. By sharing content on social media that highlights your brand’s contribution to social causes or sustainability efforts, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and attract Gen Z viewers.
Gen Z scrollers are also more inclined to try a product or experience if they see someone they can relate to endorsing it. Whether it’s a friend or an influencer, we trust the opinions and experiences of those who resemble us or share similar outlooks. Using this relatability factor through influencer endorsements, your brand can effectively engage with Gen Z consumers.
Captivating Gen Z with Trends
Gen Z is all about trends, so when they see a trendy product promoted by a trendy influencer, there will surely be a lasting impact. It’s all about what’s popular now and connecting it to your brand naturally.
Here’s a list of some popular Gen Z trends:
- TikTok Challenges: viral dance and song challenges on TikTok attract a ton of Gen Z viewers.
- Sustainable Fashion: because Gen Z loves to be socially conscious, they prefer brands promoting sustainable production methods.
- E-commerce: Gen Z loves online shopping; I know I do! Ensure that you have a strong online presence that is easy and simple to use.
- Mental Health: promoting better mental health practices is heavily supported by this generation!
- Podcasts: try creating a podcast to gain more traction from the Gen Z crowd!
Another great trend is to create interactive quizzes that generate leads and sell products. If you don’t know where to start with creating your quiz, try making a quiz with AI!
Final Thoughts
Finding the best ways to stand out in Gen Z’s digital world for entrepreneurs, among your competitors in a world of trends can be hard. Staying true to your customers and yourself, creating connections with your customers, and keeping up to date with the most popular trends are three of the best ways to gain attention for your business!