When thinking about connecting with your customers, it’s important to remember that each generation of North American consumers has unique communication styles and preferences. Gen-Z, which includes anyone born between the years of 1997 and 2012, is no exception. Members of Gen-Z are beginning to enter adulthood, meaning that they’re joining the workforce and starting to develop their own purchasing habits, brand preferences, and lifestyles. But how can businesses successfully approach and relate to this young, tech-savvy group? We did a little digging, and here’s what we found.

1. Use Emojis!

Gen-Z-ers have largely been raised in the world of social media and constant connectivity. A huge percentage of their everyday communications take place through texting and social media, and it feels much more natural to them to send a quick text or snap a photo than it does to call someone on the phone. While there are tons of benefits to all of these on-screen platforms, there are certainly some issues as well. One of the biggest problems with using text as a main form of communication is that sometimes the meaning or emotion behind messages can be lost or misinterpreted. And that’s why Gen-Z heavily relies on the use of emojis!

Recent research conducted by Adobe on the use of emojis showed some interesting results. According to their study, 54% of Gen-Z’s reported that they use emojis frequently in their texts, and another 41% said that emojis help them with context. When asked specifically about how emoji use might affect their relationships with businesses, 71% of Gen-Z respondents expressed an interest in buying products or services from a business that will use emojis. If you’re not convinced yet that emojis can help you connect better with your audience, take a look at these impressive stats from the study.

- 73% of US emoji users think people who use emojis are friendlier, funnier, and cooler than people who don’t
- 91% of US emoji users said that using emojis makes it easier for them to express themselves

When it comes to using emojis in your business communications, there are definitely some guidelines to adhere to. In professional communications like business emails, emojis are sometimes not appreciated. Use emojis when you’re sure that they will be understood, and when you feel that they enhance the meaning of your message! It’s usually best to stick to the basic emojis like the heart, thumbs up, laughing, smiling, or sad face that are widely used and understood, unless you’re absolutely sure that your audience will understand what you mean.

2. Partner up with Influencers

Social media influencers provide a new form of advertising for businesses of all sizes! These micro-celebrities have niche audiences that follow their social media platforms to watch their specific content. Do some research on which influencers have a strong relationship with your target audience, and reach out to them!

Businesses can collaborate with influencers and use their platform to promote their product or service. Influencer marketing can be a great way to make your product stand out in the minds of younger audiences who are bombarded with online ads pretty much 24/7. By reaching out to them via an influencer that they already know, like, and follow, your Gen-Z audience is more likely to take an interest and remember your business!