The Now Gen

Month: November 2022

Brands

Millennials Splurge for Nostalgia

Many Millennials have been accused of being overly sentimental. They are said to live in the past, holding onto childhood memories instead of allowing themselves to adapt and evolve. But what if this is a good thing?

Nostalgia is a bittersweet longing for the past. It can be described as sadness and wistfulness that often accompany childhood, home, and family memories. Nostalgia refers to a yearning for simpler times or the good old days.

We can feel nostalgia for a place, period in time, objects, or experiences. Usually, people get nostalgic at least once every week.

Retailers can use nostalgia as an opportunity for growth. Nostalgia creates joy and comfort, encouraging people to spend more money. Retailers should consider creating nostalgic experiences to boost sales among their Millennial customers.

According to Brandtellers Studio, “Nostalgia marketing consists of using products from the past for the current strategy, awakening the feeling of homesickness in consumers, through the creation of an emotional connection.” These sentiments are crucial to create an emotional bond between the brand and its consumer. 

Whatever it is that makes Millennials feel nostalgic, there’s no doubt that this generation has a strong affinity for things from days gone by. This can be seen not only in their spending habits but also in their style preferences. 

What’s the deal with Millennials and nostalgia?

Nostalgia is a powerful force, and Millennials have it in spades. Studies have found that Millennials are “the most nostalgic generation” as they grew up in the internet age. Exposure to so much information on social media and online certainly has its benefits. Still, it can also lead to anxiety over missing out, which leads some people to seek comfort in their pasts.

Millennials are spending more than ever on retro products like vinyl records and typewriters because of this desire for nostalgia, according to this research from Nielsen.

Does nostalgia have a positive impact on brands?

Nostalgia is a persuasive marketing tool. It’s a way of connecting with people and making people feel good about themselves. Marketers can use nostalgia to sell products and services. 

This is why brands that have been around for decades are still popular today. They tap into our nostalgia for simpler times and remind us what life was like. 

When brands remind people of a past pleasant experience, there is a higher chance of making them feel comfortable and connected. A recent article by Spiralytics mentioned, “People buy certain products that connect them to their childhood because they can keep these items to help the memories stay alive.”

Ways in which your brand can incorporate nostalgia

In a Forbes article, it was stated that nostalgia marketing reaches millennials better than other strategies. “The best campaigns are timely and relevant but must also be authentic with a strong emotional hook to capture the heart.”

Perhaps you are currently considering how to include nostalgia in your brand’s marketing strategy. There are a few ways you can do that; below, I will list three ways.

The first thing to consider is your audience and relevance. You need to understand what customers are looking for in your brand. Millennials are looking to connect with brands like they used to. Being authentic will help your brand stand out as relatable.

To boost sales, you must consider how your products can be sold as nostalgic experiences. By creating an immersive experience that gives customers a sense of belonging and creating a sense of nostalgia, you can increase customer loyalty and make them feel like they’re experiencing something special. 

Bring back products or services but with a twist. Create urgency for consumers by reminding them why the product is unique. This goes hand in hand with learning from your audience. Listen to what they miss from your brand, and bring it back.

In conclusion, nostalgia is a powerful force in the lives of Millennials. Brands can take advantage of this by creating nostalgic experiences that appeal to this generation’s love of memories. Emotional strategies like this one have proven to be successful time and time again. Nostalgia is stronger than ever, and your brand will be too. 

Blog

CQ: A Powerful Tool for Leaders

For the longest time, we have heard of the importance of intelligence. The term IQ started to gain relevance in 1912. Research by psychologist William Stern yielded the idea that we can measure intelligence.

Globally relevant people had high IQ scores. But a high IQ doesn’t mean automatic success, and a low IQ doesn’t mean failure. According to a blog post in Degree Choices, the way IQ is tested should be challenged and modeled to the Now Generation. 

Circa 1990, we started looking at emotional intelligence, or EQ (emotional quotient). This is the ability to understand, use, and manage your emotions.

Emotional intelligence and mental health have become more critical than ever in recent years.

An article published by Help Guide mentioned four essential skills to build your EQ: self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management. However, knowing these skills is not as important as applying them daily.

Although IQ and EQ are relevant skills that a good leader must have, there has been recent talk about another “quotient” that is just as important. The Curiosity Quotient.

When you become a leader, understanding and being able to spot the potential in your team is critical. One of the best ways to do this is by cultivating curiosity within yourself and your team. Curiosity helps with learning, problem-solving, and innovation.

This skill can help make people more engaged at work and increase their productivity, as they are more likely to be involved in tasks when they find them interesting or challenging. 

Let’s put it this way, CQ is your ability to understand and learn. It’s the fuel for innovation and growth, but it’s also about asking questions and seeking answers. Looking at things from different angles, you can see what others may not be able to see.

In an article published by Forbes, curiosity is called the key to opening new doors as a leader. Curiosity is a powerful tool. It helps you to understand and connect with people, be more creative, be more empathetic and open-minded, and last but not least, it allows you to be flexible.

A leader is not born but made. The way to become a great leader is by acquiring relevant skills like IQ, EQ, and CQ. Combining the three and other soft skills will contribute to becoming a great leader in any industry.

In the marketing industry, these skills are fundamental and can make your business achieve extraordinary results. Intelligence can help you create amazing campaigns that will wow your audience and clients. 

Adding the emotional quotient can elevate your empathy with your customers. According to an article by Kaizo, empathy can make your connection with your consumers grow. 

Curiosity helps you understand your customers and the market, allows you to learn more about the people you work with, and lets you know more about your company. You will be their best option by understanding their feelings and creating solutions to their needs. 

Combined, IQ, EQ, and CQ are about curiosity, asking questions, and listening to your audience. It’s a mindset that can help you be an effective leader and marketer. It can transform your business if you choose to adopt it.