You won’t believe how savvy brands are connecting with Gen Z and Millennials.

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Legacy brands are finding it difficult to connect with Gen Z and Millennials in a meaningful and authentic way.

That said, the irony of this situation isn’t lost on me. One day, we were saying our parents are not cool, then we blinked, and suddenly, we’re the ones that aren’t cool.

It reminds me of that scene in 30 Rock when Steve Buscemi says, “How do you do, fellow kids?” 😩

As I write this, I’m laughing to myself… Did that reference make me sound old? Would my younger brother roll his eyes? LOL, the struggle is real! 

But I digress!

Clever brands are using a unique method to connect authentically and relatably with Gen Z and Millennials, and it’s easier than you think.

When keeping it real goes wrong

These brands have figured out how to have motion and remain relevant. BTW, “having motion” is young people speak for cool😉. 

The problem is, Gen Z and Millennials can spot fakeness or inauthenticity from a mile away, and they will light up your comment section to let you know how they feel or worse, completely ignore you. Ouch.

The Secret Language of the Next Generation

I’m sure you’re wondering what these brands are doing… Don’t panic, I’m about to tell you.

They are using emojis. I know what you’re thinking… it can’t be that simple.

Well, it is, and it isn’t. 

Let me explain.

Communication, at its most basic level, is about being understood. When communicating, it’s always a good idea to meet people where they are.

Doing this makes you relatable and breaks down barriers.

For example, have you ever spoken to someone who speaks a foreign language, and you pull out the one word you know in that language?

Ever noticed how their face lights up? Well, that’s what emojis do for the younger generation.

Kids these days barely speak in complete sentences, and communication has evolved into memes, GIFs, and emojis. 

In fact, studies have shown that adding an emoji to a social post can increase engagement by 48%.

That’s a huge increase!

Formal is Out, Authenticity is In!

Here’s why it matters and why you should care. Companies that aren’t meeting users where they are will be left behind.

While things might be okay now, eventually, your core audience will start to age out. Gone are the days of being super formal.

It simply doesn’t work. Think about it: every day is like casual Friday, and that’s if you go to the office.

Billionaires don’t wear suits to work. They wear the same black T-shirt every day. Wearing a hoodie is commonplace. So, with everything being so relaxed, why wouldn’t communicating with your audience be the same?

How to Speak Their Language

So, with that being said, here are some quick tips on how you can implement this strategy in your company.

First and foremost, be human. Regardless of your product or service, people do business with people. Meet your users or customers where they are.

Number two: Use emojis not only on social media but also in your emails, subject lines, website copy, and so on.

The Surprising Move That Boosted Our Sales Instantly

In my personal experience as an e-commerce founder with Shopify Milestone Awards and a successful exit under my belt, we put emojis on all our Call-to-Action Buttons, and it increased our conversion rate by about 25%. It’s literally just this emoji 👉. 

My partner is going to kill me for telling you that, but I got you.

Proceed with Caution and Don’t Overdo It

That being said, I must warn you… don’t overdo it. Being labeled as not cool is one thing, but being called a try-hard is even worse. 

For example, if you’re a doctor and a patient asks about their results, and you send them this emoji 🙁 or, even worse, this emoji 💀, that probably won’t go over well.

However, if you’re talking about something fun like a new health hack, using emojis on social media is fair game.

It really depends on the circumstances, so use your best judgment. Don’t try too hard, just be authentic.

Your PhD on Using Emojis

Here are my fav emojis if you’re looking for a way to make your communication feel more relatable and approachable whether on social media, in emails, or even in everyday work chat, I GOT YOU!

🔥 – Use this emoji when you love an idea but don’t overdo it. It’s like saying, “I really love this…” not gonna lie, this is my fav, but I’m stingy with it.

🚀 – For me, this is like saying, “WE ARE GOING TO THE MOON” responsibly and safely, of course 🙃. I use this one whenever I really like an idea that’s sales or performance-related.

🙃 – Not gonna lie, if you get this from me, I’m being smug or sarcastic. I’m definitely being a smarty pants.  (ten bonus points if you noticed what I above)

👀 – This is like saying, “Ok, tell me more,” or “I see you.” Think of this one as showing curiosity or interest, like you’re paying attention to their every word.

🤣 – I rarely say “lol”; I just send this one.

😩 – I overuse this one 1000000%. It’s my “unimpressed,” my “why me,” my “you can’t be for real,” and my “I just can’t.” Low key, this emoji is my everything, and I use it at least twice a day.

👉 – Use this on your CTA buttons, and thank me later. Nah, don’t thank me. Send me something nice for Xmas when you see the results.

My Two Cents…

Moral of the story? The world is changing, and it’s changing fast. Gen Z and Millennials want authenticity.

They want to peek behind the curtain, and using emojis is a great way to communicate and connect with a younger audience.

Brands of the future will need to be more relatable by showing their flaws, wins, and losses.

The days of appearing perfect and formal are long gone, and here’s a new era of coming as you are and being your authentic self.

Remember, people do business with people.

😇 Hope this helps, I’m rooting for you.

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