Businesses are constantly trying to break into the millennial market, and for good reason – it’s a $600 billion dollar industry. Millennials are now the most represented generation in the Canadian workforce, and finding a marketing technique that draws them in assures brand visibility.

How Are Millennials Different?

There are some things that set millennials apart from other generations, which is why the same old techniques don’t work for them. Millennials crave purpose. They care less about owning stuff and more about experiencing it. They like their brands to identify with them and contribute to their lives. They also live a huge part of their lives online.

Millennials don’t want just another piece of the same old swag. They want experiences and memories, not a notepad or pen. For this generation, there’s a big link between events and brand loyalty. Because millennials spend so much time online, feeling connected to a brand will ultimately result in posts all over social media — tweeting, liking, sharing, hashtagging, and finding the perfect filter to show off their goodies.

Millennial Swag

So, what kind of promotional items are most effective with millennials?

• Sunglasses – Sunglasses have proven to be a popular freebie for millennials. Retro sunglasses are back, and a cool pair in wayfarer style will definitely show up in their social media feeds when they’re hanging out with friends on a sunny day.

• Power banks – Because this is a generation that sees their online presence as a very real part of who they are, they’re constantly connected. Power banks allow millennials to charge a dead cell phone while on the go, without being tethered to a power cord. Being connected is of the utmost importance and power banks allow them to do just that, reminding them of your brand and message every time you help them send that last text or grab that final selfie.

• Reusable totes – Most millennials care a lot about the environment. They’re drawn to farm-to-table restaurants and shop at organic grocery stores. While a tote bag might seem like a boring piece of swag, it fits into the millennial experience quite well. They’ll be showing off your brand and your message every time they go to pick up their organic, soy-based, gluten-free goodies. A witty or sarcastic catchphrase will guarantee that yours is their tote of choice!

• Blocking sleeve or blocking card – The threat of having credit card account numbers and banking information stolen is very real now that everyone is connected – companies’ apps communicate with your digital wallet, you can tap your cards or phone to pay at most establishments, and unsecured public wifi is the norm. While convenient, all of these technological advances provide opportunities for hackers and scammers to use their own device to steal your customer’s personal information. Having grown up in the digital age, millennials are particularly sensitive to this threat.

A blocking wallet or a blocking card placed inside of a standard wallet can help protect against certain kinds of radio frequency (RFID) threats and keep your customer’s most important information safe. Every time they need to spend a dollar they’ll be reminded that you’re always looking out for their best interests.

• Socks – Fun socks are a quirky, attention grabbing accessory. Millennials are all about personalization and standing out from the crowd, so they’ll surely gravitate to branded socks with bright colours and loud patterns. They’re perfect for millennials to apply a colorful filter and post on social media.

• T-Shirts – Believe it or not, a super soft t-shirt with a cool graphic from a brand they trust is a great promotional item for a millennial. We’re not talking about you dad’s logoed polos, or one of the many plain t-shirts with a huge logo splashed across the front and nothing else – to reach millennials, you must pick apparel with their lifestyle in mind and move beyond the simple logo to create a beautifully designed, graphic item they’ll wear around in everyday life – not just as pajamas. Bonus points if it looks a bit vintage!

It’s All about Branding

Promotional items that are fun, functional, and foster connections to real life are what millennials are looking for. Since they live a large portion of their lives digitally, something that’s cool enough to warrant a social media post is a great thing to aim for, as it will only increase your brand’s exposure.

If you have any questions about a design or want to place an order for any of the items listed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Call 1-866-909-9161 or 416-815-7770. Or check out our entire catalogue online at www.artik.com.