--- title: "Social Media Roundup: Overcoming the Millennial Hurdle" id: "22152" type: "post" slug: "social-media-roundup-overcoming-the-millennial-hurdle" published_at: "2014-03-18T22:47:55+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T18:23:58+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/03/18/social-media-roundup-overcoming-the-millennial-hurdle/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/03/18/social-media-roundup-overcoming-the-millennial-hurdle.md" excerpt: "Millennial habits could pose a unique challenge for association membership efforts, but don’t let that prevent you from reaching out with methods perfectly tailored to their habits." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "engagement data" - "Membership" - "millennials" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Social Media Roundup: Overcoming the Millennial Hurdle Every generation has its differences, but some of the elements that differentiate many millennials from their forebears could present some challenges for associations. ### The Millennial Challenge > Those of you who are “millennials” & don’t have association membership, does this article cover the “why” for you? [http://t.co/0aMDFV3nJ7 (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/0aMDFV3nJ7) > > — Keri Cascio (@keribrary) [March 18, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/keribrary/status/445910223811641345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Millennials, that oft-mentioned generation**, may present a problem to associations looking to bolster their ranks. A recent Pew Research Center study, [“Millennials in Adulthood: Detached From Institutions, Networked With Friends,” (opens in a new tab)](http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood/) took a look at the generation’s habits, and [Maggie McGary sees some ominous signs (opens in a new tab)](http://maggiemcgary.com/blog/2014/3/pew-on-millennials-bad-news-for-associations) for associations. Pew discovered that millennials put a premium on diversity and can be more skeptical than members of previous generations. The results largely support some assumptions about those between the ages of 18 and 33 as well as reaffirm many of the hurdles facing associations. “So if they already don’t trust traditional institutions, aren’t happy because of the lack of diversity of association leadership, and don’t trust associations’ authority, the percent chance they’re going to be willing to spend their disposable income on association dues? I’d say probably not high,” McGary concludes. Each association has its own set of challenges, especially with enlisting younger members, but it’s worth remembering that traditional appeals just don’t cut it with a large number of millennials. *(ht [@keribrary (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/keribrary) )* ### Facebook’s ‘Silent Majority’ > Enjoyed this article on measuring impact of [#DarkPosts (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DarkPosts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > through [@Facebook (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/facebook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [http://t.co/gRXkiKXEnw (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/gRXkiKXEnw) > > — Amy Cantwell (@_AmySparkles) [March 18, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/_AmySparkles/status/445949267845185537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **When looking at your Facebook stats**, it’s common to focus on engagement: how many people are liking or clicking on your posts. But what about those who follow you but do nothing? Dan Sullivan over at *Social Media Today* [has an interesting post (opens in a new tab)](http://socialmediatoday.com/dan-michael-sullivan/2261156/dark-data-and-measuring-invisible-impact-your-facebook-community) about Facebook’s “silent majority.” The importance of the silent masses is clear: “They’re statistically some of your most informed and loyal customers, potential future Superfans, and the primary providers of the social currency needed to foster your active advocates: validation,” Sullivan writes. With a bit of analytics analysis, Sullivan breaks down how you can identify your association’s quietest fans and how you may eventually break through to even the most tight-lipped followers. *(ht @[AmyPR (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/AmyPR) )* Fuse / ThinkStock [Morgan Little](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Morgan Little is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Tags: [#engagement data](https://associationsnow.com/tag/engagement-data/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#millennials](https://associationsnow.com/tag/millennials/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [VideoKnowing Y: Engage the Next Generation NowAugust 4, 2014](https://associationsnow.com/2014/08/04/knowing-y-engage-the-next-generation-now/) - [Video4 Lessons Old School Hip Hop Teaches Us About Engaging Our MembersFebruary 14, 2014](https://associationsnow.com/2014/02/14/4-lessons-old-school-hip-hop-teaches-us-about-engaging-our-members/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F03%2F18%2Fsocial-media-roundup-overcoming-the-millennial-hurdle%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !