Daily Buzz: How Millennials Engage With Causes

A statement that should come as no surprise to anyone: Millennials are engaged in technology and leverage it as a tool for activism.

“Millennials and their friends consistently share and actively respond to information and opinions,” says Derrick Feldmann  (opens in a new tab) on the NTEN website. “To effectively and authentically take part, causes must implement responsive models that involve young cause enthusiasts (and their networks) in your issue and ultimately persuade them to join your cause.”

Wondering where to start? The Millennial Impact Project released the results of its 10-year study on how millennials engage with causes and social issues  (opens in a new tab). Here are three key learnings to base your millennial engagement strategy around:

It’s an online-offline world. “At the onset of this decade-long study, we expected by now to see millennials taking actions in digital-only environments. But it hasn’t happened,” Feldmann says. Instead, they engage in both worlds, and activism in particular remained a heavily offline activity.

Their actions online are both big and small. “When looking at the type and intensity of actions taken online … we find the spectrum to be broad and, at times, deep,” he says. For many millennials, just standing up and saying, “I agree,” in a public forum can be a huge act.

Digital and nondigital acts build upon each other. “Millennials believe in the power of activism and move toward greater actions by using their voice in addition to other assets they hold,” Feldmann says. “At the same time, they believe they can be an activist in small ways that make a big impact, such as donating online and/or offline and talking to their friends about it—again, online and/or offline.”

Grow Event Attendance

The words “sold out” are like gold for your class or workshop ticket sales.https://t.co/EhqINsDFbN  (opens in a new tab)

— Eventbrite (@eventbrite) August 22, 2019  (opens in a new tab)

Hosting an upcoming class or learning seminar? Grow attendance by offering early-bird ticket prices, says Ronnie Higgins on the Eventbrite blog  (opens in a new tab).

“By rewarding attendees who buy before a deadline, you’ll motivate class attendees to commit earlier—and boost their perceived value of your event,” he says. “That’s because the words ‘sold out’ are like gold for sales. Once people see that your early bird tickets are snatched up, they’ll rush to grab remaining tickets before they’re gone.”

Another idea: Localize your SEO strategy. Because your class or workshop happens at a specific location, you should only be targeting people who live near the area and are therefore more likely to attend.

Other Links of Note

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Digital marketing expert John Haydon explains how to turn photos into powerful stories  (opens in a new tab).

Afraid of feedback? You’re holding your organization back  (opens in a new tab), says Inc.

New leader, new challenges. If you’re the first LGBT, black, or other barrier-breaking leader, these four things can jumpstart success  (opens in a new tab), according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

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