Linda's Line - Apr '08

Boomers, Gen-Xer's & Millenials… Across the Generations of the Internet
It is the passing of an age, and the dawning of a new era. Arthur C. Clarke, noted author, visionary and inventor of the satellite, was laid to rest Saturday, March 22, 2008. Probably best know for his collaboration with Director Stanley Kubrick on the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey," this man, perhaps more than any other, represents a model of trans-generational foresight for the entire world to emulate. As he wished, his epitaph will read, "Here lies Arthur C. Clarke. He never grew up and did not stop growing."
If REALTORS® want to keep up with the different generations and be able to market to them, then we must understand where they are coming from and "not stop growing." Depending on what source you reference, you may find differing opinions on the years of the different eras but this table from Wikipedia seems to have the most descriptive info in a short format. For more information on the individual generations, Google the generation name and learn about your target customer base. The better you know your customers, the easier it is to target your marketing and make your dollars and cents count!

Both Gen-X and Gen-Y are individualistic people and into multi-tasking. One's into using technology and the other is into assuming technology. X-ers use the PC and Y-ers use the internet. X-ers are self-reliant, practical & pragmatic. They have a killer life and accept diversity. Millennials, on the other hand celebrate diversity, are optimistic, realistic and have a killer lifestyle. While these 2 groups sound remarkably similar, they are in reality, very different. Give a Gen-Xer the requirements and turn them loose; they want to find their own way. On the other hand, if you want Millennials to find the solution, put them in a group and let them work it out together. Clean and easy is their motto. Check out a new, free video website that allows users to stream full-length episodes of some 250 television series and movies online. It went public March 12 and is the first website specifically designed with the Millennials generation in mind — http://www.hulu.com/ is simple, clean and ad-free. "These consumers crave things that work the way they're supposed to," says David Wertheimer, a former Hollywood executive, of the Millenials. Wertheimer also says his research shows Gen Y, despite being highly tech-savvy, put a premium on ease of use. Another key design point, explains Kelly Mooney, president of marketing firm Resource Interactive and co-author of The Open Brand, a book about the influence the Web is having on new marketing techniques, is "to be authentic; Gen Y-ers can smell a fake a mile away." Do your research and learn about the next generation segment you'll be targeting in your real estate marketing.