Millennials and GenZ are hands down the generations that prefer text messaging the most. Stereotypes aside, there are many reasons for that. The main one is quite obvious: these generations have been using smartphones and high-speed internet from a very young age. Just like Gen-Xers were known as the television or MTV generation, millennials and centennials are heavily marked in their habits and uses by smart technology.
Considering that these generations are the largest workforce in the USA now, understanding their habits and communication preferences is quite important. Not only for those that are into SMS marketing but also for business in general. It’s also good for older generations who struggle to understand and coexist with habits they’re not used to and sometimes, even resent.
If you want to know more about the impact of SMS marketing on millennials and GenZ, read this original article by Trumpia:
How SMS Marketing Engages Both Millennials and Gen Z
Why Do Millennials and Gen Z Prefer Text Messaging?
As explained above, growing up with smartphones, texting, social media and high-speed internet is one of the main reasons. That goes hand-in-hand with another reason, which is that millennials and Gen Z feel more comfortable with remote communications than face-to-face. In fact, these are generations that most of the time find phone calls intrusive and unnecessary (unless it is, for example, an emergency case).
American millennials and Gen Zers find remote communication more convenient; both at work and in their personal lives. While this seems to be impersonal (or even disrespectful or rude) by older generations, younger generations find it comfortable, easier, and a more complete way to communicate. Let’s not forget that smart devices and high-speed internet also enabled something they grew up with: file sharing.
We can also highlight some other specific reasons:
Smartphones = Wallets
In a survey conducted by Inc.com, they determined that less than 62% of millennials and centennials would choose their wallets if given the choice of leaving either that or their phones at home. And that makes sense if we think that smartphones nowadays can be used to make payments, carry event tickets, get directions through GPS, etc.
Texting Fits A Wider Range of Personalities
Text messaging particularly favors people with introverted personalities; for whom it takes a while to open up with others. Texting is also commonly perceived as a more personal, less invasive way of communication. When applied to SMS marketing, it also makes them feel more valued by brands.
Instant Gratification
Continuing the idea in the previous point, millennials and GenZers usually walk away from a typical, obvious sales pitch. They look for gratification and convenience in their digital experiences. They give up a brand in 10 minutes or less if they don’t get the answer or the solution they were looking for.
Less Pressure
Newer generations claim that communicating by texting means less pressure for them. They can read messages and respond to them at their own pace. Texting also allows them to take some time to think about their replies. That is also valued because they can avoid making certain mistakes or making rushed decisions they’d regret later.
Convenience
Millennials and centennials find texting more convenient in two specific areas: mass texting and text appointment reminders. In both cases, the habit of using smartphones determines the convenience and success of those communication channels.
When it comes to work, mass texting capabilities are crucial to coordinate a large number of employees; which can be done with a single text message. Mass text messages are also good to spread urgent information like emergencies or last-time notifications, as they’re more likely to be received and read immediately than emails.
On the other hand, receiving text reminders on things like scheduled appointments, payment reminders, or delivery notifications is found especially useful by younger generations. In a study conducted by Open Market, 75% of them choose text-only notifications over voice-only phone notifications. In fact, that percentage doesn’t even check their voicemail.
Conclusion
Newer generations always tend to be different from older ones. We all grow up in different worlds, with different needs, habits, and communication styles. The information shared in this article not only intends to answer a question but also to provide useful information to those intending to appeal to the generations that prefer text messaging over other media.
These communication trends tell us about the standards and needs of the newest working generations in America. Learning about them and incorporating them can be much more productive than resisting or judging them.
That being said, it’s also good to keep both the advantages and disadvantages of texting in mind. While texting has a lot to provide, phone calls or even face-to-face communication create a dialogue and are still helpful to bond people; both personally and professionally. While habits may change; the fundamentals of human interaction don’t.
