What to say and not say across the generations
Have you thought about what keywords work across the generations? What can you say or not say that works for the Baby Boomers through the Alpha Generation?
Some recent research I did revealed the following:
Baby Boomers (Born 1946–1964)
Top 5 Phrases That Resonate:
- “Make the most of your golden years.”
- “Built to last.”
- “Legacy you can trust.”
- “You’ve earned it.”
- “Quality over quantity.”
Top 5 Phrases to Avoid:
- “OK Boomer.”
- “Just Google it.”
- “Stay woke.”
- “You’ll love this TikTok.”
- “YOLO.”
Generation X (Born 1965–1980)
Top 5 Phrases That Resonate:
- “Plan for the future.”
- “Your independence matters.”
- “Think outside the box.”
- “Work hard, play hard.”
- “Simplify your life.”
Top 5 Phrases to Avoid:
- “You’re stuck in the middle.”
- “You’re irrelevant.”
- “Live streaming isn’t for you.”
- “Why aren’t you on TikTok?”
- “You’ll love this new Gen Z trend.”
Millennials (Born 1981–1996)
Top 5 Phrases That Resonate:
- “Experience life to the fullest.”
- “For the hustle and the heart.”
- “Live authentically.”
- “This speaks to your values.”
- “Here’s how you can save money.”
Top 5 Phrases to Avoid:
- “You’re so entitled.”
- “Why don’t you buy a house?”
- “Adulting is hard.”
- “Stop eating avocado toast.”
- “That’s not very professional.”
Generation Z (Born 1997–2012)
Top 5 Phrases That Resonate:
- “Be unapologetically you.”
- “Here’s how to go viral.”
- “For the culture.”
- “Change starts with you.”
- “Sustainability is key.”
Top 5 Phrases to Avoid:
- “That’s not realistic.”
- “You’re too young to understand.”
- “Why are you always on your phone?”
- “Don’t take it so personally.”
- “That’s not how we do things here.”
Generation Alpha (Born 2013 and Later)
Top 5 Phrases That Resonate:
- “Imagine the possibilities.”
- “Explore your creativity.”
- “The future is in your hands.”
- “What’s your next big idea?”
- “Dream big, achieve big.”
Top 5 Phrases to Avoid:
- “You’re just a kid.”
- “Wait until you grow up.”
- “That’s too ambitious.”
- “Stick to the basics.”
- “Why don’t you go play outside?”
Looking for something that you can say with appeal to all of the generations?
There are universal themes and phrases that resonate across all generations, though they may need slight adjustments in tone or framing depending on the exact generation you are speaking with. Here’s a set of keywords and phrases that appeal broadly:
Universal Phrases and Themes
- “You deserve the best.”
- Appeals to self-worth and entitlement to quality across all ages.
- “Trusted by millions.”
- Builds credibility and reassurance regardless of age.
- “Designed with you in mind.”
- Personalization is universally appealing, making people feel valued.
- “Simplify your life.”
- Speaks to the common desire for convenience and ease.
- “Better for you, better for the planet.”
- Combines personal benefit with a broader mission, resonating with both eco-conscious younger audiences and older generations who value responsibility.
Keywords for Cross-Generational Appeal
- Quality: “Reliable,” “Proven,” “Premium.”
- Value: “Affordable,” “Smart choice,” “Great investment.”
- Personalization: “Tailored,” “Customizable,” “Just for you.”
- Community: “Join,” “Belong,” “Connected.”
- Future-Focused: “Innovative,” “Sustainable,” “Cutting-edge.”
Please let us know if you need someone to help you with content creation for your social media. Contact us at your convenience.
