Email Marketing - A Generational Comparison

In today's world, many companies are questioning the importance of email marketing and whether an investment is worthwhile. A study on cross-generational email marketing usage, conducted by United Internet Media and the market research institute MindTake, provides interesting insights.

The results clearly show that email marketing remains indispensable. Advertisers can be very successful with targeted and personalized communication. Our online marketing experts in Munich have analyzed the study in detail for you and filtered out the most important information.

How important is e-mail as a means of communication today?

A study entitled “E-Mail Cross Generations” shows that e-mail continues to play an important role as a communication channel.

Emails are indispensable and are not surpassed by any other communication channel. In the study, 24 percent of respondents would choose email if they could only use one application. Other internet services such as instant messengers, online banking, search engines, and social networks rank behind.

This high level of indispensability of email and the associated email marketing can be attributed to its widespread use in the DACH region. In Germany and Austria, about 90 percent of respondents regularly use private emails, while in Switzerland, it is even 98 percent.

What do different generations use e-mail for?

It is interesting to see the purposes for which the generations, from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, use their emails. All age groups primarily use their email addresses for logging in to online shops.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, also use them frequently for online banking. Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, increasingly uses them for online payment services.

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, born between 1981 and 1996, often log on to social networks.

Generation Z, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, also uses their email for video streaming.

What role does email marketing play in the customer journey and trust?

Die E-Mail spielt eine entscheidende Rolle entlang der Customer Journey. Ganze 90 Prozent der Befragten verwenden während dieser Phase ihre E-Mail-Adresse.

Emails, such as newsletters, are used to highlight new products. 91 percent of respondents register with online shops using their email addresses. Approximately 90 percent use emails to contact the retailer or customer service.

For advertisers in online marketing, it is particularly relevant to know that 73 percent of respondents buy products that have been advertised in an email.

The study also provides insights into the trust in the email channel compared to instant messengers and social networks. In all DACH countries, a trend emerges: the older the generation, the higher the perceived security and trustworthiness of the various channels. Baby Boomers have the highest trust in emails at 81 percent, while for Generation Z, it is only 59 percent.

Conclusion: How to implement successful email marketing in today's world!

The study shows that email marketing remains an effective communication channel across generations. However, to be successful, generational differences must be considered. Each generation has its own preferences and needs regarding email communication. Therefore, a targeted approach with tailored content is essential.

Companies should leverage the potential of email newsletters throughout the customer journey to reach customers, build trust, and increase sales. By using targeted communication and enlisting the support of professional email marketing agencies, companies can optimize their strategies and fully exploit the benefits of this channel.

To achieve this, you can rely on a professional email marketing agency. Online marketing experts in Munich, like our team at Media Beats, have the necessary know-how and experience. We plan and implement effective email newsletters and campaigns, create the right content for you, and strengthen your customer relationships. This way, we maximize the success of your email marketing.