While working with teen volunteers can be both an enjoyable and enriching marketing experience, adults should be prepared for rejection and several reality checks.
Here are a few teen marketing dos and don'ts to consider when establishing the ground rules for consulting with teens on campaign development:
DO:
- Establish terms of teen involvement early on. Will they help to plan and promote campaign messages or just appear in advertising efforts?
- Recruit youth involvement from multiple community resources like schools, recreation centers and movie theaters.
- Show that you respect teen opinions and ideas by using them to shape campaign direction and themes.
DON'T:
- Develop messages that are too preachy or judgmental. Teens do not respond to this marketing approach.
- Allow the advertising agency to overrule teen ideas and marketing approaches.
- Create a marketing environment that patronizes teens. Instead treat them as professionals by setting up internships, advisory boards and opportunities for ongoing input.