For brands, connecting with younger consumers remains one of the most tried-and-true methods for building a loyal following. However, in today’s increasingly cluttered digital landscape, it’s getting more difficult to reach younger audiences en masse. Whether it’s through ad-blocking while surfing the internet or avoiding commercials by watching streaming services such as Netflix, younger consumers are seeing fewer and fewer traditional advertisements.

For us, as marketers, this means we have to do a better job of meeting these audiences where they’re most receptive. With younger consumers investing money in experiences over things, experiential marketing is one way to do it. Still, though, we need to find ways to extend these experiences to those who are unable to be there in person. So, we ask: are you familiar with Twitch?

What is Twitch?

While known primarily for its popularity amongst gamers, Twitch is so much more than that. The Amazon-owned upstart brands its service as “Multiplayer Entertainment,” but what exactly does that mean? Whether it’s gaming, live sports, creative pursuits, or a Gary Vaynerchuk talk show, the majority of the content being watched is happening in real-time – ninety percent of it, to be exact. This allows viewers the ability to tune in, interact with their favorite creators, and hang out with others in the creator’s community with shared interests. That kind of dialogue with consumers is exactly what brands crave, right?

Top numbers to know

1. Twitch is only second to Hulu when it comes to average minutes per visit on streaming or social platforms. Twitch’s 27.4 minutes per session outpaces the likes of YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s quite the captive audience!
2. Every day, nearly 500,000 streamers broadcast live on Twitch. Every month, there are over three million unique broadcaster channels. This speaks to both the variety and volume of content available to viewers.
3. On a daily basis, Twitch sees 17.6 million unique viewers. That number jumps to 116.3 million when expanded out to a month. The average user watches 95 minutes per day.
4. The Twitch audience is primarily male. Currently, they make up 73% of viewers. For brands that cater towards a male demographic, Twitch is ripe with opportunity. However, there’s more than enough room for brands to get creative and appeal to an underserved 27% female audience, as well.
5. Consumers from ages 18 to 34 make up 48% of Twitch’s audience, followed by 12 to 17 year-olds at 24%. With 72% of the audience under the age of 34, brands looking to connect with younger viewers have found the right place.

That’s great, but how should brands use it?

It’s easier said than done, right? The reality is that Twitch isn’t the answer for all brands looking to connect with younger consumers. After all, your message needs to resonate for any such investment to make sense, and we know that Millennials and Gen Zs treat marketing with a healthy dose of skepticism. Whether it’s entertaining them or informing them, your message needs to provide some sort of value to the audience.

Is your brand looking to show how its food products can fit into an active, healthy lifestyle? Try streaming a colorful cooking demo that not only demonstrates the brand’s value, but also lets younger consumers interact with the host and ask questions about cooking for themselves at home. Such a value exchange can lead to a purchase the next time they stroll (or click) through the grocery aisles.

This, of course, is but one example of many. The great thing about Twitch is that the abundance of content allows for a variety of applications for brands looking to get in on the streaming sensation. Contact us today to learn how our suite of experiential-led marketing services can help you reach Millennials and Gen Zs and earn their loyalty.

Sources: comScore US 2019, Twitch RPG 2019