The Dos and Don’ts of a Finicky Millennial

I don’t have access to data on Gen-Y as a whole, but I would like to share some of my own dos and don’ts in terms of media and communications as a starting point.

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I don’t have cable, and don’t watch TV unless I’m at my grown-up boyfriend’s apartment.

I don’t have a landline telephone. In fact, with the exception of work and calling my mother once a day, I don’t speak on the phone much at all.

I don’t even remember the last time I listened to the radio.

I don’t read the newspaper or magazines, unless I buy one at the airport when traveling (although this may even happen less and less as wireless internet makes its way onto airplanes).

I don’t ever text in for special offers/promotions because I’m convinced I’ll be automatically signed up for some crazy horoscope subscription at $9.99/month.

I don’t try a new restaurant/salon/bar without reading a good number of reviews on Yelp (and sometimes Menupages as well).

I don’t play games on corporate/brand websites, and can’t imagine that anyone ever would.

I don’t remember the last time I bought something other than food/drinks in a brick-and-mortar store.

I don’t know when I last bought a full album of music, even on iTunes.

I don’t carry cash, and credit card limits are annoying enough to make me stop frequenting any business. (Seriously, come on — I’ll even pay the extra 35 cents for the processing fee!)

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I do communicate with my friends constantly.

I do multitask.

I do get 99% of my information online, both via push (Twitter, Facebook, AdAge newsletters) and pull (Google searches, reading blogs, etc.)

I do still buy books and am a voracious reader, but I do think it’s likely that one day I could make the switch to e-books without a problem.

I do love when I have the option to chat live with a customer service rep vs. calling in and sitting on hold for half an hour.

I do watch TV online — and if you don’t offer it for free, I do download episodes illegally from time to time.

I do hate watching pre-roll videos, but I’d rather put up with them than pay for the episodes (and mind them less if I am given a “choose your experience” option).

I do find that companies/brands worth following in the social media space are few and far between.

I do believe that if you can engage, entertain, and/or teach me, I will value what you have to say and come back for more.

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Marketers: take note.

I’m interested to know how similar or different my dos and don’ts are from other Gen-Yers’. Please share in the comments!