These are just a few questions that run through marketers’ heads as they try to understand the ever-mysterious millennial demographic.

While the discussion of the millennial generation isn’t new to The Juice, we’ve decided to dig deeper to show you what the “Selfie Generation” wants you to know about them. As a millennial myself, born in 1994, I’m one of the youngest of the bunch. Well, along with the other 4.45 million people that were born in the U.S. that year.

I like to think of myself as an expert on us “digital natives.” I’ve also done my research in learning what Baby Boomers and Gen X think about us. Plot twist: It is not good. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, go ahead and begin typing the words “millennials are” in your search box, then let Google autofill it for you. Do it. Right now. Then come back and keep reading.

Alright, in case you weren’t in the mood to look it up...

Like I said, not good. Unfortunately, there are a lot of different misperceptions regarding millennials. They’re as misunderstood as that Pink album, but whether you like them or not, they’re a consumer you want. So before we begin labeling Gen Y as one single “millennial entity,” let’s remember that this age range is pretty large! Millennials aren’t just twenty-somethings with iPhones; many of them are getting married, moving to the suburbs and having kids, too.

So now the question isn’t how to reach the millennial market but how to reach the right market within that generation for your brand. As a brand, you know your target markets attitudes, beliefs, values, opinions, personalities, etc. So instead of focusing on all of Gen Y, focus on that core market. What is their sphere of influence? Where do they engage, offline and on? Then go from there.

Now, this is what millennials want you to know as you enter your marketing strategies:

• Get personal. Millennials probably hate the word “millennial” even more than you. They want to be seen as unique, not as just as another member of their generation. Put emotion and personality behind your campaign. Are you speaking to them 1:1?
  
  
• Be social. According to Forbes, 62% of millennials say that if a brand engages them on social networks, they are more likely to become a loyal customer. Go further than just creating accounts on social platforms. Find out what’s trending, be part of the conversation and engage with your customers. A tweet to your consumer can mean more than you might think.
  
  
• Give back. Are you doing good for the community? Focus on social issues that hit home to the demographic at which you’re aiming, whether that’s gender equality or eco-friendly initiatives. Chances are, there is a large group within the millennial market that will relate to you.
  
  
• Be honest. In a world where researching a company is as simple as asking Siri to do so, millennials will know if you aren’t being honest with them. If they find out you happen to be lying or hiding something from, don’t be surprised if they share it with the world on social media. So instead of hiding the truth from your market, just be honest and millennials will respect you for that. Depending on your target, some people even appreciate when a brand slips up every now and then. It shows them that a brand is real, which is really all they want.
  
  
• Be yourself. Millennials can tell when you’re trying too hard to be hip. In fact, probably everyone can tell. If anything it only reminds them of their parents embarrassing them when they were in high school. So please, remain authentic.
  

All you have to do now is figure out how to apply these tips to your own target market hidden within Gen Y. If you happen to find yourself stuck, don’t worry. Just reach out to your followers on social media; they’re waiting for you to begin the conversation.

This article originally appeared in the TimeZoneOne blog.