In unprecedented times, behaviors fluctuate dramatically – partly because mindsets are changing fast.
People become worried about new things, more risk-averse, more alert… Their aspirations and hopes for the future change, as do the things they value and hold closest to their hearts.
And while most leading businesses have long understood the value of unique insight into their target audiences’ attitudes, interests and thought processes, it’s never been more important to look deeper into your consumer’s changing mindset.
Focusing on consumer opinions, feelings and motivations, psychographic data brings demographic research to life. Without it, you know who your consumers are, but not why they do the things they do.
From a global pandemic to civil upset, the U.S. is seeing massive change at the moment, and with this comes new and evolving ways of thinking and perceiving.
Our brand new GWI USA data set offers fresh insight into the modern American consumer, through which we can analyze consumers using over 600 psychographic data points. Looking under the lens of advertising, some interesting truths come to light.
For instance, only 9% of Americans say they feel represented in the advertising they see.
For an industry in which the sole focus is to reach – and resonate with – your audience, this points to a huge disconnect between brands and the people they’re trying to reach. Looking closer at U.S. consumers under a multicultural lens, here’s what we see:
Insight like this offers clear direction on the kind of advertising and messaging U.S. consumers want – which is exactly what advertisers need in uncertain and unprecedented times.
Now let’s look at what’s on the minds of American consumers more broadly in the midst of major change.
Consumers in 2020 demand more of their favorite brands than great products or services – their one most important request is that they take social responsibility.
Ahead of Republican at 26%, 36% of U.S. consumers would vote Democrat at the moment. But 11% are still unsure where their vote would go.
Ahead of fears such as terrorism, gun violence, and climate change, health is at the forefront of U.S. consumers’ minds.
This is also reflected in the question on their current hopes and aspirations, where health comes out top on 59% – ahead of being happy (52%) and being financially secure (47%).
9% of Americans say they’re ‘struggling’ with their personal finances. But it’s not all bad news – more than a third describe themselves as ‘comfortable’.
Not surprisingly, Americans are focusing on their health in 2020. This comes in ahead of aspects like happiness and money.
By delving deeper into the data, you can get a more targeted view of your consumer. As an example, here’s an exploration of Californian consumers compared to the rest of the U.S.
The average Californian is:
Let’s dive even deeper and compare Californian baby boomers and Gen Z.
We know as we venture further into the ‘next normal’, old strategies will no longer resonate with consumers that are facing new challenges.
With less than 10% of Americans feeling represented in the advertising they see, there’s a clear and problematic divide between how brands and consumers think.
To move with the mindsets of U.S. consumers, the way brands use psychographic must change to match. Here’s how to get started.