Abstract :

Born in the middle of lock down Covid-19 in Indonesia, Cetta Online Class started their journey and currently has more than 1700 enrolling students in 5 language classes. However, Cetta needs to re-evaluate to be able to win the market and grow their sales, as they enter the market by using social media marketing communication. Cetta needs to know how to utilize more of their firm-created social media and their ongoing students to be able to generate more word of mouth. Studies have found that firm-created social media communication, user-generated social media communication, and E-WOM have a significant positive impact on purchase intention in several countries. All respondents of this study are millennials and members of Generation Z, as Cetta’s students are Millennials and Gen Z. This research was conducted for academic purposes and to make recommendations for Cetta Online Class, a company in the service industry and, to be more precise, a brand that operates an online foreign language course. This research uses quantitative linear regression approaches with a survey method and cross-sectional research design. The measuring tools of the study designed by Alrwashdeh, Emeagwali & Aljuhmani (2019) to measure E-WOM and purchase intention; and Schivinski and Dabrowski (2016) to measure firm-created and user generated social media communication. The sampling technique used in this research is purposive sampling. This study involved 444 respondents (64% Gen Z and 36% Millennial). The results showed that: First, E-WOM is the most influential factor, but it is surpassed by simultaneous social media communication, which is an integrated communication strategy that incorporates all three elements, including firm-created social media, user-generated social media, and E-WOM. Second, Gen Z respondents have more influence than millennials, which includes both firm-created and user-generated influence. Millennials exceeded Gen Z in E-WOM by 0.02%. Third, the recommended strategies to maximize simultaneous communication are: create new design, social media creative team recruitment, content contests and challenges, student stories and testimonials, student ambassador program, invest more in service quality and learning journey, create a referral program, and build a strong community.

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Keywords :

E-WOM, Firm-created Social Media Communication, Gen Z, Millennials, Purchase Intention., User-generated Social Media Communication.

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