How To Reach Baby Boomers With Social Media
A new report from Forrester Research revealed some surprising information: apparently Baby Boomers aren’t exactly the technology Luddites that people think they are.
In fact, more than 60 percent of those in this generational group actively consume socially created content like blogs, videos, podcasts, and forums.
What’s more, the percentage of those participating is on the rise.
In 2007, the percentage of Boomers consuming social media was 46% for younger Boomers (ages 43 to 52) and 39% for older Boomers (ages 53 to 63). By 2008, those number increased to 67% and 62%, respectively.
The number of Boomers responding to content posted online, as opposed to just passively consuming it, is also going up.
For example, the proportion of older Boomers responding to content doubled from 15% in 2007 to 34% in 2008.
For companies wanting to reach out to the Baby Boomers online, this data shows that spending at least a portion of your budget on social applications for the group isn’t entirely a waste of time and money.
The group isn’t as active online as younger generations are, but their participation levels are now moderate and increasing.
The best bets for getting Boomers interested in your content is to create blogs or videos that relate to the life or work-style of Boomers, Forrester suggests.
And if you’re looking for feedback and contributions from the Boomers themselves – like comments or criticisms – make that process dead simple.
Photo by Mezza.
Jaclyn on March 3rd, 2009 9:56 am
That is very true…while computers and internet content use to be restricted to mainly business people and the younger generation…it is rising the number of older people/boomers that are beginning to use a computer and even shop online. this is think is mainly because a lot of older people don’t really want to deal with going out into public and messing with the crowds for most of their needs when they can stay at home and still get it done.
Beverly Mahone on March 3rd, 2009 6:10 pm
As a baby boomer who networks heavily online with other baby boomers, I can tell you our interests vary. Not all of us are sitting at home collecting social security. We are diverse and engaging on many different subjects. Come check us out on Twitter sometime.
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