There are a lot of misconceptions about social networking and social media, chief among them being that it is a domain reserved for 13-year olds endlessly texting each other while updating their Facebook status.
While this is demonstrably false, it’s not enough for me to say things like “demonstrably false” from my high horse. So consider this: eMarketer reported on a survey that showed 40% of 40-something women had a social networking profile. And the way to reach them was not by taking out ads on social networking sites, because they actively avoided them. Instead, engagement and more sophisticated marketing would be the key in reaching this influential group, as 70% of women with kids ages 13-17 had talked about products on social networks, connected with others, researched products, got their news or monitored their kids’ activities. In other words, THEY USE THE INTERNET!
Interestingly, women aged 45-54 make up a larger group of internet users than men of the same age.
Does this data surprise you? Do you fall into this demographic? If you are a marketer, what have you done to reach out to this key demo? Leave a comment and share your knowledge.
4 Responses to “Social Media Marketing and women of a certain age”
Leave a Reply
About Me
Matthew Chamberlin is a social media marketer, experienced video producer, blogger and speaker at industry conferences, keynotes and corporate events.
Send me a Message
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
YouTube
What is a surprise to me is that people are surprised. The internet has become SOP for people of all ages including women Over the age of 54! Take a look at Millie Garfield of My Mom’s Blog who is 82 and has been blogging since 2004. http://is.gd/flSt
Toby Bloomberg, Diva Markeitng
http://www.divamarketingblog.com
Toby-
It’s weird, and sometime frustrating, how perceptions become ingrained.
Thanks for the great post. LOVE Millie’s blog!
Thanks for the survey data. As Toby said, it’s something I already knew but love having the stats to prove it. Our company has been doing hands-on workshops to teach blogging and social networking for business. We get the most interest — no surprise — from women in 35+ age group.
Connie-
As a wise one once said, “Easier to sell straw hats to square dancers.”
Stats can aid in making what can sometimes seem amorphous a bit more concrete.