Marketers beware – there’s a lot of us – so pay attention to the baby boomers.
A 2010 Pew report revealed Baby Boomers Rock Social Media.
Boomers are rockin’ more than social media.
Drumroll Please
The 2012 Digital Differences report by Pew Research Center shows a leap in boomer internet use.
- In June 2000, 41 percent of adults between the ages of 50 – 64 used the internet
- In August 2011, that number increased to 74 percent
And our older siblings and parents are coming along for the ride. The 65+ crowd increased from 12 percent to 41 percent.
Granted, neither demographic keeps pace with the youngsters.
- 94 percent internet use by adults, ages 18 – 20
- 87 percent use by adults, ages 30 – 49
But, there are are 80 million boomers.
Instruments of Choice
Email and internet searches are still number one for all age groups.
And they say email is dead.
- 18 – 29 age group – 91 percent
- 30 – 49 age group – 93 percent
- 50 – 64 age group – 90 percent
- 65+ age group – 86 percent
Nearly half of boomers access social network sites.
While there was a 10 percent increase from 2010 to 2011, only 34 percent of this age group squints at smartphones.
A Different Drummer
Boomers are characterized as independent thinkers.
- They embrace technology – thank you, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
- They are often the decision-makers
So, increase that font size and get ready to rock-n-roll your marketing.
You may be missing something huge.
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Good point, Cathy – thanks for sharing these stats. It’s a demographic people shouldn’t ignore.
I agree, Sharon. I’m on a campaign, however, for larger font sizes on the internet. 🙂 Of course, this post might be a tad biased. 😉
Way to go, Cathy. I am in the 60+ crowd, use email constantly to keep in touch with my boss and have become an actual social media manager. I am woman. Hear me compute. 🙂
LOL, Ann 😀 You go, Girl! Never underestimate a boomer. Thanks for stopping by.
You’re right! My parents are in their 60s and they rely so much more on the internet than they used to. My dad even got a GPS, and he’s an old-school man who wouldn’t ask for directions! 🙂
My Mom got her first computer at age 85! 🙂 I have loved watching her become more comfortable with it.
I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, huh? 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story, Anthony.
P.S. Notice how I refrained from mentioning that I’m old enough to be your mother. 🙂
Hmm. Are you sure that there has been that sort of uptick in usage- or the fact that teen years later those that were 39 to 49 in 2000 (and 87% usage) are now part of the older set….
Using their reports, but you know what I think about statistics, Roy. 🙂 Valid point you make – per usual. But, I still think boomers rock. 😀
I’d add that marketers to our age group should also strongly consider thinking iPad… and maybe other tablets – they seem to be coming on strong with our age group, particularly those who didn’t get computer compatible at work or some other way. I’m not alone in suspecting that tablets – in some version, maybe even including smart phones – are going to gradually replace the computer as we think of it today… the desktop…
I bought my iPad to play and keep finding more and more ways to use it in my business.
I’m going to have to pick your brain about that iPad, Anne. 🙂