I listened to a podcast today about social media as a marketing tool for small business. The two young guys explained it all very well, but they kept snickering about how “even grandmas are using it now.” It being Facebook, or Twitter, or LinkedIn, or Skype, or YouTube, or Google+.
And it kind of pissed me off.
Because I’m a grandmother. Beyond that, I’m a former webmaster, I have two blogs, I’m active on eight social networking sites, I get my morning news online and I know my way around a Kindle. I teach a class for new bloggers and I was just asked by a national women’s organization to develop a webinar on social networking. Seems the membership wants to learn how to promote their artistic and literary works online. I’m pretty sure they’re all grandmas too.
Ah, well. I’m not going to fret over the young guys. I have a more important mission, and I’m hoping you can help me. If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably from the middle-aged-and-older demographic I so cherish. Would you do me a favor and tell me what social media do you use? I would appreciate it, and it will help me develop my class for that same demographic.
Thanks so very much.
- My mom on the computer with Bill.
Hey Lynne,
I use Facebook to connect with friends and family. Twitter and Linkedin I use as a marketing tool and for ‘gig’ searching. I have NY times on my iphone and can text with the best of them. I’ve become less tech savvy than I was a few years ago, but I tend to pick and choice more carefully about what I want learn about and not waste precious energy on. 🙂
Hi Lynne. Unlike the majority of your polling friends, I don’t do Twitter or Facebook. I run my own Web Design business and write (when I can); I also maintain two blogs (one personal, one professional). I’m sandwiched between a college–aged son and an 85-year-old parent (both of whom still need me). It’s not that I’m 100% opposed to doing more socially — it’s just that there are only 24 hours in a day and try as I have, I can’t stretch that any more! As it is, I fear that too often, I let my “hobbies” and housework slide in favor of blogging!
PS to everybody: I’ve found that YouTube has about every tutorial you could ever need or want. For ex. my shower door leaks. That thingy on the bottom that’s supposed to catch the water is loose. I searched on YouTube and found out that not only does the thingy have a name (drip rail) but there’s a guy telling you how to replace it. Have you used YouTube this way yet? (My 33-yr-old son gave me the idea. He’s a budding handyman and finds a lot there.)
Lynne-you’ve got a ‘hot’ blog here—-have you set up a google alert so that others blogging about this kind of content can find you? …and you can find them–? if not, i encourage you to set one up–just google ‘Google alerts’–it’s easy to set up-
good stuff here–fun to visit and that’s KEY!
Marla, I have alerts set up for my blog, my name, and the word Boomers. But I can’t seem to track back when I get an alert on the first two. I’ll have to get under the hood again. Thanks for the reminder and the nice compliments! (My head’s getting so big you can probably see it from Montecito. Say hi to your neighbor Oprah from me!)
when i see her, i will…:)
Thanks Kathy! I need to take a few of his classes. Thanks for the link!
Oh yes, Lynne,it’s a constant battle. I blogged about this very thing a while back “Taming the Social Media Beast” It is addictive( and more fun) and has taken a concerted effort on my part to keep myself focused. Some days are better than others. Carving out actual writing time is always a challenge. Dan Blank has an excellent post this week on this very topic: “Should Writer’s Focus on the Craft of Writing or Building an Audience” that I just forwarded to you http://wegrowmedia.com/should-writers-focus-on-the-craft-of-writing-or-building-their-audience/. Takeaway for me: “You don’t build a legacy based on intentions,but rather on actions” Amen!
Hey,Lynne, remember me, the one who raised her hand in Cincinnati and questioned(naively!) why on earth I would ever need to be on twitter or facebook, and waht is this social media stuff anyway~blah,blah,blah. Well, I’m eating those words and this granny/boomer/retiree is twittering/blogging/google+-ing, StumblingOn, and to a lesser degree Facebooking,LinkingIn,Good Reading. And watch out for my first You Tube video on an upcoming blogpost. We grannies can do anything we set our minds to and those two younguns need to watch out! 🙂
Kathy, do you ever find yourself spending more time social netting than actually writing? I do, all the time. It’s more fun, quicker and response is instantaneous! But therein lies the danger. It’s addictive.
re: you tube, I forgot to mention that i live there…:)…which brings me to this—ladies, if you want to add video to your social media presence, please consider posting a 3 minute video on my vlog for women over 45 called Me Quiet? You’re Kidding, Right? it’s fun, it’s free and gives you another outlet to PROMOTE what you do or how you feel about an issue or…check out the site for suggested topics–
http://www.womenover45SPEAK.com…Our Any shiny thing hostess already has!
Pat and Ann, and to all my friends who answered my question, I’m so grateful, but also proud! You guys rock! We are definitely are moving into the 21st century with minds afire. What an exciting time to be alive.
Lynne, there for a bit, I thought you were going to get your rant on. We Grannies can do that, you know. This Grannie uses Facebook, twitter and Google plus. I have to keep it simple since I am still learning. You inspire me!
You go granny!!! Sounds like you could show those young whipper snappers a thing or too. I attempt to use Blogger, Twitter & Facebook when those blasted teenagers I teach don’t get in the way!! ha ha But unlike you, I am a social media klutz!
lol! This Grandma uses Facebook for social netowrking, Linkedin for professional networking, wordpress for blogging, and when I can find the time (in my “semi-retired” boring (yeah right) old folks life) will explore others! Methinks your “young podcasters” picked on the wrong group! lol!
Itty Bitty, we will no longer be a joke in the eyes of the youngsters after stories like this get more traction. It’s entitled “Boomers Joining Social Media at Record Rate”: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/15/national/main7055992.shtml
I laugh because when I was those boys age I was just as shocked and skeptical when I met someone over 30 who knew about Ziggy Stardust or how to use a Walkman! Kids will be kids, and when I get peeved with them I remember it’s payback for my arrogant youth, but best of all, they’ll be “old” someday too, which is the best payback!
My most regular SM outlets are Facebook and Twitter. Goodreads, Shelfari, too, if they count.
BCT, I like Goodreads too but can’t do it justice. And here you are on TWO book-discussion sites. I hadn’t heard of Shelfari.com but I checked out their site and it looks interesting.
BCT, re: arrogance, ‘Aint’ that the truth–!!! i remember that time in my life when i really did think i knew just a little bit more than most—seriously, i remember….
here goes: twitter, facebook-personal and professional pages-linkedIn, Squido.com, Stumble on, triiibes.com & one or 2 more but these are the one’s i use with some regularly—
as for the ‘grandma’ reference-young adults have been saying that forever–
someone’s got to be old in their eyes and we’re it—-in our eyes, our moms are old…and so it goes…:)
plus, youngsters are competing with us for jobs-a FIRST! and some of them resent it—historically, by the time you reach our age group, the need for jobs is nil—not any longer so in that way, i kinda do understand their bias…
All true, so very true. And Marla, you are so techno, you leave the rest of us in the dust!
So, we have become our parents. I thought I knew so much more than them once upon a time and did my share of snickering. Wonderful Mom photo. I use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, my blog, and that ancient standby — email.
Thanks, Linda. She’s as sweet as her picture, too. Re your comments about becoming our parents, I feel that way when I see boys with their pants too low (in my high school the mark of “individuality” was to expose about the top three inches of your boxer shorts) or hear rap/hip hop. I don’t like it, but then I remember how much Mom and Dad HATED Led Zeppelin, etc.
I’m not a grandmother yet, but I could be, so I know what you mean. I’m a relatively new blogger who will celebrate her one year anniversary of blogging at the end of December. In the first months of blogging I reached out to other bloggers for advice. One established blogger, in our demographic, told me I needed to come to grips with the fact that I was “too old” to be successful as a blogger and no would would care what I had to say. Wow! In spite of her comments I persevere. I use Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, LinkediIn and Pinterest.
Donna, that’s appalling! And the blogger was IN that demographic in the first place. Talk about protecting territory.
I’ll have to check out Pinterest. I’m seeing more and more about it.
I’m not a grandma, mostly because I have no kids. But I could be if I did. I actively use Facebook and occasionally LinkedIn. Plus I’m a beginning blogger mostly because I want to write and engage creatively. For which national women’s organization will you be teaching a webinar?
American Pen Women. But if you have a question I can probably help you. Why don’t you email me and I’ll see what I can do? Lmspreen@gmail.com
Whoops, the second sentence should read “While I do use Facebook and Twitter, I do so at a very basic level.”
First off, I think the photo of your mom is completely adorable. While I do I use Facebook and Twitter, but at a very basic level. I have a blog, but I don’t do anything fancy with it (like manipulating photos or sjping videos), as I see some bloggers do. I created a LinkdIn account, but I have no idea what to do with it. I use a Kindle. I text (only to respond to someone else’s text). So the answer is that while I use social media, I don’t feel that I am using anything it as productively as I should be. I think classes like your will be invaluable for people.
She is a doll, isn’t she, R? Look how her feet don’t even come close to the floor. And her socks are all floppy.
I’m not a grandma yet but I’ve been learning and using technology since those boys were in their Huggies. And they kind of piss me off too. Today I read the NY Times, did some shopping, set up a flight and sent off a few messages to friends – and it’s just 7 am. So they can eat my dust! Social tools I use include Facebook, LinkedIn, and GoodReads. I also use LivingSocial and Groupon when I find good deals in my area that I would actually use.
Linda, you sound like my kind of person. I had a laptop before Windows was invented. It was all DOS. Looked like a metal suitcase!
I am going to be 69 years old in March 2012. I am busier and more focused than ever. Say Hi to those “young boys”~
Rae, good to hear from you again. Sounds like you are well and lovin’ life!
Facebook & LinkedIn are the two I use. I also enjoy creating websites for friends.