There are so many now that I can’t keep up with them. And they’re all the same. I get emails practically every week from people wanting me to visit and blog about their new, wonderful site just for Baby Boomers:“… While we don’t have ten million dollars like Eons, we think that our site is better.”What an accomplishment.
“… ***** began to form in my marketing subconscious … a warm, friendly, inviting village where Baby Boomers could come to relax and find information about the subjects of interest to them. ****** would have different "streets" within the village … a visitor would choose a street according to their need or interest. Lifestyle, Money, Health, Community, Current Events, Today's World and Fun & Games have each earned a spot as one of *****'s streets.”Aren’t there about a hundred of these make believe and they make me sleepy internet villages already?
“ … I have built a fun and progressive environment that enhances our Members' abilities to Connect, Learn, and Explore. The Premier Internet Destination for Ages 50 & Up.”Add the mission statement above to this list.
If you haven’t guessed already - it’s all about money. They think Baby Boomers with 2 Trillion dollars spending power - and the 3000-ring circus begins.
There are a few I like - like Growing Bolder. That’s because it’s off-beat and nutty, chock full of videos and audio podcasts culled from the Growing Bolder radio program. It’s different. They’re passionate. (And although the folks running it don’t like to hear this – it’s not really a social networking site.)
I think one of the biggest issues that these sites present is that they try to be all things to all boomers. A forum that I particularly like and have been a member of for well over a year is Boomer Women Speak. That's because it's built a sense of community -- there's a definite feel to the group, one that some like and some don't. But that makes it different.
ReplyDeleteCasey Dawes
Wise Woman Shining
Sites for boomers should be more than just "information" and a "social networking site," you have to have a niche. You can't appeal to everyone, and wouldn't want to try. The better defined the site, the more intense the success...and then it's all in marketing...
ReplyDeleteHolly K. Klein LSCSW/LCSW
I've signed up for GrowingBolder.com because I like it, too. The "instigators": Marc and Bill are a couple of goofy guys, who may have gotten older, but they refuse to grow up and I LIKE that! I 'm older than they are and I do NOT relate to anything "senior"!. Marc and Bill -however - are the gang I wanna hang with. Should be fun.
ReplyDeleteHealthcare is a hot topic among boomers. They talk about having "relevant tools" on their site. I'm hoping the GB site will include things like the FREE medication reminders and health data storage on: www.oncellrx.com That's a value-add that can be a real help for active, independent people, and a reason to check in often.
I agree with Holly Klein - no one cares to spend their day talking about general baby boomer issues. This week's news about Eons layoff of 1/3 of their workforce reinforces. It will be interesting to see their new direction.
ReplyDelete