10 July 2007

Sleepy Baby Boomer Internet Villages

If you’ve been eyeing this blog over the last 2+ years, you know that I’m not a big fan of general interest social networking sites for Baby Boomers. Here’s an excerpt from my book:

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.)

06 July 2007

Working for a Life, Not a Living

Todd Harff, President of Creating Results, has penned an important piece in the latest issue of 50+ Housing Magazine:

Working For A Life (Not A Living!)

Todd chats with a handful of Boomers who have moved into adult communities and have no use for shuffleboard or canasta. They are not only working – but in some cases are working as hard as they ever have.

And they’re enjoying it:




I wrote about this Baby Boomer zeitgeist in my book. Mr. Harff has his own ‘in the trenches’ insights - and they're great ones:






Todd also speaks at various 50+ business conferences around the country. If you’re at one and he’s conducting a breakout session or workshop, sign up.

05 July 2007

Set of Two Boomer Marketing Books

Amazon.com often pairs my book with Brent Green's excellent Marketing to Leading-Edge Baby Boomers for a special discount.

Our publisher is doing the same thing - but for about $11.00 less:

Amazon.com: $51.07
Paramount Books: $39.95
Set of Two Boomer Marketing Books
Item #: 1027
Get baby boomer marketing and advertising advice in one money-saving package. Buy both books together and save 25%.

Download PMP's latest catalog (PDF)


02 July 2007

If It’s Wednesday, This Must Be Belgium

More later on a whirlwind European tour I'm booked for in September. Ten days in six countries: Sweden, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Spain.

Most of the seminars are not open to the public - but this one is:
Senior citizens: a growing market
Over 50s, baby boomers, the charmed generation ... Just some of the many names for consumers with high purchasing power and often lavish spending patterns. What are the trends in this market? How can marketers better promote their products and services to this consumer category? Is it one category or many different categories? These and other questions will be answered by a panel of expert speakers.
The speakers.

30 June 2007

Don't Ignore The Boomer Consumer

Just one of many same old, same olds. In fact, there are so many that I can barely keep track of them. This time it's from Brandchannel:
Don't Ignore The Boomer Consumer
Boomers are reported to spend a staggering US$ 2.3 trillion in annual household expenditures (twice the amount of 18- to 39-year-olds), enjoy the highest incomes of any age group, and were born during a fortunate crack in history to cash in on the real estate and stock booms.
Nothing new here if you've read my book and/or kept up with this blog (along with a few other books and blogs). And did I ever have to dig around my dusty, old ethereal attic just to extract this moldly post about Campus Continuum