If you thought your social media efforts were only reaching people in their 20s and 30s, think again. A new US-based study by Pew Internet shows the number of over 65s using online social networks grew by 100 percent between April 2009 and May 2010.
As the report shows, the number of over 65s using networks like Facebook and Twitter is still relatively small at 26 percent, but if the growth trend continues, they could soon rival the 47 percent of users aged 50 to 64.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest demographic on social sites is still the younger crowd - 86 percent of Americans aged 18-29 are now using some form of online social network.
“Young adults continue to be the heaviest users of social media, but their growth pales in comparison with recent gains made by older users,” explains Mary Madden, Pew Internet’s senior research specialist and author of the report. “Email is still the primary way that older users maintain contact with friends, families and colleagues, but many older users now rely on social network platforms to help manage their daily communications.”
Of course, reaching this growing demographic still takes planning and precision, so don’t forget to check out our Top 10 Tips for Real Estate Agents Using Twitter, along with our advice on making the most of your Facebook profile.
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- Golden Rules for Social Media ROI
- SMMI Launches Social Media Course
- Email Use Spans the Generations
- Tiny Market Share Isn’t Stopping Twitter Marketers
- Social Media Gains Strength
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