The Twittering Granny: Diary of a Social Media Virgin

Today’s senior population is exploding at historic levels. According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, the senior population numbered 37.3 million in 2006, or 12.4% of the U.S. population, and is expected to reach 20% of the population by 2030. With advances in modern science and medicine lowering mortality rates, the worldwide senior population is expected to grow to 2 billion by 2050. So what does all that mean for social media? When it comes to the Web, many boomers and senior caretakers are just as tech-savvy as their younger counterparts–and senior-focused social media sites are quickly rising in response to the needs of this rapidly-growing segment of the population. Seniors are faced with a number of unique challenges, including financial planning and retirement, health care, changing housing needs, grand-parenting, and more. Today there are a whole host of social community websites that focus on the specific needs and concerns of seniors, as well as present marketers an opportunity to reach them. The above is an excerpt from the May 27th, 2009 article on Web Ad.Vantage titled "The Senior Side of Social Media." As a Baby Boomer, reconciling the antithesis that is the passing of time with the all too familiar "but I don't feel like I am 50" is a strong indication that generational issues and musings are not confined to the traditional mediums of information gathering and exchange. Yet even with recent studies which indicate that those of us who "mature" in years are with increasing frequency entering the social media realm, very few are creating "worldwide visibility, awareness, and credibility of an on-line brand and persona." Enter Joy Webber a.k.a. "The Twittering Granny," who's newly launched blog "Diary of a Social Media Virgin" has created the kind of celebrity that national radio show host, author and Public Relations genius Marsha Friedman would applaud. Joy is of course my guest on today's show.