May
6
Is it just me, or has the whole world joined Facebook? It was only 2006 that Facebook opened its gates to everyone other than its original user base of college students. Now more than two-thirds of its users are outside of college. According to Facebook, the “over 35” demographic is the fastest growing segment, with 23% growth in February 2009 as compared to February 2008. Most surprisingly, the fastest growing group of users on Facebook is women over 55.
With Grandmas everywhere joining, I think it’s safe to say that social media has achieved critical mass. Based on a recent TriComB2B social media survey conducted of our B2B audience, it appears that many of you (45%) fall into the “spectator” category. As a spectator, you frequently visit blogs, watch video, and even download podcasts. Those “joiners” from our survey, that have a profile on a social media site and visit that site frequently, comprised 33% of our survey audience. According to a recent Forrester Groundswell B2B survey, 91% of buyers are in the spectator group, of which 69% are using social media for business purposes.
Further evidence of mass adoption is taking place with Twitter. You may have heard recently of a Twitter war between CNN and Ashton Kutcher. The two media juggernauts (oh wait, one’s a celebrity) waged full-fledged campaigns to be the first Twitter account to have 1 million followers. Kutcher won. While it is yet another reminder of our culture’s obsession with celebrity, this milestone also shows us exactly how far reaching the phenomenon of Twitter has become. You can’t help but wonder: If 1 million people care enough about what’s on a celebrity’s mind, then just maybe there’s an audience for your business.
Admittedly, Twitter and/or Facebook might not be the best channel to communicate with your particular audience. B2B marketing opportunities are out there in the social media landscape; it’s just a matter of finding the best vehicle for reaching your audience.
Love this entry, Jon! Rumor has it that Ashton has a billboard in downtown Dayton encouraging drivers by to follow him on Twitter. Perhaps dollars could be better spent in a more philanthropic outlet? But it does demontrate the infiltration of social media.
If my mom and aunt trying to befriend me on Facebook (I’m 31 so they are in their 50s) is any indication of the audience Facebook is attracting, I’d say you are dead on!