From August 2-4 I attended the BlogHer conference in New York City. The largest gathering of women bloggers in the world, BlogHer is filled with informative and educational breakout sessions, big, splashy parties, high-profile keynote speakers (like Katie Couric and Martha Stewart) and opportunities to connect with sponsors interested in working with bloggers for ad campaigns and brand ambassador programs.
Well, unless you're a midlife blogger like me. Then the sponsors were less than enthused. I diligently walked the Expo floor, handing out my card and giving my elevator pitch to dozens of sponsors -- and the only ones that seemed remotely interested in me were those focusing on, you guessed it, menopause.
At first I laid all of the blame on the companies represented at BlogHer -- and there were some huge companies participating. But then I started thinking more about social media and those of us over 50. And what I've realized is this: There is a huge swath of this demographic that doesn't take social media seriously at all. Just a year ago, I had no experience with Twitter, blogging or Pinterest, but I have learned so much in the past year. I have fully embraced social media as a powerful force in my life, and it's opened so many doors and introduced me to so many fascinating people I would never have had the chance to know IRL (in real life).
I have had many of my contemporaries look questioningly at me when I mention my activity on Twitter or when I talk about the impact Facebook has on the traffic on my blog. There are a couple of responses that I get quite frequently:
"I hardly ever go on Facebook -- there's nothing there that interests me." (Check out Facebook groups)
"What can someone say in 140 characters on Twitter?" (A lot, believe me!)
"I don't want a Facebook page -- I don't want people finding me there." (You are able to set your Facebook page to allow access to only your friends)
"Twitter is only for business." (Twitter is amazingly social, and you can find people discussing thousands of topics)
and my favorite:
"Social media is a waste of time." (No, it isn't!)
I have news for you who feel like this. Social media is here to say. As Guy Kawasaki, one of the biggest influencers in social media has said (and I paraphrase), social media isn't NEW media, it's media, period. If you are reading this article, you have accepted social media as a legitimate conveyor of information.
My call to action for those who are 50+ is this: Try some of the social media platforms. Check out Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Read some blogs -- they're easy to find, just google "blog" plus whatever interests you -- I guarantee you'll find a blogger writing about nearly any topic under the sun. If you are confused by any of these social media platforms, google this: "how to use Pinterest/Facebook/Twitter." If you're still confused, ask a teenager. Social media and the internet are as natural to them as walking and talking.
Those of us at midlife need to embrace the future of communication and accessing information. We are the missing link in the online world, but we are making progress. To dismiss social media as a passing phase is just wrong. Give social media a try.
Follow Sharon Greenthal on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sharongreenthal
As far as BlogHer, I have gone for 3 years and most of the time still feel like I am standing in the corner and no one is talking to me. I am friendly and very talkative but I don't always engage people first. And, I do think it is more of a "young mom blogger" conference. Yes, there are people there our age and yes, there are some brands we can relate to and who are interested in us, but the atmosphere seems to be about young moms with kids and lots and lots of toys. You do get out of it what you want though, but I would almost rather go to a conference that was smaller and more specific to my interests, mainly because conferences cost a lot to attend and I feel like I am wasting a lot of time going to BlogHer.
I had to learn social media - Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc - because of the blog business. If I didn't blog for a living I don't think I would have used most of it. People our age need a reason to learn something new. If we want more people our age to be social we have to explain to them the benefits and that we are there so why not join us. If you are a visual person you will love Pinterest and Instagram. Like reading? Check out Twitter because you can find out the weather, news, follow your favorite celebrity and more.
I do not have a marketing background and so approaching sponsors and vendors does not come naturally to me. For the most part, I couldn't see what the vendor could do for me, so I didn't approach them.
I did experience what I felt was ageism at the Tria counter. That product would totally appeal to my readers and to women I know in various fb groups. But the woman literally turned away from me mid-sentence to talk to a woman with a baby in a sling. I wanted to grab her and shout, "Women my age have unwanted hair, too!"
My biggest problem is that I am still unsure what my blogging goals are--or even if I have them. I sit (rather than stand because I'm so old, don't you know?) in awe of bloggers who seem to have such a clear purpose or business plan. I don't and that's my own damned fault.
Regarding your main point here about social media, though, I'm so with you. Folks of any and every age need to get on the bus or be left behind. And as fast as that bus is moving, there's no time like NOW to climb aboard.
That being said...I totally agree with your central point. We bloggers and "Over 45ers" must embrace technology or get let behind. I (and apparently you) am opting to throw my hat in with Martha Stewart and Katie Couric who have embraced technology in their personal business models.
My solution for our age group? Bring as many of those along with me as want to come and ally with lovely Social types who want to be here!
Let's talk about lively and sex and careers and full satisfying lives!
http://awomanspage.com and http://thedivaofdating.com
Do they realize that many of us have more free income to spend on things than the younger crowd with high mortgages, college tuition AND college loans, plus all the costs of raising a family? I would think they'd be all over us - yet they aren't.
I've been on Twitter since it's infancy, Facebook since the day it opened to the world. I'll admit I was slow on Pinterest, but my focus does not drive Pins to my blog (hello? weight lifting AND middle-age?)
We need more visibility as a group.
Still, you're right that we need to work on upgrading our social media profile. It's really a matter of diving into the pool and see what's there.
All that said, I do hope Blogher is able to attract more luxury brands next year, my readers adore expensive skin care, perfumes, food, wine, cars & technology products, they also have above average incomes & can afford these things!
I agree, more luxury brands - like those at the B(l)oomers party - would be well-received.