I’ve recently been approached by several large real estate company recruiters asking for my advice on how I would go about recruiting talent.
I’ve been asked this before, and my response has become pretty refined. Being a tech guy, the conversation usually goes to blogging, social networking and search engine optimization.
Uh Oh
When I talk about social networking, nine out of ten times, I hit the roadblock of “that’s for kids”. I always hate hearing this. I’ll admit, Jay and Bill don’t act their age, but social networks are for kids? Come on, grow up!
Finally, along came AARP (who I am looking forward to joining someday) who did a great study about social networks amongst “older” Americans.
Silly Rabbit, Social Networks AREN’T Just for Kids
My favorite part is the finding that “Among internet users 50+ who are members of online communities, 58% log in to their online community daily or several times a day, compared with 47% of members under 20”
Hmm, just for kids? I guess not.
Another point I found interesting involved the 70+ year old crowd:
46% of users under 50 say the internet is important or very important in maintaining their social relationships – identical to the percentage for those over 70
Thank you Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication for summing this up so nicely for us:
In specific areas, there is often little difference in use of online technology between older users and some of the youngest users.
So the next time you, young or young-at-heart, are told that online social networks are for kids, feel free to shed some light on the truth. Heck, invite your grandparents to friend you on Facebook!
