I was alerted by Grandparents.com today that they just completed a poll in which they asked readers how concerned they were about the effect of swine flu.
300,000 grandparents were surveyed and here's what they said:
8 % are terrified and staying indoors
15% are worried the virus is spreading and posing risk to their grandkids
46% are concerned but not alarmed
30% think it will blow over soon
The web site then offered some great advice through a Q&A. Find it here.
What a terrific use of technology and how wise of Grandparents.com to recognize how important it is to offer valuable insight and good advice online. It hasn't been that long ago that people would assume you couldn't reach boomers and mature grandparents through web sites, forums and social networks.
But things sure have changed. Facebook Data recently announced that one of every 50 new users is over 65. Meanwhile, Twitter, the microblogging site, just released its user numbers, showing that the largest group of users is 45-54. (The average age of a first-time grandparent, btw, is 47.)
The Boomer Insights Generation Group(tm) at Edelman knows from its research, which has been confirmed by other organizations, that boomer women 50+ are voracious researchers, especially when it comes to healthcare issues, and they love to share information. So, smart marketers look for ways to reach out to them across multiple online platforms.
As the swine flu situation worsens, look for grandparents - especially grandmothers - to be all over the Internet seeking information and sharing it. They'll swap stories, advice and tips on everything from caring for sick grandchildren to entertaining children who are staying home from daycare.
How relevant is your company to these web-savvy grannies?
