Grandma loves Tweet(y)
Some still struggle to see the point of being on Twitter. Because how could a simple 140 character platform bring any sort of value whether for your personal social life or for an multinational organisation? Yet many others will say that their Twitter account is their claim to fame, others again will show how the platform has developed their brand, introduced them to their clients and now function as their main port of contact with the surrounding world.
There is no doubt that lies great value in identifying what types of people use different social media channels, how they use them, when and why. Reports from 2008 (PEW Internet and American Life Project) presented a picture of how the younger Internet users, 18-24-year-olds, were more likely than any other age group to be found on Twitter. Back then, users aged 50+ accounted for somewhere in the region of 4% of the total usage.
But as Twitter continues to see an incredible growth rate we see tendencies for more mature users turning to the site. Recent research issued by Nielsen Online confirms that twice as many 50-64-year-olds than 18-24-year-olds in the UK are now using the platform. This shift is visible throughout the whole user population. Today, the 50+’s account for over 22% of the entire Twitter audience, making them the second most frequent user group after the 35-49-year-olds (33%).
Check out Ivy Bean who is 105 years old and tweeting away – to 50,000+ followers!
So what is it with Twitter that attracts the 50+’s? Are the younger users loosing interest? What are the implications for organisations? Is this an opportunity for new types of businesses and industries to join? These and many more questions answered by getting in touch with us at Neoco towers. We are helping brands communicate and engage this audience already.