With all the hype about we boomers being “the” fastest growing group of consumers, many sites have sprung up targeting our demographic. Here’s how it works: you put up a site, you get lots of traffic, advertisers take notice and buy space on your site. However, some site publishers have been a bit too hasty in their quest for our dollars and have created sites that do not even come close to speaking to who we are or how we look at life. My first encounter with one of these sites was with Eons. Eons is billed as a site for boomers but, back when I first signed on, they had lots of references to death, illness and advanced funeral planning! It was certainly depressing. They may have changed their focus by now but I have not been back, showing the importance of first impressions. However, from the moment I first signed on to Vibrant Nation, a community site for women 50+, I felt as if they were speaking to me and to who I really am. Here, I can talk about anything, from writing my first novel, to hang gliding, to cupcakes, to sex. This is a place that seems, quite obviously, to have been written by boomer women, rather than by some marketing guru who thinks he has found the pot of boomer gold. However, you will be surprised to learn that the site was actually founded by a 45 year old man! Nonetheless, Vibrant Nation makes me feel as if I belong there and that is what I was looking for all along. I encourage you to check it out and sign up. You’ll be so glad you did.
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Love your review of Vibrant Nation, Jessica. For years, as one of the leaders of the marketing-to-boomer-woman movement, I was amongst those bemoaning out loud and in print why younger marketers–and males, to boot–were ignoring this vibrant, lucrative and influential demographic. When I met Stephen, I recognized the brilliance of those rare moments where entrepreneurial spirit and mission converge. He really gets it. I’m delighted that not only did I have the opportunity to meet Stephen early in the site’s development, but that I was brought on in the role of Senior Strategist, charged with helping assure that the voice of the site would be developed organically, from the inside out, by women within the demographic. Having women like you join the community and help us amplify and deepen our voice has been the joy and genius of this online resources. Ironically, I had just written a blog (to be run shortly) about how VN has turned into a real community. Great minds think alike!
Thank you, Carol. You have just helped me put my finger on exactly what it is I like so much about your site. “…helping assure that the voice of the site would be developed organically, from the inside out, by women within the demographic…” is a perfect description of Vibrant Nation.
Hi Jessica,
I agree with you about great communication from Vibrant Nation – I actually find that every time I open a VN newletter there seems to be something in there that’s just now on my mind… Comforting on many levels
Also, a funny update to Eons – I fairly recently signed up but found the focus distastefully on dating, leaning towards swinging singles… Seems they have switched from ‘death to life’?
I can appreciate that they are feeding content in response to the largest participation in their groups, which appear to be singles/dating groups, but it felt strange to me – especially coupled with nostalgia stuff to hippy free-love days… trying too hard?
Maybe also the challenge of trying to appeal to a co-ed group. I guess things haven’t changed much since the third grade!
Best wishes for great success with your blog and work!
Ronda Kay
soon to be grandgifting.com [a soon-to-be site for helping grandparents create presence with presents]