If you found out that millions of people in your target audience were congregating in the same place on a daily basis, would you be there? It may seem like a silly question, but many businesses still aren’t utilizing the social networks where their consumers (and potential consumers) gather everyday.

You might be saying to yourself “If it’s such a great way to connect with customers, why isn’t every business using social media?” (Actually, I ask myself that on a regular basis.)

When it comes to marketing, social media is sometimes disregarded, because it’s seen as something that only “millennials” use on a regular basis. But don’t be fooled, popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube aren’t just for kids anymore.

I might be part of the generation that grew up on MySpace, but I today use social media to connect with people who grew up without the Internet – sometimes the same people who said they would never use Facebook a few years ago. That’s right baby boomers, I’m looking at you.

The Growth of Social Media

It’s no surprise to anyone that social media has been growing over the years, but it’s not just about an expansion of platforms: the audience size and variety of user demographics has increased as well.

Media outlets have been talking about the growth of the 35+ crowd on Facebook since 2009. In fact, today, only 9% of Facebook’s users are under 18 according to recent data provided by AdAge.com.

With 37% of Facebook being made up of 30 -54 year-olds, it’s not uncommon to find multiple generations on sharing space on the same social network. But Facebook isn’t the only place you’ll find Mom and Dad hanging out these days: 56% of Twitter’s users are between 30 and 64 years old.

And YouTube – which is sometimes considered a place mainly for teen haulers and stupid antics – has as many more viewers between the ages of 45 and 54 than between the ages of 18 and 34!

In other words, when it comes to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, it’s not all about the kids anymore.

Google+: The Next Frontier

So if teens aren’t dominating Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, that begs the question: where are all the kids?

Since earlier adopters tend to be on the young side, it stands to reason that Google+ – the newest social network – might be where all the cool kids are hanging out now (after all, with all their parents hanging out on Facebook, they had to find someplace to get away, right?). However, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

According to an article published by Forbes last week, typical Google+ users tend to be between the ages of 25 and 35.

Which means that, like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Google+ is definitely a place to find potential adult consumers.

Go Where Your Audience Is

Graphs are great, but what it really comes down to is knowing your customer base and finding them in places they frequent.

Just because Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms aren’t something you use on a regular basis, doesn’t mean they won’t be a good way to connect with your customers. In fact, for some businesses, social media might be the best way to reach a large portion of your target audience at once!

Want to connect to your customers using social media, but aren’t sure how? We want to help! Contact Mendy Werne to find out what BLASTmedia can do for you.

Sources: Facebook and Twitter audience profile data: AdAge.com, May 2011; YouTube audience profile data: Nielsen, March 2007; Experian Hitwise, July 2011

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