Baby Boomers a Force on the Internet
If you think that 20-year-old's dominate the Internet marketplace like they did during the dot com craze, you would be wrong. The target demographic for many online marketing companies is the baby boomer generation. Those born post war (1946-1964) are rapidly becoming entrenched in the Internet battleground.
Throughout their adult lives baby boomers have been introduced to, and have conquered, various technological marvels including fax machines, cell phones, personal computers and a plethora of other digital devices. Change and growth is second nature to them.
According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, baby boomers account for 36% of the Internet population and are just as likely to purchase new products and services online as younger consumers. And just as they have at every other stage in their life, this generation is ready to tackle any new challenge.
The Internet marketing platform has become a second career of choice for many. Niche markets that have attracted these new online entrepreneurs include:
- Finances
- Healthy alternatives
- Home and Garden
- Hobbies
- Social Relationships
- Travel Information
- Internet Education
More and more baby boomers are realizing the additional benefits of establishing an Internet marketing business and working from home. The time flexibility, low initial investment and the freedom to choose a product or service that appeals to them is a major draw. The social and networking dynamic of this medium also provides a much-needed connection for those who have already retired from a traditional workplace. Quality of life, both for work and pleasure, is taking precedence over quantity. As stated in the Forbes article by John Zogby, “the American dream (for boomers) is measured in spiritual, not material, fulfillment.”
The Internet doesn’t discriminate. Boomers don’t need to battle for jobs with a younger crowd. Leveraging their experience from a lifetime of employment, this new group is rapidly establishing themselves online in a big way. Baby boomers are realizing that if they can conquer any initial trepidation they may have, they can conquer the Internet as well.
