What is Social Media?

Interesting Statistics
•Social Networks and Blogs are now the fourth most popular online
activity, ahead of personal email (source: Nielson Online)
•Facebook has more than 200 million users; 100 million log on at least
once every day (source: Facebook)
•Twitter had more than 7 million unique visitors in February 2009, up
1,382% over a year ago (source: Nielson NetView)
•LinkedIn has over 41 million users; executives from all Fortune 500
companies are LinkedIn members (source: LinkedIn)

Are Seniors Using Social Media?
Seven percent
of online adults
have a social
networking site
profile
(source: Pew Internet &
American Life Project)

How Seniors & ACIs Engage Social Media
Source: Forrester's North American Media & Marketing Online Survey, Q2 2007, 5002 respondents.

Examples of Seniors and
Senior Living Communities
Using Social Media

Never too Late!
Blog by resident
of The Clare at
Water Tower in
Chicago

Blogging support
group

Ecumen
Changing
Aging
Corporate
Blog Site

Twitter updates
posted on home
page of community
web site

What are they saying on Twitter?
gadget boy: Went swimming with Jack and Denise in the indoor pool
was closed due to rain. Gotta love retirement communities. ;)
CathyMuskal: Previewed condos today in a senior living community
with pool and clubhouse. Wow! These seniors know how to live!
lindsaymallen: @laermer "My grandma was just elected president of
her 'senior community.' She's officially the head prune now." LOL :)
RichBSlim: New Lifecare Senior Living Community Coming to
Bonita Springs http://bit.ly/13szwU (expand )

Strategic Objectives
•Listen and monitor online discussions
•Leverage existing knowledge
•Generate conversation
•Provide insight
•Use social media as an additional public relations tool

Benefits of Social Media
•Increase awareness
•Tell a community’s story
•Educate the public
•Facilitate a forum
•Enhance online marketing

Social Media as a Public Relations Tool
•Builds Credibility
•Establishes community/organization as a resource
•Builds relationships with media
•Added awareness about community/organization

Top Techniques to be Successful
•Keep content fresh and timely
•Content should be transparent; no “marketing speak”
•Share thoughts, ideas
•Encourage conversation, be flexible
•Tell stories; use pictures and video

So How Do I Get Started?