Facebook is 10 years old already and many are saying that it’s old, dated and hasn’t kept up with the times – it’s showing its age! For some of you this may come as no surprise because you use the popular social networking site but for many who are still procrastinating about social media this should come as a grave reminder that you need to get your social media strategy written and start using these tools before it’s too late.
According to an article in last Saturday’s ‘Melbourne Age’ Facebook’s biggest growth is now coming from people over 65. Still by far the most popular social network for the 18 – 29 age group but those numbers are dropping as they find other social networks to join, those not being used by their parents! They want something new and exciting, Facebook is clearly not new or even exciting for them anymore! The message I believe is extremely clear, your clients and potential clients can be found on Facebook right now! So, if your business strategy states that you will become involved with social media this year, get on board quick because if you leave it any longer, your potential clients could be on another networking site and you’ll potentially have to start all over again!
The same article states that Princeton researchers project that 80% of Facebook users will desert the social network by 2017 – that’s 3 years away!
Whilst I’m a strong advocate for social media, I’m also a strong advocate for doing things properly. The amount of Advisers who have just delved into social media with no strategy or thought is alarming and with no strategy pretty much comes no results – not dissimilar to clients expecting financial freedom without a well thought through financial plan.
The aim of this post is to demonstrate that social networks are hear to stay. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and so forth are brand names, the actual functionality is what people the world over have embraced. This functionality has given businesses the opportunity to build their community, leverage relationships, potentially gain access to more clients than ever before and so on – I think enough has been written about the benefits of social networks, again, not dissimilar to ‘traditional’ networks.
If social media is on your agenda this year write a comprehensive strategy that encompasses all your communications, including your website before the fastest growing age group, the over 65’s get wind of the fact that Facebook is seen as old fashioned and they go seeking something new too!
