Myth: “New media” is only for the young
There’s a common myth out there that “new media,” such as use of the Internet, mobile devices, blogs and social networking sites, is only for the young. When my grandfather “friended” me on Facebook, I started to question the validity of this myth.
Fact: After doing some research, (on the Internet I might add…) I recently stumbled upon these interesting facts* about Internet usage:
• Among active Internet users, those over 50 years old actually logged the most
time on the Internet
• Average time spent online increases with age
• While 18–24 year olds report 6.8 hours/week, the 50–64 year old age group
reports 8.1 hours/week
(*These statistics were taken from a proprietary study of over 2,000 U.S. households by L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consulting firm. The full report can be found at: http://www.lek.com/userfiles/file/LEK_Hidden_Media_Opportunities.pdf)
Many churches, schools, nonprofits might be hesitant to adopt new technologies, especially internet-based tools, because they feel that their “older” members and audiences wouldn’t use them.
These statistics tell us a different story. To me, they are a good reminder that no one is “too old” to use the Internet, and if we think that “older” folks are not online, we’re just plain wrong. In addition, these statistics tell us that the older generations are not only on the internet, but spend a great deal of time there. And more importantly, that if we’re not using the Internet and other ‘new media’ opportunities to reach targeted audiences, no matter what their age is, we’re missing the boat.
Start with the basics: It’s easier than you might think
So, how do churches, schools, and other organizations get started? Offering these online and social media tools has become easier than ever, and you don’t have to spend a fortune or be a tech genius to offer these services to your members and community. Here are some tips on helping you get started.
• Offer the same conveniences on your organization’s website that your audience is familiar with. Most people are now accustomed to banking online, registering and paying for events online, making online donations, purchasing tickets and conducting other business online. This is where ServiceU can help you. Contact us and we can help you offer these useful tools.
• Ask for members of your organization to help: Just because you’re a leader of a church or organization doesn’t mean you have ALL the answers. Most likely, your organization has members who would love to volunteer to help you set up your Facebook or Twitter page. Just ask!
• Google for help tools: From blogs to discussion boards to free downloads, there are a lot of free resources available on the Internet. Simply “google” your questions and get started. You may be surprised to find out that you’re not the only one with questions.
• Sign up for free webinars and whitepapers: Many software companies and PR agencies offer webinars and ‘whitepapers’ to help demystify these topics. They are filled with valuable and useful information. I like Hubspot, and we’ve used their tools frequently. Just know that when you submit your contact information, a sales rep is likely to contact you to purchase their tools.
