Social Media Myths #1 – Facebook is Just for Teens and College Kids
12 Aug
Editor’s Note: This is the first post in a series examining common myths about social media.
Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have grabbed headlines, but many business owners and senior managers still question their worth. Myth #1 about these sites is that they’re just for teenagers and college kids.
In fact, a growing number of working professionals are using Facebook and other social networks for business. As you’ll see below, Facebook makes it easy to connect with a targeted demographic.
Facebook Lets You Slice-and-Dice to Find Your Target Audience
Facebook’s advertising tool lets lets you target your ad based on key demographic criteria: Age, gender, education, etc. But even if you’re not advertising, it’s a useful tool for showing Facebook users aren’t just teenagers and college kids.
I asked Facebook to give me a snapshot of members who are married men, 34-50 years old, living in Chicago. As the screen capture below shows, more than 8,000 members match these criteria.
Find Your Niche with Facebook Groups
Another nice feature of Facebook is the Groups tool. Facebook users can join networks built around shared interests, industries, employers, schools — virtually any area of commonality. Groups provide a valuable tool for connecting with peers, but are also useful in connecting with your target demographic.
As the screenshot below shows, a quick Groups search for "hedge fund" reveals nearly 200 groups, ranging from industry associations to investor networks. Click on any group and you’ll discover a user base that is decidedly NOT the teenager/college kid crowd.
Which Social Network is Best for My Business?
Of the two biggies, I prefer Facebook; the user community better reflects my target audience, there are no childish designs like you’ll find on MySpace, and the built-in and add-on applications give Facebook superior usability as a communications tool.
LinkedIn has carved out a niche as THE networking site for professionals. I use LinkedIn, but I’m not impressed with the communication tools it offers. LinkedIn has always prided itself on being a little bare bones. I think they’d be well advised to integrate more conversational tools.
Should you be on Facebook? LinkedIn? Ultimately, that depends on the nature of your business and your marketing goals. But if the Myth of Facebook as Teen Hangout Site is your reason for avoiding this powerful tool, you may want to re-evaluate your assumptions.
Funny. Just this AM I was selling the “Facebook” concept to colleagues (managers at a mental health hospital). However I was encouraging them to get involved BECAUSE OF the clinical implications of social media use among teens.
Still, I agree with your overall post. And never thought of using “groups” until I read your post. Nice!
BTW… found your site via a Google Alert for “Social Media” and “Teens”.
I agree with your overall post. Taken was really entertaining, surprised at how good it was
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