Your thoughts on the type and age of people on social networking sites?

[peppie]

We have discussed around the area of networking sites like Twitter etc. and how to use them, but I am interested to know of your experiences/gut feeling of the sort of demographic of people who hang around these places.

So just who does hang out at Twitter, Facebook, Myspace etc. etc.? What sorts of ages and backgrounds? I am curious where the <30, 30 to 50 and >50 age groups go and why. And then, where do businesses go for what sort of contacts?

I have been doing a bit of my own research and for ex. and Twitter is said to target/attract 30 to 49, but apparently at least some older do frequent. In my sort of work the hardware and software suppliers are increasingly promoting a Twitter presence for keeping up with their news, sort of a miniblog it seems.

[morgwnshaw]

Hi there,

I work in digital media and marketing and can tell you that Facebook has definitely has an older demographic. Initially as it was started for university graduates, and the type of interaction and content available appeals to 30+ more than the myspacers, etc.

Twitter is an odd one at the moment. A couple of months ago I would've said that the demographic was highly tech savvy, innovators and predominantly male 25+. But with all the publicity it's spread out a lot to include all sorts. My dad registered, and he's nearly 70. Overall it would be 30+, metro dwellers, AB, mid to high income and more of an even split between men and women. Not sure about using it as a marketing channel for small business, depends on the business and what you are going to offer through it. service = good, sales, not so easy. Takes a fair amount of online profile management, or a really killer idea.

Check out my website for more info, or get in touch morgwn@digitalartscience.com.au.

I may have some demographic splits on Facebook, MySpace, etc, lying around. But if you let me know what you're trying to achieve, I can tell you where and how to achieve it best.

Cheers!

Morgwn

[peppie]

Thanks for your answer Morgwn.

I posted this subject mainly because in the more recent debates here about social media as such I was just curious as to exactly who was using it and where they were. The former debates never seemed to cover quite that.

It stands to reason that the scene is and will be constantly changing. But for now I was basically looking for a general idea. Somewhere I read that Facebook tends to be more professional types and possibly Myspace is a bit more the "withit" crowd, though of course I am willing to be corrected.

Having said that, a fair part of my own business tends to appeal to broadly the retirees and baby boomer generation. I copy and restore film, video, photos and sound recording and older persons with the funds to do it are keen to preserve this all for their families etc.. I was interested to try to find out how useful something like Twitter would be just simply to get myself known as an expert in that field. Many such people know that something can be done but don't know how to do it or who could do it for them.

So I would see Twitter or whatever mainly as a means to get myself known and to be "followed". To be able to make contact with the right people I need to know if the people are there, probably 50+ with funds and the inclination. Therefore I would certainly appreciate it if anyone has demographic data on the various social network sites. I can only find out so much by googleing. Though ultimately I may only find out for such by simply trying it out.