Social Networking Sites Report More Baby Boomers

"Baby boomers aren't technology Luddites. More than 60 % of them consume socially created content. You'll find them leaving their opinions on Web sites and joining social networks." - Jeremiah K. Owyang (@jowyang), researcher with Forrester Research

There is this perception that adults over 50 only dabble on the Internet, but research is finding that they are spending more time online and interacting in robust social networking communities. Baby boomers using social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace^TM, LinkedIn^®, Twitter and YouTube^TM are not as uncommon as you may think.

According to The Pew Internet and American Life Project, boomers now account for 35% of all Americans online. A consumer survey of U.S. consumers, from the NPD group, Inc., a leading provider of reliable consumer research, shows that 61% of baby boomer Internet users (age 44 to 61) had visited sites that offer streaming or downloadable video, while 41% had visited social networks.

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Online Video Increases Lead Generation By 30 Percent for Multi-Housing Advertisers

Property managers who incorporate video into their marketing initiatives see a significant increase in lead generation. By monitoring marketing activity in the For Rent Media Solutions LEADS^TM Dashboard, For Rent has observed that advertisers who add online video to their marketing initiatives increase lead generation by an average of 30 percent.

In Denver, two properties that incorporated the Community Theater^® video product into their advertising efforts saw an increase in LEADS of more than 309 percent. Community Theater allows property managers to put their communities on display through an online video commercial. Through Community Theater, potential renters get an inside look at the property of their choice. The jump in LEADS that advertisers are experiencing nationwide has been credited to these videos.

"Audiences across the nation are attracted to online video," noted Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. "With LEADS increasing by more than 200 percent in some markets, it is evident our online video product Community Theater is generating the LEADS that deliver leases for property managers."

Video is being viewed by mobile users as well. More than 80.7 percent of mobile users coming to the ForRent.com mobile Web site can view video, according to Omniture SiteCatalyst^®, a Web analytic resource. comScore Media Metrix shows that 81.2 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience viewed online video in June 2009. The average online video viewer watched 453 minutes of video, or nearly 7.6 hours.

A recent survey of more than 400 senior-level decision makers, conducted by PermissionTV, shows online video is the top priority for digital marketing budgets. Nearly 64 percent use online video for branded content and video destination and more than two thirds of respondents reported that strengthening relationships with existing customers and prospects is the primary goal of online video initiatives. To learn more about Community Theater, please email communitytheater@forrent.com.

Don't Miss The FAA Social Media Panel

From August 26-28, the Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Hotel will open its doors to more than 450 multi-housing professionals for this year's Florida Apartment Association (FAA) Education Conference & Trade Show. The conference encourages attendees to "Catch the Next Wave" of industry innovations. On Friday, August 28, attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to some of the most experienced social media professionals in the industry during an hour long social media session that starts at 8 a.m. This is a great opportunity to extend your social media knowledge! FAA's Social Media Panel will answer questions on social media and discuss strategies that may benefit your community, including successful tips on the basics of social media, with an emphasis on video marketing, Twitter and Facebook. Whether you are a supplier or management professional, everyone is sure to benefit from these best practices and general discussion.

Follow Erica Campbell on Twitter @ericacampbell

Panelists include:

FAA Social Media Panel
Friday, August 28, 2009
8-9 am, Bonaire 1 & 2