Small Business Boomers

Shopping online isn’t simply for seniors and boomers. 
Those with health issues have found this method of shopping very handy, as one of my readers explained.  It’s also interesting to note the reaction of her “senior” father, too.
I’m 44 and have a health condition which is starting to limit my mobility. Online shopping rocks! No long walks just to get from the parking lot in the door. No standing around while the salesclerk gets done discussing his love life. No painful treks through thousands of square feet of floor space to find what I want.
 (That said, my 80-year-old dad does not believe …read more

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Seniors and baby boomers do much of their shopping online these days. 
 It’s far different from the early era of online shopping when many were wary about giving their credit card over the Internet.  Also, many were concerned about paying shipping charges for the items they ordered.
As I surveyed the statistics and wrote the post, Seniors & Boomers Have Become Avid Online Shoppers, I wondered, “Why the change of attitude?”
Looking at my own situation and talking with others in this category, I can give the following reasons:

Convenience
Saving time
No more danger to credit card than having it disappear at a restaurant or …read more

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According to statistics, seniors (particularly those over 65) are rapidly becoming some of the most avid online shoppers on the Internet.  Boomers aren’t far behind. 
Check out these articles:
Stats: Grandma Online Shops More Than You
How Web Savvy Are Online Seniors?
This is of interest to Small Business Boomers for their main market, depending on products and services, might be seniors and boomers.  Generally we’ve thought that young people, in their teens, 20s and 30s, are the online target consumers.  However, these statistics seem to prove otherwise.
So…don’t disregard these older age groups when you’re deciding what to sell in your online shop, or …read more

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A bill in Congress (S.773) proposes to give President Obama control of the Internet and our service providers.  Supposedly this is for emergency situations only, as a way to protect our national security against hackers and others wanting to shut down government and military institutions and interfere with the nation’s affairs.
Yes, this is a concern.  However, there are far reaching implications that could greatly affect your business and life.  Is this simply a ruse for Obama and those surrounding him, including key Democrats, to gain control of our lives, our businesses, our communications and our freedom? 
Some considerations:

What happens to purely …read more

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I write professionally, and I spend my life online.  Most of my work is done through online websites and blogs.  But for anyone who uses the web for their business, there are some websites you need to know about.  I couldn’t live without them. And the best thing about each of them is that they are free.
#1 – TinyUrl – I do a lot of Tweeting (posting) on Twitter and, like most people on this site, I like to send urls.  Since most are huge, they don’t fit in the constraints of 140 characters.  So I use TinyUrl to get …read more

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The question has been asked, “Is it worth your time to try to reach Baby Boomers on social media?”  The answer is, “Yes.”  and “No.” I write a lot about Baby Boomers as business owners, but not as much about Boomers as consumers.  Today’s post is about both.
Donya Schweizer markets her Beyond Chocolate products using Facebook. 
What is Social Media? First, I need to define “social media.”  It’s one of those “if you don’t know what it is, I can’t explain it” kinds of things.  Social media involve the Internet and mobile technology (iPhones, cell phones, blackberries, that kind of …read more

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Where are you on the range of Internet users? The Pew Internet and American Life Project has studied Internet users and created a user survey. They have categorized nternet users into several categories
Do you use the Internet, cell phone, and other technology frequently? If so, you are probably an “Elite Tech” (34 percent of American adults). If you use a cell phone but you don’t use the Internet much, you are probably a “Middle of the Road Tech” User (29% of American adults). And if you use cell phones and the Internet …read more

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While the rest of the world was watching election returns, an interesting case came before the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Supreme Court yesterday heard testimony in a case that could have an impact on our viewing habits.  While we can watch movies on cable that include many expletives and adult language, network television has, for the most part, been the last place where you would expect to hear sexual or bathroom humor. Well, except for when George Carlin appeared with his “Seven Words You Can’t Say on TV.”
The latest case in the war between “freedom of …read more

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I decided to retire over a year ago.  Now I’m reconsidering. I’m still leaving my former employer, but I’m looking for other job opportunities.  No sense sitting around watching the market; I need to get out there and make some money.
If you have decided to go back to work or start a new company, you’ll need to flex your networking muscles and re-establish networking contacts with people who can help you or with potential customers.  Here are some suggestions to help you get re-energized with the networking game:
1. If you are looking for a job, try …read more

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I had heard of Etsy before but I just saw a post on HomeBizNotes about it, so I thought I would check it out.  You can sell your crafts online at Etsy; it’s kind of like EBay for crafters. Both handmade and vintage items (over 20 years old and in good shape, of course) can be sold, as well as craft supplies. It works like EBay, except that you post your item and set the price.
What can you sell on Etsy?  Art, Candles, Quilts, Ceramics, Wedding items, Patterns, Children’s items, Pet accessories, Dolls, Vintage clothing, Housewares, even Taxidermy.
They feature different …read more

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