Among Internet users ages 50+ overall, social network use increased from 22% in April 2009 to 42% in May 2010. To boot, 10% of the 50+ cohort uses Twitter or a similar “status update” service, either to post updates or check other people’s updates.

Looking at specific age cohorts, social network use among Internet users ages 50-64 surged from 25% to 47%, with 20% of this group saying they check into social networks on a daily basis — up from 10% last year. Meanwhile the proportion of Internet users ages 65+ using social networks doubled from 13% to 26% over this period, with the number checking in daily jumping from 4% to 13%.

See the full report here.

“Create a community based on authentic human connection, by being the curator of the best content around what your customers care about, and leverage it to drive revenue. As a stylist, your clients are interested in style as a whole, obviously to varying degrees. 

Social marketing is an interesting process that involves figuring out what your community cares about, and then gives them the ability to participate in different experiences where they provide the content, given the incentive and ability to share. Let me give you a real world example of how you can leverage your collective social network to engage with prospects.”

Read the full essay here. 

Trying a new experiment for the kicking around of an idea. Please use the hash tag if you reply. You will be able to see a stream of mentions @ Brainstorming Box:

Question: 

How else besides aggregation do you leverage these dozens of flash sale sites and the marketing engine they make up to serve small businesses?  Where is the gap in the bridge between the “Groupon’s” of the world and the Joe’s Pizza’s?  

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Flash sales sites like Gilt Groupe have proven to not only be a popular e-commerce experience, but also a profitable business model. In fact, Gilt is on track to hit $450 million in revenue this year, with rumors of an IPO swirling. But while Gilt pioneered clothing and accessory-focused flash sales,One Kings Lane entered the space last year as one of the first sites to go after the home goods market.

Real the full post @ TechCrunch

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