Selling to the "silver tsunami"

January 22, 2010 at 07:00 PM
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As a seasoned producer, you have undoubtedly heard this tip once or twice in your career: Adapt your message to your audience. Working with seniors in the age of social networking sites, blogs and RSS feeds, however, this suggestion takes on a whole new meaning.

According to Todd Follansbee, founder of WebMarketingResources.net and a specialist on website user behavior, selling to seniors through the web requires certain adjustments to traditional viral sales techniques. Follansbee refers to a "silver tsunami" which is quickly taking over the World Wide Web: "Today's seniors are increasingly likely to be using the Internet. Seventy-two percent of 51 to 59 year-olds and 54% of 60-69 year-olds are online." To make the most of each senior's visit to your web page, Follansbee suggests the following tips:

? Font size should not be smaller than 12 point.

? Web site instructions should be easy to understand.

? Focus on the benefits of your product with straightforward phrasing.

? Provide complete disclosure about your products. Honesty counts for more than a good reputation.

? Consider publishing testimonials from previous clients. You love referrals; your clients do too.

? Steer clear of jargon, slang and industry terms that could confuse the user.

Above all else, Follansbee stresses the importance of testing your site before publishing it to the web: "Most seniors I have tested will abandon a site before asking for help. Thus, if you haven't tested your site's usability on several seniors, you are likely to be losing customers without knowing it." Follansbee suggests first testing basic usability (Do your links work; Is your page easy on the eyes) before moving on to senior-specific concerns. When it comes to making sure your message is getting through to its intended audience, Follansbee ends with one other sure-fire piece of advice: "Test carefully and test often."

Source: Todd Follansbee "How to Sell to Seniors Online." http://www.wilsonweb.com/design/follansbee-seniors.htm. 15 April 2008.

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