Social Media Managers Should Be Over the Age of 40
Social Media Managers should be over the age of 40
Before you get all riled up, please know that the title of this article is all in jest. Many of you saw the blog post recently from a recent college grad, that she truly believes all Social Media Managers should be under the age of 25. Because, well, you know….they truly “get” Social Media.
First, let’s have fun and assume the title is for real:
All Social Media Managers should be over the age of 40. After all, we grew up at the very beginning of all technological advances. In elementary school we had 3 computers in the libray, and we had to earn privileges to be able to work or play on one. I volunteered in the library and was given extra time on them once I got my duties done. In a Junior High art class I drew a phone with a screen, and thought ‘Wow, wouldn’t that be cool to see who we were talking to’. (I think I probably still have the drawing LOL) When I was in college I learned how to type…on an actual type writer. I also learned how to run a machine that fed information via paper codes to another machine. It was so long ago I don’t even remember the name of the machine. Must be a sign of my old age.
Because we started with the core basics, we have come to truly appreciate the advancements far more than our younger counterparts. We remember when it was a big to-do to even have a computer. And a cell phone, well that was even bigger…literally. By watching first hand the progress of all technological advancements we have a far better understanding of them step-by-step.
It would also be best if you were a woman, be married, have children, moved from state to state, and have worked for at least a few real companies before becoming a SAHM; then discover new passions, rediscover old talents, and reinvent yourself after the age of 40.
Ok, enough of that silliness. Let’s get real.
Age should not be a determining factor in who is the right person to be a Social Media Manager!
I would argue that for many situations experience and wisdom do play a very important part with public communication. I see this online, but also at social events in person. Does that make it right or wrong, not necessarily. It depends on the company/client.
The key is the ability to represent the client to the best of your abilities. I admit, sometimes it is challenging, mainly because of the variety of clients we get. But that is what also makes it exciting! I can easily identify with people around my own age, and parents. But I can also connect with young adults, partly because I am the parent of three young adults. I enjoy learning new things from them, and hopefully they feel the same in return. This is the approach I take with my colleagues in Social Media…I enjoying interacting and learning from all of them. Everyone has something to bring to the table.
Another point to make is how you represent yourself. In this day and age of technology, a post such as the one I’m referring to will someday come back to bite the author in the derriere (aka ass for you youngins ;-)) No, I’m not going to link to the original article, most of you know the blog post I’m referring to. I could not decide if she came off as arrogant or immature, or both. I’m sure she is still swimming through her sea of replies. I wonder if she’ll ever reply to any.
So there it is, just a little bit of my rant on the topic.
With respect (for ALL Social Media Managers),
Lanae
Age 46
This Post Has 7 Comments
Comments are closed.
Well said. Thanks for taking this on. I know the article you are referencing and I have refused to read it, mostly to withhold my attention and keep my statistic from her analytics. I have to say she achieved attention, traffic and the viral aspect from the article. However, when you get something to go viral and get all the traffic and attention, it goes nowhere if you don’t have something people want at the end. She’s selling controversy, immaturity, and arrogance. If someone’s in the market for that, she’ll be set. Otherwise, it will all fade away.
I guess I missed that post you’re referring to. Of course, since I’m getting oh so close to 40 I agree with you. Statements like this from someone under 25 always reminds of how ignorant I was in regards to how valuable life experience really is. Even in social media.
I so agree…. age is not and should not be a consideration.
We ALL should be in the business of building community and strengthening relationships. You can do that whether you are 25 of 43 (like I am) or 72!
Social media platforms (i.e. FB, Twitter, G+) are just tools. Anyone can use them. They add to our ability to deepen relationships and build community.
Be well and make it a great day!
M.
Awesome post and twist to the title. I so agree that talent and professional are what matters.
This was FUN Thanks for sharing.
@Ramon_DeLeon
Amen, Sister!
A person with considerable life and corporate experience is way less likely to make a costly error in the form of a comedic, cavalier or erroneous tweet or post. Kel – 38
Here are some statistics for the close to/over 40-year-old people who responded to this blog (sorry, Will, but it says your Twitter account does not exist):
@SocialNetNanny — 29,708 Tweets — 3,474 Followers
@ConfessionsMom — 6,632 Tweets — 7,079 Followers
@bassclefmusic — 8,251 Tweets — 1,996 Followers
@Ramon_DeLeon — 33,876 Tweets — 13,191 Followers
@MN_Love — 19,259 Tweets — 1,218 Followers
So yes, we all know how to utilize Social Media. However, the original article (http://nextgenjournal.com/2012/07/why-every-social-media-manager-should-be-under-25/) tries to differentiate that Social Media is something more than just using a tool.
From the end of the article, Cathryn Sloane writes: “The mere fact that my generation has been up close and personal with all these developments over the years should make clear enough that we are the ones who can best predict, execute, and utilize the finest developments to come.”
And I think she is right. The 40-year-old group tends to understand how to use and apply Social Media more readily toward starting and growing a business or organization, but this tends to grow out of a need to reach out to where you can reach the most people. Those under 25 years of age tend to incorporate Social Media as more of an integral part of their life. What video should I watch? What blouse should I buy? What movie should I see?
I loved Lanae’s (@SocialNetNanny’s) article, and already follow her on Twitter, but I think the nuance of what Cathryn was trying to get across was missed.
As an aside, here are two websites with some great statistics about Social Media that I think this group would be interested in as it ties in to the article:
http://www.sitepronews.com/2012/04/01/2012-social-media-demographics-an-infographic/
http://roymorejon.com/social-media-age-demographics-for-facebook-and-twitter/
@MN_Love