I recently attended a one day conference. Looking around the room, I realized about half the attendees were my age – mid-fifties. Many of them had their iPads out and were Tweeting using the hashtags the conference provided us to advertise and create buzz about the meeting. Even though this was not a Social Media conference,  it was obvious this was a very well-connected crowd.

However, as a Social Media coach, I encounter many people whose restricting beliefs seriously hinder their progress on social media, which directly impacts their bottom line. In an effort to try to determine why this phenomena happens, I have taken notes about the common reasons I hear, and, as any good blogger would, I refute each one.

1) I’m too old – please, fifty is the new thirty! One is not too old. After all, my generation actually had typing classes in high school, so the familiarity with a keyboard is intimate, to say the least.

2) I’m scared to learn something new – what better way to stay young than to keep the brain sharp. With so many “how to” videos, blogs, websites, and social media forums there really is no legitimate excuse not to move out of one’s comfort zone, knowing there is plenty of support.

3)  I don’t have time – make the time if you want to expose your business to literally millions of people who shop online for most business services and products. I advise my client to buy a timer, set it for 45 minutes and don’t get sucked in to the social media vacuum. Have a schedule, have a plan and follow it to maximize your efforts.

4) It won’t make a difference – now that sounds like lack of motivation to me, mixed with a hefty dose of laziness and a bit of arrogance. Ten years ago, every business starting adding their website in their advertising. Today, most savvy businesses also have their Facebook and Twitter logos proudly displayed, too so their customers can easily connect with them.  Social media and marketing can make or break most companies today.

Burying one’s head in the sand, not having the where-with-all to get with the program and learn what may be a new skill is going to sort out the players from the companies who slink away into the night, unnoticed.  Age is no longer a factor. The baby-boomer generation is more equipped that most generations before us to embrace social media and all it has to offer – with gusto and grace.

If you are reading this blog, you are obviously involved in Social Media – but to what extent? How often and how much time do you spend online to forward your business?

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