Presentation (2): Overview of Changes in Communications Technology (15 minutes) Information Technology is not the Answer - Just a Tool”

Statistic on Social Networks Social Networks and Blogs now 4 th most popular activity online – 67% global online community participates each day. Facebook has 150 million active users with 75 million daily users and growth rate of 3.8% per month. Fastest growing segment is women over 55. People over 35 represents the second fastest growing group. Twitter’s growth rate over 1,382% last year with over 4.4 million users.

Element of Viral Marketing

How can we use viral networks to reach our target group?

First, you need the everyday NARFE supporters (the twenty per center’s) to do the online fishing.First, you need the everyday NARFE supporters (the twenty per center’s) to do the online fishing. Second, we need a great website – a place to keep our catches.Second, we need a great website – a place to keep our catches. Third, we need communications tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc for our fishing line.Third, we need communications tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc for our fishing line. Fourth, we need a “Marketing Strategy” and research to locate our target group.Fourth, we need a “Marketing Strategy” and research to locate our target group. Fifth, we need a hook with the appropriate bait. We will need an experienced and well funded PR group to provide the stories, videos, information to entice our fish.Fifth, we need a hook with the appropriate bait. We will need an experienced and well funded PR group to provide the stories, videos, information to entice our fish. Fishing Analogy

Our Fishers Why the Twenty Per Centers? –They know NARFE –They have friends from their current or former work groups (employee lists, agency phone books, social groups, etc) –They have time –If they don’t have internet services they know someone that does

Going Viral The more fishing lines the better

Website is critical A place for NARFE members, their families, children, friends and visitors A place to find credible information, our message, statistics, fun, games, video, etc A place to meet friends, locate old buddies, ideas for great vacations, insurance, etc A place to exchange ideas through blogs, stories, photo, etc

An Example: How AARP IS TRANSITIONING TO A SOCIAL NETWORK MODEL SHOULDN’T WE? AARP is a very large organization – 35 million members $800 million budget 2 nd largest bulk mailer 3700 chapters (only 4% of members join) Yet they have revamped their website and added “The Watercooler” as a social networking add on.

Communication Tools Our fishing lines Services – Gmail, Hotmail, Exchange, Mobil me, Yahoo, and AOL all free Social Networking Systems – MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Watercooler, Google Groups, LinkedIn, etc all free Go to Meetings, VOIP, Magic Jack, Telephone Trees, web hosting very low cost

Marketing Strategy Where to fish and what bait to use Targeted Research Products Services Fun Rewarding Continuing

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