Eons is a new, full-fledged social network and information portal for baby boomers, encouraging them to celebrate life, get things done, learn and connect with other people over the age of 50. The company was founded by Jeff Taylor, who also created Monster.com.
Divided into seven categories -- Fun, Love, Money, Body, Goals, Obits and LifeMap -- the website is highly focused on being active and realizing dreams. The goals section, for example, lets members publish the top 10 goals they'd like to accomplish before they turn 100, much like 43things. So far, 50,000 goals have been posted by over 7,000 people, including celebrity 50-plussers like Jane Seymour.
A somewhat less cheery note is struck in the obits section. Members can subscribe to obituary alerts, search a database of over 77 million obits and also add tributes, memory journals and photos to obituaries. (Free for now, but an annual charge will be implemented in the future.) Another feature is a proprietary search function: cRANKy, which is touted as the world's first age relevant search engine. Instead of serving up millions of search results, cRANKy limits results to the highest ranking handful, as well as results that have been hand-picked by editorial staff and members. Top searches give some insight into the website's audience; at time of writing, the top 10 included 'rv lifestyle', 'firearms', 'jobs after retirement', 'gardening' and 'sudoku'.
Social aspects include groups that members can create and join, formed around shared interests ranging from 'Metaphysics' and 'Stocks or real estate?' to 'Boomer Bikers' and 'Pilates Pals'. Members who'd like to share their stories can either create a personal Life Map, or set up an Eons blog.
Opportunities? Boomers everywhere are interested in connecting with members of their own generation and finding information that's relevant to their stage in life. And advertisers are jumping at the opportunity to target a (mostly) cash and time rich audience. Setting up local versions of Eons, combining popular features from across the social web and giving them an age-related makeover, is a sure winner.
Website: http://www.eons.com
Contact: http://www.eons.com/about/contact
Email to friendPrevious: Because avatars need phones, too «
Next: Sell what you say | Update »
Matt is absolutely correct. Online social networking isn't for everybody and the baby boomer generation is probably one of the worst demographics to build a social network around. As Matt noted, most baby boomers already have well-established, tight-knit social networks offline. The new people that they do meet are usually introduced at dinners with friends, social outings, gatherings, etc. Additionally, these are not people that are used to meeting people online. If you look at the reports, the Internet users in this demographic are most commonly using the Internet for practical stuff (online banking, shopping, medical research). And don't forget, a big use of social networking sites like MySpace is for dating and hooking up. A lot of baby boomers are already married.
So overall I think this is a poor assessment that completely misses the fact that not every niche is a good market for a social network. It also doesn't help that the founder isn't a baby boomer himself. The most successful startups are built by people who are part of their target audience or have extensive experience with the target audience.
Most Baby Boomers are looking for content. Not much at Eons - except for some bland articles. Find out how long you're going to live with some calculator that's half voodo, half common sense. Play a few games. Borrowing from Gertrude Stein, "There is no there there."
Matt's correct about virtual communities and baby boomers. They may happen around a specific interest - but a general community site just to 'connect' -- I don't think so.
Well, Matt, Robert and Chuck, you did post a comment, didn't you, Gentlemen, so you must have been surfing with the other granddads.
This baby boomer is hiding at home, taking a few hours off from the other boomers who are out having a good time, being absolutely exhausting. I think this site is a good idea. My own community is far from virtual, being one of those old fashioned streets where we know each other. This site could be an informative alternative - just what I am looking for.
I'm a baby boomer and I enjoy both real-world connections and electronic ones. But I have to say, Eons is pretty dull right now.
Eons is actually the second Social Network for Boomers and Seniors.
FriendsOver50.com was launched in January with a similar mission. Jeff Taylor simply had the $10million required to make sure you all know about it.
It is about so much more than dating.........
FriendsOver50.com is a Free interactive online community for mature adults that want a new way to connect, communicate and share information with people with similar interests,issues and challenges.
FriendsOver50.com is a place where we can make new friends, reconnect with friends of old and share meaningful information about improving our quality of life as we get older.
Tell your Mum!
I think the advent of social networking is tarnishing the novelty value of such sites, although there is definitely exceptional value in them. On a similar theme check-out minti.com, a parent-to-parent social network.
For the first time, parents can seek solace in the experience of other parents online and not have to rely on the 'trusted' or pharmaceutically-funded opinions of other professionals.
Minti.com is just the type of site I was talking about. It revolves around a specific interest - for a specific reason. It's not simply a place to hang out.
One of the core issues boomers face is the loss of parents and friends and partners. It took a fair bit of courage for EONS to launch with Obits. It was the right thing to do. To succeed in marketing to boomers you must understand the lifestage transitions. One of the most significant transitions is loss; for the early stage boomers who are 60 - their parents are in their 80's. They are helping their mom to navigate a satisfying life as a widow; they are coping with issues related to fraility and falling and loneliness. Caregiving is one of the core social issues of our culture today.
EONS - like ThirdAge Media and AARP has an opportunity to help boomers navigate through these transitions; to provide tools and resources that smooth the way. There is a lot of opportunity for innovation and for companies and entrepreneurs large and small to get involved.
(Mary Furlong, founder of SeniorNet.org l986, ThirdAge.com l996, Mary Furlong.com 2002)
Mary Furlong nails it: one must understand the realities of Boomers' life stage--aging parents and aging selves, kids newly out of the house, grandkids and brand new aches and pains--a melange of experiences both funny and bittersweet...sometimes simultaneously!
Moreover, our age group stands with one foot in the pre-Internet world and one foot squarely in it...this is a strength that any social network builder must understand. We have no illusions about the Universe beginning and ending online, yet more and more of us are recognizing the utility of online experiences--and that it is an engine of deeper social change.
I'm 49 and definitely not interested in online social networking. Hubby is nearly 51 and has no interest in computers...I don't know of one person who'd be likely to join a site such as eaon. I was a part of parenting groups for a while, I have no interest in discussing my life online again!
Letlifein.com is a 50+ online community where everyone who has a story can tell it and anyone who has an opinion can express it.
I disagree that Eons is a winning idea. You conclude that "Boomers everywhere are interested in connecting with members of their own generation..."
Boomers are everywhere and have spent 40 years connecting with members of their own generation -- in real life. They aren't turning to the Web to do social networking. They do real world social networking.
Plus, any site for Boomers that includes a major section on Obits is barking up the wrong tree.
Hey, it's just an opinion.
Matt Thornhill | August 29, 2006 7:31 PM