Rise of the Silver Surfer - Opening the Closet on Aging - November 28, 2011

Rise of the Silver Surfer:Empowering Yourself Through Social

MediaPresented by:

Barry Waite, ProfessorCorporate Communications & Public Relations

Centennial CollegeNovember 28, 2011

About MeCommunications professional with 25 years +

experience in public relations & social mediaProfessor/Program Coordinator, post-

graduate Corporate Communications & PR program, Centennial College

20 years + involvement in LGBT communityFruit Cocktail (LGCA)Pride and Remembrance AssociationFife HouseCommunity One Foundation

Link: http://youtu.be/QzZyUaQvpdc

Feeling Left Behind?

Don’t?

Some FactsFastest growing segment on social networks

is 74+ according to Generations 2010Social network use for this cohort quadrupled

between 2008 & 2010 from 4% to 16%In Canada, number of 50+ use of social

media climbed from 39% in 2009 to 57% (Harris-Decima for The Canadian Press)

Study after study shows the largest growth area for Facebook is 55+ (particularly women)

What Are They Doing?Reading newsSeeking health informationSharing photographsCommunicating with family friendsWatching videosMeeting new people

Why? (The Benefits)Studies show link between Internet use and

reduction in depressive symptoms in older adults, ranging from 30% to 20% reductions

Breaks barriers of isolation and builds connection to the outside world

For the older LGBT community – a connection to services and resources plus ability to build new friendships

Making Connections: FacebookLargest social network in the worldShare photos, videos and newsCheck out the “likes” and pages of your friends

and groups you belong toJoin community organization pages, like The 519Start a group for something you’re interested in

Remember! Don’t “friend” or accept friend requests from people you don’t know

Make sure your privacy settings are all engaged

Making Connections: LinkedInProfessional social networkConnect with old colleaguesBuild new connections & professional

opportunities

Never enter into any business relationship or financial activity online without verifying the parties involved

Making Connections: The WebUse Google to search for information relevant to

youWebsites & Forums

CARP: eNewsletters, useful informationZoomers.ca: groups & forumsSAGE: US advocacy organization

Don’t give out personal information including your address, phone number or whether you live alone

Connecting to the World: BlogsMore than 100 million blogsGeneral Interest, Aging Issues, LGBTTop LGBT:

Slap Upside the HeadTowleroadJoe. My. God.

Best Blog Directories: BloggiesCanadian Blog Awards

Becoming a BloggerEasy way to explore something you are

interested in and connect to the outside worldPopular platforms: WordPress, Blogger or

TumblrTakes a few minutes to get started:

Pick a platformPick a titleStart blogging

The Power of Twitter

What is Twitter?Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.

Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer spread across the globe to millions, immediately.

- Twitter Website

Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.

Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer spread across the globe to millions, immediately.- Twitter Website

The Twittersphere is an odd and uncanny place. It’s something like having fairies at the bottom of your garden. How do you know anyone is who he/she says he is, especially when they put up pictures of themselves that might be their feet, or a cat, or a Mardi Gras mask, or a tin of Spam?

- Margaret Atwood

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o

The LingoTweet@replyDM (Direct Message)RT (Retweet)# (Hashtag)Trending TopicsTwitter Lists

Getting StartedCreate a Twitter AccountFind interesting people to followStart tweetingShare photos, links and more

Who to Follow?Find your friends and see who they are

followingFind people interesting to you, and follow

themSee who they are followingSearch for topics of interest to you

Use the “hashtag” to narrow your search #lgbt #seniors #gardening #books

Some Interesting TweepsRinaldo WalcottRick MercerPeter MansbridgeKristyn Wong-TamSusan GapkaBarack ObamaAnderson CooperJoan Rivers

Organizations to FollowThe 519 Church Street Community CentreXtra!The New York TimesThe Globe and MailThe Toronto StarAIDS Committee of TorontoCanadian Lesbian & Gay ArchivesPride TorontoSAGE USA

Ready to Start? Canada ReadsWebsite

Find out about the competition, get information

FacebookSee what people are saying, comment,

participateTwitter

Follow the conversation, latest newsPodcasts & Video

Watch & Listen!

Surf Safely!

The Fine PrintProtect Your Privacy – lock down your

profilesDon’t give out too much information, i.e.

you’re going on vacation or you live aloneNever share personal information such as

complete birthdates, address or phone number

Don’t click on links you trustOnly accept friend requests from people you

knowAssume everything you say/post may be

public

Thank You!

Barry WaiteTwitter: @toronto_pr_guyLinked In: Barry WaiteEmail: bwaite@centennialcollege.caPhone: 416-289-5000 Ext. 8820