"I am woman hear me roar...in numbers too big to ignore."...Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy was 29 years old when her Grammy-winning single, "I Am Woman", hit #1 on the pop charts. She recently celebrated her 63rd birthday.
In the October 31st issue of National Underwriter, Shelly Kostrunek discusses the senior women's market in her article, "Find Strength in Numbers: Sell to Women 50 or Over." Check out these factoids:
- About 85% of women die alone.
- Currently, more than 50% of women over the age of 75 who do not have a spouse...are living in poverty.
- Studies show that women have only half the personal savings of their male counterparts.
- Among couples of all ages, the female has sole or joint charge of the household finances in 9 of 10 circumstances.
- 75% of the nation's wealth is currently owned by people ages 50 and older.
By themselves, these numbers indicate a glaring need for financial planning...especially among women. Indeed, research indicates that many women begin to think about retirement as a reality at around 50 years old.
Ms. Kostrunek goes on to point out that many women make decisions differently than men. Compared to men, women generally take longer to make decisions, but can be motivated to take action once they have been informed sufficiently . The "hard sell" is less effective with women. Women want advisors who will take the time to teach them what they need to know about planning for retirement. Women seek an affinity with an advisor, and trust is a very important element of the relationship.
Given these general characteristics, seminars can be particularly effective...with the caveat that the focus of the seminar/workshop should be on education, not on selling "products".
Finally, when considering this audience, think in personal terms. Think of your mom, grandmother, sister, or daughter. Maybe you have witnessed the serious financial impact precipitated by a death, a health crisis, a lack of planning, etc. Use this personal experience to help the senior women of today face their unique financial realities...and their need to accumulate sufficient assets and make certain that those assets are protected.
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
Posted by: Onitsuka Tiger on sale | January 16, 2012 at 07:59 PM