As a Baby Boomer, chances are you’ve lived through more tech revolutions than you can count. From rotary phones to smartphones, from paper maps to GPS, from snail mail to email—you’ve seen it all. But one of the most exciting stories is how Boomers themselves have embraced technology, often with the help of instructional sites that guided us every step of the way. The First Encounters: Computers in the Living Room
Remember when the first family computer showed up at home? Maybe it was a clunky desktop in the corner of the living room, complete with floppy disks and those noisy dial-up sounds. NOTE: If you still have an early Mac you can resell for some vacation money.
Back then, many of us learned through trial and error—or by asking our kids and grandkids! Instructional sites weren’t as common yet, but little by little, they started popping up to help us figure out things like:
– “How do I send an email?”
– “What’s a mouse click?”
– “Why does the internet make that screeching noise?” The Internet Boom: Email, Shopping, and Google
By the late 1990s, the internet exploded into our daily lives. Suddenly, we could shop without leaving home, search for recipes online, or reconnect with old friends through email.
But it wasn’t always easy. That’s when instructional sites became a lifeline. They gave us step-by-step guides—written in plain English—to help with logging on, staying safe, and finding what we needed online.
The 2000s: Getting Comfortable Online
Once we got past the basics, the 2000s brought even more to learn—online banking, video calls, and digital photos. We weren’t just dabbling anymore; we were becoming regular internet users
Instructional sites grew with us, offering friendly tutorials that didn’t make us feel left behind. Some even focused just on seniors, showing us how to protect ourselves from scams and use the web with confidence.
Smartphones & Social Media: A Whole New World
Then came the game-changer: smartphones. Suddenly, the internet was in our pocket 24/7. Apps, texting, and social media brought new opportunities to connect—but also plenty of head-scratching moments.
Instructional sites pivoted again, teaching us how to- Download and use apps.
– Share photos with family on Facebook.
– Adjust privacy settings (because who really wants the whole world seeing our vacation pictures?).
This is also the era when *Blogging for Boomers* was born—a space for us to not just consume content, but to create it!
Today: Boomers Are Thriving Online
Fast forward to now, and Boomers are one of the fastest-growing groups of internet users. Many of us blog, run online shops, join virtual fitness classes, and yes, even stream movies and music on demand.
Instructional sites remain our companions, helping us explore everything from online security to creative hobbies. And with AI, smart homes, and digital healthcare on the horizon, we’re still learning, growing, and clicking forward.
Why This Matters
The history of Boomers online isn’t just about catching up—it’s about thriving. Every tutorial, every step-by-step guide, and every blog post has helped us stay connected, independent, and curious.
And the best part? We’re proof that you’re never too old to try something new—especially when it comes to technology.
At *Blogging for Boomers*, we celebrate this journey. Because whether you’re writing your first blog post or figuring out your smartphone, you are part of a generation that refuses to be left behind.
4 Reasons Why Baby Boomers Should Plan Their Blog Posts
Blogging is more than just typing out thoughts—it’s an opportunity to share stories, wisdom, and experiences that younger generations can learn from and peers can relate to. For Baby Boomers stepping into the big blogging world, one of the best ways to keep your blog lively and stress-free is simple: plan your posts ahead of time.
1. Consistency Builds Connection
Readers come back when they know what to expect. Planning helps you post regularly and keep your audience engaged. Now, if any of you have read my very vintage posts I have been missing from action. But I am back. I have planned a series on blog management that I hope will be helpful for both of us. LOL
2. Reduce the Pressure
Ever sit down at the keyboard and wonder, “What do I write today?” With a plan, you already know your topic. That means less stress and more enjoyment. Avoid giving into the distractions on what is streaming on your computer and FOCUS.
3. Keep Ideas Flowing
Inspiration comes at odd times—on a walk, in the grocery store, while chatting with friends. Writing those ideas into a blog calendar ensures they won’t get lost.
4. Help Your Blog Grow
When you plan themes, series, or special posts, your blog feels more polished and intentional—something readers notice and appreciate.
Start with my simple blog planning form I am making available with this post.
Grab your FREE blog planning form that includes a sample form and easy to print “81/2×11” black and white form that you can print over and over again.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Think of your blog like a garden: when you plan what to plant and when to water, your flowers thrive. With a little forethought, your blog can blossom into something that not only brings you joy but also leaves a lasting legacy for readers everywhere.
Watercolor painting by Ray Horner Jr. called “Mothers Day Bouquet”
So grab your notebook, calendar, or tablet—and start mapping out those blog posts. Your future self (and your readers) will thank you!
Are you playing Wordle yet? I have not tried to play yet but I am in the same admiration for all who do play this popular game as I am for those who do crossword puzzles. Why? Because they are charging up their brains every day. Actually I am convinced that it is a genius more for Baby Boomers.
Many Baby Boomers may have decided to tip their big toe into NFT’s. (Non-Fungible-Tokens). It has been all the rave lately and I am sure some of the grand kids or children might be chatting about it. As a result some of you may be researching or actually creating, selling or trading NFT’s.
If you are a babyboomer blogger exploring NFT’s please share a link to your blog in the comments.
Meanwhile, here is a good video explaining the top cryto-wallets. This is a critical aspect since any buying, selling or trading will be done using a money wallet. Please note also that we are not talking about US dollars. The language has changed so you are looking at “ethereum” “teter” “bitcoins” etc.
Do not be intimidated by this video. Look at it several times if you must just to hear the language. But we must start learning.
I am half-way through listening to this insightful video report on digital trends for 2022. At the very beginning it explains why some of our blog posts may not be showing up well in Google. Guess what, it has nothing to do with our breath.
Sometimes your brain needs a little boost. So, it is helpful to take a few minutes, chill out and color. After you finish you will probably have some blogging ideas. Give it a try. Just click on the link below and you will get a FREE coloring page done by Ray Horner Jr. in a pdf format. It will print out .
Social bookmarking is an online service which allows bloggers to add, comment, edit, and share bookmarks of web documents. It is a critical tool to help pump up your search engine optimization. SEO)
Social bookmarking sites can make it easy for people to find blog sites and help you generate backlinks to your website. If you bookmark your website more in social bookmarking websites, you will get backlinks from each website. This results in a higher page rank for your webpage or website.
A backlink is a link from some other blog to another blog page or post. Backlink strategies have been an important part of online marketing for a long time now. They help improve your website’s traffic, rank, reputation, and even relationships. It is critical that you have quality content, with something valuable to say in order to earn your backlink.(Not anything that looks like spam or needs to be trashed.)
Join Social Bookmarking Sites
Please consider taking the time to join Social Bookmarking sites. I challenge you to try and join at least 20 sites before the end of the month. Let’s start with REDDIT
WIKIPEDIA states: As of February 2021, Reddit ranks as the 18th-most-visited website in the world and 7th most-visited website in the U.S., according to Alexa Internet About 42-49.3% of its user base comes from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom at 7.9-8.2% and Canada at 5.2-7.8%. 22 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 years, and 14 percent of U.S. adults aged 30 to 49 years, regularly use Reddit.
Please note the demographic. That means, my fellow babyboomer, that you should post stuff that the indicated age groups may feel is quality content. I personally feel that most of what we write about is “quality content” but must be perceived as such by others.
How Does Reddit Work?
As with all the social bookmarking sites you must first register. With REDDIT you submit your content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down by other members. Posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called “communities” or “subreddits”, which cover a variety of topics such as news, politics, religion, science, movies, video games, music, books, sports, fitness, cooking, pets, and image-sharing. Submissions with more up-votes appear towards the top of their subreddit and, if they receive enough up-votes, ultimately on the site’s front page. Despite strict rules prohibiting harassment, Reddit’s administrators have to moderate the communities and, on occasion, close them
Reddit suggests that you join at least 5 communities. Once you do you can create posts, videos etc and select which community you want your content to be seen in. The interface is easy, very easy for this boomer to use.
As you begin this journey it is important that you document each site you join and keep a record of the passwords and the sites you join.
I decided to provide a FREE copy of the blog directory form for your use. Although it does not say social bookmarking, you can still use for that purpose.
This crazy time has put more and more baby boomers online. Those of us who created blogs many moons ago may have started blogging again. But so many of us have those blogs and got stuck in a rut. But now, more than ever, we should be sharing our voices, creations, ideas, griefs and joy.
Are you one of those baby boomers who blog? If yes, please share your last post as a comment to this post. And if you are a baby boomer with a blog that has not blogged the last 6 months or so, it is ok, still share your last post.
Even if you just write a few words to express how you have felt or experienced lately, it merits a blog post which may encouarge or empower someone else.
One of The greatest challenge I face blogging is getting up from the computer and stretching. It is easy to practice poor posture and strain my neck and back while engrossed on the computer. So I attempt to stretch and walk.
I find that walking really helps with blogging because then I have an opportunity to mull over blog posts ideas. In addition I might find a picture I can snap with my phone or small digital camera that becomes a dressing for a future blog post.
I may not be walking as fast and far as I used to but I am still a work in progress. Bottom line is I have to move it!
What are you doing to move your body even if it is just lifting your legs while at the computer?
