The secret to marketing success in the boomer and senior markets lies in completely understanding your target customer. Although the boomer demographic may be 76 million strong, it is not a homogeneous group. The effort you take now to research and segment will help you effectively reach your market.

Learn more about the 50+ market. Useful links:

Resources on Aging and Entrepreneurship

American Society on Aging - http://www.asaging.org

The National Council on the Aging - http://www.ncoa.org

North Castle Partners - http://www.northcastlepartners.com/index.php

Piper Jaffray - http://www.piperjaffray.com

Mary Furlong and Associates - http://www.maryfurlong.com

Alliance for Aging Research - http://www.agingresearch.org

National Institutes of Health - http://www.nih.gov

Age Wave Institute - http://www.agewave.com/

International Longevity Center - http://www.ilcusa.org/

Gerontology Schools

• University of Maryland Baltimore -http://www.gerontologyphd.umaryland.edu/resources.html
• University of Southern California - http://www.usc.edu/dept/gero/
• University of South Florida - http://www.usf.edu/default/

AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) - http://www.aarp.org

Brent Green and Associates, Inc. - http://www.bgassociates.com/

GE Financial Network - http://www.gefn.com/

Elderhostel - http://www.elderhostel.org/

MetLife Mature Market Institute - http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P3862,00.html

JWY: Mature Market Group - http://www.frnht.com/clients_aquent/JWTSC/mmg/about/mmg_home.html

Books on Aging

Dychtwald, Ken. Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled By the New Old. Jeremey P. Tarcher, New York: Penguin Putnam, l999.

Gambone, James V. Refirement: A Boomer's Guide to Life After 50. Kirk House Pub, Minneapolis: 2000.

Harris, Leslie M. (Editor). After Fifty: How the Baby Boom Will Redefine the Mature Market, Travel and Leisure, Fast Food, Apparel/Retail, Technology, Health, Financial Services. Paramount Market Publishing, 2003.

Sadler, William, PhD. The ThirdAge, Six Principles for Personal Growth and Rejuvenation After Forty. Perseus Books, 2001.

Wolfe, David B., and Snyder, Robert. Ageless Marketing: Strategies for Reaching the Hearts and Minds of the New Customer Majority. Dearborn Trade Publishing, 2003.

Websites for Entrepreneurs

Santa Clara University, Executive Development Center, Leavey School of Business - http://business.scu.edu/edc

U.S. Small Business Administration - http://www.sba.org (The Best of Them All)

Social Entrepreneurs Network - http://text.sen.org.au/resources/

Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs - http://www.awe-westmichigan.org/res.html

Women Entrepreneur Roundtable - http://www.womens-roundtable.com/resources.html

Online Resources for Entrepreneurs - http://www.acm.com/entrepreneurs/resources.html

1-2-3 Success: Entrepreneur's Resource - http://www.reachcc.com

Ernst and Young - http://www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/International/Home

The Complete Home Business Resource - http://www.quickinfo247.com

EntreWorld - http://www.entreworld.org/

About Entrepreneurs & Entrepreneurship: Starting Your Own Business - http://entrepreneurs.about.com/

Venture Capital and Startup Resources for Entrepreneurs - http://www.startup-resources.com/

Free Resources of Web Templates and Tools for Entrepreneurs - http://www.mywebtemplate.com/

Morebusiness.com: sample business plans, sample contracts, sample marketing plans, business loans, employee manuals - http://www.morebusiness.com/

eWeb's Entrepreneurship Education Resources - http://www.slu.edu/eweb

IEEE-USA Directory of Resources for Entrepreneurs - http://www.ieeeusa.org/careers/entrepreneurs.html

WSJ Entrepreneur - http://www.startupjournal.com/

Analyzing Self Employment: Sponsored by http://www.paidlegal.com/go/jheberer/Inc.com - http://www.inc.com/

Entrepreneur's Partner: Management, Financial, Legal Resources for Entrepreneurs - http://www.entrepreneurspartner.com/

Always Free Marketing Resources for Online Entrepreneurs - http://ucanto.com/

Young Entrepreneurs' Organization - http://www.yeo.org/

Microsoft bCentral: SurfPoint - http://www.surfpoint.com/Business/Entrepreneurial/Entrepreneurs_Resources/

Books for Entrepreneurs

Bhldt, Amar et al. Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship. (The Harvard Business Review Paperback Series. (Paperback - October 1999).

Christensen, Clayton M. The Innovator's Dilemma. (Paperback - January 2003).

Collins, James C. and William C. Lazier. Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company. (Paperback).

Covey Stephen R. Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People. (Paperback).

Drucker, Peter F. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. (Paperback - May 1993).

Gunther McGrath, Rita and Ian Macmillan. The Entrepreneurial Mindset. (Hardcover - August 2000).

Hupalo, Peter I. Thinking Like an Entrepreneur: How to Make Intelligent Business Decisions That Will Lead to Success in Building & Growing Your Own Company. (Hardcover - September 1999).

Lesonsky, Rieva, Editor. Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need. (Paperback - April 2001).

Moore, Geoffrey A. and Regis McKenna. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers. (Paperback - July 1999).

Norman, Jan. What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business: Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs. (Paperback - January 1999).

Porter, Michael E. Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. (Hardcover).

Stephenson, James. Entrepreneur's Ultimate Start-Up Directory: Includes 1,350 Great Business Ideas. (Paperback - October 2001)

Yerkes, Leslie. 9 Beans: Four Principles for Running a Business in Good Times or Bad. (Hardcover).

Magazines for Entrepreneurs

Inc. - www.inc.com

Entrepreneur - www.entrepreneur.com

Fortune - www.fortune.com

Black Enterprise - www.blackenterprise.com

Hispanic Business - www.hispanicbusiness.com

Home Business - www.homebusiness.com