Paul McKeon is the prime example of the retiree who is retired, but certainly not retiring. Although, as he told our Editor in no uncertain terms on their very first meeting, he hates the word ‘retiree’, “Life change is a much more appropriate way to describe this period of life.”
Passionate about getting a great source of reference for those in their ‘life change’ years, Paul saw a niche in the market and acted on it.
His hard work has paid off with the result being his concept-driven website www.babyboomerslifechange.com.au which is experiencing major success and it’s still early days.
Paul realised that the baby boomer generation was facing a dramatic lifestyle change upon reaching retirement and that no one Australian-based was addressing these needs on the web.
“The biggest issue for the boomer generation is how to handle change such as changes in a person’s working relationships, their personal relationship changes and how to handle, effectively, a whole new life,” says Paul.
Paul’s brainchild website was launched just over two years ago after twelve months of planning, idea-refining and contributor sourcing. Paul says, “The main objective of the website is to offer people who are going through their 50s or 60s a wide range of information to assist them in making their life changes.”
With a background in tourism and marketing, Paul noticed a gap in the market while he was producing a sea-change website for prospective East Coast immigrants a few years back. His epiphany occurred when reviewing the plethora of financial advice websites. He says that the sites offered financial advice but virtually ignored the lifestyle planning issues.
And so was born the idea of a specialised baby boomer content-driven website. Do a Google search on ‘baby boomer’ and Paul’s site is on the list offering advice on property, health, leisure and work, amongst other topics. As Paul says, “It is important to look at all the issues.” Talking to Paul (who will only tell me that he is of retirement age) it is clear that retirement is not all about financial planning and holidaymaking. Paul is adamant that many retirees are not aware of the issues that are likely to confront them.
“In a traditional baby boomer marriage the old anecdote is that the newly retired husband no longer has anyone to boss around and starts meddling unkindly in his wife’s affairs. He’s suffering a loss of identity. Of course, the wife doesn’t take to this treatment very well! Tensions develop. All of this isn’t expected and people need to be aware that counseling or life-coaching are available and the website pools this information,” Paul explains.
Discussion pages are also an important part of the website. Members can post their opinions, thoughts and feelings about particular retirement orientated subjects. The subject matter is not always serious as the site acknowledges the great opportunities that change and retirement can bring. Paul says laughingly that “…most people are at a stage in their life where they want to have fun. A great example of this is that if you want to buy a Spitfire, you can, and you can find out where on our website!”
The site’s recent facelift means that the web pages have a much more professional and contemporary look (think sophisticated web 2.0, not homemade web 1.0). The pages are much more user-friendly and visually appealing too. Blogs are also a recent addition to the site. Web logs are an expedient way to share information, entertain and vent. (Like a Yellow Pages diary.) Paul describes the site’s added extras as “Facebook for adults”, an important way to interact with other baby boomers on issues and concerns, and tips and tricks, quickly over the internet.
The site experiences a quick information turnaround to serve its audience’s needs. Issues and concerns raised in the polls and forums are current and relevant. Non-user generated content, such as articles and columns, are updated at least daily so the news and articles are always topical. Paul is proud of the working relationship he and his small part-time team have developed with the Brisbane based web designers, Ireckon.com. “At any one time there’s probably one or two of the web masters working on our site, updating content and advertisers.”
The content has been carefully sourced too. Part of the twelve month development included finding experts in the eight subject areas listed on the website’s banner. “The site has to be a place where people can get answers,” says Paul enthusiastically. For example, the CEO of The Australian Counsellors Association, Philip Armstrong, has written pieces for the Lifestyle pages.
On the whole the users must be finding the answers to their questions as feedback has been very positive. “People have said it’s a ‘good site’ and a ‘useful site’ with great information. It’s a very comprehensive site. And we are always open to site improvement suggestions,” he says warmly.
Paul admits that he’s probably working harder now than at any other time in his working life. He concludes proudly, “It’s not a chore, I really like what I’m doing and the website services a lot of people. Although there are a few good seniors’ websites out there, we are not a senior site. We are working specifically for the 50-60s.”
Membership to the site is free and allows access to approximately 80 per cent of the site content. Full Gold membership costs $30 annually and allows the user access to 100 per cent of the site. You are also able to enjoy discounts and savings on items like cars, insurance and travel. You can browse through articles on property, health, work, retirement, lifestyle, travel, being on the move and finance. The drop down menus of each section break down the subject areas to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
“The website has to be a place where people can get answers.”
“It’s not a chore, I really like what I’m doing and the website services a lot of people…”
“…it is clear that retirement is not all about financial planning and holidaymaking. Paul is adamant that many retirees are not aware of the issues that are likely to confront them.”
Article provided by The Retiree Magazine