Have you been hearing buzzwords like social utility, “Twittering” and "Friending" just about everywhere these days? It seems like interest in online communities is exploding recently. I just read someplace that the highest growing segment of new Facebook users is women over forty. Betty Crocker has gone online, too. I like to imagine that Betty has a fancy laptop and pda-phone that matches her famous red cardigan and that she uses wi-fi in cute coffee shops.
As I write this, Betty Crocker’s Facebook Fan Page has 29,512 fans. In case you don’t know, Facebook is a website that connects people who know each other (Friends) and allows users to interact online and join many groups with common interests. Betty Crocker’s Facebook page is a place where cooking, baking and eating enthusiasts can share. Users can upload photos to share their creations, and photos of beautiful desserts like this Mod Mom Cupcake Cake are inspiring to other bakers. I especially like this Facebook Fan’s Pirate and Treasure Cupcakes.
I think the richness of Facebook is seeing other people’s ideas and being reminded of new ways to do familiar tasks. The “wall posts” include great tips (like one user suggests grating two carrots and extra ginger into Betty Crocker Carrot Cake Mix) and real enthusiasm and gusto (one user proposes marriage to Betty). Of course, the page has many links to recipes, fun polls and great promotions, like the 12 Wishes in 12 Weeks Make-A-Wish program.
Want even more online content from Betty Crocker? Check out the cooking classes at the mixer, Betty Crocker’s online cooking club.