State of the Blogosphere 2008: Who Blogs? And Why? Do you see yourself in these stats?
- comScore MediaMetrix (August 2008)
- Blogs: 77.7 million unique visitors in the US
- Facebook: 41.0 million | MySpace 75.1 million
- Total internet audience 188.9 million
- eMarketer (May 2008)
- 94.1 million US blog readers in 2007 (50% of
- 22.6 million US bloggers in 2007 (12%)
- Universal McCann (March 2008)
- 184 million WW have started a blog | 26.4 US
- 346 million WW read blogs | 60.3 US
- 77% of active Internet users read blogs
ACCORDING TO TECHNORATI:
As the Blogosphere grows in size and influence, the lines between what is a blog and what is a mainstream media site become less clear. Larger blogs are taking on more characteristics of mainstream sites and mainstream sites are incorporating styles and formats from the Blogosphere. In fact, 95% of the top 100 US newspapers have reporter blogs (see The Bivings Group).
The info above came from the Technorati State of the Blogosphere Report which came out in September 2008 and is based on info from 1000 bloggers. Do you see yourself in these stats? The complete article is here. Excerpts from the report follow.
Sincere, Conversational, Expert and Humorous are top blogging styles
We asked bloggers how they would describe their blogging styles. Although there is a perception of blogging as a means for writing a tell-all or gossiping about others, snarky and confessional were at the bottom of the list in terms of blogging styles. Half of bloggers consider their style to be sincere, conversational, humorous, and expert in nature.
Some differences emerged across all segments. International bloggers tend to be less conversational and snarky. Asian bloggers tend to be more motivational and confessional, while European bloggers are more confrontational. Women tend to be more conversational in their blogging style, while men tend to be expert. Finally, those under 34 are more confessional in their blogging style, while those over 35 are more expert in their style.
Fewer than one in five bloggers consider themselves snarky or confessional.
Blogging Style (% top 2 box agreement)
Self expression and sharing expertise are the top reasons for blogging
Self expression and sharing expertise are the top reasons for blogging followed by networking and gaining entry into the traditional media world. Career advancement and monetary reasons are cited by one in four bloggers as their motivations for blogging. “Other” reasons include: activism, book publicity, personal satisfaction, self promotion, share my passion, to become known as an expert, and our favorite: “to bake half-baked ideas.”
Why do you blog?
Personal satisfaction is the key success metric for three out of four bloggers
82% look to more than one means to measure the success of their blog, with the average blogger looking at four distinct metrics. Personal satisfaction is by far the most popular measure of success, However, bloggers also track a variety of quantitative metrics ranging from revenue to number of subscribers or comments.
How do you measure the success of your blog?
Personal Bloggers Aren’t in it for the Money… But Wouldn’t Mind Making Some Anyway
When asked why they blog, the majority of personal bloggers do it for fun. Twenty percent are currently making some money blogging, and another 42% hope to make money on their blog in the future.
Personal Bloggers: Why I blog
Bloggers recognize the positive impact of blogging on their lives
The majority of bloggers recognize that blogging has increased their circle of friends, brought them closer to their circle of friends and family members, or has gotten them more engaged in their hobbies. Only a small minority have experienced a negative impact on their relationships as a result of their blog.
Impact of Blogging on Personal Life
Most Professional and Corporate Bloggers have benefited professionally
The majority of corporate and professional bloggers have seen a positive impact as a result of their blog. Half are better known in their industry, and one in four have used their blog as a resume enhancement. Fewer than one in ten have seen a negative impact from blogging and one in three have yet to see an impact.
Impact of Blogging on Professional Life
Blogging has opened up unique opportunities
Blogging has brought many unique opportunities to these bloggers that otherwise would not have been available. One in four have been invited to participate in an event as a result of their blog, one in five have contributed to a print publication as a result of their blog, and almost as many have found themselves on TV and/or on the radio.
Have you been invited to any of the following as a result of your blog?
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art predator 
The stats make interesting reading :)
I found it fascinating myself obviously! I hope posting some of the info here might get people thinking about it for themselves and maybe check out the full report…
That is a lot of numbers, a fantastic bloggy resource overview. Bloggoland is such a huge and easily connected world that all ideas are viable. Anyone who says, “that won’t work” hasn’t seen these numbers. Everything is possible.
Wow this is great! I started my blog because I wanted to finish my novel. And I hoped that the act would prompt me to write. As it turns out I’ve been also writing poetry and whatever I feel like. It’s also been an asset to my band. It’s totally a great forum. Thank you for this post.