Blogs is being a current phenomenon now days, don't you think so?

A blog is reflection of our personal thoughts, ideas, and information in chronological publication through Web links.Weblog or blog has became the 'in thing' among Internet users since more than last six years ago according to News Straits Times (2010). This is why blogs is being a current phenomenon now days. Technorati tracked in 2006, approximately 1.2 million new blog posts each day, and about 50,000 per hour. The size of blogosphere or the blogger community are growing continuously until nowadays.

Statistic in 2006 of new blog post everyday.

(Sources: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archieves/000432.html/)

The Phenomenon based on demographic

According to a recent survey undertaken by Pew Research Centre in the United States, the blogosphere is no longer appealing to young adults. The survey found that in 2006, 28% of teens between the ages of 12 -17, and 18-29 years old were bloggers. However, by last year, the numbers had dropped to 14% of teens and 15% of young adults (News Straits Times, 2010). Again, Technorati found out that, nearly half of all bloggers are came from educated background. The majority bloggers around the world are 75% of college degrees and 40% have graduate degrees. The bloggers that involved, 60% are 18 - 44 years old, and most of them are male.

Bloggers based on age and gender

(Sources:http://technoroti.com/blogging/article/day-1-who-are-the-bloggers1/)

Types of blog based on the job scope

(Sources:http://techcrunch.com/2009/10/16/2009-state-of-the-blogosphere-the-full-blogworld-presentation/)

Bloggers affluence by salary

(Sources:http://technorati.com/blogging/article/day-1-who-are-the-bloggers1/)

Blog Phenomenon in Asia

Nearly half of those online in Asia have a blog and 41% of them spend more than three hours a week blogging. In addition, 50% believe blog content are trustworthy as traditional media. (Blogging phenomenon sweeps Asia,2006) In Malaysia itself, Utusan Malaysia found out that Malaysia has about 500.000 active bloggers. Malaysia ranked as the highest number of blogging in the world after Indonesia and Europe (The Star Online, 2008).

The Benefits of Blogging

There are a few possibilities the reason of people blogging, Dvorak,JC (2002) stated that:

- Ego gratification

- Antidepersonalization

- Elimination of frustration

- Societal need to share

- Wanna be writer

are the reasons of blogging.

And what are the benefits for them?

Based on Technorati survey, 2009, they found out the growth of blogsphere's influence on subjects ranging from business to politics in the way of informations travels through communities continues to increase.

Generally, blogs are an increasingly attractive medium for advertisers.By using blogs as a medium on create a positive image towards the public.

In the short term, blogs is one of the tools on making business online in this global crisis now days. A local example: Kenny Sia, one of the prominence bloggers in Malaysia offered by Ford Malaysia as their media agency on his blog for their online advertising.

In Malaysian context, blogs phenomenon creates an impact and benefits on political side. Based on the research of Dr.Abu Hassan Hasbullah, 70% of election results in Malaysia were influenced by information in the blogs.(The Star Online, 2008).

References:

Arrington, M 2009, 2009 State Of The Blogosphere: The Full BlogWorld Presentation, retrieved on 12 April 2010, from: http://techcrunch.com/2009/10/16/2009-state-of-the-blogosphere-the-full-blogworld-presentation/

Dvorak, JC 2002, The Blog Phenomenon, retrieved online on 12 April 2010, from: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,12899,00.asp

Marketingterms.com 2009, Blog, retrieved online on 12 April 2010, from: http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/

McLean, J 2009, State of the Blogosphere 2009 Introduction, retrieved online on 12 April 2009, from: http://technorati.com/blogging/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-2009-introduction/

Ooi, YM 2007, Blogging thrives Malaysia, retrieved online on 12 April 2010, from: http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/10587943-1.html

Sifry, D 2006, State of the Blogosphere, April 2006 Part 1: On Blogospehere Growth, retrieved online 12 April 2010, from: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000432.html

Stern, A 2006, Blogging Phenomenon Sweeps Asia, retrieved online on 12 April 2010, from: http://www.centernetworks.com/blogging-phenomenon-sweeps-asia

The Star Online 2008, Blogging in Malaysia ranks among highest in the world, retrieved online on 12 April 2009, from:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20827588&sec=nation>.

White, D 2009, Day 4: Blogging For Profit, retrieved on 12 April 2010, from: http://technorati.com/blogging/article/day-4-blogging-for-profit/