One Third of Women Engage in the Blogosphere Weekly
I was just reading in Advertising Age about a new BlogHer survey that stated:
According to a recent study by BlogHer and Compass Partners, more than one-third (35%) of all women in the U.S. aged 18 to 75 participate in the blogosphere at least once a week
I’m very glad that BlogHer did this survey because I think it proves what I’ve said in the past about not ignoring the female population on the web. If you win over the Mother in a household, then you win over the pocket book. Sure, I’m the gadget freak of the house, but my wife and I discuss all purchases before they are made. I know we are not unique in this situation. It is how good relationships work.
It also drives home the fact that brands need to continue (or start) to think beyond only Moms and rather focus on all women on the web. Every day women are finding information, shopping and engaging with each other online rather then the more traditional ways.
Of course, I was also happy to see a rising number in female content creators. The survey focuses specifically in on writing blog content, but I’d argue that I’ve been seeing a rise in all forms of media on the web. More and more are starting small. Maybe just a Facebook account or a Twitter stream to express themselves and connect with friends. While others are branching out beyond that and starting to try out video and audio.
It doesn’t matter what they are doing, but rather that they are doing it. This number is going to continue to grow.
C.C.,
As one of three full-time male employees at PerkettPR, I’m surrounded (virtually) by tech-savvy, blog reading women. Granted, being immersed in the blogosphere is pretty much a requirement in PR, but your mention of the rise in female content creators definitely follows suit from where I’m sitting. Some write for our PerkettPRsuasion.com blog while others have their own personal blogs or guest write elsewhere.
I also agree with your thoughts on the increase of women across other social media platforms and media types. Almost all of the female PerkettPR employees have accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts and more than a few have jumped right in to assist in creating video content for our blog as well. Even my “non-techie” wife just joined Twitter this past weekend and has been enjoying the connections she has made with people during the first few days.
The BlogHer survey is yet another call out to businesses everywhere to wake up and pay attention to the social media/networking space.
-Jeff
This reminds me of Rob Walsh’s article on Blogger & Podcaster magazine (iTunes 11/27/07) on podcast producers. Based on his two cited surveys, the number of women in podcasting still does not compare to men nor, at that time, was that number increasing as quickly as men.
As a podcaster on TheDivaCast and now a producer of Words To Mouth, I can say for myself the learning curve between simply sitting at a mic and recording verses learning all the technical “schtuff” involved in podcast production and promotion has been staggering. Thank God for my mentors, Robin Maiden and Tom Royce, who have so willingly shared their knowledge…AND of course folks like CC and Jason Van Orden. Once you get over that hump it’s a ton of fun–still hard work, but gratifying.
As with Twitter and Facebook and interacting on forums and commenting on blogs, social media is not for the faint of heart. Again, it’s a lot of fun, but yes, CC, as you’ve eluded to on Managing the Gray, one must be consistent and engaged for the sake of being engaged and not just sticking your name in the middle of a thread and hoping to suck in listeners/readers. People can smell that lack-of-integrity a mile away.
I’m hopeful advertisers will recognize the power of women in the social media space and realize the importance of the captive audience we hold–women base much of our decision making on relationship and trusting the source. I know when reputable podcasters like the Manic Mommies (or TheDivaCast
recommend a product, you can trust it’s not just a way to make a buck, because they know their reputation is at stake and their in it for the long haul. The potential short-term rewards are not worth the long-term repercussions.
I love that BlogHer is actively getting the message out there and look forward to when advertisers heed the data. Until then…we’ll just keep plugging away, because after all, if attracting advertisers is the only reason to blog or podcast, we’re in it for the wrong reason, right?
CC ~ Thanks for all you do to spread industry knowledge.
The Women blogosphere is dynamic. Like myself, several women left the IT world to follow their heart and write about their everyday passions. I see mostly women with no tech interest or background. The entrepreneurial moms, the designers and the foodies are very involved. Just think about how vivid the Etsy marketplace is. Now that technology is easy to use, non-tech people are able to participate and be successful online.
Twitter used to be only for early tech adopters and communication specialists. Over the last quarter, more and more people from my circle are now active on Twitter.
I will talk about that universe at PodCamp MTL on September 20-21, 2008. See you there, C.C. I saw that you are presenting with Mitch Joel.