While the numbers point to a very small percentage of the total population reading blogs, it’s really tough to measure the influence of those readers and the domino effect reading one little blog might have…outside the blogosphere.

I recently commented on a teeny-tiny blog post by the CEO of UP Media in response to a PR oriented feature piece in one of his magazines.

My comments were read by about 150 people worldwide; people who don’t typically read blogs, but were prompted by colleagues to do so because of the disruptive nature of my remarks. As a result, any positive PR value that might have been achieved by the cover story has been gutted by my insider’s counterpoint, and the CEO of the #2 EMS provider in the word, a $36B company, is being forced to revisit some key strategic planning.

If you’re trying to use blogs to reach the masses, I agree, the greatest benefit still lies ahead, but if you have what it takes to influence the RIGHT people, the power to be influential is there right now.

Thanks so much for responding :)

I agree that the impact of blogs is much greater than the number found in this survey. Hopefully companies looking to provide this data will see the need to define parameters in a way respodants will understand. I am at the point of craving good data to support my intuition – but this study just doesn’t cut it.

I’ll forgive you for linkbaiting and check out your post – but only because I like you :)

That was exactly my point – most definitions of what constitutes a “blog” vary greatly and I think it should be part of any study or survey to include such definitions so respondents and analysts are clear on what they’re actually measuring.

I think the impact of blogging is great – but I don’t think this study shows it. I think we’re all hungry for data that shows the true impact of social media, but putting a quote in a press release touting a “broad impact” when the numbers aren’t there to support it doesn’t do anyone any favors. Make sense?

I really do think blogs will continue to impact consumers and a wide variety of other media, I just don’t think this data indicates that fact. :)

I think we may have even talked about this in the past… The poll you ran with your customers sounds interesting. I think this is a huge point that really impacts the quality of the data around social media. Pulling out an interesting percentage and calling it a “broad impact” isn’t really helpful in most cases… it seems you agree. :)

I think you’re exactly right – the problem with surveys is that they rely on semantics. The average consumer doesn’t understand a blog vs. a news site, vs. a web site, etc. Content is content. I agree that blogs are very influential and I don’t think the government is wrong to require disclosure – I just have a general fear of the government trying to regulate the Internet. Laws have a way of becoming really convoluted over time and they often stray away from what they were intended to do in the first place – in this case, protect consumers… case in point – copyright law was originally intended to encourage creativity… I don’t think it does that anymore although others might disagree.

Thanks for the comment, Jim – I look forward to seeing more of the great work you’re doing!

Not only do a lot of people not even realize what a blog is, but I think the influence of blogs is understated and will, ultimately, be a huge factor that will extend beyond the percentages you outlined.

While I can’t stand those who comment spam with a random link, hopefully this one will fit the bill, since I argue that Bloggers will rule the earth because it is you and I who actually create the content that gets shared/RT’d/picked up by mainstream media.
http://jer979.com/igniting-the-revolution/bloggerswillruletheearth/

Anyway, just wanted to chime in and say well done!