The Blogging Phenomenon

"Well, there are more writers of blogs right now than there are readers, so that's clearly a vanity phenomenon. "

-John Doer-

The blogging phenomenon has become a major issue in the society; the size of the blogosphere continues to increase every second of every day. The size of blogosphere is now four times bigger than the one in year 2006. Both the charts by Technorati clearly show how the blogging community has become a larger over the year.

Year 2006 Versus Year 2008

35.5 Mil. & 133 Mil

There are many blogs that discuss and deal about issues regarding to their personal life, politics, technology and businesses in Europe, Asia and Malaysia (Lenhart & Fox, 2006). As stated in an online survey, Malaysian blogger appears to enjoy sharing thoughts with their friends (Press Microsoft Malaysia, 2009). While based on the two data gathered, I think the most common type of blog in Europe, Asia and Malaysia has to be personal blogs where bloggers write about their personal life. I think that the reason bloggers chose to write to communicate rather than speak is because writing often gives us more opportunity to get our words out right as it is more precise and straightforward; it is agreed by Putnis and Petelin (1996, p.226,227).

Blogs are evolving into the business industry. Many bloggers out there are making money and business out of their blogs by being a brand advocates, posting advertising as well as selling products on their blogs. A study was done by Window Live Spaces (2006), an estimated 50% of the Indian respondent showed strong interest in business blogs, titling them as the most interesting blogs when compared to the others.

The topmost carselling blog in India

References :

• Lenhart,A & Fox,S 2006 , PewInternet: Bloggers, A Portrait of the Internet’s New Storytellers, online, retrieved 12th June 2009 , from <http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Society_and_the_Internet/PIP_Bloggers_071906.pdf>
• Press Microsoft Malaysia : Woman Rule in Malaysia Blogosphere 2006 , online, retrieved 12th June 2009, from < http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/press/archive2006/linkpage4337.mspx >
• Putnis,P & Petelin, R 1996 , ‘Writing to Communicate’ , Professional communication : principles and applications , Prentice Hall , Sydney .
• Sifry,D 2006 , State of the Blogosphere , online, retrieved 12th June 2009, from <http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000432.html >
• Technorati: State of the Blogosphere 2008, online, retrieved 12th June 2009, from < http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere// >