A Phenomenon?

Introduction

133 million. This number could make up almost five times the population of our country. In case you’re wondering, 133 million is also the number of registered blogs in web space since 2002 (Technorati, 2008).

Let us observe the blogging arena through the lens of Asia as a whole. The average monthly unique visitors to Asian blogs are approximately 26,000 a month and nearly half of those actively online in Asia have a blog with over 73% of them being between 18-34 years old (Technorati, 2008). It is also said that 41% of Asian bloggers spend three hours a week blogging (Windows Live Spaces, 2006), which is a considerable amount of time.

Have blogs become an online phenomenon?

Why Blog?

Although blogs are created to suit different purposes, Asian blogs are primarily used as a means to maintain and build social connections and for expression. Most Asian bloggers enjoy sharing their lives with family and friends as 53% of Asian bloggers indicated they chose to start a blog to share a photo album or diary with loved ones (Windows Live Spaces, 2006).

This is especially prevalent in Malaysia, with over 81% of Malaysian bloggers blogging primarily for friends and family (Press Microsoft Malaysia, 2006). With Korea and India being exceptions, blogging as a corporate and business tool still appears to be relatively new in Asia.

How do Blogs Benefit Us?

Blogging brings about many advantages to all sectors of the community. Marketing executives can perform brand building, direct communication and media and public relations through blogs (Suarez, 2006). Communities also benefit through political blogs as it provides research and discussion on political and social issues (Corporate Blogging, 2007). Personal benefits include self-expression, connection, peace of mind and contribution (Perera, 2008).

Weblogging can bring people from different parts of the world together.

With this, it is apparent that the blogging arena has significantly made changes in the lives of many. If this isn’t a phenomenon, I don’t know what is.
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References

Australian political blogging and the benefits 2007, Corporate Blogging, viewed 5 November 2008,
http://www.wiliam.com.au/wiliam-blog/australian-political-blogging-and-the-benefits

Blogging phenomenon sweeps Asia 2006, Windows Live Spaces, viewed 5 November 2008,
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-28-2006/0004480819&EDATE

Perera, G 2008, The personal benefits of blogging, Article Alley, viewed 5 November 2008,
http://www.articlealley.com/article_669123_15.html

State of the blogosphere 2008, Technorati, viewed 5 November 2008,
http://www.technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere

Suarez, L 2006, 10 great strategic benefits of blogging, Knowledge Management Community, viewed 5 November 2008, http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/elsua/10-great-strategic-benefits-of-blogging-9233

Women rule in Malaysian blogosphere 2006, Press Microsoft Malaysia, viewed 5 November 2008, http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/press/archive2006/linkpage4337.mspx