A recent survey – Bloggers: A portrait of the Internet’s new storytellers – reported that:
“A national phone survey of bloggers finds that most are focused on describing their personal experiences to a relatively small audience of readers and that only a small proportion focus their coverage on politics, media, government, or technology. Blogs, the survey finds, are as individual as the people who keep them. However, most bloggers are primarily interested in creative, personal expression – documenting individual experiences, sharing practical knowledge, or just keeping in touch with friends and family.” (7/19/2006)

A survey of the current Argus-Courier bloggers (non-staff), using reasons for blogging that were similar to those used in the national survey was conducted recently.. Eight (34.8%) responded, and a summary of their reasons for their blogging (using a three point scale: (1) = a major reason, (2) = a minor reason, and (3) = not a reason), are ranked as follows:

#1 – To influence the way other people think and To motivate other people to action (1.1)

#2 – To share practical knowledge or skills with others (1.3)

#3 – To express yourself creatively (1.4)#4 – To document your personal experiences and share them with others (1.6)

#5 – To network or to meet new people and To entertain people (1.8)

#6 – To store resources or information that are important to you (1.9)

#7 – To stay in touch with friends and family (2.6)

#8 – To make money (2.9)

Personally, I concur with the top three reasons. The Petaluma bloggers, who are volunteers, should be thanked for their contribution to the Argus-Courier. They certainly aren’t doing it for $$$$$. Stay tuned for more of my “two cents.”

The Pew Internet & American Life Project report may be found at: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/186/report_display.asp