Photo credit: Rob Stowell via Flickr cc
Blogs have become the new magazine. Like magazines, there is a niche blog out there for everything: traveling, entertainment, cooking, parenting, fitness.
People seek out and follow blogs and bloggers because of mutual common interests. For example, if you’re a Midwest bicyclist looking for trails, there’s a blog for that. If you’re a busy mom trying to balance work and entrepreneurship, there’s a blog for that. If you’re a young adult in the Twin Cities interested in keeping up on all the latest events. . .guess what? There’s a blog for that.
The reason blogs have skyrocketed is people have identified themselves as expert sources and now followers value their thoughts, recommendations and reviews.
In addition to a more segmented and niche market, blogs have created a more trusted platform for sponsored and promotional material. When a blogger reviews a product, expresses interest in a brand or personally uses an item it creates follower interest.
Another aspect of blogging is the two-way communication that occurs. Followers can dictate what kind of content is published by sharing their thoughts through blog comments or on social media.
Because blogs have created a more segmented and niche market, they are valuable when considering target markets. Because blogs have developed a level of trust, their sponsored and promotional material is taken more seriously than magazine advertisements are. It is because two-way communication is involved in blogging and social communities that relevant content is produced. Ultimately, all of these are reasons why blogs as a promotional medium should be considered in future campaigns and strategies.