Quick Business Blogging Reader Survey
July 29, 2008 by Liz Fuller
Filed under Social Media
(www.businessandblogging.com)Recently I read about a study done by two researchers at the University of California Irvine on the habits of blog readers. Previous studies have focused on the habits and characteristics of bloggers, rather than on their readers.
I thought it was an interesting idea, however I was disappointed to learn that the researchers only studied fifteen respondents, and they were all under 40.
I’m not sure that the results of such a small non-diverse sample are universally applicable. Therefore, I thought I’d try to get my own sample and ask some questions that would be of interest to business bloggers in better understanding their readers.
Please respond by comment or email. I will be happy to consolidate the results and share them with you.
Survey:
How often do you read blogs?
How many do you read on a regular basis?
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis?
How often do you comment on blogs?
What prompts you to comment on a post?
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis?
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner?
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog?
Are there bloggers who opinions you trust for advice?
And, if you could, include the following info:
-
- age: 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s
- gender
- do you blog?
Feel free to link to this survey in your blog or repeat the questions on your own blog and forward me the data for consolidation.
You can also read the original UCI study, Exploring the Role of the Reader in the Activity of Blogging.
photo credit: johnb2008
Great idea Liz!
Obviously I’m ineligible to take the survey, but I look forward to learning more about our readers.
How often do you read blogs?
Several times a day
How many do you read on a regular basis?
at least 5, more if I have free time
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis?
Latest information
How often do you comment on blogs?
About 1 out of 5 that I have read
What prompts you to comment on a post?
If / when I can contribute to the post
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis?
None
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner?
No
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog?
More likely
Are there bloggers whose opinions you trust for advice?
Yes
And, if you could, include the following info:
60’s. I blog.
How often do you read blogs? every day
How many do you read on a regular basis? 3-4
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis? Interesting, fun content, good information, SHORT!
How often do you comment on blogs? occasionally, not every time or every day or every blog, but whenever I feel I have something to say
What prompts you to comment on a post? see above
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis? yes, definitely.
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner? yes, I always look for the “about” page and I read the blog posts.
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog? More.
Are there bloggers who opinions you trust for advice? Yes, there are several on b5media, like Miranda Marquit, and ProBlogger
And, if you could, include the following info:
I am over 60, female, blogger
Hi Ren
Thanks for responding to the survey and for expanding the demographic beyond the 20 and 30 something crowd that the original study focused on!!!
Liz
How often do you read blogs? every day
How many do you read on a regular basis? Over 100 are on my Google Reader
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis? Quality info that interests me, and a writer with a sense of humor.
How often do you comment on blogs? about 10% of the time
What prompts you to comment on a post? connection with the writer or something I feel I can add experience or a different perspective
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis? yes, many of us also connect via twitter.
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner? absolutely
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog? more likely.
Are there bloggers who opinions you trust for advice? absolutely.
And, if you could, include the following info:
age: 28
Female
do you blog? yes, http://www.thembtiblog.com
1. I usually check my reader twice a day, around noon, and in the evening.
2. I have 120 blogs in my reader.
3. I’m a photographer, so I read a lot of my favorite photographer’s blogs, but if the pics start to get stale, I unsubscribe. I also keep up with a lot of my other photographer friends blogs, so it’s easy for us to keep in touch and see what each other is up to.
4. If I see something that sparks my interest, I always leave a comment, hence this survey:)
5. If I feel I can add value, I comment
6. For the most part, yes, because I’ve met a lot of the photographers personally.
7. Always, but most of the businesses in my area have terrible websites and don’t think that blogs are useful in building a successful business.
8. Definitely more likely, because I feel that I know the business owner better through their blog. Also, I feel that blogs are way more personal than websites, and I’m more likely to do business with someone I feel I know and trust
9. Yes
Age: 20’s
Gender: Male
Do I Blog: Yes!
How often do you read blogs? Every day
How many do you read on a regular basis? 20-50
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis? Interesting and timely information. Good writing.
How often do you comment on blogs? A few times a week.
What prompts you to comment on a post? Something that catches my interest, or if I feel that something could be added to the post. Or if I disagree with a point.
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis? Yes.
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner? Yes.
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog? More likely.
Are there bloggers who opinions you trust for advice? Yes.
And, if you could, include the following info:
*
o age: 20’s
o gender: Female
o do you blog?: Yes.
I read blogs every day
I read about 15 blogs every day some are favorites and some I literally stumble upon and get drawn in.in my reader I have about 100
what prompts a response is a real question.
yes I feel a personal connection.
yes im more likely to chose a site with a blog, among its type.
yes there are bloggers i trust for advice,
Im in my 40s and yes I blog.
Hi Josh
Thank you for responding to the survey!
One of the reasons I like it when readers comment is that it allows me to discover new blogs. I have to say – yours is absolutely breathtaking. Your photos touched me at a deep level.
And what a great project to take a photo a day of your children during their first year of life!
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Liz
Hi Miranda,
Thanks for responding! I have to confess – I haven’t read your blog before today even though it’s part of the b5media channel – I honestly don’t know how I missed it as it is full of interesting articles. I’ll definitely be back!
Liz
Hi Wisequeen!
Thanks for responding!
Good Luck on your new blog – it looks like it will be an interesting assortment of topics – something to keep everyone interested.
It will be fun watching it grow!
Liz
I read blogs 2-3 times a day and continuously if I am doing research
I regularly read about 100+ blogs via a reader and another 20 or so live
Good content keeps me coming back – it needs to be relevant to me, or so well written that it draws me in
I comment only if I feel I have something to add to the conversation/discussion
Yes I feel a connection with some blogs that I read regularly and there are many where I actually have developed a relationship. That trust helps their business (makes me likely to buy or recommend)
Yes I consciously look for a blog or I look to blogs to provide research about my upcoming purchase.
I have a blog and I am in my 40s.
Gavin,
Thanks for your input. The more readers we hear from, the better our final information will be.
It sounds like you read a large number of blogs. Do you have a favorite?
Hi Laura … I have favourites in different categories (sounding a bit geeky now).
- Branding — branddna.blogspot.com
- Business marketing — http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com
- Web strategy — http://www.web-strategist.com/blog
- Insight – http://www.getshouty.com
But the list goes on ;)
Hi Gavin!
Thanks for sharing your favorites. They sound like great blogs to follow. I’m sure some readers will agree.
How often do you read blogs? Every day, it’s an addiction.
How many do you read on a regular basis? 20-30, I have well over 100 in my reader, but many get skimmed for interesting headlines.
What qualities keep you coming back to a blog on a regular basis? Usually the subject, most of the blogs I read are cooking, party planning, or garden related. The blogger has to be interesting, or I stop reading.
How often do you comment on blogs? Several times a day, goes back to that blog addiction:)
What prompts you to comment on a post? If I can relate to the post, can contribute to the conversation, or if they’re asking for a response.
Do you feel a personal connection with the bloggers you read on a regular basis? Yes
When you are looking at a new business website, do you consciously look for a blog so as to learn more about the owner? I do.
All things being equal, do you think you are more or less likely to do business with a site that has a blog? Yes
Are there bloggers who opinions you trust for advice? Yes
Female, 30-40, Do I blog? Yes, I have 3 b5media blogs, and a couple of my own:)
Hi Breanne
Sorry I missed your comment before! Thanks for responding and for sharing your blog. There are a lot of interesting articles on your site – I like your series of “you might be…” as well as the one about introverts becoming CEOs.
Good stuff that showcases your expertise and really gets readers excited about the services you provide.
Liz
Hi Linette
Wow – 5 blogs!! I’m so impressed – I’d love to know more about how you manage your time and your creative energy!!
I’ll be in touch!
Liz