I subscribe to the Ken Radio newsletter. He often provides tidbits of information that I find interesting, with this last newsletter being no exception as it was concerning the demographic of the woman blogger. I couldn’t find this content on his site (perhaps it was just in his newsletter?!) so will share here.

The Women Bloggers
36.2 million women write and read blogs every week and approximately half consider blogs a “highly reliable’ or “very reliable” source of information and advice about everything from products to presidential candidates. 15.1 million publishing and 21.1 million reading and commenting. Fully 24% of women surveyed say they now watch less television because they are blogging instead. The new survey by BlogHer shows American women are drawn to participate in the blogosphere primarily because it provides access to the content they want, when they want it. Survey results also indicate that the blogging community’s fundamental trust in one another has contributed to its rapid growth. 68% of the female blogisphere community is concentrated in the 25 to 41 age group (the GenXr’s), compared to 42% for the general blogging population. Together, the Millienials and the Matures account for only about 10% of this community. Two thirds have completed college, and 46% earn over $75,000 compared to only 25% of the general community.

The blogging rates are highest among Millennials and GenX “digital natives” and Online media participation rates decline with increasing age.

Women are so passionate about blogging, that large percentages said they would give something up to keep the blogs they read and/or write:
* 55% would give up alcohol
* 50% would give up their PDAs
* 42% would give up their i-Pod
* 43% would give up reading the newspaper or magazines
* Only 20% would give up chocolate

Time shift from traditional media is accelerating in the general Internet population:
* 24% of women surveyed watch less television because of blogging
* 25% read fewer magazines because they are blogging
* 22% read fewer newspapers because they’re blogging

More than half of women surveyed consider blogs a reliable source of advice and information, half of women surveyed say blogs influence their purchase decisions.

Intriguing. In response to some of these questions (not all) concerning where I fit into this research:

• I live in a household of 4 people, 2 of which are here on a part time basis. This is a new living arrangement though as I previously lived alone for the past 2.5 years.
• I completed highschool, undergrad and have taken some computer science classes after completion of my business degree
• I read, write and comment on blogs
• I would willingly give up magazine and newspapers (as long as I could read the digital edition). In fact, I prefer to read online for environmental reasons.
• I definitely watch less television and read less magazines and newspapers due to blogging.
• And yes, blogs can influence my purchase decisions, especially when it comes to products of high interest (climbing gear, computers) or written by people who I trust / admire.

If you are a woman blogger, what are your responses to this survey?