racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Here are some interesting info tidbits I picked up from yesterday’s One Internet Day Manila event. Maoi Arroyo, who presented on blogging for buzz (the most engaging presentation during the event, IMHO), cited some figures pertinent to blogger demographics in Metro Manila.

Based on the latest Blogosphere report (available only to Digital Filipino members), there’s an untapped way of talking to the young and upwardly mobile segment of Manilenyos:

• 18% of internet users read blogs
• 55% of bloggers are < 20 years old
• 20% of bloggers are between 20 to 29 years old
• 71% are male
• 84% are single
• 48% are students
• 97% have their own computers at home

I’d be interested in seeing the full details of the report. I guess I’d have to sign up for a membership for that (do you offer discounts for bloggers, Janette?). From this summary, though, one can surmise that there is still a good proportion of the Philippine market that can be tapped by blogging services or as blog readers, with only 18% reading blogs (knowingly or unknowingly, I’m not aware—there is a difference). I think there are about 10 million Internet users here in the country of about 80 million.

Thing is, most of our Internet users do not have their own computers at home. Some may have access to computers and the Internet at the workplace, but most others access the ‘net from cafes. The fact that 97% of bloggers have their own computers at home is indicative that the inconvenience of having to blog from an Internet cafe is a barrier to entry.

The figures are quite as expected, though, as they reflect the usual expectations from blogger/Internet user demographics. Most bloggers are younger than 20—perhaps teenagers—, most are male, and most are students. One notable concept from Maoi’s presentation yesterday was that the age group that comprises the 20-29 year-olds are probably what the marketers should target. They are, after all, the group with the most disposable income (as a ratio to total earnings) and probably the ones who have a higher propensity for consumption rather than saving.

Okay, sorry for the econ speak here. But you get the drift. When you’re young, unmarried and already earning—and you probably have stacks of credit cards—you’re bound to splurge on stuff for yourself. And this is just the ideal target for firms that sell clothes, apparel, gadgets, and other such things.

I think it’s a good idea to conduct a survey among my readers, just to know what my “market” is. After all I’m selling some things. And these are ideas.

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