20 Sep 2006
Posted by J. Angelo Racoma as Blogs and blogging, Business, Economics
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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Tags: blogging, Blogs and blogging, Business, demographics, digital_filipino, Economics, manila, one_internet_day, Philippines, statistics, surveys | Viewed 4622 times
18 Responses
Janette Toral
September 20th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
1Hi Angelo. Thanks for sharing some of the figures here presented by Maoi. On the membership, I can give incentive for referrals.
noemi
September 20th, 2006 at 11:23 pm
2J. Angelo, I signed up for the membership after the event. I love reading statistics, and research studies having been a researcher in my single days. And Digital Filipino has done a lot on internet research in the Philippines .
J. Angelo Racoma
September 21st, 2006 at 7:44 am
3@Janette, thanks. The individual rates are way lower than corporate or organization rates, right?
@Noemi, thanks for the advice. Now I’m more inclined to join.
Janette Toral
September 21st, 2006 at 7:45 pm
4Hi Angelo. Yes it is.
Mia
September 22nd, 2006 at 3:48 am
5If ever you need someone to brainstorm with or help you with those ideas, just ask.
The ones you’ve shared so far are very interesting.
Rico
September 22nd, 2006 at 11:29 am
6Great post, I like how you turn the cold data into something people can use.
With regards to holding a survey though, how exactly will you go about it? I’ve heard that people change their answers in a survey, in an effort to please the surveyer and give him the “correct” answer.
J. Angelo Racoma
September 22nd, 2006 at 6:50 pm
7@Janette, thanks for the tip.
@Mia, all right, will definitely do. Thanks for the interest. Though for me, ideas, while great, are still ideas. Those ideas brought into execution are what really matter.
@Rico, thanks for the comment. Yes, like ideas not put into action, data would just be numbers and statistics without meaning. Hmm. In some cases that behavior about surveys is true. Just like if you were asked to fill up a form at a restaurant. They can see your face. And perhaps if you put in a “dissatisfied” rating, the next time you come in the resto staff might mix some shredded cockroach with your food. But with objective information such as interests, I think users would feel more comfy answering, especially since they wouldn’t be there in person with the surveyer.
Rico
September 22nd, 2006 at 8:01 pm
8Gee, thanks J! Now I’m never gonna give a dissatisfied rating in a restaurant!
Mia
September 23rd, 2006 at 12:16 pm
9Oh man, shredded cockroach. Haha.
You’re right, JAngelo—the final outcome is what matters. Though I must confess to being sometimes too enamored with ideas alone, I do love seeing ideas being gradually implemented. It’s so fulfilling to see something go from dream project to real business.
Sonnie
September 23rd, 2006 at 12:48 pm
10Whooa, those are interesting figures. Figures that can be useful for serious bloggers who want to maximize their work.
Please let me know if there will be future discussion on the matter, am interested.
Meantime, I will check what Digital Filipino is and WIIFM if I decided to be a member.
Maoi Arroyo
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:53 am
11Hallo Angelo! Thanks for your kind words regarding my presentation. I just got back from a business trip to the US (flew in an hour ago), so still have some jet lag.
I think it’s about time to hold a blogging summit again, don’t you? Not merely for corporations or marketers who want to take advantage of the new medium, but also for bloggers who want to get their ideas across and who have questions/issues.
I’ll propose the idea to Janette.
Migs
October 4th, 2006 at 3:14 am
12Nice going. Next, go for “pro blogging!”
oncologist
October 16th, 2006 at 11:07 am
13I had a feeling that cancer-related information wouldn’t be hitting its target demographic amongst Filipinos. Professional issues aside, even if one was to put up locally available cancer trials, who’s to be the wiser? Very discouraging.
panikeeer
November 25th, 2006 at 12:49 am
14I didnt find thing that i need…
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Blogging, an observation of blogs of so-called language scholars, and good writing « Sugoi: Spreading the good stuff since 1999
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:46 am
15[...] I got these numbers from Angelo’s site, and he from Maoi Arroyo. [...]
The Construct : Blog Archive : Blogging, an observation of blogs of so-called language scholars, and good writing
February 4th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
16[...] I got these numbers from Angelo’s site, and he from Maoi Arroyo. [...]
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July 20th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
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