Forget all the magazine stories and the pontificating blog entries you’ve read about blogging. The real measure of the success, growth and adoption of blogs is revenue.
Blogs are already a useful tool – of that there is no doubt. But if you want a real tangible measurement on whether blogs are “mainstream” then look at the advertising dollars they attract.
I think blog advertising is great, particularly if it allows blogs to continue to deliver great content. Of course there’s probably only 1-3% of blogs that will ever make significant cash – and obviously this isn’t one of those!
As all marketers know, effective programs are tightly targeted and use a variety of tools from PR to advertising and direct marketing. Although it’s still very small, there are signs that advertisers are beginning to take notice and that’s a great development.
Of course while I believe blog advertising is something that should be welcomed, “blogvetorials” or the payment of cash in return for specific content is not something I agree with – or believe has a long-term future.
Kevin Dugan points to a story in the New York Daily News on the growth of advertising revenue targeted at blogs.
“In Blogads’ network of 500 sites, an ad costs as little as $25 a week on marginal blogs, to $300 on Sullivan’s site, to as much as $2,250 on DailyKos – all relatively inexpensive compared to a national magazine or network televison.”
Murphy's Law 