I was chatting with a researcher recently, (they are studying bloggers at universities now) one of the questions she asked was about the influence of blogs in decision making. Do blog posts influence people in their behaviours?I answered yes. Not always, but sometimes.
People wanting to sell things certainly think so as they are spending time trying to get coverage on the biggest and best blogs.
Others say they read blogs for information, which I guessing often leads to a change in some type of behaviour, be it exercise, decorating a house, cooking, holidays, health or shopping.
One of my first posts was a review of a kids movie, that post still gets hits for people looking to know more about the film. I have had emails and messages about my sleep post and my poo post from parents glad to have read them. These are not posts that are trying to influence a persons purchase behaviour, but they still have influence.
I feel inspired by others from their online sharing of information, I signed up to the 12wbt after seeing the success of other close friends on facebook and twitter. I have not had their success, but what they shared online made me decide to give the program a go.
I have long said the tube dress and skirt is not for the likes of me and my muffins, but ended up getting one after this post from A beach cottage.
It isn't only purchase decisions, blogs have affected many of my behaviours, from my cooking, kids party ideas, craft activities I do with the kids (the spaghetti painting was one of them). I have donated to causes I have read about and use other blogs as a source for new places to visit.
At another seminar I went to recently the host was discussing gourmet foodie mags he was working with, they had told him that blogs were a major source of competition for the mags now. A food blogger may give a daily step by step post on a fabulous meal and readers are engaged with the blogger and keep going back for more. It has meant food magazines have had to step it up and really only show case the most amazing meals to keep their readers coming back.
Blogs do influence my choices, thoughts and behaviours, sometimes more than others
What about you?
online, off-line, it's probably impossible for human behaviour not to be influenced by the environment around you ... so yes, i agree. Online, i find, is particularly influential if a friend has mentioned something first - e.g., a book they've read, and then it's been reviewed on a blog - i'm more likely to remember the title then next time i'm looking for something to read, very helpful when you have a baby-brain, sleep-deprived sieve where your mind used to be ...
ReplyDeleteBooks are certainly another area that I look for new ideas.
DeleteI am influenced by blogs too. I guess for me it's about being able to relate to the person behind the blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kelly, I am probably influenced more by blogs I read more regularly.
DeleteI'm definitely influenced by blogs but only if I like and trust the blogger to begin with! ;) I definitely cook using recipes on blogs & I've been influenced to change my way of approaching things based on good advice from people like you, Zoey & Nathalie. I definitely take inspiration from blogs on kids craft activities too! Oh & books definitely! ;) x
ReplyDeleteWhen I started to think about it as more than just purchase decision making I realised that blogs have a big influence on my day to day activities too.
DeleteAbsolutely. For whatever reason if I read recommendations or stories in general news, I can't help but feel like there might be a hidden agenda. Whereas with blogs - everything's out in the open so I feel like I'm getting someone's genuine opinion. The more consistently I agree with their opinions, the more influential they are to me and my everyday life!
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