Blogging becomes major profession in US

Blogging has become a major, recognized profession in the United States and according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, there are now almost as many bloggers in America as there are lawyers or firemen. In fact, the most recent statistics reveal that a growing number of Americans are earning a steady income through blogging, often by working for content providers and writing regular blog entries for clients on a freelance basis. There are currently approximately 20 million bloggers in the US, and 1.7 million of these avid writers are getting paid for their work and are earning anywhere from a steady part-time to a full-time income. Nearly half a million Americans earn more money from blogging than from any other source of employment.

According to the Wall Street Journal, blogging has now become the one aspect of the information age with the “most profound effect” on popular culture in the Western world. Columnist Mark Penn believes that while journalists have long been seen as the fourth estate, bloggers are rapidly becoming the “fifth estate” and the public is now taking their postings seriously.

Research shows that bloggers usually have a top notch education, with the majority (75 percent) in possession of a university diploma. Other demographic data suggests that the majority of bloggers in the US are males and that they tend to be under 40 years of age. Those looking to maximize profits from their blogs should keep in mind that in order to earn revenue of $75,000 per year, the blog should attract 100,000 monthly visitors.

Thank you to Mark Penn of the Wall Street Journal for the initial report.