The purpose of blogs, from the term “web logs,” is to communicate and open for discussion news and/or information about oneself, one’s organization, or issues that are of concern to the individual or organization.
As of late 2006, there were more than 57 million blog readers in the United States. Nearly 39% of Internet users said they read a blog at that time, up from 27% the year before. Over 36 million women participate in the blogosphere weekly - 15.1 million publishing at least one post on a blog, and 21.1 million reading and/or posting comments.
The ways to use blogs to communicate are as varied as the people and organizations that maintain blogs. Political campaigns use blogs to strengthen their relationship with their supporters, using the blog as a channel through which to share news and information, as well as invite discussion about the campaign, the candidate or specific issues. This exchange of information also facilitates donation requests or coordinated action, greatly bolstering the fundraising and advocacy objectives of the organization.
Blogs were particularly useful in the 2008 presidential campaign of Representative Ron Paul of Texas. Supporters created independent blogs that helped carry his message of strict adherence to the Constitution, sound fiscal policy and opposition to the Iraq war, which connected with independent voters. They enlivened his campaign with record-setting web donations that sustained his candidacy long beyond the expectations of the press.
Recent innovations have helped blogs spread more widely and have a greater impact. Innovations have made blogging more of a “real-time” activity, including tools that allow for mobile blogging from a handheld device directly to the web. Micro-blogging, especially through sites like Twitter, has spread culture of blogging to a newer audience. Most active blogs, especially political blogs, liberally include photos, audio and video content that enriches the message. Some bloggers have also taken to posting only video content, on blogs called v-logs.
Overview by Gloria Pan, Turner Strategies
Fundraise from Women with Blogs
Women engage in politics through writing and reading blogs. Of online women donors, 43% read blogs and 15% write their own blog. For political purposes, 27% read blogs and 6% write their own blogs. Two of the most influential blogs are led by women, The Huffington Post (Arianna Huffington) and FireDogLake (Jane Hamsher). 36% of online women donors have visited the blog section of campaign websites. Candidates can use blogs to increase fundraising efforts by accessing several important values for online women donors: providing up-to-date information on the race and fundraising progress, demonstrating the impact their contributions have on the issues women care about and allowing women to interact as part of a larger movement by contributing to the campaign blog.
To Get Started
Blogging basics
Learn about tagging
Learn about video blogging
