Are the Majority of Gen Y Bloggers, Hobby Bloggers?

I’ve found myself wondering this from time to time.

I mean, how could I not? I was a good 10 years younger than the majority of people I spent time around at BlogWorld. And that’s a pretty normal occurrence in the industry I’m in. There’s significantly less women, and there’s significantly less younger (early twenties or younger) bloggers.

I know a lot of twentysomethings who blog. But they don’t do it seriously. They aren’t “problogging”. It leaves me wondering why not.

To answer my own question: I think that yes, the majority of Gen Y bloggers are hobby bloggers. But that’s just because the majority of all bloggers are hobby bloggers.

When I stop to think about it though, there are more pros out there than I originally thought. They’re just a different definition of “problogging”.

Typically, when people think about probloggers, they think about people who make money from their blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling their own products. These would be the people who make money from their blog directly.

The previously mentioned definition is incomplete though. It’s missing a huge amount of bloggers who make money from their blog indirectly, through providing services like consulting, to signing book deals. There are a lot of bloggers over at 20 Something Bloggers that use their blog to promote their services, and even some have signed book deals. These twentysomethings are just as much probloggers as the others are.

Another answer to the “why aren’t there more Gen Y probloggers” question is that perhaps some people don’t know how to take it to the next level. To that, I say just dig in. There are a ton of resources around the Internet about how you can step it up.

What do you think? Do you think the majority of Gen Y bloggers are hobby bloggers? What do you consider to be the definition of a “problogger”?

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http://www.socialphototalk.com Aaron Hockley

I think you’re accurate when you note that Gen Y bloggers are hobby bloggers… just like any other group of bloggers.

I hear all the time about how Portland has such a great blog community. I’ve produced WordCamp Portland a couple times. I’ve been an author for two sizeable city-focused blogs. People tell me all the time that I’m very well connected in the blog scene here amongst hundreds of people doing blogging and social media… but as I think about it, of those hundreds of people that I know, probably less than 10 are doing it professionally.

A better question would by “How come most bloggers are content to be a hobby blogger and not take it to the next level?”
http://www.socialphototalk.com Aaron Hockley

I think you’re accurate when you note that Gen Y bloggers are hobby bloggers… just like any other group of bloggers.

I hear all the time about how Portland has such a great blog community. I’ve produced WordCamp Portland a couple times. I’ve been an author for two sizeable city-focused blogs. People tell me all the time that I’m very well connected in the blog scene here amongst hundreds of people doing blogging and social media… but as I think about it, of those hundreds of people that I know, probably less than 10 are doing it professionally.

A better question would by “How come most bloggers are content to be a hobby blogger and not take it to the next level?”
http://LisaMorosky.com Lisa Morosky

I didn't see it as being patronising. No worries!

You're right though – most people successful in business are certainly older than me. People are just coming out of college at my age (thought I graduated a few years ago), and are looking for that first job and such. I suppose I probably am the exception!
http://LisaMorosky.com Lisa Morosky

Yeah I agree Aaron, perhaps that would be a better question. It's interesting to think about.
http://www.mikeslife.org/ Mike CJ

Interesting observations Lisa. I’m also different from the norm – I’m seem to be older than most other probloggers. (Don’t tell anyone but I’m 47!)

So why are most probloggers older than you? Simple I think – most people who are successful in any business are older than you. It’s not just blogging, any business requires skills that generally speaking evolve with time and experience. I worked for big corporations when I was in my 20′s and I don’t think I would have been capable of running any kind of business then, and to be honest I didn’t want to – I was into getting to the next level, bigger office, better company car and all that stuff.

You’re the exception, and more power to you for having the guts and wherewithal to start in business so young. Keep going!
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

Interesting observations Lisa. I’m also different from the norm – I’m seem to be older than most other probloggers. (Don’t tell anyone but I’m 47!)

So why are most probloggers older than you? Simple I think – most people who are successful in any business are older than you. It’s not just blogging, any business requires skills that generally speaking evolve with time and experience. I worked for big corporations when I was in my 20′s and I don’t think I would have been capable of running any kind of business then, and to be honest I didn’t want to – I was into getting to the next level, bigger office, better company car and all that stuff.

You’re the exception, and more power to you for having the guts and wherewithal to start in business so young. Keep going!
http://www.mikeslife.org/ Mike CJ

Yetch. I just re read my comment and it sounds patronising. It wasn’t!
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

Yetch. I just re read my comment and it sounds patronising. It wasn’t!
http://www.taylormarek.com taylormarek

Yes, I can see from my standpoint that many have taken it up as a hobby. What I define as a “problogger” is one who has actually taken that hobby and turned it into a profitable business.
http://taylormarek.com/ taylormarek

Yes, I can see from my standpoint that many have taken it up as a hobby. What I define as a “problogger” is one who has actually taken that hobby and turned it into a profitable business.