Not a huge surprise, but there is data now demonstrating the huge influence bloggers have to influence shopping decisions. I read a blogger I like and trust; she recommends a product or service and I’m likely to trust that recommendation. It’s the old-fashioned word-of-mouth method that marketers consider the holy grail of marketing (and soooo tough to accomplish), only amplified with more “ears” to hear what one is saying.
This has huge implications for marketers who are always trying to get in front of the influencers and generate that buzz. Here at NTM, we are finding more and more clients who are interested in reaching out to bloggers and we continue to develop models to make that happen (and track the response).
Read the NY Times Article: Drilling Down – Blogs Find Favor as Buying Guides