<<     August 2007     >>

Just this month, an online survey of 1,000 adults helped detail the use of blogs as a social media and news source by Americans.

The survey which was conducted by market research firm, Synovate, found that 65% read blogs in order to access others' opinions, 39% are looking for news and or information, and 38% are in it for the entertainment value. Approximately one third of those surveyed relish shamelessly in the gossipy blogs while a mere 2% find blogs useful for keeping tabs on family and friends.

Other statistics revealed that more women than men are blogging and that a whopping 49% claim some kind of loyalty to the blogs they read on a regular basis; breaking down to 39% viewing favorite blogs less than once a month, 28% checking in monthly, 15% feeding a daily addiction and 5% checking them numerous times each day.

Sources: Slashdot, Synovate

Touted as the 'best new show of 2006' and 'the event for new media creators', this - the third annual installment of the Podcast and New Media Expo is slated for Ontario, Canada, September 28th through the 30th.

From the official event website:
"The 3rd Annual New Media Expo is an annual convention that educates individuals and companies about how to produce high-quality audio and video digital content, grow a loyal audience, and market or monetize that content in creative ways.
The Expo is a "prosumer" and corporate event that brings together influential digital media creators, podcasters and content developers to cover the complete range of creation techniques, business objectives and future trends. The Expo is also a major networking event where content creators can share ideas and build partnerships."

Positively reviewed in many major print and online publications as "the place to be" and sponsored by the likes of Feedburner among others, the event promises to be "the place to learn".

For registration information and event schedules, click here.

With the approach of full summer, more and more people are breaking out their tennis gear, restringing raquets, cracking open a fresh can of Wilson's, and practicing on their serve.

All for the love of tennis, one professional coach, Tomaz Mencinger, has created an online resource, the Tennis Thoughts Blog, for tennis fans the world over; providing information, tips, tricks, and advice on everything from the history of the standard serve to the psychology of winning.

The blog operates in both a standard format as well as a Q & A where tennis players can submit their own questions on anything game-related. With a mission to "...teach young and older players the correct way of thinking: getting out of emotional states, being aware of body activation, positive thinking, using momentum and countering it..." this tennis blog teaches a revolutionary new approach to the game, from a strategic mind-body perspective.

The author himself says simply of his approach to the sport, "I combine sports psychology, success principles and my own experience to show the way to the winning performance."

Check out Tennis Thoughts and you're sure to be inspired to round up a partner or three for a match.