"Dad bloggers are going to be hot."
Mom blogs have spent a long time in the lime light with countless day time talk shows either referencing or featuring mom bloggers. The ‘mom blog’ has become almost an iconic part of our pop culture. Many mom blogs have fierce cult like followings with hundreds of thousands of unique visitors every day. There are many networking sites dedicated to helping mom bloggers network themselves and many other sites dedicated to helping women. The mom blog trend is hot, there is no doubting that, but what the mom blog fad has left in its estrogen laden wake is the start of the next big thing in blogging—the dad blog.
Here are the top five reasons why dad blogs are now the blogs to watch:
1.
The Numbers
Dad blogs have been popping up like crazy over the last couple years. A study done in 2004 found that 40% of active blogs are written by men. Now, compare that to the latest Technorati data which found that men in the US account for 53% of the blog activity and 73% of the Asian and European blog activity and you notice a huge increase. Each day around 120,000 new blogs are created so for the men to jump so dramatically in the percentage of those who blog it is safe to say that most of those new blogs are being generated by men.
Men don’t just blog about politics and sports either, according to the Technorati data 76% of men who blog have a personal blog and 50% of them have a professional blog.
Stay at home dads are on the increase as well. Each year more and more dads can be accounted for at home with the kids. Many of these dads are turning to the internet for advice, to stay connected with the latest trends and news and to make friends.
All statistical trends point to the dad blogs genre as one that will only continue to increase and for that reason a genre that companies are going to need to pay close attention to.
2.
Purchasing Power
With all the talk of moms and their purchasing power (estimated at 1.7 trillion annually) it often goes overlooked that dads account for 500 billion dollars of annual purchases (or half a trillion). For a few years now, companies have noticed that an effective marketing strategy is to use the mom blog as a vehicle to advertise their products either through reviews, ads or product give-aways. Recently, many companies have been seeking out influential dads and dad bloggers to spread their message. Companies get it, dads are blogging now too and they are taking notice.
3.
Dads are nerds
Dads are nerds. Dads like to check the internet for advice and news. The active dad is on the rise and many dads have turned to the internet to find out how they can be a better dad and a better husband. The average dad blog isn’t just some sport laden beer fest of a blog, dad blogs are more often than not introspective and thoughtful. Contrary to what the media portrays, dads are increasingly more involved parents and the dad blog is just a logical progression of this trend. In other words, the fact that dad blogs are on the rise just shows more dads care about fatherhood. Some great fatherhood blogs include Discovering Dad, Mocha Dad, Gunfighter, Being Michael’s Daddy, Building Camelot, D is for Dad and Real Men Drive Minivans (too many to name).
4.
Humor
Dad blogs typically infuse a lot of creative humor in their posts. As a genre it is hard to mention dad blogs without mentioning humor. A majority of dad blogs are just funny which is understandable since dads are generally associated with having a better a sense of humor than moms. Most dad blogs use humor to communicate their messages but some of the more popular ones include The Busy Dad Blog, Nuke Dad, Phat Phreddy, Out Numbered Online, and the all powerful Joeprah.
5.
The Underdog Mentality
Dads like dad blogs have been battling stigma for a long time now. Yesterday, during a twitter survey, I found that many moms think of dad blogs as little more than a curiosity or ‘passing trend.’ Some dads account for this stigma by saying that moms and those who read parenting blogs tend to think mom blogs have all the answers and that dad bloggers are just blowing in the wind without direction and more childlike. Even the media regards dads as lesser parents. So, why is the fact that dads consider themselves underdogs or embattled a reason to watch out for the dad blog genre? The reason is simple—dad blogs have a cause.
Dads write to bring respect to fatherhood. Dads use their blogs as a way to fight back against public perception and decades of poor representation in the media. Dads are on a mission. I never bet against someone who is fighting for a cause—and that’s what dads have.
Summing it up
Dad blogs currently aren’t as prominent as mom blogs but my guess is that the gap will decrease with each passing day, month and year. When I asked Pete Janelle, co creator of Dad Blogs (a social networking site for dads and dad bloggers), what his thoughts were on the dad blog genre he said:
Dad bloggers are going to be hot. We're seeing a rise in SAHDs, and the general consensus among responsible dads that we are tired of being lumped in with the stereotypical crowd. Dads also offer an important and untapped perspective in parenting issues. Overall, the trend will continue and the dad bloggers will take center stage.
What do you think? Are dad blogs the ‘it’ blog right now? If so, why? If I overlooked any great dad blogs--speak up and let me know.
Comments
Thanks for the link and the mention, brother!
For the record, I will throw in my opinion that dad blogs ARE going to be the next big thing.
This country is in the process of incredible change, socially, in that we are busy with our grand experiment of throwing of the shakles of racial sterotypes, stratified gender roles, and parental sexism.
As we go about this important work, we peel the onion and find out that dads ARE important. We aren't just male adjunct mothers.
As more and more people wake up to this, dad blogs can only become more popular and powerful to us men as a community.
Lets face it: men who can handle ther children on their own are freakin' hot.
Right ladies?
After independently gathering all the data and performing much careful analysis and evaluation , I have come to the conclusion that Dad blogs are indeed the 'it' thing on the internet.
And I am saying this as a completely objective everyday internet user... not as a dad blogger named BusyDad, who was mentioned and linked to in this post. No, not at all.
I would agree that Dad Blogs are *one* of the "it" things out there, but I have to add that Moms Who Read Dad Blogs are also "it". :)
This isnt breaking news! Those of us in the know already KNEW that Dad Bloggers are totally the "IT" thing. And Gunfighter, you nailed it - "men who can handle their children on their own are freakin' hot." INDEED. Plus, dad's review cool stuff MUCH better than moms. Would a mom fall in a pool for a review? I dont think so!!!
Cheers Dads!
I think, like you pointed out, dad blogs have been there all along. They're just recently getting more (much deserved) attention. Great suggestions in your read list. Thanks.
Dad Blogs are quickly becoming the "it" thing. Fatherhood is getting more and more attention and yes, Men who can handle their own children ARE freakin' hot (including my own husband!)
I have a Google alert set up for Fatherhood and must say I was absolutely amazed to see the intense debate going on about Federer (tennis player) and his impending fatherhood. Would it affect his game? No, he said, it wouldn't. But it was a hot item for awhile. When on EARTH did that happen in the past? Did anyone seriously wonder if Michael Jordan's game would be affected by the birth of his children? Did they write about it?
Fathers play an important role in the family dynamic - and I think it's great more Dads are opening up which encourages others to follow. This honest transparency is especially important if the family finds themselves struggling with a Postpartum Mood Disorder after the birth of a child, a topic covered by my own blog, The Postpartum Dads Project. We encourage fathers to share their experiences so others may learn from them and also be encouraged to open up about their own journeys. You can visit us at www.postpartumdadsproject.org.
(Great Article, Joe!)
Thanks for up-selling dad bloggers. I think the growing number of dad bloggers shows there is a slow movement to be a more active father, which is a good thing.
There are indeed a lot of good dad blogs out there, including some single dad blogs. Raising kids on your own (whether half time, or full), running a household solo, and navigating modern dating - is not for the faint of heart. - dadshouseblog.com
I am thrilled to see more and more dads step up to the plate and actually parent their children. It's about time. And, while I am also glad to see dads talk positively about their offspring online, this article just plain rubbed me the wrong way. Women traditionally don't get the limelight. We're rarely the "it" thing. So, I'm a tad bit annoyed that now that we're finally getting some recognition for the important role we play in our children's lives, the dads need to say, "But hey, we're more important too. And we're going to take center stage." Yes, dad bloggers are cool, too. But guess what? Women are, due to physiological, social and cultural reasons, better at some things. And one of them is word of mouth marketing. Sorry, guys. Uhm... but feel free to change the diapers.
P.S. Humor?! Have you been reading any mom blogs lately. They're hilarious. Men don't have a BETTER sense of humor, they've got a different one.
I also agree that dad blogs are taking off. With more of a slapstick sense of humor and straight to the point posts, dads are starting to catch on in the blogging world.
I JUST started a Dad blog before I read your article.
You're right.
I'm a younger dad (25) and have two daughters already. My blog is from that specific view point - with the hopes that it will help encourage other dads, husbands and families - if not, maybe just give them a laugh. ;-)
Jeff
www.mybowsandarrows.wordpress.com
Sure, I throw my hat in the ring. My blog is www.straightdopedad.com. Started it 2 years ago. Your perceptions are right on. Yes, I'm on a mission, and yes, humor is indispensable. The gap between mommy blogs and daddy blogs will tighten but will always be there. Women simple write and read more than men. No ALL women and not in EVERY situation, but in general. Women will gossip for hours. Men get bored with gossip pretty fast. That gives women a blogging advantage.
Great article. You're right. We're the underdogs, and we're on a mission! LOL (thanks for this great post) - Raleigh Daddy 3.0 (raleighdaddyblog.com/blog)
how do you determine which are the best? Popularity among other dad bloggers is not the same as extent of reach into organic search. Are we talking to a closed circle or are we talking to more diverse crowd? Popularity is subjective. I'd rather be popular with 10,000 people from many schools than 100 people from one school. almightydad.com
how do you determine which are the best? Popularity among other dad bloggers is not the same as extent of reach into organic search. Are we talking to a closed circle or are we talking to more diverse crowd? Popularity is subjective. I'd rather be popular with 10,000 people from many schools than 100 people from one school. almightydad.com
Hey Keith, I am not ranking dad blogs in a sense of popularity, just promoting the genre. :D
Who the hell wants to read a dad blog?
I've found it a struggle as a dad blogger.. seems the mums stick together. Sure, I might get a few mums stick around, but plenty stay for a few posts, then leave.
Really sad, perhaps im not doing things right or that's just the way the cookie crumbles. no matter. I am trying to improve every post :-)
- tork
http://torkona.blogspot.com
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