In 2009, 96.6 million people are blog readers, representing 48.5 percent of the Internet population. By 2013, 128.2 million people — or 58 percent of all U.S. Internet users — will read a blog at least once per month. – eMarketer via ADWEEK And we're not wearing pants.

“In America today, there are almost as many people making their living as bloggers as there are lawyers. Already more Americans are making their primary income from posting their opinions than Americans working as computer programmers, firefighters or even bartenders.”

“Pros who work for companies are typically paid $45,000 to $90,000 a year for their blogging. One percent make over $200,000. And they report long hours — 50 to 60 hours a week.”

— WSJ article on professional bloggers

A couple of years ago my friend Everett asked my advice on a website. He’s a veterinarian and had your basic Web 1.0 site. I suggested he think about a blog because I knew he was a good story teller and would be a natural. And he is.

He often writes about cases he sees in his practice and gets lots of feedback from readers, many of whom have questions.

“Even though I certainly cannot prescribe for a pet that I have not examined, sometimes I can clarify a situation, or make suggestions.  Sometimes they just have questions that weren’t addressed in the original post, but are related to the topic. I receive questions from around the country, and even Europe and (today) Tanzania.”

I share this as just one more example of the powerful difference between a blog and the old “brochure” sites that are still all too common.  Some day –soon, perhaps– this will not be worth mentioning. Everyone will get it and all or most websites will be blogs or have a strong blog component. I believe this is called the “Duh Moment.”

Everett’s blog is YourPetsBestFriend.com. If you have a pet, it’s a must read.