BloggersandPodcasters.com :: Black Bloggers and Podcasters Society forms to create online media standards

What is BBAPS?

With the formation of the Black Bloggers and Podcasters Society, we seek to reclaim Black media through technology including blogs, podcasts and other downloadable media. Like a car, blogging and podcasting puts us in charge of the future of Black media online.

According to the recently produced State of Black Podcasting: Anatomy of a Black digital content user produced by BlackPodcasts.com, nearly 80% of African Americans surveyed have access to the Internet. 66% of online Black households have access to broadband connections. A whopping 68% of African Americans online visit news sites on a daily basis.

Why is BBAPS needed?

Recent studies have pointed to gaps between the broadband population in the U.S., and the slower adoption rate among the specific demographic of the African American population.

As more and more bloggers and podcasters develop their crafts public relations firms, media buyers and event credentialing professionals will have a harder time determining who should be allowed to cover events and where ads are placed.

BBAPS seeks to be a vertical network that will allow companies to be able to verify the standing of a Black blogger and/or podcaster, place advertisements in one location but reach multiple audiences and improve their media credential process.

Independent verification services

Already event planners are scratching their heads to determine whether bloggers and podcasters should be given media credentials. But with BBAPS, gone of the days of having to surf through hundreds of Black blogs or listen to lots of podcasts to determine audiences.

Since BBAPS was founded by a veteran journalist, media standards have been applied to the application process and the verification process which allows BBAPS to act as an independent, governing body to help media buyers, event planners and public relations professionals quickly determine which bloggers and podcasters are right for them.

BBAPS required all members to provide
bi-annual audience information, media kits and other information to verify that they have the audiences claimed. In addition, BBAPS requires that bloggers and podcasters publish at least one product per week to ensure that the network stays strong and up-to-date with the times.

Take BlackPodcasts.com/
BlackPressRadio.com for example, over 1.5 million have visited the site and over 400,000 people download the podcasts. Plus, 250,000 people have watched the video podcasts. The podcasts are produced and published multiple times per week. It is heard from Africa to Alabama by 12-54 year olds of all races and nationalities. It was nominated for three podcasting awards 2007. Plus, BlackPodcasts.com is 100% viral, meaning our audience is based on social networking and word of mouth referrals.

Blacks love the Internet

The findings of the State of Black Podcasting suggest those currently online are more likely to get broadband within the next six to 12 months. While recent reports have forecast a slowdown of broadband adoption, the study suggests those coming online will do so with high-speed connections.

Compared to the general population, African American Web users spend more time online. They report spending five hours surfing per day, compared to 2.9 hours for the general population.

What drives Blacks online?

Seventy-two percent cite the need to obtain general information as a key driver, according to the State of Black Podcasting. African Americans say they're more likely than the general population to participate in several online activities. A 2006 Burst Media study stated that 56% of viewers recalled ads in the content. African Americans are know to view ads more than any other segment.

Want to reach hundreds Black bloggers and podcasters and producers of downloadable media all in one website, employ the services of BBAPS and/or advertise on Bloggers
and Podcasters.com today.