Web 2.0 isn’t dead! Not even close.

Web 2.0 isn’t dead! Not even close.

By: Chris Michaels, Sr. Account Exective, FusionPR

There are a lot of writers, analysts and investors today, waiting for the next Internet bubble to burst. In the midst of a recession – an economic situation similar to the last bubble burst – investors are slow to fund Internet startups, especially if it’s tied to media. Even hard-copy media groups are selling-off their online arms and re-focusing their financial allocations.

The few Web media organizations that get the funding and have a sustainable model, have a real shot to hit it big. The only problem that they’ll have to overcome is proving ROI for companies and individuals, featured in online stories.

I know many of us are often asked by our clients, “What’s the value of Internet coverage compared to traditional print media?”

Well, wouldn’t you know that the Arteki Group recently answered that question and burst the skeptics’ bubbles, all at the same time? Recently, they conducted a study of seasoned (11+ years) journalists to find out:

A) How they use the internet?

B) Where they get story ideas?

C) Whether Bloggers and internet sources are credible?

Much like Fusion PR’s own research posted last August, Arteki found that, bloggers and Web sites were shown to have an increasing influence traditional journalists. According to the study, 74% of journalists find their news from Web sources. And an overwhelming 89% of respondents said that they find their story ideas on the internet, do so through blog posts.

Also, today OMMA posted research findings from IcoFocus of what media outlets are trusted by readers, and where they prefer to get their news. An awesome 86% of Americans said Web sites were an important source of news, with more than half (56%) who view these sites as “very important.” 77% view television, 74% radio, and 70% newspapers as “important” sources of news. And 38% of those surveyed say the same about blogs.

It’s just further proof that online coverage not only gets the word out, but it often becomes the inspiration point for traditional journalists. The lines between print and online media are continually being blurred, and Web 2.0 is having a larger impact to traditional media than many have expected.

Arteki published their findings in a press release and PDF on their website, www.arteki.com.

IcoFocus’s research findings are also summarized at their website.