Can Internet Marketers End Worldwide Poverty? Blog Action Day 2008
October 15, 2008 - Written by Gyutae Park
Did you know that the average yearly world income is just $7,000? In other words, an average person in the world makes just $7,000 per year – which is actually a figure that is highly skewed by wealthy nations like the US where average income is 5 times more at $35,000. If you look at the median income, it’s just $1,700 worldwide. Many of us spend more for a notebook computer than what most people around the globe earn in a year. Is that shocking to you?
As Internet marketers and entrepreneurs, we constantly work towards higher profits and more income. We always want to earn more and are never satisfied in the the amount of things we can buy to enjoy life. However, sometimes it’s necessary to step back and realize that we are in fact wealthy – just because we live in amazing countries with huge opportunities. If you’re able to read this post on a computer with Internet access, you’re one of the top 25% richest people in the world. That kind of privilege comes with influence to help those less fortunate around us – especially as Internet marketers who have the expertise to spread awareness.
You may have heard that today is Blog Action Day 2008, an “annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day.” The main purpose is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion about an important issue every year. This year, the topic is poverty and I think it is an issue that is extremely relevant to Internet marketers and entrepreneurs.
We’re in a unique position that allows us to reach millions of people around the world through the Internet. Sure, it’s great to build products and make money, but what would happen if we used our skills to also enact change? Would we be able to end poverty? Give hope to those that are less fortunate?
The Blog Action Day project itself is a great Internet marketing tool that has gained a lot of traction in the blogosphere. The page has over 700 Diggs and they’ve managed to get an audience of over 12 million people from 11,500 participating blogs including TechCrunch, Problogger, and SEOmoz. If you own a blog yourself, I highly recommend you get involved as well.
Below is the Blog Action Day video:
What will you do in the fight against poverty?
Today, I will be sponsoring a child in poverty through Compassion International. It’s just $32 per month for me but it could potentially change a life. If this is something you’re interested in as well, check it out and shoot me an email. I’ll even give you some link love as an incentive. 
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Great post, I myself wrote one at: http://www.guruofsales.com/general/427/fight-poverty-its-blog-action-d ay-today and the action has not stopped. Would you share your thoughts by a comment there as well?
Nice job Alex. Good to see you’re active for the event. Just visited your blog and left a comment there. Good luck!
I heard about this earlier. I had not heard about $7,000 per year for the avg income of the world. That is hardly anything.
Yeah, it’s truly sad how poorly some of the 3rd world countries are doing. There are many parts of the world where people live on less than $2 per day. You can’t even buy a cheeseburger with that in the US.
I understand and have feelings for the countries where they are earning so much less, but I do think that the cost of living reflects a lot on average earnings in the way that here in the UK everything costs so much compared to everywhere else, taxes are higher and in a lot of cases income’s do not reflect this in any way.
A great post Gyutae and you do make some very note worthy points in respect to the worlds income levels and spreading poverty, it’s cool that you took part in the Blog Action Day ’08.
Hey Stuart, the cost of living is a factor in a lot of countries, but there’s no doubt that billions of people are living in poverty. Blog Action Day was a good way to spread that awareness and I was happy to take part.
My wife and I regularly donate clothes and items to the Rescue Mission and various other causes, and I donate little chunks of change here and there when I can. It’s one reason I want to be rich, though, so I can donate even more to more causes. Great post today.
Thanks Mitch. That’s a great thing you’re doing and I can relate to you with wanting to be rich so that you can donate to others and work for a cause. Good luck!
Yeah same here. The only time when you feel rich is when you start giving.. Not judging how much money you have in the bank!
Yep, that’s true and it sounds good in theory, but a lot of times it’s difficult to practice. That’s a great tip though.
I was so glad to see an event like this, I think it should be year-long! How do you think it went? Was anyone inspired to donate or support a cause?
Hey Dina,
I guess it would lose its effectiveness if it was year long, but I think the event was a major success! A lot of high profile blogs participated and it got the word out about a good cause. Blogs can be used for a greater good after all.
I recently sponsored a child through Compassion International. Just my way of contributing. Thanks for asking.
I heard about this earlier. Thanks for the information.
hy, Give something to help the hungry people from Africa and India,
I made this blog about that subject:
on http://tinyurl.com/5t2jg6
We need more of these events…I am happy it received the viral spread
I ve included it on my blog
http://tinyurl.com/end-poverty