The 2012 Best Australian Blogs Competition launches March 15

The Sydney Writers’ Centre has announced the return of their Best Australian Blogs Competition for 2012. The competition is one of Australia’s leading blogging competitions, recognising and celebrating blogs on any topic and of any size.

The Sydney Writers’ Centre is offering over $15,000 in writing courses for winners and finalists, almost double the prize value from last year.

The competition will be open for entry from Thursday, March 15.

“Our first competition in 2011 exceeded our expectations, and we’re looking forward to a bigger and better competition in 2012,” says competition coordinator Rose Powell. The 2011 competition saw 570 blogs entered, and over 13,350 votes cast in the People’s Choice Award.

“The Australian blogosphere has really come of age over the last few years,” says Powell.

“Heading into the 2012 competition, we’re looking at a vibrant and diverse community of bloggers who are better networked with advertisers and more engaged with online readers than ever before.”

FULL TIME BLOGGER

Last year’s winner, Sunshine Coast–based Nikki Parkinson, is behind the blog Styling You. She has become a full time blogger and launched a blog consultancy on the back of her win.

Parkinson said: “The impact on my blog, my business and my life has been huge. From that first day, it cemented my credibility for myself, other bloggers, industry and anything to do with the digital media space. I entered because it was a competition based on content, on the quality of the writing. It wasn’t a popularity contest. To have your blog recognised by a writing industry award is amazing.”

The judging team includes Robert Gerrish of Flying Solo; Marina Go, veteran editor and publisher; Brenda Gaddi, founder and director of the Digital Parents Network; Angela Meyer, one of Australia’s leading literary bloggers; and Valerie Khoo, managing director of the Sydney Writers’ Centre.

Styling You’s Nikki Parkinson is interviewed on Sky News Media Week .

There are five categories this year:

1. business blogs;
2. commentary blogs;
3. parenting blogs;
4. personal/lifestyle blogs; and
5. writing and reading blogs.

The parenting category is a new addition to recognise the explosion and popularity of parenting blogs. There are also five special awards to celebrate outstanding posts and bloggers with great potential.

The People’s Choice Award round offers bloggers an opportunity to mobilise their own followers to get them across the finish line.

KEY DATES

• Thursday 15 March: Competition opens for entry.
• Friday 13 April: Entries close. The People’s Choice Award round opens for voting.
• Thursday 26 April: Finalists announced.
• Thursday 10 May: Winners announced.

MORE INFORMATION HERE.