Ready... Set... Blog!
Blogs: if it wasn't for the creation of Facebook and other sites like Tumblr, I am sure that the blogging world would have been the epicentre of the Internet. There are so many out there, one which actually are diaries of peoples' lives to opinion pieces on almost anything. Love animals? There's bound to be a blog about it (or at least now a Tumblr). To find a blog which you absolutely love to read each and every time a new post arrives is one of the 'rare gems' of the Internet. To be the person who owns that very blog is proof you have made it in the tough world of online writing.And if you wanted even more reason to rekindle the love for your blog or share the blogs you already enjoy reading, the place to start is with The Bloggers 2011. This newest set of awards was created in search for New Zealand's best bloggers in various categories. Social Media NZ was privileged enough to attend the party this week for launch of the Concrete Playground's The Blogger's Awards.Why are blogs so important? Concrete Playground's Auckland publisher, Kyel Bell says "finding the best of the best in the blogging community fits with our goal of spotting the best bits of the city... If it often the bloggers who are there at the cutting edge of what's going on. Whatever they blog about you can bet they're passionate about it, which means they're nearly always the first ones to know."The plan is simple - acknowledging the passion the bloggers have about their topic.Nominations opened up this week - so if you know of a NZ based blog you love and want others to know about it, what better way than to nominate them for one of the awards. There are 6 categories:
- MEDIA, ARTS & CULTURE
- DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
- FOOD & BEVERAGE
- FASHION
- MUSIC
- MICROBLOGS
And also one extra award called "The Concrete Bloggy Award" for the Most Solid Online Writer. The prizes are pretty impressive, matching each category with a relevant reward e.g. Fashion - sponsored by Sunglass Hut, the winner received "All Year Round" supply for sunglasses, 4 pairs a year valued at up to $500 each. Whereas Music category wins a media pass to Rhythm and Vines.Got a blog of your own - why not nominate yourself, or get your readers to nominate and vote for you! Check out http://auckland.concreteplayground.co.nz/thebloggers/info/For other people, this might be the motivation you need to think about starting (or restarting) a blog. It is one sure fire way to show your passion about something - and maybe win a thing or two.