I've always been of the belief that Australia has very much lagged other countries in the blogging stakes, particularly the US.
Part of this could be cultural. Australians have never been great at putting themselves 'out there'. Put it down to the 'Tall Poppy Syndrome'.
But I think that's changing.
According to Nielsen Research, Australians are the heaviest users of social networking sites in the world. That statistic came out of nowhere earlier in the year and certainly changed my view of social media acceptance in this country.
While I haven't got any blogging statistics locally, gut feel tells me the space is 'maturing' as more sophisticated - indeed, semi-professional and corporate - bloggers start to establish themselves in the market.
Interestingly, just today the marketing magazine Adnews reported that Westfield Shopping Centres was "on the hunt for a $100,000 blogger".
(On this topic, why does Westfield feel the need to turn its "hunt for a blogger" initiative into a consumer competition? It's not like it's a bad idea but it does indicate Westfield considers blogging to be a bit of a novelty. Why not just try to attract the right person by recruiting via online channels and social networks and use them in an ongoing capacity...and you wouldn't need to pay them a hundred grand either. You'll end up with a better, smarter and more passionate blogger, one who really knows how to create and engage a growing community of fashion fans rather than going through the rigmarole and risk of a competition only to potentially end up with someone who loves shopping and fashion but may not add much value as a blogger...but I digress...)
In recent days, there have been a few local blogging articles/posts that have caught my eye. A sign of things to come, perhaps?
Australia's Blogging Revolution
In its September PR Report, communications conference organiser FROCOMM listed some of Australia's leading bloggers under a number of sectors including finance/business, fashion/events, style, food, wine/beer, education, parenting etc.
Here's the list:
- Craig Reardon - The E Team/Smart Company
- Fred Schebesta - Credit Card Finder
- Carrie Choo - Daily Addict
- Matt Jordan - Imelda.com.au
- Lorraine Elliott - Not Quite Nigella
- Kylie Vowles - WineFoodHotel.com
- Emma Stirling - The Scoop on Nutrition
- George Ujvary - The Foodologist
- Andrew Graham - Australian Wine Review
- Christie Connelly - Fig & Cherry
- Melissa Klemke - Frills in the Hills
- Neil Pierson - Our Convenant
- Ann Nolan - Babysitterdirectory.com
- Nikki Parkinson - Styling You
- Jen Dalitz - SheEO Blog
- Lara Solomon - Social Rabbit
Subscribe to the PR Report here.
Smart Company's Top 25 Business Blogs
Meanwhile, Smart Company has compiled a list of Australia's top 25 business blogs - here they are:
- 22michaels
- acidlabs
- Adspace pioneers
- Aussie Rules
- Bluewire Media
- Catalyst for Magic
- Delimiter
- Deloitte Digital Blog
- Digital Buzz Blog
- Emma Isaac's Blog
- Ideas Culture
- Just Creative Design
- Michael Specht
- Mr MiniMovers
- mUmBRELLA
- New Retail Blog
- Pollenizer
- PR Warrior ('tis nice to be included!!)
- Problogger (Darren Rowse, pictured above)
- RedBalloon
- Start-up Blog (Steve Sammartino, pictured below)
- Tell Us Your Holden Story
- Telstra Exchange
- Trends in Living Networks
- The Pursuit of Luck
These lists aren't exhaustive by any means but they do illustrate the beginnings of a vibrant local blogging community, which can only be a good thing.
While I wouldn't say blogging in Australia has reached hardcore mainstream acceptance just yet, I think it's definitely chipping away at the fringes and is on its way (in some sectors and industries especially).
The fact the PR industry has started to sit up and take notice of some of the more established (and emerging) bloggers, and are actively pitching them with story ideas means that some in the local blogging fraternity are starting to be recognised as key influencers in their own right.
Is this just the beginning? What are your thoughts?
FURTHER READING/VIEWING:
Valuable Insights from Melbourne's 'Power Bloggers' (videos)
Directory of Australian Blogs (aggregated site)
