Blogging Idol 2: Send Your Application Now

blogging idol

After tweaking the rules a bit and discussing the competition with the readers, we are finally ready to launch Blogging Idol 2.

You can participate with your existing blog or website, and I am sure it will be a good opportunity to improve your blog and to get motivated to increase your RSS subscriber count. On top of that, there are also $4,500 in prizes.

You can send the application from today until the midnight of next Thursday (October 30) via the contact form. That is only 4 days, so read the rules and send yours right now!

The competition will start on November 1st.

Win Over $4500

First of all I would like to thank the sponsors that we have aboard.

This time we will also have prizes for the 3 competitors with more points. The first prize will be the lifetime subscription to Keyword Country and $1,000 in cash. The second prize will be the annual subscription to Trackur and $300 in text links. And the third prize will be the 3-month subscription to the SEO Book Trainning program.

The Rules

1. Any blog or website with 2,000 RSS readers or fewer can participate. One blog per competitor only. (participant blogs must have the Feedburner feed count enabled)

2. The competition runs from November 1st until November 30th. During that period, 7 points will be awarded to the competitors, on the following way:

  • 1 point to the competitor with the highest increase on the number of RSS subscribers
  • 3 points to the competitors (one for each) with the highest number of votes on the open voting session
  • 3 points awarded by a panel of judges

3. The criteria for the voting session and for the judge points will be: the most clever and effective strategy for gaining RSS subscribers and for promoting the blog. Paid and blackhat promotional methods are not allowed.

4. On November 30th, the blogger with more points (it will probably be 3 or 2 points) will be declared the winner and receive the prizes. The second and third places will also receive prizes.

General Information

In the case you are wondering who the 3 judges will be: I am one of them, Ricky from Keyword Country is the second, and Jarrod from Sponsored Reviews is the third one.

Overall the objective is similar to the Blogging Idol one: increasing the number of RSS subscribers using clever and efficient promotion strategies.

The difference is that this time we also have an open voting sessions and a panel of judges, which I think will make the competition more fair.

How so? Even if someone cheats to gain more RSS subscribers than everyone else, he could still lose the competition if he doesn’t get a vote from the readers or from the judges. (I will obviously monitor the competitors anyway to make sure they play under the rules).

Secondly, even small bloggers have a good chance now. The voting session and the points awarded by the judges will be related to the blogger using the most clever and efficient strategy for gaining RSS subscribers. The only requirement here is creativity, so small bloggers could easily beat the big guys if they are smart enough. In other words, it does not matter if you started the competition with 7 subscribers and ended with 30. If your strategies were clever, you could still get the votes from the readers and from the judges.

Finally, in the case of a draw in the end (i.e. 3 bloggers end up with 2 points each), the decisive parameter will be the increase in the number of RSS subscribers.

Send your application

You can send your application right now. Just email me via the contact form, and include your name and the URL of your blog.

The deadline for the applications is the midnight of Thursday, October 30th.

Daniel Scocco on October 27, 2008 Subscribe to our RSS Feed

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95 Responses to “Blogging Idol 2: Send Your Application Now”

  1. Sohail on October 27th, 2008 9:51 am

    Here we go. I am ready and sending you applications. Hope to learn a lot from this competition

  2. TechZoomIn on October 27th, 2008 9:53 am

    I just missed the chance at Idol 1. But this time i will try my best to be a winner.

    Lets jump into the Competition :)

  3. SEO Genius on October 27th, 2008 9:58 am

    Excellent Daniel, this sounds very similiar to the first blogging idol but I like the tweaks you have made. It makes the competition a little easier and more fair for the little guy.

    I will send my application now :)

    Will.

  4. Rui Cruz on October 27th, 2008 10:00 am

    Hello.

    Non english blog can participate, or only english blogs?

    Rui

  5. TechZoomIn on October 27th, 2008 10:00 am

    I am trying to change my theme for this competition to attract RSS lovers.

  6. Mr. I on October 27th, 2008 10:13 am

    I am in!

  7. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 10:19 am

    @Rui Cruz, any language is welcome. I will do the weekly reports myself, and I can write in English about your strategies and tactics if you want to let all readers know about them.

  8. Joel Drapper on October 27th, 2008 10:22 am

    Sounds great! I’m in! :D

  9. Matej on October 27th, 2008 10:37 am

    Aweber subscribers will not count?

  10. Saurav on October 27th, 2008 10:41 am

    Entering any competition after big time. I am IN.

  11. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 10:43 am

    @Matej, if you use the blog broadcast feature they will, since Feedburner count those numbers in their feed count.

  12. Saurav on October 27th, 2008 10:44 am

    Making my big list of friends subscribe. Will it be any violation of rules?

  13. Rarst on October 27th, 2008 10:59 am

    I like how it was rebalanced to remove focus from pure numeral increase to judging how interesting and effective methods are. :)

    Will submit my application later today. And few days to get ready…

  14. Shaun on October 27th, 2008 11:18 am

    I’m about to hire someone to work with me to write content — can I still enter?

  15. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 11:57 am

    @Saurav, if you ask them to subscribe because of the content on your blog that is fine.

  16. Ruchir Chawdhry on October 27th, 2008 12:04 pm

    Awesome! I’m submitting my application :D

  17. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 12:04 pm

    @Shaun, yeah, multi-author blogs are allowed to join.

  18. Nathan Driver on October 27th, 2008 12:28 pm

    Awesome idea - missed the 1st one and already sent in my application.

  19. Sam Duvall on October 27th, 2008 1:03 pm

    “Paid and blackhat promotional methods are not allowed.” Does that mean that you can’t use paid advertising for your site at all, or just can’t use it to gain rss subscripers?

  20. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 1:13 pm

    @Sam, I would say at all, else how you can you determine if the banner you purchased made you also gain RSS subscribers or not?

    The problem with allowing paid promotions is that it becomes a “who can spend more” competition, not fair for the guys that don’t have a marketing budget.

  21. Kurt Avish on October 27th, 2008 2:03 pm

    Hello Daniel. First time am participating in this very cool competition. I don’t think i stand a chance to win lol…however am participating for fun.. Lets all have fun :-)

    Btw I invite all of you in the Blog Light Day in Mauritius at http://islandcrisis.blogspot.c.....iwali.html

    Also come and see the power of LIGHT on the occasion of Diwali festival :-)

  22. Kurt Avish on October 27th, 2008 2:11 pm

    @ Daniel: Just a little question…my blog contain three language namely English, French and some part of Creole (a mix of french and hindi and english too). However over 75% my posts are in english. I can participate?

    I am asking due to the fact about containing some “creole language” parts which many readers don;t understand.

  23. Sam Duvall on October 27th, 2008 2:16 pm

    Let’s get little attention to this…
    http://digg.com/tech_news/Blog.....cation_Now

  24. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 2:26 pm

    @Kurt, definitely. Language is not a problem.

    @Sam, thanks for subitting to Digg, although I don’t think it stands a chance of going popular.

    Digg users are very biased against blogging and SEO related content.

  25. SATISH on October 27th, 2008 3:36 pm

    Stumbled!

    And Enter the contest.

    Thanks for the contest Daniel :)

  26. Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne on October 27th, 2008 4:18 pm

    This is exciting! I’m soooooo IN!

    I am a bit confused on how the points work … couldn’t someone end up with all 7 points? And you mentioned a tie of 3 people getting 2 points each … aren’t there 7 up for grabs? I’m sorry … just a bit confused … but still very excited! *SmiLes* Suzanne

  27. Mac Apps on October 27th, 2008 5:27 pm

    Sounds really interesting. I reckon I could have one the last one if I decided to book my ideas together and enter. My entry is in. I just hope I have the ability to get some decent points.

  28. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 5:31 pm

    @Suzanne,

    Each competitor can earn a max of 3 points.

    5 points (1 from the RSS gain, 1 from the voting session, and 3 from the judges in the case they all choose the same blogger).

    Each judge could choose a different blogger though, and on the voting session 3 people will get 1 point also, hence why you could have 3 bloggers tied with 2 points each.

  29. L-Jay on October 27th, 2008 5:58 pm

    @Daniel

    Will there be any reporting back? I liked to read what everyone did week by week last time, but that might give away ‘trade’ secrets of getting subscribers. So how can we know what everyone is doing and follow the progress?

  30. fromtheold.com on October 27th, 2008 6:09 pm

    Actually please count me out. Going after rss readers will destroy my blog’s goals :)

  31. Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne on October 27th, 2008 6:25 pm

    Daniel ~ Do we have permission to use the Blogging Idol logo to blog about this? Thanks. *SmiLes* Suzanne

  32. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 6:25 pm

    @L-Jay, the weekly reports will be optional. That is, each competitor can send his if he wants.

    Additionally I will also try to keep a look on the bloggers to report and smart and curies events :) .

    @fromtheold.com, increasing the number of RSS readers is usually a consequence of publishing great content and promoting your blog smartly. Not sure how this would destroy your blog goals. Unless your goal is to make your blog a secret to most people :)

  33. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 6:26 pm

    @Suzanne, definitely!

  34. Rarst on October 27th, 2008 6:28 pm

    Some questions.

    1. What about multiply feeds? Like full/partial content? My blog has two feeds - usual and software updates (self managed and published, not syndicated from elsewhere).

    2. No paid ads is good. What about ad exchange systems? I know they are not working too well to make big difference, just want to clarify the rules.

  35. Aamir on October 27th, 2008 6:49 pm

    I have one question. Do you count feedburner subscribers grow or self hosted feed (like WP feed) or both of them?

  36. fromtheold.com on October 27th, 2008 6:53 pm

    Oops. I apologize, I should of emailed that. The reason why i dont want to go for rss subscribers is because I dont want to focus on one topic and usually people will only join if the blog is focussed :) My blog is about random stuff I find interesting and I do about 50 posts a day, so people wont easily join the rss feed. They will have their emails and rss readers full of my stuff which might get annoying to them.

  37. Fromtheold on October 27th, 2008 7:19 pm

    yes, yes, I know. i am making no sense tonight. :)

  38. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 7:32 pm

    @Rasrt,

    1. If the feeds publish different content, we can count both of them. If they are the same feed tough, only one is full the other is partial, you need to choose one to compete with.

    2. Link and ad exchanges are fine. As long as you dont spend money, you can get as clever as you wish.

    @Fromtheold.com, I see.

  39. Daniel Scocco on October 27th, 2008 7:34 pm

    @Aamir, the Feedburner one. I am not sure how I would be able to know how many subscribers the WordPress feed of you guys has.

  40. Descartes on October 27th, 2008 10:27 pm

    Sounds like a fun idea, and I definitely have less than 2000 subscribers.

  41. Sohail on October 27th, 2008 10:52 pm

    Ok was about to submit my application but seems i am having some prolem. just wondering if any one can help.

    I added a Text widget in my sidebar(so that i can add html code of “feedburner counter” in it to show the number of subscriber) and when i click EDIT on the text widget it just dsapears from sidebar widgets………… :( tried my best o get it worked so that i can display the count what am i doing wrong? any one

  42. How to Cope with Pain on October 27th, 2008 11:48 pm

    Is it just RSS feeds, or does signing up for a feed by email count, too?

  43. AllTopBlogs.com on October 28th, 2008 1:56 am

    Just submitted my application for Blog idol 2. looking forward to learning more with this competition.

    Thanks

  44. Ajith Edassery on October 28th, 2008 4:29 am

    I am game! The application is on the way and keep the prices ready!!

    Cheers,
    Ajith

  45. Fromtheold on October 28th, 2008 6:12 am

    I changed my mind (again). Would it be possible to still count me in?

  46. Daniel Scocco on October 28th, 2008 6:57 am

    @Sohail, did you try just to copy the code provided by feedburner and pasting it on your sidebar directly?

  47. Daniel Scocco on October 28th, 2008 6:58 am

    @How to Cope with Pain, most email subscription services just use your RSS feed and email them to people, so those count too.

    @Fromtheold, you need to send the application again because I deleted yours.

  48. AroJoy on October 28th, 2008 11:42 am

    Dear Daniel,

    Thanks for reviewing the competition as Blogging Idol 2, enabling us to participate with the existing blog.

    Hope to score well, as you have suggested, by creative efforts to increase our RSS subscribers.

    AroJoy
    Infoqueenbee

  49. Saurav on October 28th, 2008 11:47 am

    Theres 1 question in my mind. The RSS feed count is fluctuating every day in my case +/- 10. I have feed count of about 41 as of now. Is it something I am doing wrong or its normal. Something about working of feedburner might greatly help.

  50. Michael on October 28th, 2008 11:55 am

    I subscribed to your blog first:)

    And I am in.

  51. TechZoomIn on October 28th, 2008 1:09 pm

    @Saurav,

    I agree 100% with you. My feedcount is around 120, But it is showing 24 today. I was shocked by seeing it :)

    Daniel,

    How can we overcome this one?

  52. Rarst on October 28th, 2008 1:27 pm

    @Saurav

    Fluctuating is perfectly normal for feeds.

    @TechZoomIn

    That happens when feedburner loses contact with some big service like Google Reader. No report from such service = huge hole in subscriber count. It don’t last longer than a single update usually.

  53. bugjee on October 28th, 2008 3:16 pm

    sound is really great but i have use only simple rss feed and its add with browser , why need feed burner

  54. Daniel Scocco on October 28th, 2008 5:04 pm

    @bugjee, because Feedburner is the only one that reports the number of subscribers.

  55. Sohail on October 28th, 2008 10:26 pm

    Thanks for help Daniel, I directly pasted the codes into side bar and am good to go. Already sent you application through your contact form

  56. David Cheong on October 29th, 2008 4:24 am

    This is one of the competition which I wouldn’t want my readers to miss out too. The game and the prize, is the best. :)

  57. sarpras on October 29th, 2008 11:10 am

    Very ban, i have only 20 rss subscriber.

  58. Debi Zylbermann on October 29th, 2008 11:41 am

    The 1st blogging idol got me started, but things have slown down recently.
    So, I’m definitely going to join this one, and I like the changes you’ve made in the points system.
    May the best blogger win :-)

  59. Jason on October 29th, 2008 12:12 pm

    Just sent you an email… this should be fun. :)

  60. Young on October 29th, 2008 12:20 pm

    I will send you an email soon and please count me in then, I am now trying to have the Feedburner feed count enabled, as you know that my country does not like feedburner and blocks it.

  61. Andy on October 29th, 2008 12:56 pm

    Email sent! Count me in!

  62. Sly from SlyVisions dot Com on October 29th, 2008 10:02 pm

    Count me in! I’m looking forward to this one. :P

  63. John D on October 30th, 2008 2:13 am

    This sounds like fun. Looking forward to seeing who wins :) .

  64. Suzie Cheel on October 30th, 2008 2:39 am

    Hi Daniel,

    Thanks for setting this up and this time I am looking forward to at least doubling my subscribers

  65. Srinivas Tamada on October 30th, 2008 6:59 am

    I am in.

  66. TheWeblogZone on October 30th, 2008 7:01 am

    I just sent my application. I hope you include TheWeblogZone for the second season of Blogging Idol. :)

    Cheers!

  67. Daniel Richard on October 30th, 2008 10:58 am

    Nice! Now where’s that application thingy. Hmm. :)

  68. Social Media Marketing Blog on October 30th, 2008 11:13 am

    please tell me more about this. how can i participate. what is the last date of submission etc..

  69. TheWeblogZone on October 30th, 2008 11:24 am

    Hi Daniel,
    I just enabled my Feed Count. You can see it on my blog’s Right Sidebar.

    Cheers.

  70. Meghna on October 30th, 2008 1:46 pm

    @Daniel - I’m IN. Looks like fun!

    @Others - Since I’ve joined and as I’m surely THE winner, why don’t you all withdraw? :)

  71. Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne on October 30th, 2008 2:31 pm

    @ meghna ~ OK little miss … BRING IT DON’T SING IT! lol … let’s have some fun! *SmiLes* Suzanne

  72. Daniel Scocco on October 30th, 2008 3:11 pm

    There are over 115 applications and I am still counting…

    It will be fun :) .

  73. dingexx on October 30th, 2008 3:57 pm

    this was a different contest that I’ve join..This was an interesting one..looking forward on this..Good luck to all of us guys..:-)

  74. EmmaB on October 30th, 2008 4:49 pm

    I have the FeedCount plugin installed not the default feedburner one. Will it still be eligible? Or do I have to put the feedburner chicklet on my website?

  75. Daniel Scocco on October 30th, 2008 7:52 pm

    @Emma, you just need to have the feed count active on Feedburner. The widget is not required.

  76. EmmaB on October 30th, 2008 8:23 pm

    @Daniel, ok thanks!

  77. Jay on October 31st, 2008 1:44 am

    Hey Daniel,

    I sent two e-mails but the first one I wanted you to disregard. I’m just wondering if you received it or not because I would definitely like to enter for the second time. :D

    Let me know, thanks!

    Jay

  78. AroJoy on October 31st, 2008 1:58 am

    115 competitors wow!! its going to be fun and tough competition :)

  79. TheAnand on October 31st, 2008 4:11 am

    Oops…it takes about 10 secs for scroll superfast to the comment form! There seems to be some tough competition ahead of me!

  80. Dot Com Dud on October 31st, 2008 8:16 am

    Just sent my application, I hope I am not too late!

  81. Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne on October 31st, 2008 10:05 am

    Daniel ~ I wanted to clear up some confusion on one of the rules …

    “Paid and blackhat methods are not allowed” …

    does that just refer to pay per click … or NO MONEY SPENT at all … like I believe in the last competition … you could not offer money or prizes that cost money … is this correct? Thanks. Suzanne

  82. Ajith Edassery on October 31st, 2008 3:54 pm

    @Daniel,
    One question - Do you expect the contestants to send their strategies up front or after one week?

    Cheers,
    Ajith

  83. Colleen on October 31st, 2008 8:03 pm

    Hey Daniel,

    I have my feedburner installed. It’s at the top right and currently says “0.” Awesome. I’m a little technologically stupid, so you’ll have to forgive me, because I don’t really know how this feedburner works. But hopefully, I’m not eligible for the contest!

    Thanks,
    Colleen

  84. Mike Huang on October 31st, 2008 9:32 pm

    How will there be proof for these type of contests? I would say it is way too difficult to even find a winner because ANYONE can fake it. A lot of blogs have A GRIP of subscribers, but the alexa and stats are low. However, the comments and community is very big. It’s just too hard to find the truth.

    -Mike

  85. Valeria on October 31st, 2008 9:52 pm

    Just wanted to thank you Daniel again for this competition. It jump-started my blog. I’ve been procrastinating for months, but in the last four days I’ve accomplished a lot.

    Thank you and good luck everybody…

  86. Ganesh on November 1st, 2008 1:15 pm

    Oh my! I totally missed this competition.

  87. gengen on November 4th, 2008 8:43 pm

    oh my i miss the competition too…wahhh can i join anyway? kidding…

  88. Jason S on November 5th, 2008 4:25 am

    Oopsie… I have missed the bus :(

    How I wish that the deadline is extended :)

    Cheers!!
    Jason

  89. Jay on November 6th, 2008 3:53 pm

    Daniel,

    I just wanted to verify, we’re not allowed to hold contests sponsored by ourselves to gain subscribers, right?

    Jay

  90. blackzero85 on November 8th, 2008 10:37 am

    I’m curious for the result. Our blog still have chance, doesn’t it? :D

  91. Jayson Cole (KrunkMode) on November 12th, 2008 3:51 am

    Ahhh Nooo! I’m too late for this! Oh well, check out my blog for some quick humor. Thanks!

  92. chethan on November 14th, 2008 3:36 pm

    Oh god! Its too late for me to join this contest now… it is really exciting one but wish i had known before :( anyways can i participate atleast? i will put the feedburner count now itself

  93. anshul on November 14th, 2008 3:44 pm

    Great contest But i missed it seen today only . Allow me in between:)

  94. Arun Basil Lal on December 30th, 2008 11:53 am

    I am looking forward for the next idol, all set

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