Week 6 Voting has STARTED!... Or has it? #PayItForward

One of the best ways to get your blog out there is to interact with other blogs. It sounds silly, but it's true. There's a reason why they call it a 'blogging community' and a community doesn't exist if it's just one person. Then you're more like a blogging hermit. Blogging is social, hermits are not.

The best part about having a blog is that you have the ability to get the word out to people about amazing things, whether they are big or small. To me, it's almost an obligation to do that. You have an audience, and there are people and things that need exposure.

This week, the Idol hopefuls took on the challenge that is the embodiment of why we started Blogger Idol: to get exposure to blogs that, otherwise, might not get it.

Here are there posts:

Ice Scream Mama: Click here for a (blogging) good time!
Manderstanding: Favor of the Week
Crazed in the Kitchen: Blogs That Just Might Be Better Than Mine
Dad and Buried: Public Service Announcement
Pile of Babies: The best blogs you've never read
Martinis and Minivans: Blogging it Forward

 If you are a blogger, we'd be honored if you'd write up a post about your favorites, and submit it to our Play at Home Link Up this week. Feel free to use our 'Good Bloggers Pay it Forward' badge, and the hashtag #PayItForward.

This week, we are doing things a little differently. Since it seems a little off to eliminate someone for helping out other bloggers, nobody is going to be eliminated. So instead of voting, this week, we'd like for you to leave a comment telling us who YOUR favorite blogger is.

Farewell, from The MFP, and RMD

I want to thank Blogger Idol, the judges, contestants, and the voters for this great opportunity. It was fun, yet terrifying, putting my writing out there to be judged. I've made some good blogger friends and found that i might even have a knack for romance writing ;)

Glitter & Unicorns for all!

~The MFP

Wow, what a great experience Blogger Idol has been. The pressure to write on a deadline on a specific topic is what I was most looking forward to in this competition. It really was every bit of the challenge that I wanted it to be. For those of you following along at home, there are some great people working behind the scenes to make this thing happen, and they deserve a big high five.

Heather, you are awesome for having conceptualized this contest and built it into a reality. I know that it will only continue to grow as long as it exists. Contestants from last year (who are also some of this year's judges), thank you for being the guinea pigs. This year has been very smooth as far as logistics are concerned. To the judges: thank you for the comments and critiques. I hope to keep getting better as a writer, so it was great to get some honest feedback from people who don't necessarily read my blog.

This competition also gave me the opportunity to make some new blog BFFs. To The Mother Freakin' Princess: It is only fitting that we go out in the same round. It was great writing with you, and I wish you the best of luck with all of your blogging endeavors. Keep rocking on with your princessness. Lastly, to Dad and Buried, you're the only dad blogger left. Bring it home.

-The Real Matt Daddy

Week 6 Play-at-Home Link Up: Idol Gives Back Week

'Good Bloggers Pay It Forward' is something that was started by myself, and From the Bungalow (who is a judge this year, and contestant last year). Daddy Knows Less does a #payitforward post every other Friday. The concept behind it, is basically the reason I started Blogger Idol. To give people a chance to share their 'stage'. This week's assignment is to share your 'stage' with other bloggers. You have to write a post, and talk about 4 of your favorite bloggers. Make sure you link back to their site, and convince people to WANT to follow them. Three of the bloggers can be your choice. The fourth must be someone involved with Blogger Idol in some way, whether it be judge, contestant, former contestant, etc.

Yes, you can pick more than 4. But I don't recommend it, because then the post tends to get lengthy and link filled. I do recommend including at least 2 links for each site you pick. One to the main URL, and the other to a favorite post of yours from them.

In the title of your post, even if it's just at the end, include the hashtag #payitforward.

We encourage you to do this on a regular basis. Not just for bloggers, but anyone that needs help getting the word out about something, especially if it's something life altering.

When you're done, link it up below, and go let the people know that you wrote about them!