Awards
Blog awards. You know what I’m talking about, right? Those awards that magically sweep across the blogosphere. Ever gotten one before? I have. A few times. I’m always grateful when a blogger pulls me out of their bag of blogs as one of their favorites. Sincerely grateful for being recognized. But, you know what? I’m usually pretty indifferent to the award itself. And because of that indifference, I generally don’t pay them forward.
Why, you wonder, could I be so cold hearted? Remember, I’m an analytical gal. I’m a woman of reason. Logic is my best friend. And these awards do not fit squarely, nor comfortably, into that world of mine.
- A blogger giving out an award makes recipients feel fantastic, while at the same time makes everyone else reading their blog feel left out (tell me you haven’t felt left out when you’ve been passed over for an award).
- Most awards have no merit. Seriously, when you see an award, do you consider who started it? Who had some extra time to Photoshop the award jpeg? Does this person hold any weight or knowledge or reputation to be handing out such an award? In what other area of our society do people receive awards and are then asked to pass the award onto not one, but multiple people? It makes no sense to me.
- Awards dilute easily. Let’s take this example: if I get an award and share it with 10 people and my 10 people each award 10 more people, that’s already 111 bloggers who have gotten this award and it just gets incrementally worse from there. Don’t believe me? See the graphic below and count your lucky stars! Once an award is diluted, does it still have meaning?
- Awards are like Valentine’s Day. People who claim to be in love use that one day to go overboard expressing their love for their special someone. In my world, there’s no reason to go overboard on that one day when I’m expressing my love every day of the year. Same thing with these blog awards. If you’re linking to or talking about blogs you like on a regular basis, there is really no need to save it up for this one big blog award day.
- Have you tried explaining to a non-blogger what a blogging award is? Were you met with blank stares? If you can’t intelligently explain to someone else the importance or significance of these awards, then are they really important or significant?
I guess my big attitude towards blog awards is also related to my writing and my reasons for blogging. I tend to write what I want to write. My writing isn’t necessarily for my readers, per se (unless I’m answering a question specifically posed by a reader). Really, this is the one space in my life that I can proudly admit it’s all about me. If I personally don’t get something out of writing a post, then I just won’t write it. Simple as that. Point being, I’m not here to win awards. That’s not my angle.
If my readers relate to what I write. Or like my style. Or think I’m weirder than Weird Al. Then, I welcome their comments. I don’t get too caught up in who isn’t reading my blog, but instead focus on those who are. Sure, I get used to my regular readers leaving comments and will wonder if they’re OK when they don’t. But, that’s on a very individual basis. I’m not into the numbers regarding who reads my blog. I don’t need reassurance through accumulation of awards to know whether I’m worthy or not. I’m not that complicated (nor that worthy).
On the other hand, I do throw a layer of complexity into the mix when it comes to the blogs I frequent on a regular basis. I have to relate to a blogger in some way. Whether it’s our age. Geographic wanderings. Writing style. Or approach to life. Maybe I admire that blogger in some way. Their sense of style. Their ability to overcome life’s obstacles. Or whatnot. Whatever it is, I have to find some connection with a blogger to keep coming back.
I’m not afraid to stop reading the blogs if I don’t find that connection. In fact, I have stopped reading a number of blogs, even popular ones. Not because there’s anything wrong with the people behind the blogs. Not because I hold a grudge that they’re more popular than me. But, because I can’t find that common link to the person behind the blog. Or the link is just too weak for the long-run. And it’s done with no hard feelings; I’m quite certain people have come and gone running from my blog, too. It happens.
So, back to the nonsense of this award business. This I’ll rub your back if you’ll rub at least 7 other people’s backs, too. I find myself a little apologetic to bloggers who have passed awards onto me and then sat wondering why I didn’t pay them forward. Really, it’s not them, it’s me. I just can’t do it. And if I’m really honest, then there is only one award I could ever give out. And every single one of you deserves it. Because my award would be the award for putting up with my nonsense day in and day out. For that, you all deserve to be acknowledged!
From the little jpeg awards to the larger ones organized by more formal blogging communities, tell me what’s your angle to the whole blog awarding syndrome?
January 5th, 2010 at 4:23 am
I almost always post about awards i get but i very rarely tag other bloggers to ‘get’ them too. I want to thank the person that sent me the award and i want to do that publicly but these things always come with a ‘meme’ attached and i don’t want to force anyone to do one of those and pass it all on again if they don’t want to.
It’s lovely to get them but i don’t sidebar them or do anything other than stick a post up about getting them like many other bloggers seem to do.
I guess i’m an in-betweeny
January 5th, 2010 at 5:30 am
I don’t care if people give me awards or not -- if they went away and I never got another I’d be fine. That said, I love it when people DO give me awards because I think it’s sweet that they’re taking the time to think of me. I’m always truly appreciative.
I always post it up, and if I feel like doing the meme I do it, or tweak it to serve my purposes. I also always pass it along, because as much as I enjoy getting them I want others to feel that joy too :) I give them out on the basis of commenting…I’ve got a whole little system, haha. Whether or not the recipients choose to act on the awards is their own prerogative, and it really doesn’t matter to me one way or another if they follow all the instructions or not. I don’t think they’re the point.
I think it’s to each their own…some people are into it and some aren’t…
January 5th, 2010 at 5:43 am
It’s not something that crosses my mind I suppose -- I’ve never received an award, but I’ve never anticipated receiving one anyway. They just don’t seem to have any substance. Sure, someone has worked hard on making them but it’s the same with art in a way -- what gives someone the right to say whether your blog is deserving? Last time I checked blogging was about free speech and expressing your individuality -- this singling out of people for being “Most Sincere” or “Most Worthy” is just ridiculous. You don’t pass those out offline so why do it online? Just tell someone you like their blog, give them a plug and move on -- don’t make someone feel less worthy by passing them over.
So no, I don’t like awards -- there are far better ways to express that you like someone’s blog.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:12 am
If someone gives me an award that has a meme attached to it I will sometimes fill out the meme (got tagged for 3 of the same one last week, and two of the same one this week). I usually don’t pass them out though. I don’t want to burden people. I think people are just trying to be nice when they send them out.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Ohhh, Nilsa. I swear, I could have written this post myself—only I’ve never really been able to articulate why exactly I just don’t GET the whole blog award thing. Is it a total cop-out to say that I feel the exact same way as you do? Of course, I’m flattered when I get a blog award. But, frankly, I don’t really *care*. And, thus, I don’t much care about “passing the award” on or whatever you’re supposed to do with them. It’s high school popularity crap all over again, like senior superlatives. Who CARES?!
I come from the same mold—I write for myself, not for my readers. Which has been my struggle with my blog of late…I find myself thinking about my readers as I’m writing. Too bad they don’t give out awards for “Writes only for herself”…
January 5th, 2010 at 9:05 am
those omgyourblogissuperawesome award do nothing for me. but in their defense in my early blogging days they did help me find more blogs and gave me little boosts of blogging confidence.
but now, i’m an old bitter blogger and unless i’m getting a blog award from say jesus, i’m not going to go ape shit.
i would like to give you an award though, the i heart you award.
i just made that up.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I am always appreciative when someone gives me an award because its nice to know that people are thinking about me, but I rarely pass them forward. I will on occassion but not as often as I used to. I think awesome writting stands on its own, that it doesn’t need accolades and honors to be recognized. As you said, I try to write for myself and not get caught up in who or how many people are reading my blog, and feel the same way about regular commenters. Connection is definitely an important thing for me when reading blogs.
I want to second Alexas award, the I heart you one. =)
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 am
If it’s a new one that I haven’t gotten before, then I might post the fun part of it (not the actual handing out of the award) as a thank you to the person who awarded it to me. Or if I don’t post it I usually email the person who gave me one and thank them that way.
I suppose I never thought about the watered-downness of the awards after they are passed around. Very good point!
We don’t need or want an award for reading your blog. We wouldn’t be here if you we didn’t like you/what you had to say =)
January 5th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I think the biggest idea behind the award is to get more people to your blog. But if you are giving an award to people who already come to your blog, what’s the point.
I’ve not given any awards yet because like you, I read a person’s blog because I like it. I may get behind, but when I do play catch up, I find something that I like.
I’ve stopped reading a few blogs here and there because it seems there’s no effort in what words get put out there. I read to make me think, sometimes to entertain, but mostly to think. I have a good mix of blogs that I read that satisfy my needs without any awards.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:05 am
I’m not a fan of blog awards. The jpg badge ones that get passed around remind me of chain mail — “Send this to 10 people and your wish will come true!” The community based ones just remind me of high school. I think I could get behind community based awards a little bit more if the bloggers for every category were different/a blogger could only be nominated for one award. But when every single category is the same few bloggers, what’s the point? The Bloggies for example — they generally do a good job of having specific categories and there isn’t a whole lot of overlap from category to category. There is a little bit though and it’s the same people: Dooce, Pioneer Woman, and Smitten Kitchen. I think it’d be great if they were nominated for the category they do best (photography, food, humor, writing, whatever), and then other blogs could get some exposure.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am
I’m not big into blog awards, even the community ones that are voted on- but I think that awards are often an imperfect way of people going “Here’s a great person you should read!” but throwing a picture and questionnaire in front of it kind of ruins it for me.
I think that in general, those posts and awards are really fleeting and only matter for a few minutes in internet time. Talking to people & reading blogs you’re engaged with is a better way to build community and to have a ‘successful’ time online.
And I don’t read any Big Blogs! I can’t get into them. I want interaction. It’s just who I am lol
January 5th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I don’t pass them out either. Most people just come to my blog to read about the train wreck that was my life. They come fascinated and horrified. Okay. But it’s my life. So -- commentary on the storyline is not really necessary for me. My writing however? I like it when I know a post is written well and someone recognizes that.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 am
When I started blogging I was very flattered when someone gave me an award. Now I’m pretty much over it. I mean, it’s still a nice thing to do and I appreciate it, and will comment to say as much if someone does give me an award. But I don’t pass them on or post about them on my own blog.
January 5th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I’ll admit that I don’t much buy into awards and while I am flattered someone thought of me, I don’t like being told I have to nominate others and write about it on my blog. I just don’t want to use that for a blog post, you know?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I’m flattered when someone gives me an award but I’m absolutely rubbish at passing them along. Even though I find it flattering that someone took the time to recognize my blog, I just don’t put that much stock in blog awards. I find it difficult to pass the awards along because they just don’t mean that much to me. I show my love and appreciation for blogs by continuing to read and comment.
January 5th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I agree with all of your points. The novelty of receiving awards wore off after the first three. Then I started to see how they created a lot of work but didn’t have a lot of meaning. I’d rather focus on posts with meaning, or at least a tangible entertainment value for my readers.
January 5th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I couldn’t agree more. When I first started blogging, I’d get all excited over an award. Now I cringe when a blog is giving them, hoping I’m not a “winner”. . . .
I love your blog b/c it’s just so real. You always know you’re gonna get some good reading. And I like it!!
January 5th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
What are you talking about? I make up awards to give to myself on a regular basis. Only because I like telling myself I’m all sorts of awesome and fab.
But now I have Matt to do that.
Ok, ok I jest (um, sort of). I liked getting awards at first but now when I do I thank the person because let’s face it, it is thoughtful of them. However I don’t pass it on anymore.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
AMEN SISTA!
January 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I’ve never given out a blog award. It feels nice to get one, but really? Meh. Am I a wicked bitch? I am, right? That’s okay.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
you already know most of my thoughts on this, and that i share your sentiments, pretty much to a T. while im honored when i receieve a note of recognition on another blog, i find an award loses some of its value when it’s passed all around to x number of people. i like to read blogs that i can connect with. people who make me laugh, who i can relate to, who move me with their writing. while a handful of the blogs on the award nomination list going around right now are in my reader, and some that i regularly comment on and even some that i consider friends, im not sure that i can get down with the whole voting process, as i find picking superlatives to be too trivial and choose-y for me.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
So, I am kind of caught up in this whole thing right now. I’ve been nominated for some 20SB Awards, and I won’t lie: I want to win. Lame, maybe. But I put time and effort into my blog and I’m a gal who likes recognition. I’m trying to figure out why that’s important to me, what that says about me, etc. but still, I hope I win.
As for the whole “Cupcake JPG” award with designated questions, I can’t do them. I just…don’t know. I like to “let the spirit” lead and answering a questionaire doesn’t do it for me.
I’m an award snob I guess, LOL.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I’m with you! I’m lucky enough to have had a couple thrown my way, and am always very grateful, but I do tend to get disappointed every time the monthly “Featured Blogger for the Month” on 20sb comes out and I feel terribly left out and rejected, lol. I write for myself, too -- partly. I used to write for myself, to get my thoughts out and keep a diary basically of what I was doing. Now it’s evolved more into blogging to improve my writing, to make connections, and to, hopefully, inspire people. Even if it’s just one person -- if somebody looked back over the last year and saw themselves where I was a year ago and where I am now, I’d hope they might feel a little inspired to grow, too.
Blog awards, schmlog awards (that’s possibly the grossest non-word EVER) -- as well-intentioned (and appreciated) as they are they’re all too often diminished and exclusive.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Wow -- you have clearly put some thought into this!
I agree with fellow commentors -- when I first got awards I figured I was doing something right. I felt obliged to put them on my sidebar and then, by default, also give them away. Now that time has passed I feel safe putting them on the bottom on my blog where they aren’t as obvious, yet still there just in case. I am sure they will be gone eventually ;)
January 5th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
When I was a blogging n00b, I totally dug the awards and always thought that they meant I was super special and that I should share that with others too.
However, I am now 100% against them and refuse to do them on my blog. My feeling is a lot like yours -- how crappy is it to the people who DON’T get chosen for whatever reason? Also, when people say that they truly write for themselves then have awards all over their sidebars? I find that to be hypocritical. Wow, I am judgy!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Wow, I never looked at it in this kind of detail or light. Honestly, I don’t really put awards on my blog because of the design and honestly, I forget. But when people give me one with nice words about why they enjoy my site, I do like it because it’s more than recognizing someone, it’s saying nice stuff about your site that you may not be aware of.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
I also don’t do the awards. I did the first one, but then I didn’t even know what it meant (it was in Portugese, should have been a heads up) and then I saw it on a billion other blogs (ahh, your point) and realized it really meant nothing more than the carnations passed around in junior high on Valentine’s Day.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I am too cowardly to admit this on my OWN blog, but I find it rather irritating when I get one. I am socially awkward enough as it is, without having the burden to have to pass along a jumbled bunch of meaningless HTML.
I realize it is ridiculous, but the amount of hand-wringing that goes into it for me if I get one is just never worth it. Nor do I think there is any real substance behind it anyways.
I typically read blogs where the content is something I can relate to -- like this. Not because there is an obscene amount of little smiley badges on the side of the page.
Gee, I sound bitter. Really, I’m not. :)
January 6th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I feel very similar to you, especially with the little awards that get passed out and are very similar to chain mail, as another commenter said.
I won’t lie, it’d be nice to be nominated and/or win an award from a big blogging community, but frankly? My blog just doesn’t have the readership that those award nominees typically do. And I’ve more or less come to be OK with that. I’m just happy that I have a few readers, and that one of them is you!
January 6th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
“Awards dilute easily.”
I was unreasonably amused by this simple sentence. Were you an engineer in another life? :)
I’m with you on the reading or not reading of blogs and my reasons for blogging. I typically find a creative way to avoid passing on awards too.
January 12th, 2010 at 11:33 am
YES.
I couldn’t agree more from the “pay it forward” awards to the “community designated” awards to the selection and deselection of what blogs to read regularly. I do think, however, that sometimes I struggle with the whole readership thing. I have my “regulars” but I also seem to have a lot of lurkers and am unable to draw them out in comments. I wonder what they think all the time, for some reason. I wonder what their “button” is and whether I’ll ever push it to gain access to their response.