It’s that time of year when the blogsphere goes a little crazy and you know blog awards are taking place and nominations are open. Your Twitter stream becomes a constant stream of “Vote for me” and I sigh.
First it was The Mads and now it’s time for the Brilliance In Blogging awards.
I have been blogging just over 2 years now, this will be the 3rd time I have faced blogging award nominations and each year I have felt “not good enough”.
This year I have taken a much laid back approach and have not tweeted to ask for nominations. That way I was not as disappointed to not gain many nominations.
Now this may just be me and if it is then just ignore me, but I wonder how many other bloggers out there are as honest as me and will dare admit that they too have feel disheartened when the awards take place.
Anyone?
I know blogging is not about winning awards and with so many blogs out there I don’t expect to win, I just feel it’s a shame that each year, you see the same blogs being nominated and you start self-doubting your own blogging abilities.
I wonder how much the quality or helpfulness of a blog is taken into account when voting, against the circle of friends a blogger has?
Is it more to do with knowing the right people than writing a great blog?
Which blogger are you? I guess we all fall into a blogging circle don’t we?
Blog A is written by a popular blogger. This blogger is in the “top popular list” and is accepted as a top dog in the blogging circle and everyone follows them like a sheep. They have a little circle of friends and they don’t like to extend that circle. They attend blogging events and want to be in charge of that crowd. They have been known to create drama.
Blog B is written by someone who is not in a popular circle. They keep themselves to themselves and tend now to get involved with fall outs and linkys and prefers to talks to everyone rather than a few selected others. Their blog does not follow all the rules and this blogger stands out for being unique and not following the crowd. They don’t attend blogging events and does not follow a crowd of friends.
Blog C is written by someone who prefers to keep the peace and agrees with the top bloggers just because they don’t want to be pushed out of the circle. While they may not always agree with the drama or actions of the top dogs, they keep quiet. This blogger attends events and watches from the side-lines.
Blog D – Everything else
This year was fine until The Mads added a great category to their awards; to be honest my own blog does not fit into any of the blogging award categories so I was excited to see an award for, outstanding contribution to blogging and the community. Yes I thought that describes me and the blog well.
“This year, we want to celebrate those special bloggers who make an outstanding contribution to our community. Whether it’s through charity work, raising awareness of disabilities and social issues, promoting parent blogs to the wider world, or simply lending a hand to newer bloggers still finding their feet – we all know bloggers who give back more than most, and help make our community a more positive, rewarding place for everyone.” Said The Mads
Finally I had a category that I fitted in. I was sure that anyone who had read my blog knew of the awareness of taboo topics I raise or how passionate I am about mental health advocating. Even just felt sorry for me having “one of those blogs that didn’t fit in” would vote for me maybe?
Nope it didn’t happen.
So yes I felt a little disheartened and started thinking;
- What is it that I doing wrong?
- Is it my blogs topics?
- The way I write is wrong?
- People must just not like me?
It really does knock your confidence when you don’t see your name there.
Then I thought back to why I blog, it’s to help others and by doing so to help myself in my own recovery.
Blogging is not about winning awards, although don’t get me wrong it’s a great feeling to think your helping others by your blog being awarded with an award of recognition.
I think we all need to remember that we all have our own reasons for blogging and our blogs are as unique as we are. Try not to not take it to heart if your blog does not make the cut and remind ourselves that blogging is an amazing experience where we learn so much and are able to meet so many others who we would never have met otherwise.
Any others bloggers out there ever feel disheartened when the blogging awards take place?