After Faded Spring Turned One last August, it got me thinking how much I had achieved in my year of ‘blogging’. Not only had I built a website from scratch, set up Facebook Groups to increase social and blog generated traffic but I had also won two awards, such as Best British Blogger and been nominated for a further three. Now awards are not everything but even being nominated shows that someone believes in you and believes that you have the drive and passion to be a success. We bloggers are mechanized to the beat of a technological drum and spend hours glued to our computers and smartphones hastily compiling tweets on the train, replying to emails on buses and writing posts with three mugs of coffee untouched beside us. We work our god damn asses off and ‘award ceremonies’ help validate our achievements and puts into perspective how our little blogs are being received by our audience and our critics. When I first started blogging I barely knew what it entailed, only aware that the glossy ‘insta-ified’ version of blogging was a complete crock of s**t and so called ‘freebies’ were not freebies at all. Little did us novices now how much goes into running a site, not to mention updating a gazillion social media platforms and having to get to grips with industry buzzwords like SEO and SMO. We are artists, we are writers and we are editors but most of all we have all learnt to magically master the art of multi-tasking.
The more immersed in the world of blogging I have become , the more I appreciate the little behind the scene details that A. help us get the recognition that we deserve and B. allow us to network, share and inspire. Which is why I believe that award ceremonies, although on the decline, are important for recognizing the talent that us bloggers have as influencers and especially as artists. In just over a year I have come across very few award ceremonies and have seen countless award ceremonies cancelled and discontinued. It is true that finding a large venue to hire for over 200 bloggers, all while organizing food, refreshments and entertainment can be pretty difficult but I don’t think that we should be put off by that. In fact finding large award venues in London is as easy as ABC, just ask me, Faded Spring! Whether you want to host your awards ceremony on the top of the Oxo Tower, or prefer a more historic themed dinner in Hampton Court Palace the world really is your oyster. I really want to see the blogging industry host more awards and especially awards that are aimed at smaller influencers, who have worked their butt off to make progress.
If it was up to me I would host an award ceremony in Freemasons Hall, an Art Deco building situated in the heart of Convent Garden. The grandeur of Freemasons Hall could come across as pretentious but as someone who appreciates historical equities I believe it would be the perfect backdrop for any blogger award ceremony, especially if like me you love fancy dress and decide to set a theme like ‘Famous Characters in History’. Wouldn’t that be fun? Imagine handing out an award like Best Fashion Blogger and Anne Boleyn steps onto the podium? I would like to think that she would approve. But enough of my ramblings, planning a blogger award ceremony is no easy feat so for blogger organizations like UK Blogger Awards to host award season every year is quite remarkable and I applaud them for hosting an event to remember. I was there last year and they did a fantastic job, the only criticism I would have about blogger award ceremonies is that they all seem to be done on a ‘popularity basis’ which to less established bloggers can prove to be a little bit of an unfair advantage. Thus if I was to host this imaginary blog award event, I would forget the whole ‘public’ voting process and begin by asking bloggers in each ‘genre’ to write a themed post i.e. why they chose to become an ‘x’ type blogger and how the award could change their life. Submissions would be chosen on a ‘creative basis’ and the top 5 most original entries from each blogger genre category would become shortlisted.
I think it is definitely fairer for bloggers to be chosen on the basis of their ‘creativity’ rather than connections and popularity and believe that a venue like Freemasons would really make the shortlisted entrants feel truly special. Once the entrants have been shortlisted, they will be invited to a ‘bloggy dinner’ pre-ceremony (although judges would have already chosen the winners judging their blog and social media platforms as one cohesive portfolio) and treated to a range of delicious cuisine, specifically tailoring to guests dietary requirement. One thing you will notice is that at many award ceremonies vegetarian and vegan options are relegated to ‘salad’ or low calorie, insubstantial portions and that is an issue that needs to be addressed. Food aside, the grandeur of a location like Freemasons will really make the bloggers feel like they have had a slice of royalty so all the entrants who do not win will still feel like they have won the winning ticket in the lottery draw. Guests will be given goody bags inspired by brands- i.e. food samples, hair products, books, pens, accessories ect and maybe even a goodybag that is created in relation to their blogs themes i.e. mine is fashion, lifestyle and social issues thus a notebook, earrings and a true life story book might be a great goody bag choice.
Safe to say I realize that planning award ceremonies, especially blogger award ceremonies is no easy feat and to each of you organized peeps, a massive congrats for staying sane and not dunking your head into a massive vat of wine.
Voila Amigos x
Have You Ever Thought About Hiring A Venue For An Award Ceremony?
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*Disclaimer
I received monetary compensation for this post but this does not affect my views and all research is my own.
Helped hire for an award ceremony for service users for a charity once. It was a lot of fun and very rewarding! I like the idea of rewarding bloggers on standard of writing. The posts I’m most proud of are the ones that haven’t necessarily had heaps of views or comments x
I’ve planned events in the past and they’re never easy, it’s nice though when you see the people have a great time. It would be awesome to see more award ceremonies and events for bloggers. A good venue to celebrate their hardwork would be amazing.
This is a lovely post! And so true, for any event in fact! But Iove your views on how you would choose who would be nominated xx
Ive been doing events and parties for my blog for the past 3 years- it’s fun but a ton of work!
Oh my gosh .. I was nodding along with your entire post. Before I started blogging .. I was so naive when it came to everything that went into making it a success. To do it and do it well certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re right .. any and all awards are so well deserved. Thank-you for your words!
I’ve never needed to hire out a venue and to be honest I’ve never actually been to a blogging event before x
Award ceremonies are a great way to give appreciation to hard woking bloggers. Not an easy task though, but the feeling afterwards is so rewarding.
Ana, you have already done such a great work and as you mentioned you started it all from scratch!
It’s amazing to see how much you have achieved and how far you will go 🙂 Glad to follow you on Instagram to see your journey and your outfit is stunning!
shelley xoxo
http://www.shelleymorecroft.co.uk/
Fab post and that fur scarf is gorgeous!
Your blogging event sounds awesome! I do love meeting up with other bloggers – it must be so much work to organise these events. Kaz x
I would love to go to an award ceremony they sound so exciting. I love your suggestions and think that it’s a shame many smaller blogs are overlooked.
I’ve planned many events for my Toastmasters Club and office parties. But never hosted any event where everyone is a stranger. I totally agree with you that planning such kind of event is a very tedious job.
Many Congratulations for all your accomplishments!
I really like your trendy style! Also your backpack is unique, fun and adorable.
First of all… Congratulations! You are an amazing example for me, I’ve just started my blog. You are inspiring!
I am always happy to see bloggers winning awards, it does show that hard work is appreciated. But I hate it when to win that award or to be nominated you have to RT and constantly ask people to vote for you, it is almost like click bait for those who have organised the comp xr
Planning an event takes a lot of hard work, but at the end seeing how people enjoy the event gives so much joy. A blogger award is an event I’ve never attended before, but I agree with your choice of the blogger nomination.
Love the location you said you’d host yours. I agree, awards ceremonies must take so much time and effort x
I planned a big charity event a couple of years ago and it wasn’t easy at all! It was so worth it in the end though and I did have lot’s of fun (in between all the stress!) xo
aahhhh i love the dress & the accessories u wore <3
I love the idea of the awards ceremony… especially on the creative front. So many great bloggers that have smaller followings get lost in the shuffle of the full-time fashion bloggers with the funds to hire a complete team. Great post! xoxo Robin
I love this! We do deserve to be recognize because maintaining a blog is A LOT of worj that often goes unnoticed. Way to take on such a feat!
Kaitlyn
http://www.mypostpartumlife.com
Oh, I bet that does take a lot of time and effort. I always appreciate the people who organize things like award ceremonies.
By the way, I LOVE your kitty backpack. How cute!
I love your ideas for venue and for theming an award ceremony – I’ve never been to one, but I think it would be really fun to dress up and be able to participate in something like that! Especially if it feels all fancy, like the Emmy’s but for bloggers? Yes!
Kudos to you! I am no popular blogger because I don’t network much and I seldom get invited to events. But just like everyone else, I work hard on my blogs — I just don’t have the funds to get a ghost writer, especially an assistant who can help me with blogging works.
I think your vision of a blogging award ceremony sounds wonderful from the venue down to the specially created meals and goodie bags. I think it would surely be a lot of very hard work but it would also be very rewarding x
I’ve planned some events in my lifetime but never a blogging event. I think it would be nice to have more of those, definitely. We should recognize bloggers for the work that they do!
My best friend wants to get into event management. I think it’ll be fun and always something new to sink teeth into. X
Oh wow, you have achieved so much. Well done. I have been blogging 6 years and haven’t got any awards 🙁 Sound like a lot to take on planning a blogger award ceremony.
I’ve never planned an award ceremony. I think it’s a great thing to plan x
I love this post, I think you are right in all the points you made. I also love your outfit, specially the bag, it’s so cuuuutee x
I’ve never planned nor attended an event like an awards ceremony but if I was I’d love to attend one just like you’ve described. I really like your idea of tailored goody bags to your blog genre. That would be a lovely personal touch!
I love following your site, the pics are always beautiful and you write amazing! I think you deserve and award!
I used to work in events so am used to scouting out different building in London for various events and Freemasons Hall is lovely x
Good points 🙂 I especially identify with ‘freebies aren’t free!’, bloggers are multitaskers and that sometimes smaller bloggers get over looked. I think you’d have to advertise nominations for your awards EVERYWHERE because I know there have been times I’ve seem winners announced and think that I would have liked to enter if I’d know about it.
I would love an award ceremony if Anne Boleyn were to step forward. How fabulous.
I do love the sound of a fabulous big event with blogger getting the recognition they deserve. I hear of small events, and read about some noteable awards being won. But a flamboyant event in somewhere amazing, well that would just be most wonderful.
Huge congrats to you for all the awards you’ve won, and why “imaginary blogger awards”? It would be amazing if you decided to realise your vision! Xx
Kisses,
Maria
The Chic Pursuit
If you ever do host an awards ceremony, I’d definitely attend!
We love organising parties…does that count? 😉 good luck with your planning x
Events of any kind can be tough to plan. I have never thought about hosting an awards ceremony before!
Hi Ana, your ideas for the blogger award event are really cool and fun sounding! It would definitely rock to have it at a glamorous and important venue to recognise those who have worked their butts off to provide great content!
I haven’t tried planning an award ceremony but I’m sure it is hard and challenging especially when you have to exceed the guests’ expectations. Congrats to the awards 🙂
I have never been to an actual blogger event! I really need to get my act together and start attending some.. there are hardly any in my city tho which is rubbish! London is where its at.
I think it’s lovely you want to do this, I wouldn’t have a clue where to start. I’ve never been to an award ceremony either x
I can imagine this is hard, but I would love to see something happen like this in the US! Most of my blog pals are from somewhere else and it would be cool for us to travel and meet in this type of setting.
A huge well done on your achievements so far. I keep meaning to look into blogging awards – I was invited to the Vuelio Awards but not as a nomination ….I’m not giving up though 😉
You make some very insightful points. I particularly like the idea of bloggers being rewarded based on their writing. It is the content and the impact your work is having on your audience that inspires me to continue to develop as a writer. Great outfit too by the way.
congrats on everything you have achieved until now!!!
and i think the award ceremony is an amazing idea!! I been blogging for a year and it feel good to get recognized
Congratulations on the award, Ana! Inspiring story in such a short space of time. Hope to be there someday 🙂
Congrats on your award. I’m so happy for you. xx
You work SO hard on your blog and engagement and it shows. You deserve the awards you have won for sure. My blog has been going for so long in different guises but I re-started it in a way to make it more focussed over the few months and it’s done better than ever.
But that again is down to engagement. I think holding down a full time job and a blog is fine, it’s just taking time to engage…but it is possible, especially if you can survive on 4 hours of sleep a night. Anyway, in a months time I have my own awards event for bloggers and brands happening, it’s for Plus Size bloggers and brands as there was a royal fluff up from the original awards ceremony and I have stepped in. Another challenge I have decided to take on! Anyway, good luck x
I love how you accessorised this look. You look lovely. Never had to hire a location for an event.
You’re an inspiration for a new blogger like myself: to see that you achieved so much within a year! I am still learning the basics, I hope to be where you are one day! X
I totally agree with everything you were saying here! And congrats on all your hard work. PS: that backpack with the cat ears is super duper cute
Blooging really isn’t as easy as people like to believe. Yes you just write about whatever, but if it’s something not many people are too much about, having no engagement hurts. I spent my last 3 lunch breaks since coming back from my hiatus commenting and replying to comments on different blogs as well as my own, and trying to maintain a youtube channel on top of that. You really don’t get how much time and dedication it really takes until you’re in the thick of things.