The other day when SAMANTHA MAY, our exceptional college blogger, awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award, I started thinking about why these tokens are important and how bloggers who receive them can make the most from them.
Why bother getting and giving AWARDS?
They show an appreciation for each other.
They often encourage us share more about ourselves that is fun and interesting and build stronger connections.
They give us a chance to create a backlink to a blogger and backlinks are important to optimize web visibility. READ MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BACKLINKS.
What should you do to get the most out your AWARD?
I like to thank the blogger who has passed the award to me, so I leave that in a comment.
I also try to post about the award as soon as possible.
I notify the blogger when the post goes live and send them a permalink.
I always backlink to them.
I pass the Award on.
So here’s my VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD response. This is hard part, but here I go with
7 things about me!
1. I hate talking on telephones. Really.
2. I’m a shower singer. It’s the only place I sound good.
3. I’m not a party animal.
4. I tend to be the hermity type.
5. I wanted to be an actress–kind of at odds with being hermity, isn’t it?
6. I also wanted to be an archaeologist, but that was when I was ten and before I understood I’d have to go into tombs.
7. I’ve created a special AWARD for Gary Pennick. It’s the SADOTY. See below.
Thanks Samantha and I’d like to pass this on to MARCIA HOEHNE. This is a different version from the one you have, Marcia.
SADOTY |
This is a special NON-AWARD for a select few–probably only one blogger actually. But the first in a very short line to receive this NON-AWARD is The Man Challenging His Inner Critic. Will he dare step up to snag this NON-AWARD? Will he be able to embrace the true meaning of SADOTY (Super Award Dodger Of The Year)? If he does either, there are RULES to follow:
1. He must never pass it on.
2. He must never reveal ANYTHING about himself. Penalties are heavy if he does.
3. No Linkbacks are allowed. Ever.
4. It self-destructs almost immediately after being claimed. Stand back.
(My apologies to Penny for the cat, but it seemed appropriate for this NON-AWARD.)
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee .. you make a good point about the connections … I'm poor at acknowledging awards – thankfully people seem to pass me by – as I'm so parsimonious with adding them in to the blog …
I must put a note up to that effect ..
Cheers Hilary
Leslie S. Rose says
You are award-worthy with an exponent. I wanted to be a doctor until I had to take the cadaver anatomy class. I ran to the theatre department.
DMS says
What a great post! You gave such helpful advice about awards and I love, love, love the Non-Award! π
Like you- I hate talking on the phone (except to a select few). I actually think I may have phone phobia. π
~Stephanie
Pk Hrezo says
lol love the non award. And congrats on your award! They used to circle the blogosphere more but kind of faded out over the years, so I'm glad to see them still being used. Always makes you feel good.
It actually does make sense that you could be a hermit and want to act.
I hate talking on the phone too. Really hate it. And when I was 10 i wanted to be an archaeologist too.. thanks to Indiana Jones. Later I learned what I really wanted was to be Indiana Jones and have great adventures. π
Carol Kilgore says
Congrats on your award AND on creating a special one for Gary. And yeah, there is that whole tomb thing with bones and spiders and snakes and …..
Lisa Gail Green says
LOL!!! I HATE talking on phones too. I'd much rather do the email thing. Must be something to do with writing. π
Damyanti says
I'm not into awards myself, but I have nothing against others getting them :). Congratulations!
writerlysam says
Tomb excavation and 10 year olds don't usually go together – can't blame ya there:) Tried to make it here before Gary's message self-destructed — looks like I just made it:)
Sharon K. Mayhew says
Very thoughtful post. π Love that you passed the award to Marcia, she is wonderful!
Love the non-award you gave to Gary…He will love it. π
Carrie Butler says
Congratulations, Lee! I can get pretty hermity, too. π
klahanie says
Gosh Lee,
Congratulations, to the point of joyous exaltation, on receiving the "Versatile Blogger Award." I've been informed you're flexible, but we wont go into that.
Ah yes, awards, a great way to bring further attention to ourselves and accumulate followers. I mean, ah yes, awards, a great way to interact and share within the wondrous, caring blogging community.
"1. I hate talking on telephones. Really." I guess you'll just have to face the fax.
Oh wow, Lee! Thanks and the tears of Joy are flowing down my cheeks. Why Joy is here, I have no idea.
I gracefully, indeed humbly, accept the Sad Oddity non-award, sorry, the "SADOTY" non-award. I might even comply with the rules. Penny is distraught over the cat in the photo. Now that we both actually realise it's supposed to be a cat.
I will most certainly forget the "Write Club". Of course it has everything to do with a writing competition and nothing to do with the person setting it up trying to draw further attention to themselves. I would be cynical to think that.
Well done, again on getting your award, Lee. Yay to Marcia having it bestowed upon her. And thanks again for the non-award which I shall duly try to forget or remember or I have no idea.
This eagerly anticipated, highly collectable, dare I say, non-award winning comment, will self-destruct in five, four, three…..
Your, as ever, starstruck fan,
Gary
Empty Nest Insider says
Congrats on your award Lee! I always wanted to be an actress too. I love your special award for Gary! I can't wait to see his witty comeback!
Julie
nutschell says
Yeah. I agree about the phone thing–unless of course it's a really good friend, then I can talk for hours!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
tfwalsh says
Congrats, and loved your answers. I also hate talking on the phone…:)
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
C. Lee, if you'd like to join me in a blog hop sometime after July 19th, please email me at [email protected]. I will send you the details if you'd like to join.
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
Congratulations on the award, C. Lee! Lots of us are shy. I don't like talking to people I don't know on the phone. If someone is my friend, I like to talk with them.
Ruth Schiffmann says
Congratulations on the award, Lee!
M Pax says
I don't like talking on the phone either. And I have hermity tendancies. Perhaps that's why I like it out in the sticks here.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I should have kept at it, then!
Catherine Stine says
I have heard that many actors and actresses are actually shy, and really loners at heart.
David P. King says
I know some authors shy from awards. I like them – I accepted one recently, actually. You can never pay it forward enough, and that's not a bad way of going about it. And Samantha May rocks! Congratulations! π
Christine Rains says
Congrats on the award! And that's wonderful you posted all the benefits of blog awards. I think they help make us a tighter community. π
Natalie Aguirre says
It was nice learning more about you. I'm like you–a hermit-type that doesn't like talking on the phone.
Bish Denham says
You certainly deserve this award, Lee. And ditto what Cynthia said, thanks for the reminder of why these awards are meaningful. Next time I get one, I'll try to keep that in mind. I have to say, though, I like SADOTY!
Cynthia Chapman Willis says
Congratulations on the award! And thanks for the reminder about why these awards are not just fun, but useful.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Cynthia. Glad you liked the reminder.
Stephen Tremp says
Congrats on the award! And I am not a telephone person either. Just bothers me when someone calls and tries to yak my head off.
C. Lee McKenzie says
If they call me to me their woes, I'm really not happy. Solicitors I hang up on or press my Phone Butler message. Just give me the details and say goodbye.
L. Diane Wolfe says
That cat award is going to explode when Gary sees it.
I used to hate the phone. Worked at UPS for a while and had to call people up to tell them their packages were lost, damaged, destroyed – we don't know where they are! Talk about fun.
M.L. Swift says
Good suggestions for award acceptance, CLee. And wonderful choice of Gary! I don't really do phones too much, either.
M.L. Swift, Writer
Southpaw says
I'm another one who dislikes talking on the phone. I get really antsy.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. That disembodied voice is hard to communicate with for any length of time.
Suzanne Furness says
Yeah I'm not a telephone fan either! Love the non-award!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Telephones do not respect you in the least. The interruption is really rude. Of course, I could ignore the ring and let my automatic butler pick up the message, but I'm compulsive and answer.
Jemi Fraser says
Love the non-award for Gary – perfect!!
#6 on your list made me laugh – so true!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. Archeologist sounded so mysterious and exciting until that moment the word tomb popped up!
Mark Means says
Congrats on your well deserved award and, when I was younger, I always wanted to be an actor, as well. Of course, I wouldn't describe myself as 'hermity' (my wife might…), but I'm not big on the limelight, either π
That is the -perfect- award for Gary…and well deserved, too! π
C. Lee McKenzie says
We should talk about almost-career in acting one day!
Teresa Coltrin says
Congrats on your award and non award. It's nice to learn more about you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We must have fun while we're here, so the non award is my fun time. Thanks, Teresa.
DEZMOND says
first four things about you go for me too π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Twins separated at birth!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Congratulations to you.
That that non-award for Gary is hysterical.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm waiting for the response. I'm sure it will be "special!"