Magazine ‘Blogger Awards’

There’s been quite a lot of debate on Twitter about magazines who hold awards for ‘best’ bloggers. Normally, I don’t enter these but I did enter one a few months ago and was short-listed. I have to say that I felt a bit neither here nor there about it and ended up feeling totally blah about it when I got a very brief email saying basically, you didn’t win so bye. It was sort of robbed of any ceremony really since the winner was clearly notified ahead of time so the magazine didn’t have to invite or entertain short-listers at uneccessary expense. I did in fact think that the right person won in the end, but for short-listers it was something of a non-event. 

On the one hand, magazine awards do bring extra attention to blogs, which is a good thing, but I could say, hand on heart, that any magazine exposure I’ve had hasn’t brought any significant, if any at all actually, extra traffic. As someone who is lucky enough to have a readership that is equivalent to that of some magazines, I’m a little offended at the assumption of superiority in magazines doling out awards to bloggers and can’t help wondering how ‘thrilled’ the mags would be if bloggers got together and picked out one of them as ‘the best’, with associated emails, awards, etc. ‘I’m sorry Vogue, this year you didn’t make the shortlist…’ As if they’d care or notice. In fact, if you band all blogs together, we’re so outweighing them in readership that blogger awards bring them nothing but good publicity and coverage, so that would explain the recent spate of ‘blogger awards’. And, to be honest, I haven’t looked, but did hear that one of the ‘prizes’ is to write for the magazine for free. So, that’s a page they don’t have to pay for.. all in all, it’s a magazine win-win.


On the other hand, there is much kudos attached to writing for one of the glossies; freelance journalists would bite each other’s hands off for the opportunity, and if you are looking to make a move into beauty writing for press or you want some exposure for your blog then it is worth its weight in gold for a CV. Everyone loves a winner, right? It is somewhat disingenuous then, that bloggers looking for that opportunity are criticized for their ambition. I might not want to enter myself, but I certainly don’t hold it against anyone for wanting to further themselves. 


I think that magazines haven’t quite got their heads round the whole blogging thing yet; we are certainly spelling trouble for their readership whether they admit it or not. Anyone who ever bought magazines for the beauty section really have no need to bother anymore thanks to the wealth of information available through blogs. However, magazine readers and blog readers are often looking for different things; hard as it is to believe, there are plenty of print readers who never, ever look at blogs. Some readers love the feel of a glossy page in their hands and I know how that feels having rejected a Kindle as a form of reading because I love the touch and smell of a new book so much. 


There are advantages to both forms of media, but one is not better than another. Just different. Personally, I’m not sure I want an award from a magazine who I think I do a better job than when it comes to covering beauty and I genuinely don’t like the balance of power thing that comes along with them, but I’d far rather be in a situation where other forms of media are at least trying to take an interest, albeit clumsily so far. The situation needs refining, not banishing, and once that’s happened I think it could be harmonious. But until that happens, meh.. I’ll put pictures on my mantlepiece instead.


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24 responses to “Magazine ‘Blogger Awards’”

  1. Emma Cossey

    Completely agree, sometimes it feels like magazines are ‘doing the bloggers a favour’.

    On the flip side, it’s great to see blogging being promoted more in the mainstream media. It’s just a shame it seems to be in a patronising manner.

  2. Great post, I tend to find everything I need regarding beauty, clothing, crafts etc through blogs. I do on occasion buy a magazine because its the physical act of it (holding that glossy in my hands and reading while having a coffee)rather than for the information inside which tends to be mostly ads anyway x

  3. What a gorgeously honest review. To be honest my blog isn’t even in the same league as blogs which are entered into these competitions. I see them going on all the time, but barely pay any attention to them. I’m sure that if ever I was bestowed with an award from one of these magazines I would feel honoured that my work had been recognised, but it isn’t the be all and end all. I read maybe one magazine now, all the others have been replaced with blogs. And, honestly, I would probably get more excited about a RT or recommendation from a Blog-crush than I would a glossy mag!

  4. Sometimes you write things that make my jaw drop – partly at the content but mostly because of your amazingly succinct writing style and ability to cut to the chase and sum up what the rest of us are thinking.

    This is one of those! Flipping brilliant post Jane – I cracked up laughing at the bit where you mentioned bloggers voting for magazine awards! You have the advantage of seeing both sides of the coin & it’s great having access to your insight.

    I am one of those people who bought mags mostly for the beauty section. Actually I still do (I have a strange compulsion to hoard magazines that I rarely more than flick through), but I didn’t know about beauty blogs until about a year ago, so just 6 months before I started my own. They have been a revelation to me, really.

    I hope that one day bloggers and magazines will be respected for their individual attributes, both by readers and oneanother.

    Nic
    http://www.strawberryblondebeauty.com xx

  5. Another gorgeously eloquent post Janie!! And I agree with every word. I really think it’s a matter of live and let live when it come to magazines and blog, bloggers and other bloggers!

    We all have to get along together so we may as well be a little bit positive about it!

    Magazine are realising that there’s no point in ignoring blogs and at least this way they are addressing the ‘blogosphere’ in a positive way.

    And as for people that don’t like it ‘spamming’ their twitter timelines, well I don’t like all topics either but I patiently wait for them to pass and avoid being rude or scathing.

    Thanks for this post!!

    Ree
    xxx

  6. Jo

    Fantastic, well written, well thought out post Jane. Agree with every single thing you have said.

  7. Anonymous

    “I felt a bit neither here nor there about it and ended up feeling totally blah about it”

    You write this blog post and expect us to believe the above?

  8. I enjoyed reading this post but I think a lot of bloggers don’t consider receiving extra traffic, I didn’t expect extra traffic from the Cosmo Blog Awards but it was more the excitement for having achieved something from a hobby.
    It’s great to see more exposure for blogging general through magazines because it is becoming such a necessary tool for information.

  9. Interesting debate… Although it’s nice to see magazines recognising blogs I do wonder how clued up they are about the blogging world.

    Blogs are great because they’re so accessible and the information is so honest and helpful… And I love seeing swatches of a lipstick or eyeshadow before I buy it.

    But then if I want to read in-depth features on skincare, haircare, etc I will go to magazines (usually Elle or Psychologies)as journalists have contacts with some of the best experts and it’s written really well.

    Sami x

  10. You couldn’t be more right! I was shortlisted for a Cosmo Blog Award just like Holly Arabella and it was an honour to be recognised by Cosmopolitan for my efforts. I’ve had some exposure for my blog which I am so grateful for but, at the same time, I feel that magazines are only doing this because their readership is dramatically decreasing due to the popularity of blogs today.

    I think when you’re looking for exposure or coverage, don’t expect any favours. Most people have an agenda to be honest, and feelings aren’t considered. I love your blog at all! I think you should’ve won 🙂

  11. Anon – think you’re missing the point somewhat here. This post has been written as a discussion piece – BBB gives us all the facts, her experiences and sums up her opinion in the concluding paragraph.

    Then we’re obviously free to agree or disagree in the comments. For what it’s worth I agree. I’m not sure what you think though, maybe you’d enlighten us?

  12. Anonymous

    @Beaut.ie

    How can Jane dedicate time to writing something she claims to feel “neither here nor there about”? Deep down she does care.

  13. Well said, BBB! I used to work in a women’s magazine and some folks really hated bloggers but they were just threatened…I totally agree that I would rather go through blogs for reviews and I never buy magazines anymore. If I do buy a rare one, it’s b/c I’m on a flight without a good book n need some entertainment (esp if it’s a budget flight n you have to pay to watch a movie).

  14. Anon, I am totally breaking my own rule here to engage with someone who doesn’t identify themselves, BUT, to clarify re the awards I entered. I entered for Red Magazine Red Hot Woman which is an award system that had a blogger category; not specifically beauty or indeed specific to any other subject so the variety was mixed. So, it was not specifically a magazine-gives-blogger-award thing.. it was more all encompassing than that. The only other award I’ve ever entered is the Bloggies which again is fairly generic. And, unprovable, but nonetheless true, I had completely forgotten I had even entered for Red until I was shortlisted so it was something of a surprise. It isn’t about not caring, it is more about feeling I don’t need to prove myself in that way – it’s also somewhat awkward because I fall between two stools as a beauty writer for mainstream press and a blogger, so the people who end up judging me know me well and I am not always comfortable with that. I am in fact, judging an awards (beauty writing which includes a blogger section) tonight so I know how it is on the other side of the fence. I genuinely am neither here nor there on it.. the only one I really wanted was the Bloggies and it is probably something most people have never heard of. I’m also questioning why these awards exist at all; who benefits most from them and why, after years of pretty well being loathed by magazines, blogs are suddenly being embraced. I think it is relevant to question that and it is a discussion post.. everyone’s view is welcome but please don’t make it personal as it shows you to be oddly over-invested.

  15. I think it’s certainly true that magazine readers and blog readers are looking for different things, which are supplied accordingly. I never went to magazines for beauty product trends, if ever I buy them it’s for a fantastic editorial or fashion spread.

    Nevertheless, I feel like magazines wouldn’t have to feel “threatened” because they can start a blog section (and most already have) on their online counterparts. Glamour magazine’s blog component is super active and their readership ranks up there with the top bloggers

  16. Chantal

    Hi, I just wanted to say that I think you are right on the money. I pretty much stopped reading magazines and now I just browse beauty blogs. The reason is simple, less ads, more honest opinions, funny reviews, often good quality pictures form several angles and swatches. On top of that it seems I can read about new lines and releases on sites as soon as they are annouced while in printed form it takes some time.

    All those reasons make magazines boring and slow for me.

  17. What a great post. I didn’t resalise untill reading this, since I have started my blog (around 4 months ago) and been reading everyone else blogs I think I have bought a magazine twice! Sorry Mags, blogs are my fave now 🙂

    Em

    x

    http://www.emsmixedbag.blogspot.com

  18. Niche

    I saw on the site of the person who won in the category you were nominated in that the Red Magazine awards were held at No. 10 Downing St. I guess they couldn’t invite the shortlisted people from all the categories to go to the event due to the venue as well as expense.

    I would estimate that a third to a half of the blogs I read, I found through conventional sources online or offline. Whether it was Orangette from her column in Bon Appetit magazine, The Sartorialist in a newspaper article and Tommy Ton from Style.com, they caught my interest from attention they received from regular media. [They all got the work in the media I mentioned from the success of their blogs but I had not heard of them before that] Conversely, I have bought magazines based on them featuring bloggers or even when the bloggers post pictures from them. I live in Canada, I occasionally buy Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, and Elle Collections etc. because of the attention they receive from blogs. Would I buy them if not for blogs? nope. Never heard of Elle Collections quarterly until Susie Bubble said she was in it.

    I think blogs are better when it comes to learning about products efficacy and performance but there is nothing like seeing a beautiful model with beautiful makeup on standing in some luxury resort in an exotic locale for some inspiration and fantasy. I guess its the difference between editorial spreads and market pages in a magazine. Although if blogs can afford to rent private jets for editorial shoots one day and post the pictures for free, I think magazines might really be over.

  19. Trimperley

    Say 1 glossy a week roughly equals £3 per week or £156 per year. For this I get fashion spreads I don’t like and poor and time lagged beauty news.

    Reading the beauty blogs is an added bonus of having an internet connection. I view it as free and having better content than the glossies.

    I was going to illustrate this post with the yearly cost of a Vogue subscription but much to my amusement the subscription link on the magazine’s website won’t open for my Firefox browser.

    Take a star for your blog Miss Jane ********

  20. Anonymous

    Rubbish – anyone can become a blogger these days without having any background, knowledge or experience. Whereas to write for a glossy magazine or a national title you would have to really prove yourself worthy.

    Bloggers (like BBB) have massive chips on their shoulders because they do not get the same treatment as real journalists do – they are not invited to the same press launches, don’t hear about new launches and developments until the last minute and don’t enjoy the same perks the major editors do. All I see when I read your blog is “I sort of like this product.. but that product is not something I would really use personally..” – it’s all your personal opinion, which to be honest, means very little to me. Why should I care about what you think? BUT if you were the beauty director of a major title, I would take this opinion much more seriously.

    I find a LOT of negativity and bitterness in your blogs and tweets – you sure have a lot to complain about! And your reputation as a bully seriously exceeds you now…

  21. ihavemostlybeen

    7th December Anon
    So apparently you read BBB in spite of not liking the content or style, which in itself is odd. You follow BBB on twitter too, even more odd and yet somehow it has escaped your attention that BBB IS invited to press launches. The whole point of a blog is that it is the personal opinion of the blog writer and not the “corporate” stance often taken by beauty editors who have to be very careful not to bite the hand that feeds them, a fine line in an industry where advertising is of vital importance. If you think BBB is negative and bitter wouldn’t you be well advised to unfollow rather than spewing vitriol here?

  22. Morning BBB

    I for one do not buy glossy mags anymore,
    used to buy 4 a month for the beauty section,have said this before they rave about everything
    Say it’s brillant
    Well no it’s not!!!!
    Have wasted enough money to keep a small COUNTRY going for a year

    Love your honest funny views
    you don’t take yourself to serious

    after all it’s not life &death
    I want to say a big THANKYOU for saving me a fortune& making me laugh

    ANON if you have an opinion it’s only polite to leave your name

    OR HAVE YOU SOMETHING TO HIDE!

    LOVED THIS ARTICLE

    joy x

  23. I love the fact that the ‘Anon’ clearly reads BBB’s blog, follows her on twitter and has been continually coming back to post even more unnecessarily rude comments. Is it just me, or do they appear to be slightly bitter fan?

    Anyhoo, brilliant points made as always. I’m sat on the fence on this one as I’ve been nominated for quite a few things/been featured in mags; it’s great to be recognised but brings absolutely no extra traffic. I do feel magazines are jumping on the blogger bandwagon somewhat, taking our content and getting us to work for free under the pretense of ‘exposure’. A lot of the awards are fixed or biased anyway, so they’re not worth the virtual space they take up.

    I’m sure there’s a way we can all find our place and work alongside magazines in the long term. I, for one, will never ever stop reading my glossy copy of Elle every month.

  24. Katherine

    Anonymous, while it is true that anyone with an internet connection could write a blog, very few blogs are valued as much as BBB.

    Why you or anyone would trust magazine advertisements over the opinion of a real, live person is beyond me. Magazines aren’t just opinions, true – because they just feature and rave about products. You never hear the negative side of any product from a magazine. It’s kind of their job to promote products rather than tell you their “opinion” or the truth.

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