Yesterday, I was sad to read about fellow-Blogger, Khushboo Motihar's terrible experience after "winning" a Blogging Contest.
Hope the message has reached & reaches the target audience.
Also hope that it deters brands/Sponsors to organize questionable contests if they can't honour the promised prizes.
After investing a lot of time & effort taking pains to compose a winning-quality Post, if someone is chosen as a winner, the winning makes no sense if there is no respect or sanctity accorded.
One feels quite silly & totally lost!
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In a non-Blogging Twitter contest, I had a bad experience in which I didn't get the actual prize I was supposed to win. All the happiness of having been declared as a city-winner, fizzled out when later I saw that the winners of the same contest had indeed enjoyed the prize in its totality in the other cities where the same contest was held...
The optimistic person that I am, I always try to focus on the positive. In this case too, I just dwelt on what I really liked about the event, that I got to attend it - the opportunity that many others didn't have...
It was not my fault that the event was mismanaged as the prize-winners didn't get the chance to click pics with the stars (the prize) while others did by virtue of belonging to the Organizer's family! I have no control over what has already happened. But, I can at least try to think of the positive. Thus, I wrote about my positive experience- 2 States Movie Promotion At Kolkata !
When something bad happens to us, how we deal with it is important.
Do we withdraw into our shell & be quiet?
Or
Do we complain, quarrel and continue feeling victimized?
Or
Do we gather lessons and quickly share?
Vidyashree Nagaraju says in her Post - The Past was yesterday, wasn't it?
But, sad that the human brain has no recycle-bin where we can erase the past.
We can learn valuable lessons & move on.
We must LEARN, HOPE & COPE.
Why do Bloggers spend extra time writing about experiences/lessons/advice, that too when they are not getting paid for the said posts? There are no prizes too!
Still, Bloggers share pleasant and not so pleasant experiences for free!
While sharing the nice things, it feels great!
But, when we write about something bad that has happened with us, there are three things-
1. It is extremely painful as while writing, we relive the whole experience again and feel terrible and helpless- like sinking into quicksand!
2. We invest further- extra time and effort in sharing our quota of experience.
3. It is cathartic and healing and helps us vent out our feelings, quivering with emotions, and avenge with the do-good assurance that we are saving fellow-Bloggers from future ordeal.
That a Blogger tackles the above points & still shares, shows that she/he cares!
Sharing is caring!
And yes, there are no prizes for these!
I discovered a Blog that shared the real problems and issues. As it shared frank views about politics & social issues, the Blogger must have faced threats or dire consequences.
I was disappointed that the Blogger chose to suppress the free voice...dealt with the bad experiences by deleting the Blog...The Blogger QUIT...
Not only the Blog, the said person totally removed all online presence- by deleting Twitter, FB etc accounts too...
A democracy needs to uphold the truth and original ideas & queries must be encouraged. There are pros and cons and both must be analyzed with balanced views.
Of course, Journalists & Bloggers do that.
But, unlike journalists, (most) Bloggers are not paid!
Dear Bloggers, Thanks for sharing the good and bad with equal elan!
May we have the good sense, responsibility, courage and power to present credible information and share our quota of experiences.
I feel privileged and proud to belong to the elite Bloggers Community.
Thanks for all the support!
Its really a sad thing to happen. I read Khushboo's post and actually felt sad.
ReplyDeleteWhen you put in a lot of effort to write something and win it is a huge things. Especially if the win comes in after a million challenges. The least the sponsers can do is take care to make sure that the product reaches the winner. In some cases I hear that the winners are expected to pay the tax for the product they win. That is totally outrageous.
You darling, have almost all the contests I have contested in and it was nice to hear your experience here.
I feel privileged to be a part of this community too and knowing wonderful bloggers like you! :)
Yes, Soumya, it's pretty insulting...
DeleteTrue, wish the Sponsors give Bloggers the deserving respect and the prizes that the latter have earned with so much difficulty.
Delighted that you liked this.
Thanks for sharing & caring & being the darling that you are!
I feel blessed with your company :)
Hi Anita, sometimes it happens and we should be careful who we choose to participate. I haven't read Kushboo's post and very soon will read it. Also, about the blogger who quit, he/she must be honest enough to outside nonsense that she drived more traffic to her blog and in fact had more attention which should have freaked out the opposite party. If it is the profession of that particular blogger she/he might have been protected by the concerned company but if she/he is just ordinary blogger like us, then without proper defense system in place esp. for bloggers, you know how the world treats...do I need to tell you more? You are one of such honest person but also the one who cleverly choose words, so keep it up.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Uma.
DeleteWe must select with care :)
That particular Blogger was anonymous. I don't know whether it was a she/he. But, that Blogger presented facts honestly. Don't know what has really happened. But, it's anyone's guess...
In this world, honesty can be dangerous!
Thanks for your honest words & valuable support, as always.
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about the blogging contest. Wish there was a way to make things right, maybe something like a consumer court, something on the internet which would bring in some right amongst the many wrongs around. Well I may just be ranting!
But I guess, on the good side, the knowledge of having a prize winning post and winning with such a huge competition is always a great feeling. The physical prize I agree would have been a well deserved one, but the feel that one has for the win is something no one can take from the writer. I agree it is not much of a justice, but if Khusboo believes in the poetic justice, I guess this might be one way to look at it...
PS: Thank you for the article link, glad you liked it :)
Cheers,
V+
Agree with you, Vinay.
DeleteThings should be wonderful if promises were kept.
Yes, a win is a win. Winning gives a high.
But, the physical prize is what one has earned after so much hard-work and one truly deserves it.
I like positivity :) Cheers!
If something bad happens to us, we should write it down about it, it is true that we are investing our time on it, but then it will let others know about them.
ReplyDeleteThis is the reason why I don't participate in such things...
True Alok. We must share so that friends can be aware & beware :)
DeleteOnly a handful of such contests are bringing disrepute to all the rest...
You used some good Q words for this post. Carver, ABCW-Team
ReplyDeleteThanks Carver for stopping by :)
DeleteQ gave me a chance to share so much!
I have stayed away from a few contests because I thought something could go wrong with the prize (if I were to win, i.e.). I've had my share of bad experience but like you said, we learn. Did I stop blogging? No. Did I stop participating? Not at all! We definitely need to remain positive and build our network. We have more power than we think we do :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nisha for stopping by & sharing.
DeleteTotally agree- "we have more power than we think we do".
We have the power of Words & such a supporting & informed Bloggers network. More power to positivity :)
It is sad that some blogging contests are badly managed. All we can do is spread awareness among other bloggers so that we can choose contests wisely.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity that an honest blogger had to quit blogging because he chose to share the truth. :(
Maybe, one day there'll be so many people sharing the truth that it won't be that easy to suppress the voice of people. We should remain optimistic. :)
Well-written, Anita.
True Kiran.
DeleteLove your words- "Maybe, one day there'll be so many people sharing the truth. that it won't be that easy to suppress the voice of people.."
The thought is so positive. May your words come true.
The idea of the contest is great. Attract readers and all that. But without the FULFILLMENT, it's a sham.
ReplyDeleteThat's my point, Roger :) Thanks for reading.
DeleteI hardly do any contests anymore. But I love the sponsored trips I get. Out of so many there were probably two that I was not so sure about. In both cases I didn't write much.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to win Mridula.
DeleteSponsored trips are lovely!
Thanks for sharing. We have to be sure.
Thank you so much Anita for sharing my post. I believe that if bloggers come together and complain, brands will sit up and take notice of us. Jabong already has contacted me twice and wants to know what they can do to 'undo my experience'. I simply told them to take better care of bloggers who work hard on putting up posts. Anyway, this chapter has ended for me. From now on, I am going to be choosy in participating in contests. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your experience, Khushboo.
DeleteIt has taught me to be selective while participating in contests Saru. So, in a way it was a great learning experience for me. :)
DeleteMy pleasure Khushboo.
DeleteUnfortunately, they cannot 'undo' the damage.
We must treat everything as learning experiences & make use of the lessons in the future. Take care :)
I am here for close to 3 years now. I didn't write for any contest for a year but then started writing, I think we should maintain our integrity and as you said, learn from all experiences, good and bad. Blogging in India is a very corrupted, have you read reviews? And I know someone who quit as she was threatened, she was worried about her family.
ReplyDeleteAbout blogging, write whatever you want and do it with grit.
Totally agree with your views, Saru.
DeleteThanks for sharing. Quitting by deleting Blog is not so rare then.
May we maintain our grit, dignity & sanity :)
you know i have been advised time and again to participate in contest . except the last time you tagged .. don't know why ... sorry to hear about those experiences .. hope you have a better experience in coming year :)
ReplyDeleteI am sure the judges must find it challenging to judge such great talent, Ankur!
DeleteI had 17 Posts for that particular contest for which I tagged you & still didn't win even a Consolation prize :)
I always have high hopes, hence still taking part enthusiastically!
This is the reason why I have restricted myself to participate only in BlogAdda's or IndiBlogger's hosted contests.
ReplyDeleteI read Khushboo's post and it is really sad that her hard efforts were wasted so lamely.
Yes Anmol. They are credible. In-house sponsored ones have to be reputed ones, else we will be wasting our time & effort.
DeleteBest wishes to all of us :)
That is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteThese days the meaning of blogging has changed with all these contests and now with winners not being treated rightly. :(
True Indrani.
DeleteI am delighted when deserving folks win.
Like you did for Skyscanner :)
I read her post too anita...and its really pathetic. i have all but participated in one contest so your post is quite a shock for me. A blogger actually deleted her blog? thanks for sharing...your quota of experience
ReplyDeleteThanks Preethi. Many things are happening like people deleting their Blogs & online presence, & we don't know.
DeleteYes, you deserved & won the grand prize in that one contest you took part! Really happy for you :) Proves that many contests are judged fairly. It is the few that are unfairly judged, that bring a bad name to ALL contests...
It's too bad it didn't work out with the fulfillment of the prize. But you have put forth some wonderful philosophies to help others deal with disappointment like this.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
Thanks Leslie for reading & sharing your view.
DeleteAm sure things will get better when we care & share :)
The did not send you the prize that was promised? did you complain?
ReplyDeleteI read Khushboos post and it made me sad. Taking the pain to write a contet, winning and not getting the reward.
That blogger should not have deleted the blog. But maybe he has his side to share.
Yes Red. I didn't get the total prize- just a partial fulfilment.
DeleteBut, in many non-Blogging contests, I have not even received my prize despite winning & despite the many reminders...
True that the Blogger had his/her own story- a story that we will perhaps never get to know...
That is really sad and a disappointment from Jabbong's admins. Sigh. Khusboo did absolutely right in expressing her discomfort in her blogpost.Thanks a lot for sharing it here. I'm keeping a distance from various contests myself!
ReplyDeleteYes Bhavya.
DeleteThat's a sane strategy! Give some time & space & then do rejoin to continue your winning spree :)
I generally write to entertain :)
ReplyDeleteSureshji, That's brilliant! No heart-breaks; only smiles:)
DeleteI do not participate in contests hence can't comment/share experiences.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a great initiative this post Anita!
Thanks Amitji.
DeleteThis post is just a few of the experiences. Can write many such posts through what I have been through in my Contest career that spans two decades :)
There was a time when I did contests, but after I saw how they were manipulated and won, I gave up, havenot participated for years now. I dont think there is any platform where blog articles can be judged properly.
ReplyDeletewithout taking names THis VOTE system that was started earlier was a sham, people had created multiple ID's and were voting themselves, asking friends to vote ..
I also find very funny the VOting thing on other platforms. Most people dont even read the article but just vote.. what use is that ..
and not giving the gift when someone has won is really bad..
Sad sad .. they do anything for publicity .. maybe all bloggers should get together and write or say something about this .. Tweet-blog - email everything
Bikram
Yes Bikram.
DeleteEven I feel Voting is not the right indicator as the vote-results can be fudged.
Many online contests require 'Max Votes'. I avoid them mostly!
I like contests that are judged on Quality.
I don't participate in contests and write with a very specific purpose/intent in mind, so can't really comment on anything here. But am still quite annoyed to read that such stuff could happen. I am a bit skeptical by nature when it comes to business promoting their brands etc in as many ways as they can think of, but this post makes me even more so now. Thanks Anita for bringing out this issue.
ReplyDeleteNo, Beloo. That wasn't my intention- to dissuade you from participation.
DeleteJust wanted to share that unpleasant/unfair things happen sometimes. But, we can have faith on big/reputed brands/Sponsors as many contests award the deserving people. Unfortunately, the few that don't are the ones that create negative publicity for all contests..
I don't have much experience with contests but whatever happened was a clear example of mismanagement and ofcourse the reserved quota. This is sad. Atleast, in the field of art and blogging, people should try to stay unbiased and just.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Namrata.
DeleteTotally share your sentiments.