Shockingly, I did not even rank in the KCRA A-List popularity contest extravaganza for Best Local Blogger. If I’d put much effort into it, I’d be disappointed. I do appreciate the 8 people who voted for me. Yes, one was my dad. I didn’t ask him to do it. We were talking about the contest and he just voted for me. I really hope he doesn’t read my blog. If he does, well…
Here’s the thing, I don’t have a problem with this marketing ploy in and of itself. It gets some very worthy businesses and local folks some air time and recognition that they deserve.
What I cannot stomach is when someone seemingly buys votes… Yes, I’m looking at you winner of Best Local Blogger who is NOT Nanny Goats in Panties.
She totally should have won in my opinion.
On one level, I’m impressed with the ingenuity. This person (at least I think there’s a person behind this really cheesy blog and I use that term very loosely here) who used a giveaway to generate votes. In order to qualify for the giveaway, you had to do three things. Vote in the KCRA A-List, like their Facebook page, and share the post about the giveaway.
Now, I’ve heard tell about websites solely engineered to get really good SEO. That’s search engine optimization to you and me. What that does is help the site get a really good Google Page Rank. Whenever you or I search for tennis shoes or athletic running footwear, this “blog” will probably show up on the first page. You’ll click on it to see if the info you’re looking for is there. Odds are you will spend about three seconds on the page and leave it. Doesn’t really matter. You clicked and helped the SEO stay high.
I don’t have a problem with someone trying to make a legitimate buck. What I have a problem with is someone saying they are a blog and creating a really crappy site. Sorry, but that’s my opinion. There is barely any content aside from big ass pictures of men’s shoes. I have a hard time believing ANYONE reads that blog on a regular basis. Maybe someone with a shoe fetish, but that’s like what…5% of the population? Yes, I did a totally scientific study.
Anyway, I just wish the people at KCRA did a better job of monitoring entries into their contest. I complained about that in a previous post. Who knew the rabbit hole went that deep? I mean someone figured out a way to buck the system. Maybe next year I’ll play their little game…and maybe a few of my fellow Local Bloggers will do the same…best or not.
>I agree. It's complete bullshit that NGIP didn't win. She writes original content that isn't all about the SEO. It's about the funny. When I looked at the winners of other categories, though, I realized that the entire A-List thing is complete bullshit. So there you go.
>I think my main problem is what KCRA defines as a blogger. My definition is completely different and it's probably wrong.
I tend to confuse bloggers as being writers. They aren't the same.
The CEO of the blog who won wrote to me and said that he followed all the rules of the KCRA List. He's right. Nominees are allowed to offer discounts and giveaways for votes in the contest.
I still don't like it. I also don't remember seeing any giveaways or discounts by restaurants or other local companies. I would think they'd be all over that idea, but maybe I just missed them.
But, this isn't a vote for elected office and KCRA can set whatever rules they want. I still don't have to like it.
After thinking about it, I'm going to join the contingent of bloggers not participating in the A-List. My blog will be listed on there next year because it's on there now and no one goes through the list to remove old data, but I won't be promoting it or bothering with it after this post. Plus, in all honesty, I don't have enough readers to win even if I gave away something to get votes.