It's simply not true, what they're saying about me!
When it comes to #marketing recognition I have my share of few medals in the cupboard. Recently, I was listed as one of the Top 100 marketers by the team at the upcoming UK based Technology for Marketing event. https://lnkd.in/gbV6uSnR ... BUT!
Now, while this award didn’t come with a price tag or provisos attached, let’s be honest—the real goal here is to draw attention to the exhibition where the awards will be handed out. Such a smart marketing move, kudos guys, BUT it got me thinking about what these kinds of awards really mean.
Vanity Awards: What’s the Deal?
#Vanity awards are those shiny badges that get handed out, usually with the hope you’ll cough up some cash—whether it’s a nomination fee, participation fee, or something else.
Yeah, it’s nice to get a nod, but let’s be real—these awards are more about making noise than actually celebrating true achievements.
The Mechanics
Nomination Process: Usually, it starts with an email or letter telling you that you’ve been "selected" for an #award. Spoiler alert: there’s often a fee involved to be officially listed or to receive the award.
Marketing Opportunities: Once you're in, they’ll nudge you to buy plaques, certificates, or other stuff to #flaunt your new title. This is where the "vanity" part really shows—you're basically paying to hype yourself up.
Recognition Without Substance: These awards might look cool on your LinkedIn or company site, but they don’t always mean much. They’re usually more about the business of giving out awards than actually recognizing real marketing #achievements.
Why You Should Care
You’ve got to see these awards for what they really are. They might give you some visibility, and yeah, they can look impressive at first. But don’t confuse them with the real deal—true #recognition comes from awards you actually earn, not ones you can buy.
The Real Recognition
What really counts is the impact we make, the value we bring to our clients, and the #respect we earn from our peers. Awards are nice, but they’re not the goal. Real success comes from showing up and doing the work every single day.
A Final Thought
I’ve been at this for a while, and I’m proud of the real wins I’ve had along the way. My two cents? Focus on the stuff that actually matters. Vanity awards might look cool on your profile, but they don’t hold a candle to the real #work and results that actually define your career.
I’ve got to give #kudos to the Technology for Marketing team for their fresh take on vanity awards. They’ve certainly come up with a clever spin that highlights their creativity. I’ll definitely be there (and yes, for the free drinks too! 😄).
Congratulations! 👏🏻