Categories: Too Many or Not Enough?

We've received a good number of comments lately regarding the number of categories in this year's Black Weblog Awards:

• I'm put off a little bit by the voting process because I don't have 35 (!) blogs I want to nominate...but only a few. I imagine there are others like me...which means you might be losing a good number of votes.


• Submission forms are too long and daunting. I don't know -- or care to know -- about blogs in all of these categories.


• You need to cut this down to like 12 categories. Nobody cares about all these other blogs.

Interesting...because if anything, every year we hear that there aren't enough categories. You don't even have to nominate blogs in ALL the categories (just one is the minimum), so perhaps we're missing something here.

What do you think? Answer our brief poll here, and leave your thoughts in the comments.

[poll id="2"]

Comments

[blkweblogawards]

#bwa2010 – New Post: Categories: Too Many or Not Enough? http://goo.gl/fb/fdIac" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/fb/fdIac

This comment was originally posted on http://twitter.com/blkweblogawards/statuses/17785581244" rel="nofollow">Twitter

[Tara Melissa]

I don't think there are too many - the wide variety of categories allow a wide variety of blogs to be represented. It also gives a fair shake to blogs that have niche topics rather than lumping them into large categories. I think the fact that you don't have to nominate a blog for every category helps - so if you don't care, just skip that blank - but I also think that voting in every category is a great idea too, for exposure purposes.

[zillz]

its fine the way it is

[Nayland House]

I think the whole concept of recognising Black Bloggers is fantastic and hope a few of my readers nominate me. Personally I think the current nomination process is fine. We have to remember there are a lot of good blogs out there, and this process tries to recognise as many of them as possible. Overtime we can narrow the selection process down, and aim for really high quality outstanding blogs.

Good luck to all nominated.

NH

[YaDigg]

You don't have to vote in every category. I do think there should be more categories like men's fashion, women's fashion, hair blogs, make up blogs... some of the categories could be broken down more. I do think people need to know that they don't have to vote in every category.

[blkweblogawards]

Do you think we have too many blog nomination categories? Or do we not have enough? Let us know! http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs

This comment was originally posted on http://twitter.com/blkweblogawards/statuses/18043974726" rel="nofollow">Twitter

[HStyler]

Do you think we have too many blog nomination categories? Or do we not have enough? Let us know! http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs

This comment was originally posted on http://twitter.com/HStyler/statuses/18090069160" rel="nofollow">Twitter

[favecast]

I believe the issue here is "awareness" because the average person doesn't read 35+ blogs with enough frequency to nominate them (IMO). A new voter would log onto to this site and create this pressure to select something (or go research a blog in the midst of nominating) based on the extensive nomination list. I don't feel the solution is to eliminate categories but point out (in a bolder voice) that you don't have to nominate or vote for everything. If should be a way to craft a message that this (process) is a) to explore the possibilities and gifts of other bloggers [which is the purpose of BWAs] and b) not intended to strongarm you into voting for blogs in which you are not comfortable.

[blkweblogawards]

Hey guys! Do you think we have too many categories for #bwa2010? Should there be more? http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/cRb4Cs

This comment was originally posted on http://twitter.com/blkweblogawards/statuses/18361817121" rel="nofollow">Twitter