TO THE NOMINEES: WHAT MATTER'S MOST

This is a post to the nominees of the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards global search.

"During the final round and judging period the 2009 PEBA Selection Committee will request nominees to accomplish a survey form. The committee will then evaluate nominees based on the following criteria:"

1) Content 30%

2) Blog Element 15 %

3) Visibility/Metrics 15 %

4) Voting/Popularity 10%

5) Judges Vote 15%

6) Entry Blog Post 15%

Let us bear in mind that each criteria is essential. Do not be so preoccupied by the poll, there will be a Popular Blog Award, but winning a popular vote doesn't guarantee that you'll be included in the 2009 TOP 10 PINOY EXPATS/OFW BLOG AWARDS. From the previous experience we can learn and will serve as a lesson, where the highest polled nominee is not even included in the TOP 10 Winners.

Let me share with you some tips.

1. CONTENT - hindi lang po ito content ng entry, kundi ang buong laman mismo ng inyong blog. Hindi po ibig sabihin that you posted an entry and its done. To be included in the Top 10 means you will have to continue to live the ideals, or blog the ideals, that is to continue to be the best, funny, witty, informative,or inspiring blog.

2. BLOG ELEMENT

What are Blog Elements? Let me share you some.

7 Blog Elements That Form First Impressions

1. Make sure your blog has a sharp colour combination.

2. Make sure you use good readable fonts.

3. Un-clutter your blog. Remove all the frivolous elements that don’t assist your blog readers.

4. Make sure the first screen of your blog looks fabulous. Work on your logo and header so that they match the emotion you want from your readers.

5. Spend more time on your headlines. Your headline will put the readers in the right frame of mind.

6. Use good looking images in your blog post. Because good images quickly create a positive mind frame.

7. Start your blog post with a bang. Don’t hide your main point in the middle of the post. Start with it.

3. VISIBILITY and METRICS

How sociable are you? Is your blog post causing a tiny ripple or a big splash? The ideal way to have a better outreach is to join KABLOGS HANGOUT STATION, and a wider reach out in MYBLOGLOG and BLOG CATALOG, among others.

4. VOTING/POPULARITY RESULT

It is only 10% of the over-all criteria, do not be so obsessed of gaining votes that you forget some of the better and more important elements. I just mentioned the first 3 above. Focus on them, and you'll be fine.

5. JUDGES VOTE

The judges, 10-12 of them will be picking their own top 10 and each will be tallied and collated. For example, the 2008 winner, Writing on Air by Jim Paredes was voted 7 times to the top 10 by the 2008 judges, Pansitan ni Ate Sienna 6 times, and The Sandbox 4 times to the Top 10. The judges like blogs that are funny, witty, informative, inspiring and even beyond the contemporary ways of blogging, political or critical, depends on how you present your blog. Kaya suggestion ko, makeover ng mga site, keep it clean and good to the eyes.

6. ENTRY BLOG POST

Dito magkakatalo, and I am sure mahihirapan ang mga judges sa ganda ng mga post niyo. You still have time to edit it until October 2009.

Please be reminded that we will be choosing the Top 10 winners for the 2009, plus we will be choosing 2009 No. 1 in every regions that are divided into 4 areas.

ASIA and the PACIFIC

MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA

EUROPE

US and CANADA

plus several citations and special awards like

Best Video, Best Music, Best Photo, Best Blog Theme

Goodluck sa lahat and suportahan po natin ang PEBA. Follow niyo po sa ibaba ang blog na ito. Maraming salamat!

©2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards