Kim Cole, Webmistress
World of Knowledge Awards (program closed)

The answer to this question will vary from person to person. If you ask some web promotion "experts," they will tell you that the only purpose for an awards program is to gain links to the award giver's site, and maybe help the award seeker's popularity a little. I will admit that some award givers, those with hand-out awards, do treat them this way.

However, most of the award givers who are active in the community have a much different purpose in mind. Some have received months or even years of help from the awards community and wish to give something in return. Some award givers find that they truly enjoy looking at the wide variety of sites and topics that come in their submissions, and they use the giving of awards to further their own knowledge.

Still other award givers, like myself, have a desire to create a focus for a certain type of site. An award giver like this with a design award may be trying to provide motivation for people to improve their design capabilities. My award is intended to provide two things: Motivation for improving the content quality of websites, and a chance for my visitors to view some of the best content-filled sites on the web. Since I believe the most important function of a website is to teach and/or entertain, this is a task that I greatly enjoy.

Speaking of joy, I have to admit one thing on behalf of award givers everywhere. Part of the allure of web awards is the feeling of satisfaction it can give you. Creating a program that you know is really one of the best gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Even that, though, is nothing compared to the feeling of satisfaction when a site wins that hard-to-achieve gold from your program. Especially if you've watched that site grow and change from submission to re-submission. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you've influenced someone else in a positive way, and that you've helped them to learn and grow.

Why do we do it, and what's in it for us? As you can see, a lot of things. There is no simple, pat answer to this question. Each of us has a slightly different goal, and slightly different intentions. I think, though, that the longer you are around the awards community, the more you will see one thing. We each want to be the best, but we want to help you be the best too!

Susan Hawkins, Webmistress
Elite Web Awards (site closed)

I have actually written a whole article about this very subject, called "Why I Developed an Awards Program," so I will keep my answer on the short side.

I can't answer for every award program because I am sure not everyone's answer would be the same as mine, but I started an award program because I wanted to make the Internet a more family-safe, educational and beautiful place to surf.

Of course, I learned about award programs by being an award seeker. I was actually one of those award seekers who READS the criteria (is everybody still on their feet and breathing? LOL). I found it very honorable that these people would take so much of their time trying to raise Web standards, while also patting webmasters on the back.

I was a stay-at-home Mom who asked herself if she could accomplish the same thing. The answer — a resounding YES! At least I hoped so. So I spent six months creating a program which included an award, criteria, graphics, layout and resources. At this time I was also getting peer help and support in the AS! forum. To make a long story short, I applied and received an initial rating of 4.0! I am very pleased to this day with the accomplishments of my program.

To get back to the subject, I believe that award program owners get a huge sense of pride out of what they are accomplishing. You all have heard the saying, "It is better to give than to receive." Well, it really is. I still apply for awards myself, and get excited upon their receipt, but I enjoy giving them much more.

In short, my goal as an award program owner is to give webmasters an award for their accomplishments and to make the Internet a more valuable place for whole families to surf.

Jan Sopshier, Webmistress
Circus World Awards

I would like to be able to impress you with the successes I've had since opening my awards program. The money I've made and the fame I've received. Boy, would I! But after almost 3 years, it just hasn't happened. No success, no fame, and money is definitely out of the question, even though I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

First it was television, which got to be such a bore. I had to find a hobby that I could enjoy. After discovering the Internet, I started designing Web sites and it changed my life. Can you imagine the comedy of errors I've had since starting? I made more mistakes than Richard Nixon did during the Watergate years. It's been a long hard road, and it still is ... but I LOVE it.

Ever since I started surfing the Web, I've seen sites that were of an exceptional nature and deserved recognition. I knew from experience that it takes a lot of hard work and talent to create something special. Those who have that talent should be recognized.

The best thing about running an awards program is the talented people you meet from all walks of life and the close friendships you develop. You can't get that from watching the boob tube.

When I was young I wanted to judge for the Olympics. To have the honor of placing a Gold Medal around a winner's neck has always been my dream. Imagine me on the cover of Time magazine with the medal in my hands. But every plan I ever concocted fell through. The closest I ever came to touching a Gold Medal was on the flour bag, and the only judging I've done is for my own awards program.

At my age, I'm carefully thinking of ways to supplement the Social Security I'm entitled to when I reach the Golden Years. Sometimes I sit back and dream about all the money I'll bank because of my awards program. A series of mental images pop into my mind — generating traffic to my website by offering awards and enticing visitors to purchase tickets to my circus. Yeah, right! The tickets are cheap and pets get in free, but I haven't sold a singe ticket yet!

Anybody got a copy of Time magazine I can borrow? I'll be glad to autograph it for a modest fee, even though my picture is not on the cover. I'll give it back ... I promise. Or anyone want to buy a ticket to Circus World? Selling them cheap ... I promise.