The HubLove Contest
Participating in the HubLove Contest this year was a fabulous experience, and I don’t say that just because I won. In fact, I’m willing to bet that the other hubbers who actively participated in the contest, as well as the devoted spectators, agree with me. It was intense, challenging, and a bonding experience for many of us.
I enjoyed the contest because it was a challenge that forced me to write a lot in short periods of time. Plus, the topics were given to us (if someone could manage to figure out the clue), so we never knew what we would be writing about next. From love to China to finance, the topics varied as much as bed partners were exchanged on Melrose Place.
After a month of the insanity that was the HubLove Contest, I was exhausted! Seriously, I was sleep deprived, couldn’t remember the last time I cooked a healthy meal, and –whoa- look at the piles of stuff I ignored at work. I barely recognized my husband and my cats were no longer speaking to me since I had forgotten that the universe revolves around them (I mean, come on, they are cats = lords of the world). Oh yeah, and when was the last time I did laundry?
So I took a break from hubbing. A much longer break than I intended. First, I excused myself from hubbing because I deserved a rest. Then I had something like writer’s block, but was more about being lazy than being unable to write. After that, my focus was centered more on preparing for the process of applying to grad schools than hubbing. Yeah, yeah, excuse after excuse.
But the fact that those of you who were super involved in the HubLove Contest deserved to know what happened to The Killer Hubbing & Blogging Package has haunted me for months now, finally forcing me to sit my butt down and write this. And, let me tell you: sitting isn’t super easy right now because I got a ridiculously avoidable sunburn today. Ouch.
The Killer Hubbing & Blogging Package
Just a reminder of what the prizes were:
- MacBook Pro: 15-inch, 2.4 GHz
- iPod Touch: 8GB
- Digital Camcorder: Sony Handycam HDR-SR5 (40GB)
- Digital SLR camera: Canon EOS 30D with 18mm-to-55mm lens
I’ve heard from some hubbers that they want to see what I have done with these wonderful prizes, but I have to tell you: I never got them. It was a hard decision to make, but I ended up taking the cash value of the prizes for a variety of reasons. First, as cool as the iPod Touch probably is, I honestly had no use for it. We are locked into a contract with a provider that doesn’t work with iPods, so, yeah…
Second, while I have heard tons of great stuff about Mac computers and love the commercials, my husband pointed out that we do not have any software that would be compatible. This means that when I want to install something or manage to screw up my laptop (which I’m surprisingly good at), I wouldn’t know how to get myself out of trouble.
The camcorder and the camera were definitely appealing, but I had already managed to rule out the practicality of the other two prizes.
So, what I did was use the money to buy a laptop (and some cool accessories that I learned about while writing hubs for the HubLove Contest). This laptop is definitely filling the requirements of what I need out of a computer: easy to use, easy to transport, and mine all mine. I’ve never had a computer that was solely mine and not shared with anyone else, so this is heaven.
The rest of the money is in savings, burning a hole in my virtual pocket, until I find the perfect cameras to buy. Yeah, I’m being picky, but I can be. I want to find something that “feels right” when I hold it. It needs to be easy to use, but have cool effects. My criteria aren’t exactly technical, but neither am I.
The After Party & Spreading the Love
I went to a party on the last day of the contest, so I really got to celebrate winning. The coolest thing about winning wasn’t so much the prizes, but being able to say I did it. Being a writer, and going out into the world telling people you are a writer, isn’t always easy. But having an accomplishment such as winning a contest like the HubLove Contest, which had challenging assignments and tough competition, under my belt made it easier to answer the tough questions people love to ask: “You’re a writer, so what have you done?” or “Have you written anything I would have heard about?”
Another neat thing was that my grandma, also a fellow hubber, was at this party and did what great grandmas do: told everyone about her grandchild’s accomplishments.
And, of course, I must spread the love because I never would have won without the challenge and support from others.
First of all, I must send some love to Whitney (Whitney05) for keeping me on my toes. True fairness would have been if we could both win as she is a worthy competitor and opponent.
Then, there is Jason (Jason Menayan), who had to miss out on beautiful, sunny days to watch us attempt to solve his tough clues. The contest wouldn’t have even happened without the hard work and creativity of Jason and the rest of the HubPages crew.
I can’t forget Charlotte (gamergirl) who had the fabulous idea of beginning the Un-official Hublove thread in the forums.
I could name people forever, but those of you who were there know who you are – so lots of love to you: sponsors, hubbers, judges, and all!
Share Your HubLove Experiences Here!
Oh, I'm definitely on HubPages, maybe not as often as I used to, but usually "silently" (reading more than anything else). Yeah, the conversations in the forums and clue Hubs were great. I reread the really difficult clue Hub (the one that took about 4-5 hrs to solve) a couple of months ago and it brought back a bunch of great memories! :-)
I can only imagine publishing (usually) 10 high-quality Hubs a day on disparate topics must have been exhausting. It was far easier for me to just read them!
- AUTHOR
Jason! I was just thinking about you the other day and how we hardly see you on hubpages anymore (of course, I'm not around as much either). I was remembering back to this contest and how I hardly got any sleep. I also started missing the constant chatter with all of the other participants.
I just discovered this Hub (have been busy with the YieldBuild side of the business), and have to thank you for the great recap!
Yes, it was an intense month for everyone involved, and one that will leave a lasting impression on all of us. I certainly loved the entire process!! I'm glad that your Hubs have started getting serious, lasting traffic, and I hope that's the case for all of the participants.
I'm sure Ryan has a few creative ideas up his sleeve for the next go-around for HubPages, and I hope all HubLovers participate. :-)
congrats for winning, how many participants and what did the losers get?
Congratulations! I wasn't around then so hopefully they'll have more contests!
congrats on your victory! =D hope they have another contest soon sounded like so much fun!
Good for you! Guess I was all tied up with personal affairs and missed out. Happy for you just the same. Cash Value works! C.S.Alexis
Very good hub.
Wow, I completely missed this. When was the contest?
And Stacie, how did you get those four images side-by-side?
It was a great thing I believe for everyone who participated. I experienced more traffic that month than any month since, not that I am complaining because I feel that I get enough people visiting my hubs now. Thanks for the tribute to HubLove!
It was neat to learn that you and G-ma are related. You do such a good job of your Hubs, Stacie, both you and your gram are valuable members of HubPages.
It's too bad that all of us Hubbers couldn't meet and hold a bash. It would be so much fun, since we have such a community here!
Big Congrats Stacie!!:)
I would love to have contributed to the Hublove contest, but due to my location was unable to win!!
had know idea G-Ma was yours. Can we share? When the new HubLove contest?
Glad I was able to help :-) Too bad there wasn't a second place prize. :-(
- AUTHOR
Thanks VioletSun. Yup, she's my grandma, has been my whole life. :)
Steph, yeah, I'm thinking we will be sticking to I-5 because it is the most direct. I can't wait for Cali!
Hey Stacie - well, on this side of the Cascades, its been quite hot, with the threat of thundershowers. But if you're just heading down I-5, I think it should be fine for you. Typical summer-like weather. Low 80s, some clouds. Fairly nice. A Cali road trip, huh? Sounds like fun!! If you're swinging through Central Oregon on Highway 97, let me know. :)
Congratulations, Stacie, sounds like it was a lot of work but fun too! Didn't know G-ma is your grandmother. She is one of my favorite hubbers; her warmth and love always shines through.
- AUTHOR
Zsuzsy - Thanks for the "bests" -I need all I can get right now with thoughts of the GRE looming before me. I'm glad it was fun for you foreigners too!
Charlotte, I thought of you melting about me not taking that camera that you wanted so much. It really was a tough decision.
Steph - You will be around, you know it. These contests are addictive. I'll be driving through Oregon Tuesday night on my way to California, how's the weather?
Ruthie, I need that "back to work!" like you can't believe. Thanks.
Paul - I'm excited to see what else you all roll out for us. The contest showed me a lot about how publishing frequently (and what you publish) affects traffic. On the flip side, I've also been learning what it means when you rarely publish...seeing which hubs continue to draw traffic anyway.
Sir Dent, I'm the Queen of Rubbing It In. Didin't you know? Didn't you get that memo? Didn't you read my hub about writing memos? :)
gjcody - It was both exciting and exhausting. Have fun looking around. I suggest you check out the leader board on the HubLove page, and check out the hubs written by the other participants. They were all rockin' (and still are).
Sounds like a lot of work and fun. I will read more of your hubs. It must be so exciting to be a part of something that others only wish they could do.
Thank you for sharing yor excitement ....My best to you and your success!
Yea yea yea, I think Stacie is just rubbing it in our faces. :P Just kidding Stacie. I wanted to participate in it but knew I didn't have the time to put in for it. Of course my writing is nowhere near as good as most hubbers so it would just be exercise mostly for me.
Congratulations on winning. I would have taken the cash too I think. ;)
We hope to be back with better and bigger contests soon. We have a few things we are bouncing around. We'd love to do something that brought other talented people in to HubPages. Maybe a mentor contest. Or a Team Contest. I'm sure we'll think of something.
Stacie, Another side benefit of the contest is that all those Hubs you made will probably continue to get a fair amount of traffic for you. It's typical to see a spike after publishing then see good hubs get steady traffic a few weeks down the road...Nice job and congratulations again!
Stacie, you're a Hub writing wiz! Congratulations on your win and best of luck with grad school!
Now, get back to work!! LOL :) Ruthie
Congrats again Stacie - cash value, huh? I was kind of wondering from time to time. I was going to say that I can't wait for the next contest, but maybe I can. LOL! :-) Steph
Wow Stacie. *hugs* I'm shocked to find out you took the cash value, though your reasons are pretty sound. I'm still jealous. ;)
- AUTHOR
Yeah, lately I'm a hubbing slacker.
You were a hubbin' fool, LOL! Time to get hubbing again, now that you're all rich and stuff. ;)
Well done Stacie! As Jimmy said even for us 'foreigners' it was still fun. The contest sure resulted in some fantastic hubs.
All the best to you for grad school too.
congrats again regards Zsuzsy
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Jimmy - You are right, I should have written more about how it brought us closer. I mentioned that it was a bonding experience, but could have elaborated. Because all of us who participated (solving clues, reading hubs, writing hubs, chatting on forums, etc.) pulled together more as a community, it became an awesome and exciting experience.
And some of those clues. Whew!
Hi Stacie, thanks for sharing this, it brings back memories lol, I think though you missed out an important aspect of the contest though.
The Hublove competition brought the hubpages authors closer together, there was a real sense of community during the comp and everyone made new writing friends. we all supported each other and pushed each other on and we all had a great laugh at the end of the day when the difficult clues were fianlly solved.
I couldn't win anything in the comp being a foriegner but I didn't care it was fun.
thanks again for the memories Stacie. and congratulations on winning the whole shebang, take care and have fun until the next one lol.....jimmy
Great job Stacie, hope you win again next year. Cheers. :)
It was a fun time on Hubpages and you are a well-deserved winner!! You wrote your fingers to the bone, Girl!! I honestly don't know how you did it!! Thanks for the update. We were wondering....and keep on Hubbing!
well done Stacie--Wow , I don't know that G-MA is your real grandma......congratulations !!! and all the best....
Sounds like it was fun and all worth it. Great choice deciding your own prize! :-)
Too bad I missed this one but that was a really cool re-cap :)
Huge congratulations, btw!
Nicely done sweetie...Good job all the way around....and the whole family is so proud of you...G-Ma :o) hugs
- AUTHOR
It ran from mid-February to mid-March, so you can't participate anymore. I'm sure there will be future contests put on by HubPages.
How to participate in the Hublove contest?
37