After being in business for so many years, I've had some interesting things happen to me. I've gotten lots of publicity, won a few awards and been privy to hundreds of sales pitches and business opportunities.  And through these one thing I've learned is that not everything is as it seems. I've also learned that any situation can be whatever you decide to make it.

So when I "won" a blog award this week from a site I hadn't heard of before, I was intrigued, excited and curious. I went to the site to verify I was on "the list" and see who else made it. I was pleased to see that several of my colleagues, people I like and respect, made the list: Laura Allen , my fellow MassageMag.com blogger; Julie Onforio of TheBodyworker.com; Ryan Hoyme  of MassageNerd.com and Erik Dalton. Click on their names to check out their blogs for yourself!

There were a few other people on the list that I didn't know that seemed to share good information for the betterment of the profession. But then there were a couple that I was surprised to see - that did not seem to have the same level, kind or amount of information. And so I had to wonder, why were we all on that list. Perhaps just to drive traffic to someone else's site.

But the truth is, it doesn't really matter. The "award" provided me an opportunity to create a new blog post, connect with some of my colleagues and share one of my marketing secrets with you: PR is PR. And awards, no matter the intention behind an award, are something to celebrate. Any opportunity you have to reach out to your clients, to gain a little credibility or even to connect with other colleagues can be a blessing. Just take it for what it is and don't let it go to your head.

So I thank the people at OnlineSchools.com for this award and for the many opportunities they've provided me through it. Who knows...maybe I'll add a few readers to my blog or be found by someone who really needs help with their massage or spa business. Is it you? 

Have you read my other blogs? Check out Ask Felicia at MassageMag.com - where I answer your massage business and marketing questions - and Smart Spa Marketing TIps , a blog dedicated to all things marketing for massage, spa and wellness professionals. And if you have a question you'd like to see answered at Ask Felicia, please email it to AskFelicia@spalutions.com.