When I first heard I was in the running for a Shorty Award, I had to do a double take paired with a “Who are you calling shorty?” However I’ve since learned that the Shorty Awards are quite the tall honor as the top dawgs in social media are recognized in their respective categories. Conan O’Brien, Neil Patrick Harris, Suze Orman and even Sesame Street’s, Grover, have received the honor. So I had to think, if a furry blue puppet can do it, surely a bulldog can too!

Help me get a Shorty!

So what are the Shorty Awards?

First think short-form communication or art. Then think real-time or social media. Now with that in mind, here’s how the Shorty Awards’ website explains it:

“The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, by recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Foursquare, and the rest of the social Web.”

Categories

The fine folks at the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences have identified a number of categories with which to identify the best of the best at short-form, real-time, social media. Naturally, I’m looking to top the “College” category, and why not? If our men’s basketball team can play for a National Championship in back-to-back seasons, then I figure I can best the nation’s finest institutions of higher education for a Shorty Award.

According to the official Shorty Awards’ website, “The Shorty Award for #college will be presented to an institution of higher learning who uses social media to effectively engage with students and, most importantly, demonstrates school spirit.” If that were a definition in a dictionary, I’m pretty sure that my picture and Twitter handle would be next to it. So let’s make it so!

Awards

The six people or organizations that receive the most nominations will be the 2012 Shorty Award finalists. The finalist with the most nominations receives that Shorty Vox Populi which I have since learned is a fancy word for popular vote.

I’m currently around 5th or 6th position for the popular vote and behind some pretty strong schools. However, I know my followers can help me pull ahead. If I make it to the top position, I’ll just may be invited to New York City for the Shorty Awards gala and that’s one big apple I’d like to take a bite out of. Plus we all know how dashing I look in my tux!

So how exactly does this whole thing work?

Well, I need your help. You can make your nomination, or vote, by tweeting “I nominate @ButlerBlue2 for a Shorty Award in #college because…” or checking out my profile. Don’t forget to include why you voted for me or it won’t count.

The nomination period is open now until February 17, 2012 on Twitter and ShortyAwards.com. You can only vote once, so be sure to share the love and tell your friends to vote!

I leave you with this video tutorial in for reinforcement. Then please hop on the Twitter and vote!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbNFgP4IkDY[/youtube]