If you’ve spent the last few weeks hovering over the “Submit” button on the BAKE Awards website only to close the tab and tell yourself, “Maybe next year,” this post is for you.
We see you. We see the hesitation, the “who am I to apply?” whispers of imposter syndrome, and that feeling that your work is just a small drop in Kenya’s massive digital ocean. But here is the truth:Your voice isn’t just noise; it’s a signal.
1. Imposter Syndrome is a Growth Symptom
Feeling like a “fraud” is actually a universal symptom of being a creative who cares. If you weren’t meant to be here, you wouldn’t care this much. Every creator you admire from the pioneers to last year’s winners has stood exactly where you are, wondering if their work “measures up”. The difference between those who win and those who watch is simply the decision to appear anyway.
2. Clout is Not a Prerequisite
One of the biggest myths we hear is: “I don’t have enough followers yet.” BAKE Awards is about impact, not just reach. Last year, the world saw a YouTube creator focused on Agriculture, Sarah Njoroge, tie for the ultimate Creator of the Year award alongside one of the biggest podcast in the country (Joyride Podcast) . This proved that whether you are talking to a niche audience about soil or a mainstream audience about life, your quality and consistency are what matter most.
3. Turning Content into Capital
This year’s theme, “Turning Content into Capital,” is a reminder that you are part of an industry now worth Ksh 1.27 Trillion. You’re not going to get the money direct into your bank account but by submitting your work, you aren’t just entering a contest. You are professionalizing your brand. Ever heard the saying that a silent mouth stays away from trouble? that doesn’t apply to showing up for your brand. The less times people hear about you, the less they’re likely to support your brand . BAKE Awards serves as a pivot platform for creators, and a signal to brands and partners that you are a serious player in the digital economy.
4. What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
Even if your name isn’t called on the Awards gala night, the act of submitting is a victory in itself. By sitting down to enter, you are forced to audit your 2025 portfolio, a process that reveals just how much you’ve actually grown while you were busy doing the work. You are effectively placing your brand in front of a panel of judges and industry leaders who might never have seen you otherwise, signaling that you are a serious player in the creator economy.
More importantly, you’ve officially stepped into a community designed to hold your hand throughout your professional journey. We often tell ourselves we aren’t “ready,” but “ready” is a lie we use to stay safe. Real growth doesn’t happen in the planning phase. It happens after you post, after you pitch, and the moment you finally hit submit button.
Submissions for BAKEAwards2026 are OPEN until March 2nd. Don’t let your self-doubt cancel your progress. We are waiting to celebrate you.