Animators, as well as creators or artists, know that entering contests is both a motivation and a gamble.
![The Pros and Cons of Joining Animation Contests](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1-2-1024x1024.png)
Here is a list of the pros and cons of joining animation contests:
1. PRO: Joining is a fun experience.
CON: Sometimes constantly joining contests may feel like work.
![PRO: Joining is a fun experience.
CON: Sometimes constantly joining contests may feel like work.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2-1-1-1024x1024.png)
2. PRO: Good opportunity to get more exposure and expand your network. CON: Sometimes joining comes at a cost.
![PRO: Good opportunity to get more exposure and expand your network. CON: Sometimes joining comes at a cost.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/3-1-1-1024x1024.png)
3. PRO: Motivates you to take up a challenge and to try/learn something new. CON: Sometimes you feel pressured or overwhelmed in the process.
![PRO: Motivates you to take up a challenge and to try/learn something new. CON: Sometimes you feel pressured or overwhelmed in the process.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/4-1-1-1024x1024.png)
4. PRO: Chance to win cash and prizes, or even get to work with studios. CON: Not everybody wins.
![Chance to win cash and prizes, or even get to work with studios. CON: Not everybody wins.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/5-1-1-1024x1024.png)
5. PRO: Not caring about winning makes you more resilient.
CON: Expecting to win and ending up disappointed.
![PRO: Not caring about winning makes you more resilient.
CON: Expecting to win and ending up disappointed.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/6-1-1-1024x1024.png)
6. PRO: Show your work and receive useful feedback for improvement. CON: Getting negative comments, failure, or rejection happens. (But hey, at least you'll eventually grow a backbone for these situations.)
![PRO: Show your work and receive useful feedback for improvement. CON: Getting negative comments, failure, or rejection happens. (But hey, at least you'll eventually grow a backbone for these situations.)](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/7-1-1-1024x1024.png)
7. PRO: Helps hone your skills and evaluate artistic growth.
CON: You may compare yourself with others and feel insecure.
![PRO: Helps hone your skills and evaluate artistic growth.
CON: You may compare yourself with others and feel insecure.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/8-1-1-1024x1024.png)
8. PRO: It's possible to align your own interests with some contests. CON: Beware of predatory contests. It's your time and your ideas, so choose wisely.
![PRO: It's possible to align your own interests with some contests. CON: Beware of predatory contests. It's your time and your ideas, so choose wisely.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/9-1-1024x1024.png)
9. PRO: You'll get to finish something you'll be proud of.
In the end, it really all depends on you, whether you want to join contests or not.
![PRO: You'll get to finish something you'll be proud of.
In the end, it really all depends on you, whether you want to join contests or not.](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/10-1-1024x1024.png)
Check out Business of Animation's blog for more in-depth tips on how to grow your animation business!