105 Ways to Give a Book

Comment Challenge 2010

What if I told you that for the cost of a few extra minutes a day, you can boost your blog readership, foster a feeling of connection, and make someone’s day? Does that sound like something you might be interested in?

Well, I’m talking about commenting, and the power is in your hands to make a difference. Based on last year’s success, Lee Wind and I are bringing The Comment Challenge to January — the perfect time of year to make a new resolution to connect more with your fellow bloggers.

Since it is said that it takes twenty-one days to form a new habit, we’re going to run the Comment Challenge for the next three weeks — starting Friday, January 8, and running through Thursday, January 28, 2010. The goal is to comment on at least five kidlitosphere blogs a day. Keep track of your numbers, and report in on Fridays with me or Lee. We’ll tell each other how we’re doing and keep each other fired up. On Thursday, January 28, we’ll have a final check-in post for the Comment Challenge. A prize package will be involved, drawing from among the bloggers who reach the 100 Comment Mark (five comments a day for twenty-one days with one day free of comment charge). It’s also pretty likely that we’ll award some random door prizes for trying.

Every comment doesn’t have to be insightful and intellectual. I know sometimes it’s hard to think of something to say. But what I’ve found is that when I’m in the habit of commenting, the words do come easier. I find myself reading posts with a bit more focus because I’m thinking about what is connecting with me. Also, when you make yourself heard, that blogger may check out your blog. Can’t hurt your stats. Plus, you’ve made that blogger’s day a little bit brighter. Maybe you’ll make a new BFF — Blog Friend Forever.

I know, the whole thing sounds awesome. Ready to join us? Then come back Friday to sign up. And tell all your friends, because that’s kind of, like, the point.

Questions? Ask in the... comments.

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49 comments:

Lee Wind, M.Ed. said...

BFF - "Blog Friend Forever"

I love that, and I feel that's what we are.

And I'm so excited that we're doing this Comment Challenge again, and couldn't be more delighted to make it happen with you.

Hurray!

Namaste,
Lee

Cathy said...

Hi, I'm so glad you're doing this. It'll be great fun. BTW, Lee's link from your post is broken.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see you working so hard to promote interconnectedness. I find it odd to think that there are folks who are regular blog readers who leave less than 5 comments per day, but I suppose there was a time early on in my life in blogland where I didn't "know" enough people to be commenting. And anyway, it's a good reminder to foster connection through commenting - although the more readers a blog has does not always equate to the more comments one gets, oddly enough.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Kelly, it' me. I'm that naughty blogger who reads, reads, reads, and hardly ever comments. I'm not sure why, except I am the sort of writer who agonizes over my words. AGONIZES. And so writing a comment often involves thinking, rethinking, moving, deleting, switching, around, deleting, starting over, changing my mind, and pausing dramatically with my finger dangling over the "Publish" key and my mind wondering if my two cents are really worth, well, two cents.

But because I truly enjoy the blogs I read, and because I truly appreciate that MotherReader (and Kelly, too, actually) regularly visits and comments on my blog I will try very hard to be better for twenty-one days. Maybe more.

Thanks for encouraging all of us, MR and Lee.

Carrie K said...

Question: if it's 5 comments a day, if you leave only 3 one day but 7 another, does that count because you still hit the number, or does it have to be 5 a day?

Olgy Gary said...

Alrighty... I'm in! :-)

Lenore Appelhans said...

I gave myself a reciprical comment challenge last year and managed to keep it up for about 3 months. It's a ton of effort, but I got a lot of new readers that way for sure.

teacherninja said...

Glad to see you're doing this again! I found so many great blogs last time. Can't wait to meet some fellow book/teacher bloggers!

Thanks for running the show.

Terry Doherty said...

I know I said I wasn't doing challenges this year, but ... my fingers were crossed. (shh, don't tell!) I love Lenore's idea of reciprocal commenting.

Sarah Stevenson said...

I've been truly terrible about visiting blogs as of late, so this might be just the thing to get me back into making the rounds...count me in, but YIKES!! :) And thanks, you two, for administering such a worthwhile challenge.

Now, to set myself some sort of daily reminder...

Abby said...

Comment challenge! YAY! (I was hoping you guys were going to do it again... not that I should need a challenge to make the effort to comment. I have gotten really slack and it is not okay!)

Z-Kids said...

Yea!
Z-Dad

Vivian Mahoney said...

This is a perfect time to remember it's nice to keep connected. Thanks, Pam and Lee!

Richard Hanks said...

more commenting was a half-hearted new years resolution for me, so your scheme has really inspired me to make a go of it.

Unknown said...

Thank you for organizing and doing this challenge. It's good to make commenting a habit. The link worked for me.

Cynthia Leitich Smith said...

Terrific idea! I just wanted to chime in, though, on behalf of the VCFA MFA in Writing for Children & YAs community to say that if we--as a whole--are quieter than you might've hoped (at least earlier on), it's nothing personal. We're about to dive into our winter residency, which means magical but long and action-packed days of talking writing and books. That said, I'll be sure to feature this link before I leave on the 8th. Many blessings to all!

Madelyn said...

Oh, yay. This is PERFECT timing for me as I am in the process of revamping/relaunching my blog (based on some great advice from kidlitcon, I might add!) Time to re-up!

Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian said...

I'm bad about reading a post and commenting...to the person closest to me. Not very helpful to the blogger, so I will definitely be joining the challenge. Failing it, most likely, but trying:)

The1stdaughter said...

I'm definitely going to be busy this weekend on the computer. Bloggiesta and the Comment Challenge! I can't wait to get acquainted with some new faces! Great challenge!

Anonymous said...

I'm nervous about commenting so this is going to be great for me :o) Thanks!

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

This is a great idea! And I hope to make lots of BFF's :)

Mama Librarian said...

I am a new reader but frequent commenter, since I can talk your ear off about anything. =D I will enjoy this challenge!

Greg Pincus said...

I'm gonna give it my all (though will likely be quiet the first couple days as I'm traveling/teaching. But I'll try then, too!).

Comment on!

kim baker said...

Yay! I'm so glad you two dynamos are organizing this again. Loved it last year!

Susan Taylor Brown said...

I'm in. Thanks for organizing this for the blogosphere.

Tricia said...

Yeah, yeah, I'm in. I need to get back into commenting, since I tend to be a lurker. Thanks for encouraging us to reaffirm our commitment to community.

Stella said...

What a great way to keep us all connected and build a sense of community. Let's get this challenge started!

Melissa Wiley said...

Ah, Kelly, I'm that avid blog reader who seldom finds time to comment...I do most of my reading while nursing the baby, which isn't conducive to typing. Or else I'm reading on my iPod, which is even less conducive to typing, LOL!

If only you could hear the comments I write in my brain... ;)

But for the next three weeks, I'll try, I'll try!

Melissa Wiley said...

P.S. Hey, Pam, is there a Comment Challenge button we could slap on our sidebars?

Alicia said...

This is such a great idea! I'm in! Thanks for hosting.

:paula said...

But Pam, don't you know? We bloggers got into this because we are introverted bookworms! :)

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I'm in, this is a great challenge!

Hilary Wagner said...

Oh, let's do this thing!!!

Thanks Carmela and Lee!! Sign me up! I LOVE comments!

Laura Renegar said...

Great idea. I'm in too. After all, who doesn't love blog comments? :)

Laura

Mrs. Major said...

I'm going to give it a go! Not sure if I'll find time to actually post on my own blog but who cares!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Do we need to keep a spreadsheet or will a tally work? Fun activity for those OCD bloggers...

Jill said...

I would luv to join in :)

It's a Wonderful idea! I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends!

Amy said...

I love this idea. The button for our blogs is a good one, too! I'm finding some great new blogs to read reguarly, too (and comment on of course!)

Janet Johnson said...

Great idea! This will be good for me.

Lara Ivey said...

Thanks for continuing to encourage us, Pam! You did a fine job of it at the Kidlit Blogging Conference in DC.

Jennie Englund said...

Okay! I'm in! I'm making myself a hot chocolate, then plunging in. I'm newer and could definitely use a smattering of readers!

Unknown said...

This is a great challenge. Looking forward to meeting new people.

Thanks :)

Madigan Mirza said...

This challenge comes at a perfect time... my New Year's Resolution is to lurk less.

Dee White said...

I know I'm a bit late and this has already started, but am I too late to sign up, and if not, how do I do it?

Cheers.

Dee:-)

Marge Loch-Wouters said...

Whew, what a trip. Thanks you guys. I am following and finding the most amazing people. My weaving skills are being tested as I follow thread after thread after thread after...and commenting more in two days than in two years!

Firefighter Dayna Hilton said...

This is a wonderful idea! My blog has seen an increase in comments and found out it was because of your Comment Challenge 2010. I found your blog and I am very glad that I did! Thanks for all of the wonderful comments as a result of your idea!

I am going to get busy checking out the blogs on the list and leaving comments.


Thanks again! Dayna

Doraine said...

Okay, I'm in. My word for the year is "connect." So this seems like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Amanda Lorenzo said...

Okay, I love this. I'm taking up the challenge. Ooops I'd better register by blog on Kidlitosphere too. That would be helpful.

Amanda Lorenzo

Debra said...

I am popping over from Irene's site. This sounds like a fun idea. I would love to join in! Is it too late?

Hugs,
Debbie