105 Ways to Give a Book

Comment Challenge 2011

It’s BACK! Based on last year’s success, Lee Wind and I are bringing The Comment Challenge to your 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 Thursday, January 6, and running through Wednesday, January 26, 2011. The goal is to comment on at least five book blogs a day. Keep track of your numbers, and report in on Wednesdays with Lee. We’ll tell each other how we’re doing and keep each other fired up. On Wednesday, January 26, I’ll post the 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, because why not? I’m including last year’s Frequently Asked Questions to get this party started. Or almost started, since we’ll begin on Thursday.

Where do I sign up?

Sign up at the Thursday, January 6th, post, here at MotherReader. (Note: Direct link will be added on Thursday.)

If I don’t start on that first day, is it too late to start?

No. You can either up your number of comments per day if you want to make the 100 Comment mark, or you can set your own goal and join us for the support and camaraderie.

Five comments a day! How can I do that?

Feel free to set your own goal. Maybe start smaller and build up. Maybe aim for one thoughtful comment and two “I can’t wait to read that!” comments a day. But honestly, it’s easier than it sounds. Think how many comments you leave on Facebook or replies on Twitter. It’s doable.

Does it have to be exactly five daily comments, or can they be averaged?

I will say that it sets the habit better if you make a point to comment every day that you’re reading blogs, but you don’t have to hit exactly five comments every day. Averaging them together is fine.

Do you have to be an KidLit/YA book blogger to participate?

No, all book bloggers are welcome. We’re only pushing the Comment Challenge within the kidlitosphere to boost the energy in our community. I mean, we don’t want the knitting blogs to get the fruits of our commenting labor. The challenge is open it to any book blogger who would like to participate. Especially those who would like to find out more about the wonderful world of KidLit/YA Blogging.

Is there a special tracking system?

Well, mine is a Post-It note. We’re on the honor system here, so track your own comments however you see fit. However, I don’t recommend tattoos. Been there, done that.

What are the prizes?

I’m working on it, but I’m guessing books. If you have something special you’d like to donate — signed books, original art, crafty ventures — send me an email at MotherReader AT gmail DOT com.

Do you have to comment at a hundred different blogs or only blogs that are new to you?

No and no. You can use this as an opportunity to reconnect with the blogs you know. But personally, I find it easier to spread my comments around among lots of blogs because I find I have more to say.

Will there be a list of participants whose blogs I can make a special effort to visit as fellow Comment Challengers?

Yes.

Why isn’t anyone coming back to my blog?

Make sure that your profile links back to your blog. I’ve often tried to follow comments on my own blog back to the writer only to find that the profile is blocked or leads to an old blog.

Do I have to check in on Wednesdays to participate?


Strictly speaking, no you don’t. To be counted as a participant, you have to sign up for the challenge and you need to sign out on the last day with your totals. However, I highly recommend coming to the check-in posts on Fridays with Lee as it will keep you on the commenting track. Plus, prizes.

Questions? Ask in the... comments.

29 comments:

Abby said...

Ack, starting just as I'll be leaving for Midwinter... Oh, well. I'LL CATCH UP!

(I'm so glad you guys are doing this again and I think January is a great time of year for it!)

Belle said...

Sounds like fun - and a great way for me to discover some new blogs!

Melissa said...

I'm TOTALLY in, particularly since it's something I really want to do anyway!

Storied Cities said...

I'm in! See you on Thursday.

Melissa Wiley said...

I had fun with this last year. Am game to try again!

Unknown said...

Weird, why didn't my link come through in the previous comment? Ah well!

Anonymous said...

mom who read TO THEIR KIDS are supermoms. They are increasingly hard to find. If you are one, respect.
I am excited about a resource I found recently: readeo.com
Just in case you are away from home, or if you want the grandparents to take a turn with the bed-time stories, etc. Its live video-conferencing and its connected to a decent variety of quality children's eBooks. So you read and turn the pages of a book face to face - online. Add it to your toolbox, too

http://www.readeo.com/

Shelly B said...

Can't wait! One of my blogging goals for this year is to get back to blog commenting, so this will be perfect to get me back in the habit! Thanks for co-hosting!

Elizabeth O Dulemba said...

I'm gonna give it a go! :) e

Tracey Neithercott said...

I'm in! This sounds like a great way to find new blogs. And I'm trying to get more involved in the community anyhow.

Lauri Chandler said...

So glad I stumbled onto this today. It's my birthday and I'm getting up there and feeling a little blah. This is exactly the challenge I need. Will be back tomorrow to register. Thanks!

www.bookblogfun.doodlekit.com

Kelly Polark said...

Thanks for hosting again!

Anonymous said...

Um, my bookblog *is* also a knitting blog. Does it still count if people leave comments?

MotherReader said...

pointswest, the knitting does not cancel out the book blogginess, so you are good to go! (And maybe we can pick up a pattern or two when we visit.)

Anonymous said...

I'm in. It's time for me to stop lurking...

Jackie Parker said...

Ok, I think this might just be what I need to get back on the blog wagon...

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks for organizing this again, Pam. I "met" some great bloggers during last year's challenge!
Carmela

Beth Stilborn said...

I'm a little late to the party, but I'm in. I'm excited about getting involved in the KidLit Blogosphere, and this will help me get into things in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Thankyou!

carolyn said...

I seem to be a lurker at heart, but this is a community I love and enjoy. (So smart! So funny!) I am determined to mope less and participate more in the coming year. And clean out the fridge, sometime.

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

Wow. I almost commented on the 2010 challenge by mistake. January seems to be challenge time. The Chopra center has issued a 21 day meditation challenge which at least one of us is planning to do. http://www.chopra.com/meditationchallenge
Happy commenting

Lynne_Marie said...

I think this is wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration and the exposure. Blog on!

Lynne Marie
www.HedgehogGoestoKindergarten.blogspot.com

Amy L V said...

Hi Pam! Such a great idea! I am curious as to what counts as a book blog...will my Poem Farm blog count even though I do not talk about books in every post? A.

MotherReader said...

Amy, oh you are totally in. I used to say kidlitosphere and then adult book bloggers weren't sure if they could play. Maybe it should be lit loving blogs.

Amy L V said...

Great...sign me up...off I go! Thank you, Pam! A.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Sounds like fun! I'm off to sign up!!

Mary Jo Guglielmo said...

Thanks for organzing this again.

Carol H Rasco said...

Thank you to you and Lee for putting this together, I am delighted to be participating; its' a great month for getting back into the "groove."

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

Confused on Check in.

So on Wednesdays we go to Lee's and say....?
Do we say how many, or do we list the places we commented?

Cathy said...

Your comment challenge last year inspired me to leave more comments as I read and enjoyed blogs. I was glad to see the reminder again this year. Though I'm not so good at keeping track things, I do plan to make it a goal to comment on at least 5 blogs a day for the next month. I think it is a good reminder to thank everyone for all they share. Thanks.