105 Ways to Give a Book

Comment Challenge 2012

It’s BACK! Now that it has become a habit, 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 5, and running through Wednesday, January 25, 2012. 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 25, 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 the Frequently Asked Questions to get warmed up and I'll post the sign-up tomorrow. 

Where do I sign up?

Sign up at the Thursday, January 5th, 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. The sign-up list here at MotherReader. 

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 Wednesdays with Lee as it will keep you on the commenting track. Plus, prizes.

Questions? Ask in the... comments.

26 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

This is a great challenge. I did it last year and I comment on more than five per day now. Good luck to everyone.

Miranda Paul said...

Sounds like fun! I'll contact you about a giveaway too. Thanks!

Playing by the book said...

Hooray! So pleased the challenge is running again this year

Anonymous said...

So glad you guys are hosting this again. Thanks! I also find it the kick in butt I need to get my blog reading organized. Funny how it falls apart on me as the year progresses. Happy New Year!

Katie said...

I was hoping this would happen again this year! I'll definitely be signing up on Thursday.

Charlotte said...

Here I am, practising.

Thanks for doing this again!

Pat Zietlow Miller said...

Thanks for doing this. I'll be back tomorrow to sign up.

Sarah Stevenson said...

Not sure if I have the wherewithal to commit this year, but I *am* going to make an effort to comment more. I wish I were a techy person so I could create an app that presented me with five random new blog posts each day from different blogs in my blogroll! That would make it easy...

Christy Rush-Levine said...

I love this idea! I am ready to jump in. I have been silently stalking plenty of blogs, so I am definitely ready to let my cyber-voice be heard!

Tara said...

What a great idea! I can't wait to get started!

Ms. Yingling said...

Very timely. I've been trying to be better about comments AND visit new blogs. Thanks for hosting and giving us all some inspiration.

Linda B said...

Just heard about this from Mary Lee. Thanks for doing; I'll love doing.

AEA Elementary Staff said...

I just signed up, and I am up for the challenge! I wish everyone good luck!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good way to get out there and find new blogs!

Russ Cox said...

I have not heard of this but count me in!

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks so much for sponsoring this again this year. It's such a great way to meet new bloggers! (And this is my first comment of the challenge!)

Helena Juhasz said...

Sounds like fun! Hope I'm up for it!

Unknown said...

I signed up! It is good to have a challenge and I can see it is already working to make me not worry so much about who I send my opinions out to. And I am discovering so many amazing, interesting blogs.

david elzey said...

this is sort of in keeping with the challenge (and probably a distant cousin of a meme) but i've "won" the versitile blogger award and now i'm passing it along to you!

details here

http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/i-won-a-major-award/

and i promise you, no salesman will come to your door!

Anonymous said...

A friend just emailed me about your challenge. I'll begin today. It's a great motivator for me. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

A friend just emailed me about your challenge. I'll begin today. It's a great motivator for me. Thank you.

Vivian Kirkfield said...

What an awesome idea...and a great way to connect.
I just discovered you via Susannah Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday...discovered through Stacy S. Jensen...discovered via local SBCWI meetings...that's the spider web of the blogging world. :)
I believe I've already commented at least 5 times each day since Thursday...but I will check and catch up if necessary.
Looking forward to meeting a whole new bunch of people who are also passionate about books.

Magdalena Ball said...

I've not done this before but I'm excited by it. What a great way to discover some new book blogs, share my own content, and increase rankings all at once. Thank you!

Lynn Alpert said...

This is a great idea! I'm looking forward to finding new blogs to read.

Unknown said...

Great idea, hope I can keep up with everyone and make new friends! akikowhite.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I have been looking forward to the comment challenge since meeting you at KidLitCon. I hope you plan to host this again this year!