The 3rd annual WordCount Blogathon starts in five days.
In case you’re just tuning in, the Blogathon is an exercise in community blogging, where writers with blogs commit to posting every day during the month of May.
This year, everyone who participates is eligible to win fabulous writing-related giveaways valued at close to $800, including classes, coaching, resume makeovers, software, e-books and more.
As of April 24, we’re close to 50 participants, but I’m still hoping to get more before May 1. Participants get cool badges for their websites to let the world know what they’re up to. If you want to join us, sign up here.
If you’re participating in the Blogathon, there are some events you should know about. Put them on your calendar so you’re ready when they roll around:
April 26 to 30 – Check in here all week long for posts on how to get ready for the Blogathon. I’ll be writing about how to come up with ideas for posts, how to clear the decks so you have the time you need for extra blogging, how to cover yourself when you need a day off and more.
May 1 – And they’re off! On the first day of the Blogathon, I’ll run a complete list of participants, which if you’re joining us, you can copy and put up on your own blog.
May 3 – I’ll sift through information writers provided in their registration forms to come up with a picture of how many people are joining us for the first time and how many are returnees, and all the reasons why people are crazy enough to blog 31 days in a row.
May 8 – On this and every Saturday during the Blogathon, I’ll showcase some of the week’s most interesting posts from Blogathon writers.
May 10 – NEW! WordCount Blogathon Group Blogging Day #1. For the first time, I’m inviting everyone to write about the same thing. The topic: The 10 blogs I can’t live without. Write a post about your favorite blogs – how easy is that? Make it short, make it long, include screen grabs, or not. The fun part is know we’re all in it together.
May 18 – Official Blogathon Guest Post Exchange Day. Look at the list of particpating bloggers running May 1 and ask someone on it to swap posts with you. Or exchange posts with a friend, that’s fine too. The point is to write on someone else’s blog that day, and have them write on yours.
May 24 – NEW! WordCount Blogathon Group Blogging Day #2. Another opportunity for everyone to write about the same thing. Only this time instead of me picking what we write about, someone else gets to come up with the theme. Submit your suggestion by May 9 and I’ll pick the best one and announce it on May 10, on the first group blogging day. Good times.
May 31 – You did it! The WordCount Blogathon is over. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. But wait, there’s more…
June 1 – The official WordCount Blogathon wrap party on Twitter. We’ll congregate at 8:30 a.m. PST at hashtag #Blog2010 for a fast-paced discussion of what we loved, what we hated and what we’d do differently next time. Plan on 30 minutes, though I’ll stay for an hour in case anyone else wants to.
Michelle,
You always make it seem so easy–and then it is! Thanks! See you tomorrow.
Jackie