- What: A set-aside week where bloggers and fans volunteer articles to be published as Guest Posts on their favorite blogs
- When: February 17th, 2014 to February 21st, 2014
- Where: #Voluntines on Twitter
In December, we celebrated the holiday spirit with lists. It was a great success! Listmas provided an opportunity for lots of fellow bloggers to reinforce the social and community elements of their blogs. Many participated and even more joined in to share or comment on their favorite posts. More than just an increase in views, it resulted in a stronger blogging community.
In February, I wanted to try something a little different. Largely in the spirit of Valentine’s Day (minus the romance), I wanted a holiday to celebrate other bloggers we each admire. I am calling it Voluntine’s Week.
This holiday’s primary purpose is to get us all to stop being one another’s secret admirer and start being more open with our admiration. Views are great, but without comments they lack meaningful context. It is easy to read a great blog, but it takes a true admirer to go that extra step. Commenting and even sharing are great ways to show you care. They can also be essential for keeping many of us writing on a regular basis. Voluntine’s Week will also focus on guest blogging.
In case you aren’t familiar, guest blogging is the simple act of writing a post for another blog. It is the perfect way to show mutual admiration, respect, and appreciation. It is also an excellent chance for fans (not necessarily ones with their own blogs) to give back and have their own thoughts featured on a blog.
In the few times I have guest blogged, it was great, but it almost always takes one person going out on a limb to get others interested. Voluntine’s should give us all an opportunity to volunteer a post without feeling awkward about having to break the ice.
Here’s how it works: Pick your favorite blog(s). You know, the ones that have the articles you wish you had written or the subjects you wish your blog covered. Imagine yourself writing an article that would fit on that blog, perhaps choose one of their regular features or emulate their unique style of writing. And then write them a post!
I am not against a little more forethought and communication than that, but this is a special event and I don’t think that will be necessary. Unlike Listmas, there won’t be a set number of posts to write, though I encourage you all to write as many as you can. I advise that you consider writing at least one post for a favorite blog of your’s that you know doesn’t get nearly as many hits as it deserves.
Voluntine’s Week will run the week after Valentine’s Day, from February 17th through the 21st. Posts or tweets referring to it will use #Voluntines. If you are definitely considering participating, I suggest you re-post this on your own blog so others know you will be happy to accept their guest blogs.
And, as always, commenting and sharing content is a great way to show you care, no matter what week or event is going on at the time. Don’t let a good post go unloved!
Reblogged this on InvaderC8.
Reblogged this on Murf vs Internet and commented:
Hey Listmas fans, it is time for a new holiday!
Reblogged this on Healing the masses and commented:
The delightful but incorrigible MR Murf is at it again with a new blogging event for anyone and everyone to get involved with, whether or not you have a blog. This time the call to arms is about showing people you care, you read them and as such producing your own work inspired by theirs to be an amazing guest post.
You have 3 weeks to complete your homework soooooo NO EXCUSES!
How will I keep myself from using this event for evil?
Through sheer force of will and your integrity as an excellent blogger!
Beyond commenting on a blog I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing in terms of the social aspect of WordPress. I only started my blog in the beginning of January though so I assume that is normal (I hope so anyway). I wouldn’t even know where to begin on setting up a guest blog post. If someone could talk me through I’d be happy to help and participate!
1) Identify a blog you enjoy. 2) Go ahead and come up with an idea for a post there. 3) Link them back to this post so they know what is going on, and then pitch them the article you have prepared.
Most bloggers do not mind free content. Most are happy to link back to your own blog. In other words, nothing to be too nervous about!
Thanks for the advice! How would I go about sending that chosen one my blog post? Email? Sorry if I sound dumb
You don’t sound dumb at all. It will depend on the individual blog you are looking to contribute to. If they have an email contact listed, I would try that first. Otherwise, a comment should get the ball rolling. Mention this article and your intention to write a guest post.
That should work!
Reblogged this on Games I Made My Girlfriend Play and commented:
A great writing initiative from Mr. Murphy. Look forward to some of these posts from GIMMGP!
This sounds really cool! I’ll have to see if I have time for it this year… but either way, I love the spirit of openly admiring and sharing everybody’s writing. Even if I can’t do a guest post, I’ll at least be happy to retweet some cool Voluntine’s blog posts I find. =)
And that’s really all we need: a few willing voices and a lot of willing fans. Thanks Ashley! (Though I do hope you have a chance to participate too.)
I’m hoping I can participate! Sounds super fun and I always like guest blogging for other people or featuring people on my own blog. :)
I hope you can at least do one! Will you be retweeting and sharing?
Reblogged this on Cake Box Fox and commented:
So I’m going to be taking part in this to!
Spread the blog love this month :)