Friday, February 24, 2012

Bloggiesta is Back!



We are so excited to announce that Bloggiesta, the wonderful blogging event where we focus on all things blog related, is back! It's taken a bit of a hiatus because Natasha from Maw Books who created this event has had a few other things going on (like a baby in the works!) and she decided awhile back that she needed hand it over to whoever was willing which turned out to be me and Danielle of There's a Book. Hopefully we can make it happen and keep up the awesomeness that Natasha created.

So here's the date to get on your calendar right now:

March 30 , 31 and April 1

But first, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about, Bloggiesta is a three day event where participants will spend as much time as they can working on fixing all those pesky blog related tasks.... all those things that you think "some day I'm going to clean that up, or change that around, or add that thing!" Everyone will post a "to do" list, or goals they want to accomplish and then all of us will work together to get our lists done. The fun thing is that we can cheer each other on, and learn from each other and have a blast doing it. It's the perfect time to figure out that something you've always wanted to do, but didn't know how... or to get caught up on reviews, or to fix your labels, or take control of your Reader... or do oh so many other things!

As part of the event we'll have several mini-challenges where hosts who are experts at a certain blog related thing will share their knowledge and teach us something. It's fun to add those challenges to your to do list and learn something new. We'll be asking that those interested in hosting a challenge come back to sign up next week on Tuesday. So be thinking about what you have some extra expertise in and come back and sign up! 

Just a couple ideas we've had so far are:
  • how to use Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest to promote your blog
  • how to add social media icons to your sidebar
  • what should be in a sidebar anyway?
  • HTML for Dummies
  • SEO for Dummies
  • what about vlogging?
You get the idea. The list goes on and on. We'll talk more about these ideas and others in the host sign up post!

Right now, the important thing is to get all these dates in your head:

Bloggiesta Event: March 30, 31 & April 1
Challenge Hosts Sign-ups Start: Tues. Feb. 28th
Participant Sign-ups Start: March. 1st

Please spread the news around and let all your readers know about this! We'd love for everyone to participate! Remember, this is NOT just a book blogging event, it's for anyone with a blog that wants to join in the fun and learning and chatting. (Past participants have mentioned that the Twitter interaction is one of the best things about this event, so if you don't have Twitter yet, now is the time! Follow @bloggiesta and #bloggiesta)

We are so excited to get this going again! We know a lot of people have missed it and wondered what happened, but now, we're back! We hope you all join us for the fun! Let's break out the guacamole and mariachi band! Ole!



50 comments:

  1. Fabulous that you will be co-taking over this event. I wish you the best with running it. I, unfortunately, can never participate as I work weekends.
    Have fun with it Suey. You will do great.

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    1. Ibeeeg, oh dang. Can you join us for an hour or two here and there?

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  2. Awesome! I'm so excited that you and "T" are heading this up together. You two will be great hosts! I hope to join in this year, but we'll see whether my busyness allows me or not. (Only two months left of school.)

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    1. Jenni, like I said above, you can come hang out with us for an hour or two here and there. Okay? Okay!

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  3. So glad the event has a new home.

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  4. Yeah! I was hoping Bloggiesta would come back. I still wish Natasha could come back too :( Sounds like it will be just as awesome with you two, though.

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    1. Melissa, I know, we will miss her, but she will still be here and popping in and out a bit.

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  5. This sounds like a lot of fun! Maybe I'll actually get around to fixing up some things on my blog. :)

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    1. Kathy, it's truly a blast. You are gonna love it!

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  6. Woohoo! I was just thinking I needed one of these. I was planning on taking a blogging break the next couple of months, but even if I do, I will try to devote some time to the Bloggiesta. My blog needs some serious housecleaning!

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    1. Shelle, what? A blogging break? No! :) But yes! Do come join us for some fun blogging stuff.

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    2. Opps... that's Shelley with a y!

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  7. I'm glad you get to host this. I know how much you enjoy it!

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    1. Jenny, you will come and play, right? You have to. Please? :)

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  8. Yay! I'm really so beyond thrilled to be hosting this with you! Yes, ready or not here we go! :o)

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  9. Yay! I'm very excited about this. I'll put my brainstorming cap on for a mini-challenge!

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    1. Jessica, be sure to come on Tues and sign up to host!

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  11. This is awesome! I am glad to see it back around. I have never actually participated before, but I might consider this year. I prefer to spend my weekends reading normally. We will see what happens!

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    1. Kailana, I hope you can join us, even for a little bit. It's really fun, I promise.

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  12. This is so fantastic!!! Bloggiesta really helped me become a blogger.... CSS is another great thing to learn about and how to attract readers....

    I am thrilled to see this continue!!!

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    1. Sheila... yes on the CSS.. I have no idea what it is! Yay! I'm so glad you'll be joining us!

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  13. Woot! I'm excited to participate!

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  14. I'll likely be super stressed with presentations and papers as it will be nearing the end of the semester, but I'm hoping I can take a break for the weekend and participate - even if I just get a few things done!

    Here is my current brainstorm for my list: create Facebook fan page, clean up GReader, center buttons on my blog, develop a feature I've been thinking about..

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    1. Rachelia, that sounds like an awesome list of things to work on. Hopefully you can join us even for just a bit. That works too!

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  15. I'm so glad you two have revived Bloggiesta! I've been thinking about doing a personal one, since I'm totally backed up on the blogging front, but it'll be much more fun to tackle these tasks with other bloggers. :) Bloggiesta is now marked on my calendar!

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  16. So glad you guys are bringing this back, as I always learn something new with Bloggiesta! Looking forward to it, as I have some serious blog housekeeping to take care of!

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  17. I'm so excited! This will be my first year participating and I am already working on my To-Do list. Your topics look fantastic and I'm *really* looking forward to them!

    Bonnie @ www.handsandhome.ca

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  18. I'd love to write a challenge on how to write your tagline or figure out a call to action statement or how to write a list of features and benefits.

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  19. Hello!
    I'm SO glad I happened upon your site and found this Bloggiesta! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HOSTING THIS!!! I have shared this on my blog by copying and pasting what you have written because I could NOT explain it any better! I DID write down that it was copied and pasted from YOUR site and I have added your blog addy in several places referring people BACK TO YOUR SITE! Besides, I can't do a thing for anyone! THEY have to come HERE to sign up! I just shared the info!
    I am SOOOO looking forward to doing this! I am REALLY looking forward to learning how to do some things you have listed, such as learning how to add ALL the Social Media buttons together IN ONE PLACE, instead of having separate links for EVERY single one! I would LOVE to learn this! There are other topics I you have written down I would LOVE to learn! Such as using Goodreads MUCH beter than I am SURE is WAY better than what I have now! So I am REALLY looking forward to learning a LOT! Another thing - we may THINK we know we are doing things good and the right way, but are we really? This is what I am looking forward to learning as well! It is always a GREAT thing to read and relearn things even if we THINK we know what we are doing!
    I really want to thank you for hosting this, doing this and more! I am really looking forward to participating in this! Can't wait!
    Thank YOU!
    Laurie Carlson
    http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com
    laurieisreading at gmail dot com

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    1. Wahoo! I'm LOVING your enthusiasm! I hope this lives up to everything you expect! :)

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  20. Thanks so much for adding this to your already very busy schedule! I love doing it and this it's the greatest community piece of blogging since it's all about helping each other as we all work to improve our blogging experience.

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  21. Thanks you so much for this, it's just the kick in the pants I need to get my poor, neglected blog the love and updating it needs. I'll be a little busy that weekend (celebrating my birthday) but I really need to give my poor baby some attention.

    Martha @ Hey, I want to read that.

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