I was chatting about this with an online writer friend recently. She has decided to cease participation in Blogfests in 2013 as an experiment. She wants to see if her follower count changes dramatically by just her own work.
The reason is because people aren't participating in Blogfests in the manner for which they were designed. Remember Karen Gowan's BBQ from a few years back? It was insane fun. I think I gained forty new followers that day. It was the perfect way to introduce yourself to other writers.
Now there are just so many Blogfests, it's hard to know which, if any, to do. One day last month there were five running consecutively. And some people are registering, but there is no dedicated post on their website, they don't follow and comment back in the spirit of the event, and you just end up thinking why did they bother?
I don't take part in many, just the ones I know I can really dedicate my time to, so I won't withdraw completely, but I do think Blogfests have lost their impetuous.
Do you think there are too many?
17 comments:
I used to do blogfests when I first started blogging. I haven't done them in about two years. Truthfully, I just don't have time.
I agree. Your BBQ was the first one I ever participated in--and it was just on the periphery since at that time I didn't even know what a blogfest was. I've got the same problem with the A to Z thing. The first year I did it, I had so much fun and met so many awesome people whom I still follow today. This year, however, it was so huge there was no way to keep going back and to people I'd visited earlier in the month. I don't think I'll do it this year. For me, the point of a blogfest or hop is to connect with people.
I think there are too many blogfests. I could do three a week easy. People use them to build their following. Can't fault that. But you really only need to participate in one good one. Alex's IWSG is the best one around in my opinion. Super simple, always re-occurring, and there's enough people on the list that it would take you a month to visit them all.
I agree about IWSG. The posts are always heart-felt too, not just answering random questions. The last one I did had only about 25 participants, and maybe a third didn't post (I almost forgot too).
I think blogfests can totally be fun, but people have to do them because they want to do them, not because they feel obligated or are looking for more followers. I helped run an 'Oh those High School Dances' bloghop, where we all posted pictures of us when we were in high school. SO FUN. That's what it's about :) We must pick and choose wisely :)
I think ultimately you just have to pick and choose the ones that interest you the most. I do know I always feel like I live in the figurative sticks of blog land, because I see these things pop up and I think, "Why didn't I hear of that?" But there are only so many hours in a day for chasing down posts and reading them.
YES, there are too many blogfests! I can't keep up myself, so I sign up for ones that look interesting to me. Most of them do and I end up participating in several of them.
Maybe lesser blogfests will let us take more time to concentrate on our PURPOSE of our blog. I mean seriously, these blogfests are taking away our purpose.
The good thing though about blogfests is you meet new people! Love that!
I haven't done one in a while. And I think if the future I'll only do the ones I know I'll enjoy.
Yes, there are too many. I didn't even do the BBQ this year. Overkill. (And thanks for the mention-- that Labor Day BBQ Fest was done in the heyday of blogging. I fear those days are gone.)
What the heck is a blogfest?
While there are indeed a lot of blogfests out there, our participation in any of them is voluntary. For some bloggers, this is a nice way for them to meet others in the blogosphere. While I don't participate in all of the blogfests out there, I do appreciate the efforts of those who take the time to host them.
there is definitely an overabundance of blogfests, but as i mature as a blogger, i am cutting back. i give them a shout to promote them, but i dont participate in them all. that is my new years res, to cut back on the fests and concentrate more on the writing. newer bloggers meet more people with fests so i wouldnt discourage them at all, it's a matter of choice =)
The blogosphere seems busier than it has been. That's OK, though. I like to meet new people, so I'll keep joining. Not sure I'll do AtoZ this year. I just don't have the time to blog everyday.
Blogfests can be fun but I find participating in too many of them draws away from my focus: writing well and providing (hopefully) helpful information to other writers.
I've wondered this as well. I get new followers sometimes but they usually don't come back. Now I just do blog fests which I think I would enjoy even if I don't gain new followers.
There probably are too many, but occasionally one catches my eye and I dive in, so I suppose it's good there are so many. One thing I've never dared do is organize my own. Too terrified of no one turning up!
Have a great Christmas, Donna!
I agree. Pick the ones you're interested in and give a few your all.
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