In a continued consideration on how to promote the (endangered?) blog community, I had somethinking on a challenge that would promote social connections within the blog community, and encourage people to engage with the content, rather than just be a lurker that consumes content without contribution.
For the moment I'll call this "Boost the Blog Signal" (BtBS) as you probably want a clear name that conveys the intent, and has a handy acronym. BBS was sorta interesting to me as I'm of the vintage where I dialed into other peoples computers to play text games, but I suspect there'd be some issues with that.
Let me lead early with: I would very much appreciate readers comments and thoughts on any of this.
Challenge Objectives:
1/. easy to achieve
2/. increases community, defined as blog activity in particular, blog comments
3/. Doesn't run too long
4/. Happens on regular dates
5/. Some sort of 'points' but not overly competitive. Something to recognize those who stay on track, those who partially maintain the rules, and those who completely fall off.
6/. some sort of prize
Tentative Working idea:
-You commit to 1+ blog post every two weeks, add a label to it #BtBS (to generate more interest/knowledge). The post can/should be your regular hobby activities, nothing special needed content wise.
-You commit to commenting on other peoples blogs at least twice a week. IDEALLY it won't be a one sentence comment. Ask a question, generate some talk. Don't get too long winded. Discussion: should there be a requirement that any of these posts be devoted to someone participating? Or are we simply trying to boost comments and encourage people to write.
-I think 3 months is a great length. It's not too long, and it tends to nestle between holidays and vacation for most people. It's also possible to do a 3 month on, 3 month off cycle, and timing could be conducive to people in both North and South hemispheres.
-1 point per week for your comments, 1 point every two weeks for your blog post, some undecided number of points for meeting up with another blogger who you have never met before. IDEALLY you play a game (I mean, it seems the obvious reason), but even a social meetup should be rewarded.
Points would therefore top out at 20+the meetup bonus.
Discussion: how many points for meeting up with someone? Consider it in proportion to the total points (i.e. is it worth 25% of the max? less/more)
-Prizes. Raffle based with one entry per point. Even the poor performers have a chance to win and, more importantly, a reason to jump back on the wagon if they fell off.
I envision prices being some modest, 20$ or less. Likely items that are offered up (if only by me) that you want to move on to a good home. Perhaps the winner(s) get descending choice of what's available.
Sounds like a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI agree with James that these area all some great ideas. I'm a little confused about adding the label #BtBS. Isn't that only a twitter thing?
ReplyDeleteI feel like # has intruded into more than just twitter. I have people in conversation with me say 'hash tag first world problems' or something equivalent.
DeleteIt's also something that pops a bit in a title so might make people wonder 'what's that all about?', thereby drawing attention to the poor bloggers fight for survival =P
I don't know if I could "win" this event but I think i could be competitive ;).
ReplyDeleteStep right up, everyone is a winner!
DeleteSounds like a plan.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time, Ernie over in the Oldhammer community ran an annual event called Orctober. You painted something Orc-y. Didn't matter what. A regiment, a war machine, some terrain, a 40k squad, what have you, and you linked your post over to Ernie's page. It caught on and for years everybody painted something Orky for Orctober. For a while Ernie was giving out prizes. Even after Ernie dropped the event, people kept doing something for Orctober. I'd like to see something like that. A themed challenge two or three times a year, maybe focused around a significant date like the anniversary of D-day or of somebody's birthday or what have you. Throw out a few ideas like WW2, noncombatants, a themed terrain setup, An army for a Daniel Mersey game, Bug eyed monsters from outer space, etc. See what everyone is most interested in and go with that. If you decide to participate you link back to this page, and you're expected to post useful feedback/encouragement/disparagement.
ReplyDeleteThe events you mention are fun. I see them in my feed a lot: dead-cember, orctober, tanksgiving, etc.
DeleteI imagine BtBS would aim for slightly different targets (i.e. I'm more interested in building connections/dialogue between blogs/bloggers) which would help strengthen events like Orctober. I see no reason why you wouldn't/couldn't be involved in those types of challenges while also 'boosting the blog signal'.
There is also the challenge of choosing a topic/theme that will inflame people and get them to participate. Codsticker notes the challenge of getting people to commit.
Having just been a terrible naysayer, I am open to ideas of how to make BtBS more catchy/interesting to people. If we assume that BtBS runs twice a year maybe do a theme once a year? Get input for the topic in the proceeding run? Give extra points for topic related posts?
Sounds like an excellent idea Mr Mouse. I have tried to get something like that going on a couple of forums but it is tough to get people to commit.
ReplyDeleteTough for people to keep up (See my pathetic effort at the 6MMRPthingiewhateveritwascalled), but I like the idea very much and would attempt to at least participate if this gets off the ground.
ReplyDelete