Want to Grow your #Blog via the #AtoZChallenge ?

Today we have Mary Wallace talking to us about how A to Z April Blogging Challenge helped her blog, and what an  A to Z  first timer can do to reap benefits from the challenge!
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When I first started blogging, I did so with a very specific purpose in mind, which lasted about five minutes. I started blogging, because at the time, I was homeless and thought that I had GREAT and IMPORTANT things to say about that. It turns out I didn’t; or at least not in any way that was interesting. So, I told stories and the stories turned out to be pretty damned amusing at times. Last year, in 2013, I found the A-to-Z Challenge and really enjoyed it—it helped me focus on my blog.

There are a few things about the A to Z Challenge that sets it apart from others, and I believe they help immensely in “growing” your audience, or at least offering the opportunity to do so:

• The challenge is a month long and requires precisely 28 posts. The posts should be short and punchy (Or not, if your niche audience is happy with long posts). They can be funny, lyrical, whatever.
• You can pick a “theme” (Join the A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal if you do), or not.   
•  By participating, you’ll meet people from all over the world with so many different interests and varied cultures and it will give you a chance to learn and share with your new friends!
• By meeting new people and interacting, they will be sure to spread the word about your blog: Don’t forget to use Twitter, G + and Facebook!
• If you are new to blogging, this is THE PERFECT CHALLENGE because the rules are short and sweet and there are scads and scads of people to help you along the way!
• Here are a few posts that will make it easy for you to do the challenge once you sign up:

1. Reading the A to Z Challenge FAQ post by Nicole Ayers
2.  Oodles of Ideas for Finding Your AZwords by Tina Downey
3.  Make Commenting Easy by Alex J Cavanaugh
4. Pre-schedule Your Posts by Damyanti Biswas
5.  Ace the Challenge through Social Media by Vidya Sury
6. How to get more Followers for your blog by Arlee Bird 
7. Get your Google Profile Right by MJ Joachim 
8. Make Lasting Blog Relationships through A to Z Challenge by Guilie Castillo Oriard 
9.  Don't get busted by the Photo police by Pam Margolis
10. The Dreaded conversation about CAPTCHA by MJ Joachim
11.  10 Tips to Ace the A to Z Challenge by Damyanti Biswas
12. How to Hyper Blog like a Pro by Nicole Ayers

So, there you have it! There is no reason NOT to sign up for this challenge. I had so much fun last year and made many new friends. I am a bit different in that I am “retired” which is a polite word for disabled and I do not blog to make money, but I associate myself with the very best in the business, as I did when I worked.

The co-hosts set high standards and this is a chance to prove to yourself that yes, you can blog from A to Z and write wonderful posts and have fun doing so!
 
Have you joined the A to Z April Blogging Challenge yet?

Have questions? The first ever Twitter chat for Blogging from A to Z April Challenge will happen today, 28 February, at 6PM EST on the hashtag #AZchat. Come chat with us, exchange A to Z challenge tips and tricks, ask questions of A to Z challenge veterans and co-hosts. See you on Twitter this evening!

Getting to Know Your Fellow #bloggers #atozchallenge #foodblogs

Featuring Food Blogs

What better time to celebrate food than than with the weekend coming up? Well, if you’re like me, you might want to celebrate food every day of the week. There are so many good things to eat, ways to make them and then add in the idea of growing your own food. It’s a done deal! You won’t be disappointed when you visit these fine food blogs!

Hungry Enough to Eat Six: It’s all about recipes sure to make your mouth water on this food blog. Easy organization, complete with recipe index and recipes by category will make finding what you’re looking for a breeze. Having browsed through quite a few of these recipes, and knowing my way around the kitchen a bit, I believe it’s safe to say, you won’t be disappointed.


Service from Heart: If you enjoy oriental food, you’re in for a treat with this blog. The recipes are detailed with lots of pictures; the presentation is delightful. Visitors are also treated to intriguing stories about Singapore and the surrounding region. Service from the Heart is truly a unique food blog, with lots of things to share and enjoy.


Growing Our Food: Enjoy the lessons brought to you from a food & garden blogger in South Africa when you visit this blog. If you’re interesting in self- sustained living, growing your own food is a great way to do it. You’ll learn about gardening, food preparation and preservation.  Growing Our Food shares resources and lots of information to help you succeed in the garden. It doesn’t matter where you live, this blog provides valuable information for all.


Notes from the Tomato Lady: Who knew there were so many varieties of tomatoes out there? The plants are exquisite, the garden tips divine and the recipes sound positively delicious! It’s not just about tomatoes however. This blog also has recipes and tips about peppers and onions too. One of the things I like most about this particular blog is the organization. It’s so easy to find whatever you might be looking for here.


Jo on Food, My Travels and a Scent of Chocolate: My mouth practically waters every time I read the recipes Jo shares on her blog. Saturday is a designated recipe day over there, so get ready for some mouth watering food! Truth be told, Jo shares recipes on way more days than Saturday. Jo provides clear instructions, along with photos that will make you want to stop whatever you’re doing to whip up a batch of whatever she’s making. More than that, you get a bird’s eye view of Jo’s wild side, as she shares humorous anecdotes of her journey through life.

So there you have it. Betcha can’t wait to warm up your frying pan and start sizzling in the kitchen. Sounds like a plan to me!

M. J.

©2014 All Rights Reserved
Photo credit: David Lorenzana, Rueda de los alimentos, CCA-Share Alike 2.5 Generic License

A-to-Z Challenge Questions Answered #atozchallenge #FAQ

If you’ve ever received a driver’s permit, written a grant proposal, traveled by plane, applied for college, filled out a job application, made an insurance claim or voted in an election, you have a clear understanding of how important it is to follow directions.

Whether simple or complex – directions guide us on the road to achieving (or at least getting closer to) whatever end result we are seeking. We all make mistakes – it’s true. Oftentimes, however, a lot of these mistakes can be significantly reduced – even eliminated – by simply reading and following directions as carefully as we are able.

As we head toward the Blogging from A-to-Z Challenge in April, please take heed on the directions and guidelines that are set forth for participants. Doing so will help Co-Hosts and fellow participants to prevent unnecessary potholes and bumps in the road from developing at our alphabet blogging party.

Making Category Changes

This includes: Adding a Category , Removing a Category or Modifying a Category

"Apologies for circumventing the system to add a second entry WITH the category this time. You can delete # 164"

"I neglected to put (WR) by my name, sorry!"

"Oops. Signed up before my morning coffee, and forgot to put the HU category." 

"I see I am one of those who forgot to add a category."

"I signed up but forgot to put the MI category in...sorry!"

The scenarios above have one Question in common: Can I Change My Category Code?

The Short Answer: No

The Long Answer: The “requirement” factor is one of the most common misconceptions about using blog categories when signing up for the A-to-Z Challenge. Since 2013, the Co-Hosts have offered a list of categories and their corresponding codes that bloggers can included at end of their blog’s name, when signing up for the challenge. As a participant, using a category code or not is entirely your choice. Therefore, if you forget to add a category code the first time around, it is not a big deal. There is no need to request that one be added later on down the line. Blogs that contain adult content are the only exception to this rule. All categories are optional, except for the Adult Content (AC) category. 

Your Spot/Number on the Signup List

"I can't believe I was late on the list again this year. My goal was to make the top one hundred." 

"number 14 on the list, beats my number from last year, one thousand and something!"

The scenarios above have one Concern in common: 

How can I be in the best position on the signup list to get more visits, comments, fans, friends, followers, etc. during the A-to-Z Challenge?

Our Short Response: It's not about where you are on the signup list. It's about how you participate with (and make yourself known to) other bloggers on the signup list.

Our Long Response: The number where your blog is currently located on the signup list may be subject to change as we clean up the list. In the early years of the A-to-Z Challenge, being higher on the list could help bring you more readers –especially during the first week or two in April. That is because everybody started at #1 and worked their way down the list; even with a “randomizer” widget that Arlee had available at times, this method of participation make it difficult for blogs that were further down on the list to see any real bump in traffic, comments, followers and general interactions with fellow A-to-Z Challenge participants.

These days, we’ve attempted to balance things out by asking ALL participants to start visiting the blogs that are listed after their blog. So, if you are blog #144 on the signup list, then you would start visiting blog #145 and then #146 and so on until you’ve either visited all the blogs on the signup list after yours or the end of the 2014 A-to-Z Challenge arrives – whichever comes first. If everyone pitches in to help with this by starting on the next blog down on the list, after their own, we can nearly ensure that all participating blogs get a sizable amount of new visitors during the challenge.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• Never underestimate the power of networking -- one of the fastest ways to get help with something related to the #atozchallenge is to reach out to a fellow blogger who you know is participating in the challenge. 

• When in doubt, you can connect with one of the Co-Hosts or send your question/concern to @AprilA2Z.

Each year, Co-Hosts as well as select participants of the Blogging from A-to-Z Challenge have taken great care in providing information that addresses common questions and concerns involving our April blog hop. 

Due to the massive volume of bloggers who signup to participate in the A-to-Z Challenge, it is crucial that each participant practices his or her due diligence in paying attention to the Guidelines set forth on the A-to-Z Challenge Sign-up List as well as the knowledge provided in content published on this blog -- while also taking into account the additional information available on our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) page and our CONTACT page.

The #AtoZChallenge Way of Lasting #Blogging Relationships

Today I welcome Guilie Castillo Oriard to talk about making lasting relationships during the month of April, when we all do some A to Z Challenge Blogging!

Take it away, +Guilie  !

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Join the A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal!

If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly how many days—hours, even—are left before April 1^st. You can’t wait. I know. I’m like that, too.

Or was. Until I realized it’s not about April. April is only the opportunity—which I have squandered. Repeatedly.

Believing the A-to-Z Challenge is about April is like believing a play is about opening night. It’s your goal, what you’re working towards—operating word being working. Plenty to do before then. An actor shows up on opening night without having gone to a single rehearsal… Well.

The Challenge is only the beginning. The rules may require a post a day, but there’s a reason for all that frenzy. It’s about relationships. If we create them right, they will last way beyond April.

The Plan:

1 Write my posts ahead of time—as should you, and if you ask why then I give you a hearty hug of welcome, because it must be your first A-to-Z.

2 Start building my A-to-Z network now. With 2,000 blogs in the Challenge, I won’t be able to visit them all even overdosing on caffeine. But if I begin to engage with like-minded bloggers, that means I’m free during April for pure blog-hopping and commenting. Which leads nicely to the next point.

   But first: how does one achieve this engaging?

•         visit the main A-to-Z blog and the hosts (in the sidebar to the right), and the Team of Assistants. Check out the people that leave interesting comments

•  visit as many of the blogs on the list as you can, before April. 5 new blogs a day will still take you to about 200 blogs!

•         sign  up for the #A2ZReveal hop

•         join the A-to-Z communities on Facebook and G+

•         follow @AprilA2Z on Twitter and start your own Twitter list of A-to-Z participants

3 Never again leave a generic copy-paste comment. Do we really think no one notices? The people we visit also visit others, and see our comment there is—gasp!—identical to what we wrote on their site. That really plants the seed for enduring connections.

No need to write a Tolstoy novel to make a comment thoughtful. It’s like speed dating. You can go through the checklist in your hand without even looking at the other person, or you can meet their eyes and try, for the three minutes you have together, to find out what makes them special.

4 Include a working link to my blog on every comment. Nothing more frustrating than trying to connect with someone whose link takes me on a merry chase around the web. Here’s how to create a link that never fails:

 

Thanks Vidya Sury for this blogging trick!

Go on, try the linky signature in the comments below. Chocolate chip cookies to successful signatures!

5 Read up on these awesome tips by Alex J Cavanaugh, on how to make commenting easy!For some extra tips, visit Richa Singh's A to Z Challenge tips.

 Relationships make the world, especially the blogging world, go round. Go forth and conquer April, A-to-Z-ers! And if you want to build some great blog relationships rightaway, consider joining the team of AZ assistants. Express your interest in the comments below to get signed up!

Do you have a strategy for making comments? Which bloggers do you visit most, and why?

What Would YOU Like to Know About Your #atozchallenge Co-Hosts?

You may have noticed that we've already had some of the co-hosts introduce themselves to you. We like to do this each year so that you have an idea of who we are, what we do, and so that you can find out some just plain fun or silly facts about us.

In the past, we used a question/answer format where each co-host chose from a list of questions as a basis for how they wrote their “About Me” posts. We're doing it a little differently this year. We are – gasp – free-styling it! Everyone is doing his or her own thing.

For example, since Jeremy was literally laid up with his ankle, we wrote his for him. (In case you were wondering, all million or so of you who left such nice comments, he was really touched by the tremendous support you showed him. As a Team, we are very grateful and say THANK YOU.) Heather's buddy Stormy the Weather Gnome introduced her.

There are still some of us who like the question/answer format and that's where you come in. YOU get to ask the questions! Just as a sample, here are some from the past:

"When writing, do you prefer to compose your first-draft by hand, on your computer, or using Morse Code?" (Mina Lobo)

"If you could sing any song with the artist who wrote/performed it, what would it be and with whom?" (Tracy Bermeo-A2Z Mommy)

"What's more important, space exploration, or under-sea exploration?" (Matt Conlon)

"Name an item that you have too much of." (Nicole)

"Favorite childhood memory" (Tina)

We currently have 34 questions. We are greedy. We want more. We want fresh questions!

We have a great chance for that since we have so many new to the A-Z Challenge participants! As co-hosts, we just love it that more and more people are hearing about this Challenge and joining! But wait! It gets better. This year we have many people who aren't just new to our April adventure, but also new to blogging! Brave people who aren't afraid to say, “Yeah, sure, I'll try that!

We're also just as excited that so many are returning. We have bloggers who are doing this for the 4^th and 5^th time. In case you haven't heard – this is year 5. It's fun to wander around the list meeting people (you are doing that, right?) and seeing the “A-Z Survivor” badges which you get when you're done. I think they're kinda like gold medals...

So hit us with your best questions. Anything goes. Not saying that a co-host will be brave enough to answer your outrageous question...but there's always the chance. (Honestly, it will most likely be me since I'm NOT the shy one in the group...)

~Tina, for the A to Z Team

Our other favorite Blog Hops!

If you are like us co-hosts, you may be looking at your calendar thinking, "What am I supposed to do with the next 39 days until the April A-Z Challenge starts?" Well, it is just your lucky day because we have some suggestions! Here are some of the co-hosts' favorite ongoing blog-hops. We do hope you'll stop by and join in the fun.

A-Z Theme Reveal Blogfest!
In its second year, the A-Z Theme Reveal Blogfest is a "hop within a hop" - an opportunity to join with other A-Z'ers to share what your theme for the month will be (if you have one, which you totally don't have to do. We <3 pantsers too!). This year the big day is March 21st! Hope to see you there!

Insecure Writer's Support Group
This is a great group of people, sponsored by Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, whose goal is to help one another, "rock the neurotic writing world." Known as IWSG, this hop happens the first Wednesday of every month. If you've ever worried if you're the only writer who feels nervous, insecure, insufficient, or just plain weird, this is the group that will tell you that you are NOT alone. And they'll tell you in funny, insightful and wonderfully supportive ways.

Blog Blitz
Hosted by the incredibly kind and talented (and previous A-Z co-host!) DL Hammons, the Blog Blitz is an opportunity to show lucky bloggers some love, in a BIG way. Periodically DL will select a member or two of the team and email everyone their website, and then we ALL show up and leave comment love on that person's most recent post, on the same day. It's a great way to meet new bloggers, and who knows? You might get selected and have your day in the sun! (Co-host AJ was selected last April and can verify - it's quite the rush!)

Here are a couple of smaller, weekly hops that we think are pretty rad:

• For all you movie buffs, co-host Nicole hosts the Monday Movie Meme.
• On Fridays you can join VikLit in Celebrating the Small Things.
• And if you want to take Saturday as a bit of a rest day, join Cate for Six Word Saturday.

And if you're really searching for something to do, several of the co-hosts are not only great bloggers, but also have books published!

• Alex recently had some exciting success with his book CassaFire, but make sure to check out CassaStar and CassaStorm, too!
• MJ has two collections of her flash fiction, FlashTyme volume I and volume II. She also wrote Beyond Our Words, reflections on Catholic prayers, and The Merciful Victory of the Cross, which is reflections on the Stations of the Cross.
• AJ wrote an interactive fiction book (think Choose Your Own Adventure) called Armageddon: Pick Your Plot, which pits you against apocalyptic events from fire hurricanes to nanobots to alien invasions.
• Jeremy has several art books including Retro-Zombie: Art & Words, which is both a coloring book and poetry compilation. So cool!
• Stephen has published the first two books in his Breakthrough Trilogy: Breakthrough and Opening. Check them out before the final book, Escalation, comes out on March 10th!

What are your favorite blog hops? We know some of our participants are authors and artists, too - take this opportunity to share a link to your work!

Just How Old Is Our Earth and Universe, 3.8 billion or 6,000 Years???

The Debate Continues: On February 4, Bill Nye (The Science Guy) debated creationist Ken Ham for two and a half hours regarding a number of topics that many followers of science and the Bible struggle to reconcile.

 

The age of the Earth and the universe is one subject that causes no end of frustration for both sides. Did our space time continuum come into existence 13.8 billion years ago, or six thousand years ago? This is a very important question, and in many instances vital (necessary for life) when it comes to where we spend eternity.

 

Science uses a myriad of physical evidence to conclude the universe we live in is 13.8 years old, give or take a few years. Reference

 

Those who promote it is 6,000 years old use the geneologies of man going back to Adam from the Bible to date the Earth. They also conclude the six days of creation are literal twenty-four hour periods. Dinosaurs and cavemen and everything that left behind a fossil also lived during the past 6,000 years. Herein lies the prolonged contention.

 

They will also state it was the Great Flood during Noah’s time that caused the physical features like the Grand Canyon and such. But even a flood of this magnitude cannot cause the extreme features our Earth exhibits. Perhaps some. But it cannot come close to explaining what would take hundreds of millions of years to make.

 

The Answer Is Quite Simple: The time between the verses of Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 holds the key. Some people call this the Gap Theory. I’ve heard both sides of the argument in great detail. Let them argue.

 

No one knows how much time transpired between these verses. It could be one day. Or it could be 13.8 billion years.

 

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

 

Important Note: God did not create everything we see around us during the "Six Days of Creation" detailed in Genesis chapter one. He created everything that makes up everything during Genesis 1:1. He simply spoke into being what we read in the following verses and this is what we see and experience every day. The stuff that makes up the stuff in our universe already existed. He simply spoke it into an orderly fashion for us to live in 6,000 years ago. Everything else, including dinosaurs, cavemen, and Pangaea occurred between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.

 

Science and the Bible have had a long standing feud. Lots of people were killed because they took a stance different from what the established Church at the time held. Example: for centuries people held an Aristotelian geocentric view of our universe, mainly that the Earth was the center of our universe and everything including our sun revolved around it.

 

Galileo: When Galileo championed a heliocentrism view (the sun being the center and Earth revolved around it) he was persecuted by the Catholic Church. Simply because he used science to stand up to long held Church tradition.

 

The same can be said today. Many who hold to a centuries old tradition of a 6,000 year old universe will draw a line in the sand. I’ve even been told I can’t be saved if I do not accept the 6,000 year theory. Huhn???

 

Why Does It Matter? I have heard far too many people state they would love to believe the Bible and its message of salvation. But, because of the 6,000 year tradition they know is false, they simply cannot regard the Bible as truth. They see an error here, and conclude the Bible may be a good book, but cannot be taken literally.



Meet the Author. No, not Dean Koontz. Me.

 

The result is many people die in their sins and spend an eternity separated from God. How many when it is all said and done? Thousands? Tens of thousands? Millions? Why? Because of the 6,000 day theory that the Bible does not teach. Man does. Tradition does. But the Bible does not.

 

So you can see why I am passionate about this topic. Science and the Bible can co-exist just fine, thank you very much.

 

To see the debate CLICK HERE

 

Action and Modern Day Sci-fi writer Stephen Tremp is the author of the Breakthrough: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan trilogy. His third book Escalation is the final installment in the series and is set for release March 10, 2014.

 

Escalation is an epic clash where science and the supernatural take center stage for mankind’s destiny. The setting is global and the adrenaline-charged action is non-stop. You can visit Stephen at Breakthrough Blogs.

#atozchallenge -- Stormy the Weather Gnome introduces Heather M. Gardner

This is Stormy the Weather Gnome coming to you from the wild snowy tundra, otherwise known as Heather's front yard.

Heather is annoyingly shy so when the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge hosts mentioned she should write an 'About Me' post she got all flummoxed. Maybe even a little Hasenpfeffered.

So, I thought I would help her out cause, I ROCK, and that's just the kind of Gnome I am!

Heather is old and kind of wrinkly. She lives in a small town in New York with her family and a bunch of really frightening cats (they tried to eat the gorilla glue holding my feet together!)

Heather always wanted to be a rock star, and although she doesn't sound bad singing in the shower, she can't pull it off in front of real people.

Heather works part-time for the local volunteer fire department where she also joined the Auxiliary. She makes a general nuisance of herself around town as much as possible. You know the kind, always organizing events and begging for blood and money from the community. Literally. 

Heather has published her first contemporary romantic suspense book, Maguire's Corner. She is currently editing her second book in the series and hopes to have it published soon (or so she keeps telling me).

You can find Heather all over the inter-web.

Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Facebook: Heather M. Gardner, Author

Twitter: @hmgardner

Email: hgardner28@gmail.com

So, that's Heather in a nutshell, although what she's doing hanging out in a nutshell I have no idea.

She's a pretty cool chick but if you want to laugh your little resin butt off then come to her blog during the A to Z Challenge to check ME out!

I'll be taking over for the whole month of April.

I guarantee, you won't ever be the same after I get done with you.

Do You leverage #Socialmedia for #blogging? 20 #atozchallenge Tips

 Today, one of #TeamDamyanti , Vidya Sury , tells you how to spread your blog far and wide via social media.

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A blog hop is all about interaction, making friends and getting to know new bloggers. The #AtoZChallenge is a readymade opportunity to connect, interact, and take your blogging motivation to new highs.

So you've signed up for the A to Z Challenge (do it now if you haven't), and perhaps even the  A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest where you join a huge group of AtoZers to post your theme reveal post. You're also busy outlining your posts and scheduling them for April, so you can be free to party.

Yes, it is a month-long blogging party that will change your life forever!

So, besides visiting other bloggers, how can you amplify your blogging presence?

Use social media!

Social media is a great way to attract new readers and engage with your existing ones. As bloggers we cannot afford to ignore social media.

If you’re still wondering why you should use social media…it helps you

·      increase your reach on social media

·      build a loyal fan base

·      invite collaboration opportunities

·     get a book written (yes!)

·      create community

·      make new friends

·      get gigs 

and so much more!

How to get started?

1. Clean up your sidebars

2. Place your "follow/subscribe" buttons prominently so your visitors can find them easily and follow or subscribe to your awesome blog updates. 

3. Display Social Media Connect buttons for the networks you frequent. The most common are: Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest and of course, email. You can get combinations of the set. Don't forget to customize the buttons with your own profile links.

4. Add Social Mediasharing buttons - so your visitors can share your posts on their social network of choice.

5. Have a Facebookfan page? Add the widget in your sidebar so you can build your audience right from your blog. All your visitor has to do is hit "Like."

6. Create readymade tweets so your readers can copy and tweet. Like this:

#atozchallenge tip: Visit AZ bloggers before Challenge begins, follow their blogs-build your network! www.a-to-zchallenge.com @AprilA2Z

Try clicktotweet so your readers can directly click to tweet.

7. Use a dashboard like Hootsuite to manage and schedule your social media posts. Install the Hootsuite “hootlet” for your browser to tweet/schedule a tweet for any page you are on. If you follow the blogger, don’t forget to tag them when you tweet. The Hootsuite dashboard lets you see your tweet stream, sent tweets, mentions and scheduled posts.

8. If you use Feedburner, use the “socialize” feature to autoshare your own post on social media as soon you publish.

9.  Use the #atozchallenge tag across all media to make them easily discoverable. Tag +April Hosteam on G+ (run by Pam), tag @AprilA2Z on Twitter (run by Nicole) and Blogging from A to Z April Challenge (run by Heather) on FB to get RTs and Shares of your posts.

10. Big on images? Add a Pin it button so your readers can share your gorgeous images on Pinterest.

11. Use LinkedIn? Import your RSS feed to your LinkedIn profile using the blog link application on LinkedIn to show off your posts on your profile.

12. Go to your Twitter settings - and set it up to share automatically to your Facebook profile.

13. Autopublish your Facebook Fan page posts to Twitter.

14. Spend some time every day acknowledging shares and engaging in social media. Thank people publicly, give them a shoutout!

15. And while you are at it, give your "About Me" page the once-over! Now is a good time to tweak that, too!

16. Don’t forget to TELL your readers to share your posts! For more tips: See this post by M J Joachim's Aztech, C. Lee McKenzie.

17. The A to Z Challenge is not just about you. Consider using Twitterfeed to auto-tweet your favorite blogs’ posts and you'll have a bunch of RTers for your own posts soon!

18. If you have a twitter account, consider joining Triberr.com. This will ensure a lot of bloggers RT your posts.

19. Use Roundteam.co to automatically RT tweets on the #atozchallenge tag, or from bloggers you like.

20. Finally, check that all your links work.

To summarize, sidebar must-haves:

• Subscribe / Follow button
• Social media connect buttons
• G+ button for your blog (different from the add to circles)
• Facebook Fan page Like Widget
• AtoZChallenge badge

Go forth and connect! Questions, problems? Ask away in the comments and Vidya will do her best to solve them for you!

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Have you signed up for the #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal Blogfest?  Do it now!