April Blogging from A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Sunday, March 26, 2017
A to Z BINGO for the #AtoZChallenge 2017
What is this Bingo card of 24 items and a free space all about?
It's a fun game to play during the A to Z challenge 2017!
As you're hopping around, reading and commenting on the many blogs, keep this game card nearby. Save the links of the posts that fill your BINGO card.
Your goal is to cover five squares in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row. Or, better still, cover all the squares!
The center (marked by a star) is a freebie space.
Call out "#AtoZBingo" on Twitter/ Facebook when you get Bingo.
Consider sharing a post, or commenting, when you find one that covers a square. #AtoZBingoSQ
If you take part, include your BINGO RESULTS in your 2017 A to Z reflection post in May.
Let everyone know then which links covered your card.
Bingo card by J Lenni Dorner
Reference and Speculative Fiction Author
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Operation Awesome Debut Author Spotlight Organizer
It's a fun game to play during the A to Z challenge 2017!
As you're hopping around, reading and commenting on the many blogs, keep this game card nearby. Save the links of the posts that fill your BINGO card.
Your goal is to cover five squares in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row. Or, better still, cover all the squares!
The center (marked by a star) is a freebie space.
Call out "#AtoZBingo" on Twitter/ Facebook when you get Bingo.
Consider sharing a post, or commenting, when you find one that covers a square. #AtoZBingoSQ
If you take part, include your BINGO RESULTS in your 2017 A to Z reflection post in May.
Let everyone know then which links covered your card.
- A post that mentions a car, truck, or motorcycle.
- A post that mentions a book you've read and reviewed.
- A post about an animal you've never learned about before.
- A post with an image of something green.
- A post that inspired you to make something.
- A post about something in your fandom.
- A post with a recipe you tried.
- A post where you learned something new.
- A post that mentions outer space.
- A post that mentions ancient times.
- A post that mentions a horse.
- A post with an image of a dog or cat.
- A post with something you're allergic to.
- A post with diversity.
- A post with coffee.
- A post with a pun.
- A post with a poem.
- A post that made you laugh.
- A post that made you cry.
- A post about a place you've been.
- A post about a place you will probably never see.
- A post that improved your health (or offered a way for you to try to).
- A post with a story you can tell around the campfire.
- A post with three or more different words that begin with X.
Bingo card by J Lenni Dorner
Reference and Speculative Fiction Author
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Operation Awesome Debut Author Spotlight Organizer
Friday, March 24, 2017
Why We Love Comment Signatures (And You Should, Too!)
Those who participate in a blog hop are looking to connect with others. A link in your signature makes that faster and easier. It helps the blogger connect with you by making it easier to find your blog. This strategy increases social relationships with other A to Z bloggers. In addition to your (hopefully hyperlinked) name, consider adding a few words to identify yourself. (The hashtag #insixwords is a good source of inspiration.) Here’s my example:
J -- Co-host for the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference and Speculative Fiction Writer http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
Based just on the signature, you now know five facts about me.
Now I’m not just another commenter. I’m the writer who interviews debut authors and volunteers for the blogging challenge we’re both into.
Brains like lists. It’s natural for memories to form based on information gathered about a person. “Someone left a comment,” isn’t as memorable as, “someone with a common interest left a comment,” or, “someone with a unique job left a comment.”
Your comment (when it’s meaningful, adds to the conversation, is thought provoking, or is funny) is your first opportunity to be memorable. Your signature is the second.
A to Z bloggers have come to expect a hyperlink signature in comments. There are at least four instructional posts on the blog:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2012/02/how-to-make-hyperlink-signature-guest.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2013/01/blogging-basics-hyperlink-signature.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2014/03/get-more-visits-by-hyperlinking-your.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2016/03/a-to-z-tips-creating-signature-for.html
The purpose of the challenge is not only to promote your blog, but also to increase your social network. Someone who leaves a link in their signature is someone who is ready to communicate and engage. It’s easier to find someone who left an engaging comment or thought provoking question if the person dropped a breadcrumb trail. There isn’t always time to do a websearch for people. A hyperlinked signature is a calling card or business card in the blogging world. A hyperlinked signature is an invitation to form a relationship. This is why it’s a good way to concluded your comment.
What about comment boxes with a separate area for links?
In this case, leaving your link there instead of in the comment itself is acceptable.
Cultivate relationships online by including a signature with brief details about yourself and a link to you following your meaningful, valuable comment.
Plant the seed of social networking growth by including your hyperlinked signature.
by J Lenni Dorner
Reference and Speculative Fiction Author
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Operation Awesome Debut Author Spotlight Organizer
J -- Co-host for the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference and Speculative Fiction Writer http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
Based just on the signature, you now know five facts about me.
- You know I go by the name J.
- You know who I am in relation to you. (We are both in the challenge.)
- You know something I enjoy doing — interviewing debut authors. (If you know one, this would spark a conversation.)
- You know what I do for a living. This too might spark a conversation.
- You know how to reach me because you have a link to my blog.
Now I’m not just another commenter. I’m the writer who interviews debut authors and volunteers for the blogging challenge we’re both into.
Brains like lists. It’s natural for memories to form based on information gathered about a person. “Someone left a comment,” isn’t as memorable as, “someone with a common interest left a comment,” or, “someone with a unique job left a comment.”
Your comment (when it’s meaningful, adds to the conversation, is thought provoking, or is funny) is your first opportunity to be memorable. Your signature is the second.
A to Z bloggers have come to expect a hyperlink signature in comments. There are at least four instructional posts on the blog:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2012/02/how-to-make-hyperlink-signature-guest.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2013/01/blogging-basics-hyperlink-signature.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2014/03/get-more-visits-by-hyperlinking-your.html
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2016/03/a-to-z-tips-creating-signature-for.html
The purpose of the challenge is not only to promote your blog, but also to increase your social network. Someone who leaves a link in their signature is someone who is ready to communicate and engage. It’s easier to find someone who left an engaging comment or thought provoking question if the person dropped a breadcrumb trail. There isn’t always time to do a websearch for people. A hyperlinked signature is a calling card or business card in the blogging world. A hyperlinked signature is an invitation to form a relationship. This is why it’s a good way to concluded your comment.
What about comment boxes with a separate area for links?
In this case, leaving your link there instead of in the comment itself is acceptable.
Cultivate relationships online by including a signature with brief details about yourself and a link to you following your meaningful, valuable comment.
Plant the seed of social networking growth by including your hyperlinked signature.
by J Lenni Dorner
Reference and Speculative Fiction Author
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Operation Awesome Debut Author Spotlight Organizer
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