BlogWorld Report from the Expo Floor

        On my blog Tossing It Out  I'm reporting on the Los Angeles BlogWorld Expo and New Media Expo, but here I want to give my report on BlogWorld and how my visit related to the A to Z Challenge.

         Those who followed the Challenge of 2011 and my follow-up posts in May know that I am very interested in making the 2012 Challenge more organized and easier to participate in than the first two Challenges.   Judging from last year's more than ten-fold growth, I have every reason to believe that next year will have at least the same participation as last year if not considerably more.   In either case, as we saw in 2011 the Challenge becomes massive, and even overwhelming, for participants.  For this reason I am looking for more ways to meet your requests, your needs, and in general to make the Challenge more fun for all of us.

        The bottom line is that in order to achieve these goals of improving the Challenge I need to find some solutions that will involve some technology with which I am currently not familiar.  Networking and knowledge gathering at the Expo was part of that learning process.  You can believe that I was talking about the A to Z Challenge to get some feedback about it and some sources that I can go to for help later.

         The response I got was consistently positive.  Everyone that I talked to about the Challenge seemed interested and thought that it held some great potential.  Now to see who will back me up in the months to come and join in the fun come April.

          I got some indication of support from a representative in the Blogger booth who said to send in the info about what we're doing and she thought that they'd probably give us some mentions in the Blogger blog right before we are about to start up.  Any additional support like that will not only be favorable for the Challenge, but also increase the possibilities of others to discover your blog.

           However our biggest boost comes from you the participants and supporters alike.  Keep the buzz going on your blogs.   And if there is any realm of expertise that you can contribute to make the Challenge better please leave a suggestion in the comments or contact me at my email address.

           A to Z got some nice mentions in the past week and I hope you will check them out if you haven't done so already:

            Alex J. Cavanaugh was a co-host in the 2011 Challenge.  He gave the A to Z Blog a nice plug in his post last Friday.

           A big Thanks to Yvonne Lewis from Welcome to My World of Poetry for her poetic plug of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.

          Also, you must check out the post Sue at Jumping Aground did for the Challenge.  She also offers a preview of what she's planning to do in April and offers some good tips for the rest of us.

           Keep the plugs and mentions coming and let me know whenever something appears on your blog or wherever it appears so I can link to it on the Blogging from A to Z Blog.


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Spreading The Word

Art by Ada Zdanowicz

          Just got back from a trip to Tennessee.   I was helping my sister move from Phoenix back to the place we both think of as home.  I don't live there anymore but it was good to have an excuse to get back to visit family and friends.

           Those who know me are probably getting sick of hearing about Blogging from A to Z, but it's my passion these days as I gear up for April 2012.  It's only about five months away but there's still a lot to get done in order to make sure the next Challenge is the best yet.

           This coming week-end I'll be at the Los Angeles Convention Center at the BlogWorld Conference and Expo and you can bet I'll be talking up the A to Z Challenge to anyone who will listen to me.  I feel compelled to spread the word.

            How about you?   Are you willing to help me get the buzz going?  Mention the Challenge in blog posts, tweets, forums, or wherever you might be communicating with others who blog or are interested in blogs.  Let's start drumming up some interest so that when March comes more people will know about what's coming in April of 2012.

             How are some ways you might suggest to start spreading the word?   Will you be attending any conferences, conventions, or meetings where other bloggers might be present?   Can you drop the A to Z name in a few of your upcoming conversations or writing to help us build name recognition?



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The Fun Factor of the A to Z Challenge

Drawing by Ada Zdanowicz at
CollagePodge.com

           There are a number of reasons to join in with the many bloggers who will be Blogging from A to Z in April 2012.  One of the most often cited reasons is that it's fun.

            We definitely don't want to overlook the fun factor of Blogging from A to Z .   In fact according to most past participants this is the number one reason to join the Challenge in April.   However there are others that we'll be looking at in the weeks to come.  But for now we'll focus on the fun.

            Most of you bloggers probably think of blogging as a fun activity.  It's even more fun when a group of bloggers join together in a mutually participatory event.   I think of Blogging from A to Z as so much more than the typical blogfest.  I see the Challenge as a Mega Blog Event--a triathlon for bloggers.  A blogger Olympics.

           April is when the real versatility of the blogging community will be showcased.  But don't worry.  No pressure here.   We're going to have fun blogging.  If you haven't been a part of the past A to Z Challenges then 2012 will be the time to join.  Who knew blogging could be so much fun?

           Be sure to click the Friend Connect button at the top of the sidebar if you haven't done so yet.  We want to get an idea of what to expect in April.   It's only five months away and will be here before you know it.

           To those of you who participated in a previous A to Z Challenge, did you have fun doing it?  What in your opinion is the number one most important aspect of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge?



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