C is for Co-Host
Not only is this the first year I’m taking part in the A toZ Challenge, but I’m also one of the co-hosts.
Yes…I know…glutton is my middle name!
So, just what does a co-host do?
Believe it or not, there is more involved than attracting a
certain demographic of blogger to participate, or serving as eye candy.
*cough….gag…cough* Sorry, hairball. I’m
sure when Arlee approached me about undertaking such a major roll this year –
having no experience at all in the previous two Challenges – he was primarily
thinking about the numerous successful blogfests I’ve helped organize in the
past. And when I contemplated whether or
not I could do this I told myself that at its core that’s what the A to Z
Challenge is, a blogfest on steroids!
So what are some of the things crucial to organizing a
blogfest? #1 Get The Word Out. Having
a lot of loyal followers that are willing to spread the word will help, but you
have to go beyond that and hit Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and market the
concept. #2. Be Organized. Picking a day on the calendar that will allow
you to visit all of the posts, sending out emails and posting numerous
reminders, helping first time participants figure out how everything works, editing
the Linky Tool to delete dead links. #3 Be Enthusiastic! Without this, everything else will fail.
I knew I could do all of that…so did Arlee. That is why I am here today. I will cherish this experience of not only
taking part in the 2012 Challenge, but helping to put it together with twelve
other amazing bloggers.
In case you forgot…here’s a list of us all.
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Author Elizabeth Mueller (Elizabeth Mueller)
Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
I know it's a lot of work for the co-hosts. Thanks for all you guys are doing!
ReplyDeleteYou have done a marvellous job especially as this is your first A to Z Challenge. Did you know I was the very first to sign up on the first Challenge? Then this year had the privlege to meet up wit Arlee in LA whilst there for a few days. He is a remarkable man and a pleasure to have met a day I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
Yvonne.
I appreciate all of the work you did! You all did a terrific job. Champagne and cupcakes for everyone!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're doing a lot of work. And I think you're al doing a better job than The View!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the easy list to check. I am woefully short on visiting all of them.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are the Co-hosts with the Most...especially if you count the Count...I am #1,850. Looking forward to a month of A to Z FUN! Thanks, Ya'll...Sue
ReplyDeleteAnd what a good job you're doing.
ReplyDeleteHow could we forget them? All so amazing! But thanks for the reminder, DL.
ReplyDeleteYou guys rock! Your enthusiasm is contagious. :-) Thank you for all that you do!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the hard work, Bone!
ReplyDeleteYou guys have done a great job and have absolutely earned that huge cash prize you all get!
;^)
It's been a pleasure to work with you on this project!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
You, and all the other co-hosts, are doing a brilliant job! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou realize, putting up a picture of The View to symbolize co-hosts, we're gonna expect to see some fightin' and hair-pullin' among you all, before this thing is done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your efforts.
Thank you so much for hosting - to everyone who hosted. I've participated in some of your blogfests in the past and they've always been awesome.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I still think y'all are crazy. But in a good way :)
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine and I have found so many great reads on the linky list. :) Great Job!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are all doing a fine job. I'm so glad to be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteHeather
And glad you came on board as a co-host!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time doing the A-Z challenge. I hope its a good one. That is cool you are co-hosting this. Is it Fun?
ReplyDeleteahhh, the never ending revolving host...always fun to wonder who will be in and who will be out!
ReplyDeleteGreat C word...
That is all we wanted. A co host who is participating for the first time !!
ReplyDeleteHa ha , don't you worry. This is my first time too :-)
Know what, on the very first day my followers jumped up by five, which means there must be some magic to it.
Let us spread the word :-)
I've never hosted or co-hosted a blogfest. I find it a bit intimidating, but one day I will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the hard work you've put in. Great job. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting. You have an inviting blog!
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
It does look like a lot of work to be a co-host. Thanks for all the work you've put in.
ReplyDeleteIt's my first year participating and you've done an EXCELLENT job. Glad I didn't miss out this year...I'm having a lot of fun with it!
ReplyDeletethere's just so many of you guys! more merry =)
ReplyDeletethanks for co hosting!
And aren't we all lucky to have such willing & capable hosts. :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys have done a GREAT job!!! :) This is super fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very fine looking group of co-hosts you have!! :)
ReplyDeleteA blogfest of this magnitude, where you have over a thousand bloggers around the world participating, yeah, co-hosts are are an understandable must.
ReplyDeleteYou're all doing a fantastic job!
... and you guys are doing a GREAT job! Thank you D.L.
ReplyDeleteYay to the co-hosts! You guys are awesome.
ReplyDelete"C" is for "c"ongratulations because you "c"ompletely rock!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! (That would be "G" and "J" -a different post).
Wish I would have had the time to participate!
This is my first time participating in the A to Z challenge. So far, it's been really fun. I'm amazed at the thousands of different directions bloggers have gone with their posts.
ReplyDeleteYou cohosts all rock it all. Dude, and I bet you guys get so much out of it! Like meeting a whole bunch of people and creating friendships and stuff. Totally awesome and fulfilling I'm sure :)
ReplyDeleteI think you and all of the other co-hosts are doing a great job! You all bring something unique to the table and it is much appreciated
ReplyDeleteFrom one teenage spy to another, you rock!! Thanks for stopping by, it feels so encouraging, which, as you know being a retired spy, makes blogging, (not spying) so satisfying. :)
ReplyDeleteFinally got to drop my to one of my assigned co-hosts. Unbelievable that you didn't do the challenge before. It's going great and thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeletePam
Quig Land
A Pirate Looks Past Sixty
Pirate Knitting
Congrats on making an accessible and fun blog hop. I've having a blast meeting new friends. I co-hosted a public access show once at Marine World Africa USA in No. Cal. I still have the scars from the baby tiger I met.
ReplyDeleteI see you as an enthusiastic co-host who is doing a great job. Keep up the good work! And thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThanking you ALL for a job well done!
ReplyDeleteThe A to Z Co-Hosts ROCK! Thanks so much for helping do all the hard work.
ReplyDeletePatricia Stoltey
DL... Nice to meet you! and Thank you or being a CoHost. This is the first A to Z Challenge I am a part of myself, and I am diggin' it!! I love your blog as well! Great post. Visiting from the A to Z challenge... http://takingbackmylifemakingitmyown.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I am participating and it's my first time as well.
ReplyDeleteI love this Challenge, it is such fun to see what people choose to write about. Thanks for being a co-host.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for joining in as a co-host. I know it is hard work and you are always doing so much else that includes blogger participation. They have an excellent co-host with you. Could anyone be more qualified or organized? You're the best.
ReplyDeleteYup, that's me buttering you up so when I decide to host something big I will be able to convince you to help. Seriously, Don, you have done so much and such an awesome job. Thank you for making this easier on us newbies.
Great post for the letter C. You and all the other co-hosts are greatly appreciated. Everything seems to be running smoothly, thanks to all the hard work everyone has put into this challenge. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
I should think it was a hairball too! Such self-aggrandisement! Having said that, I'm impressed that you actually have managed to visit every one of us A to Z-ers. I doubt if I'll manage it.
ReplyDeleteself aggrandisement
We appreciate the work you all do :-)
ReplyDelete