What Blogathon 2007 Has Taught Me

I had a great time over the past 24 hours. And I’ve learned a lot:

  1. Upgrade all of your software on your server and computer several days before the event
  2. Allow two to three times as much time as you think you’ll need for any “large” projects”
  3. Don’t plan on doing any “large” projects while you are doing Blogathon.
  4. Make it easy for people to comment on your blog. Generally that means to disable a lot of your anti-spam stuff.
  5. Be flexible.
  6. Be creative.
  7. Comment on other blogathoners’ sites. Hopefully they followed rule #4 above.
  8. I am a smart guy with good ideas
  9. Marketing is key. Start asking earlier than the week of Blogathon for donations.
  10. Don’t be shocked, insulted, or hurt by what you see on other Blogathoner web sites.
  11. Not loading up on caffeine, sugary snacks and heavy meals will help get you through.
  12. Have a good timer to remind you of your posting deadlines. Minuteur was a huge help.

Many thanks to the people who visited, sponsored, commented, and/or tried to guess how many marbles I stuck in a jar. See you next year!

5 Comments

  1. I enjoyed the whole marble guessing game. Plus I agree with what you have learned.

    There was a time near the end of the Blogathon when I became pretty sad/angry about something which another Blogathoner wrote.

    Have a great time Michael.

  2. Darn! I’m so frustrated that I wasn’t able to participate this year. I was stuck on the California coast taking FOREVER to drive back from WordCamp. I should have planned better. I had no Internet access, nor cell phone, for days.

    You would think all of California would be covered, but I guess there is still some true wilderness there, at least for net junkies. 😀

    Great lessons you learned, though. Very good.

  3. Oh, is there a little typo in #11? Did you mean to not fill up on caffeine, sugary snacks and full meals – or don’t fill up on coffee but have your way with sugar and heavy foods to keep going? I’m a little confused there. 😀

  4. Hi Lorelle, I wish I could get out to a WordCamp some time. It’s shame they don’t happen on the East Coast.

    #11 – I read on the Blogathon Forums many stories from other bloggers who tried to power their way through by loading up on super caffeinated drinks, and doughnuts, and large meals. And most of those stories were full of regrets. I stuck with small meals (cereal, sandwiches, and hot pockets) and snacked on cheddar cheese on Ritz crackers (until my cat licked the entire cheese block I was cutting from) or M&Ms. I drank water and Gatorade, and did fine. I probably ate more healthy food that day than I have in a long time.

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