What is a Blogathon?
Honestly, the term Blogathon can be a bit tricky to explain. It's a purely fabricated word, simply just taking blog and tacking on -athon to the end. I've seen others use it to describe marathon-style blogging or group blogging usually on a specific topic for a period of time. I incorporate those things into my Blogathons but there's a little more to it than that. So the better question is...
What is a Follow Eric Blogathon?
A Blogathon put on through Follow Eric is typically an event or series of events happening both online and in the real world. It might be a trip to a cafe documented through Twitter, a music performance at an art gallery broadcast via Ustream, a restaurant review posted on Facebook or all three and more combined in a series of events that I dub a "Blogathon." They usually some kind of theme and other bloggers are welcome to participate with their own blogs but everyone is welcome to follow along through Facebook, Twitter, Ustream and other social media.
How often does this happen?
Right now, I'm planning on a major Blogathon event about three or four times a year with smaller events planned between each major event. A major event would be like the 24-Hour Blogathon that happened in June 2011 where we spent 24 straight hours exploring local businesses, cafes and restaurants around Enid. I'm also planning smaller events where we may just hit a couple of businesses during the day or do a fundraising event for a charity while blogging from a cafe. Future Blogathons will take us out not only locally but around Oklahoma and neighboring states.
What places are chosen for a Blogathon?
Like I've said, the most typical locations are cafes and restaurants - especially those that are Wi-Fi equipped and already active on social media. But the most important thing is that the business is local. Businesses that are locally owned and operated give us a chance to visit somewhere unique to the area and gives them increased visibility in the community. Plus, it's a lot of fun for everyone involved so it's all a big win-win.
How do I participate?
For some Blogathons, I invite anyone to come join us in person. For other events, especially involving travel, in-person participation can be a little more tricky. Ultimately, the best and easiest way to participate is online. Follow me on Twitter, like the Facebook page, subscribe to the Ustream and Youtube channels and you'll be able to follow the live updates with each Blogathon. Also, if you have or know of a local business who would be interested in hosting a Blogathon, feel free to email me at eric(at)followeric.com for more information.
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Have any other questions? Ask them below in the comments.
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