Bird in the Hand Blog Roll Challenge

 Because, a Blog on the Roll is worth examination.

First off, let me say that I L.O.V.E. Hops, Follows, memes, and especially NEW and OLD FOLLOWERS. I participate in several most weeks! And, Parajunkee's View Friday Follow was responsible for helping me get my start; this is not an anti-hop thing.

But, with diligent hopping and following my blog list has grown to over 500. I want to connect with these blogs. And, shhhh,this is one of the unspoken truths, but the reality of bloghops is a mutual following which helps all bloggers. If you follow a blog and they don't follow back is it a blog you want to keep on your list? Some blogs provide resources, information or entertainment that are worth following regardless without the follow-back.

Do you feel that your blog list—either your public blog roll and/or your private blog roll, is out of hand. I know I do. Do I make maintenance a priority, No. It's a bit like Spring Cleaning—regular life gets in the way.

I am challenging all of us to make maintaining our blog rolls a priority  for March. I plan to go through mine a certain number of blogs each day maybe more on weekends or certain days.  I plan to get through my entire list in March.
Blogs that have decided not to follow my blog will be evaluated. If they are participating in the challenge I will try to connect with them. Others may be a resource for me, or have sooooo many followers themselves it behooves me to continue to follow them as a learning tool.

Other blogs may not be posting any longer, may post very infrequently or have a philosophy that doesn't work with yours, not be posting in areas that have anything to do with your blog.
Having the frequency of posting may not be of importance to my private list but not my public list which I consider a recommendation to others.

This is not to punish the blogs who have not followed me back, but if one wishes to maintain the list to a reasonable size there is a need to have some criteria for keeping or not keeping a blog on.

It's also an opportunity to form meaningful partnerships with other blogger which will help you maintain the following on both blogs with cross-promotion, shared contests, etc. That's why a Blog on the roll is worth two you don't know.


How?
You don't have to use my criteria; however while criteria will not be a requirement for participating, I do encourage it for your own comfort. If you are anything like me you may feel guilty or worried about letting someone go.

I would LOVE to know how you will decide what to keep and what not to, and also whether you think following back with the exceptions I have mentioned is a reasonable criterion.

Also, do you plan to let other blogs know you are letting them go from your list and why?

And, what kinds of partnerships will you form?



I will make a page with live links so others can check us out and am creating a badge for you to display which will send others directly to that page. The above message will be reproduced on that page.

You can also submit moderated comments and tips for other bloggers to that page.

Here Is the Bottom line:
1. If you want to participate please register in the simply linked widget at the top of the left sidebar (for the moment).
 2 to 6 are optional Through a comment, you may also provide some or all of the following.

2. Twitter address if you desire;
3. You may mention your criteria, how many are on your roll(s) and how many you will go through a day (a range of blogs per day will allow you to vary weekends vs weekdays, busy day, etc.);
4. Whether you plan to notify removal prospects or not and how;
5. Whether you want partnerships or not and for what (like online dating);
6. What your goals are for your blog and/or blog rolls.

Event begins March 1 and ends March 31whether or not you start now or finish later is not important at all. This is a personal challenge. If you want to change anything in the challenge info list just send me a correction.


IF there is a post in your head on this subject, I will, on my own judgment, be happy to link to it or feature it on the challenge page.