We’ve had a couple of blog carnivals here at Fem2.0, but for those that need a refresher on what a carnival is and how you can host your own OR how to participate, here’s the 101.

Process

A blog carnival is an event for bloggers to gather and write about one specific topic or theme. A “host” site or blog will collect blog posts from all participants, who send links via e-mail (typically). The host site presents the collection of links on a single page. This one spot serves as a jumping-off point for readers to reach a wide variety of posts and blogs, and is updated in real-time as more posts are received.

Theme

A typical blog carnival has a catchy name and a clear subject, about which the participants will write. They will submit their posts within a specific timeframe (on the same day, for example). There are usually clear guidelines for writing these posts, and it is up to the host to determine which posts meet whatever criteria have put forward.

Contributors

Anyone and everyone interested in the chosen topic are allowed to submit a piece. This builds a network or community of bloggers, who can share links with each other, promote each others’ posts and promote the carnival itself. Since the goal of a blog carnival is sharing links and increasing traffic, participants in the carnival usually link to the carnival when it is posted, and they may also pick out posts from other bloggers to promote or showcase on their own.

We will be offering more specific instructions related to the Wake Up, This is the Reality! blog carnival as it approaches, but if you have any questions or concerns, please email them to us.

Further Reading

Wikipedia, Blog Carnival
BlogCarnival.com, Starting a Carnival
10,000 Birds, Host with the Most