What is a Blog Carnival?

Recently, I heard the term “blog carnival” and wanted to find out more about it.  What’s a blog carnival?  Is it a big, spring get together with bloggers, playing bean bag toss, drinking root beer floats, and cashing in your tickets for bigger and better prizes?  Right, I didn’t think so either… so I decided to research.

What is a Blog Carnival?

According to Wikipedia, “A blog carnival is a type of blog event. It is similar to a magazine, in that it is dedicated to a particular topic, and is published on a regular schedule, often weekly or monthly.  Each edition of a blog carnival is in the form of a blog article that contains perma links to other blog articles on the particular topic.”

In other words, a blog carnival is a specific kind of blog community. As you know, there are many kinds of blogs, which contain articles on an even wider variety of topics.  Blog Carnivals collect together these links pointing to blog articles on a specific topic. A Blog Carnival is very similar to a magazine. The blog carnival has a title, a topic, editors, contributors, and even an audience. It regularly publishes editions of the carnival.  Each edition is a blog article that consists of links to all the submissions and most often contains the editors opinions or remarks as well.

There is a plethora of information in the blogosphere; finding a topic that you find interesting can prove to be a challenge.  Carnivals can be useful in following a particular topic and learn more about what bloggers have to say about it.  It’s also a great venue to share your work and thoughts with those bloggers who have similar interests.

Who participates a Blog Carnival?

Someone has to start the carnival; they need to decide what it will be the topic, what the submission criteria are, and how often it will be “published”.

Once these details have been arranged, they need to start collecting submissions from bloggers, and organize them into a blog post/article bursting at the seams with links, and many times a commentary to accompany each link.  After this, it’s similar to your typical blog.  The article is published on schedule, readers view the article and comment (or they’re supposed to *wink*).

If you find a carnival that your interested in, consider submitting your article to appear in the next edition.  Many times, by being involved in a carnival, others will view you as an “expert”.  Which makes sense, since you’re blogging about it, you should probably know what you’re talking about and not just B.S.ing your way through it.  (Although come to think of it, I have met several people who do BS very well…)  But how great would it be to be considered and “expert”?  Pretty exciting, right?

How much does it cost to use Blog Carnival?

Nothing. Zip. Ziltch. Nada. The service is completely free.

A word of warning

Thus far, it’s sounding pretty good, right?  What could be harmful about using a blog carnival?  Well, you risk the chance of your work being “stolen”.  Wikipedia also warns “There is an opportunity for unscrupulous bloggers to steal content, host it on their own blogs, and submit these entries to a blog carnival host. In order for ethical blog carnival hosts to refrain from promoting stolen content, they need to verify that these incoming articles and links are indeed the original work of the blogger who submitted them. Without this verification, it is possible that otherwise ethical hosts are promoting stolen content.”

I’m not sure the likelihood of this actually happening, but I say better be safe than sorry.  Always use your best judgment when participating!

My experience with Blog Carnivals

I recently participated in a blog carnival called Spotlight Blogger. I submitted my article, Lifecycle of a Blog - Sink or Swim You Choose.  Thus far, my experience has been very positive.  I have been able to connect with bloggers who share ideas and thoughts.  It’s also extended my readership to those who may not have found me.  Based on my experience, I would highly suggest looking into joining a blog carnival!

Have you participated in a blog carnival?  If so, what has been your experience?  If not, why?