Ok, sorry I kind of abandoned the game during the holidays. I have decided to start a new round starting now and going until midnight on my birthday! (Saturday 1/13) It's kind of self-centered, but, um....well, i guess i have no excuse! I love me!


So here's the Low Down:
1. Go to http://lovecat.info/pif
2. Read http://lovecat.info/pif/rules.html
3. Add your blog if you haven't already
4. Update your playing status to either "This Round" or "Always"
5. Blog like crazy!!

(for each comment you get, give that person a comment, and comment on two other blogs....hence "post it forward") try to comment on blogs which seem to have the least love.



If you've never played before, here's a little info:
We started PIF last fall because our blogs needed love! There really is no point system, or winner, or prize or anything like that. The word "game" is used very lightly.

The point is to receive comments on your blog, and give comments to other people's blogs. The game is meant to:

1. Give your blogs a sense of community and energy!
Clients like knowing that they have hired someone who's work is followed by other people, even if they are other photographers. In my opinion, having comments on your blog gives your blog a little more credibility to your clients.

2. Give clients a way to talk about your images.
Obviously we aren't looking for criticism, just praise on the blogs (critism is welcome in personal messages or on the forum). But by pointing out VERY specific positive aspects of a photoshoot, it gives client's something to think about, and quite possible say to their friends! Of course, don't lie....if you can't find something nice to say...don't say anything! These should be honest comments.

3. Make you & your fellow photographers feel loved!
We all have those moments when we're just sure no one loves us and our images stink! And we'd do anything just to know someone looked at our work and liked it. This is an opportunity to get honest, positive feedback.

4. Learn from each other, and find new photographers!
We all benefit by seeing more images, and seeing new perspectives. When was the last time you used OSP as a source of inspiration? You'd be surprised what amazing work is out there!!

5. Make sure your blog works.
I made the game up originally because i hadn't received a comment in 3 months and i was soooooooooo frustrated. once the game started i discovered that i had comment moderation on and really did have like 30 comments! i just hadn't approved them! other people have found that commenting was off, or that their blog wasn't readable. this is a good way to test out the system on a wide audience.



Anyone else have any other pointers or good reasons to join? Any questions?

Let's play!!!

Fun, I love this game! Thanks for reviving it!

as always IM IN

Fun!! Crap, that means I need to get my butt in gear and get some new photos up. ACK!

cool. I just signed up.

this looks so fun!
i guess i need to get my blog updated. i kind of fell of the planet when my internet went out. i have so much to post!

I'm playing this round!

I've been really good about updating that blog each day so far. But hey, we are only 9 days in. HA!

Question: I have a new Blog/site, but other than the new place, the images there are images of events that are on the old Blogger blog, which I am leaving as an archive for the rest of the year. Does it make sense for me to play this round? Obviously I would like to start having comments on the new Blog, but since there is no new content, I am just unsure whether to play or not. Thoughts?

yea! I was looking forward to joining this game! Thanks for setting it up Jillian

I'm in! My blog crashed and I lost all of my old comments! Give it some love!

OK, I'm going to sign up! I hope I get the rules right. My blog is pretty new, and I only update once a week if I'm relaly good... but there you go!

YAY! I'm so glad everyone is in!!!

I forgot to mention that when you comment on someone's blog, click the "+1" button next to THEIR name.


My suggestion would be to put together a "best of 2006...looking forward to 2007" blog, with some of your old images, and some news about what is coming up for you this year. that way we have something new to comment (which are your favorite photographs anyway!), and you have your new blog off to a good start.




oh no!!!!! oh, that's so scary. you need love indeed!



ok, people, blog blog blog! comment commment comment!! love love love!!

bumpin' it for the mid-day crowd. you know who you are

I've already posted on a few blogs

I've been trying to get to the gym this year-(only 10 days this year so far......but)
and unfortunately, been having a hard time keeping up the blog-
so much to do in a day-

I find it hard to keep one's blog current-
anyone else?

I started one because everyone made it seem so easy.....

Of course, I'll play, I enjoy looking at other people's blogs-

lots to learn all around-
lots of inspiration too-

thanks Jillian-
as always-a great idea-

Is anyone else using iBlog.com for their blogging needs? I'm really frustrated with them and how non-user friendly it is to customize it. But I don't want to have to transfer everything to a new site.

Thoughts??

I'm in!

yeaaaaa 4 Jillian!!!

you rock girl and you have the same birthday as my son! (he's a bit younger tho!)

edit to ask does anyone know how to get my signature to lead back to my blog in the comments???

Bump for JK.

This is gonna be fun. Now I'm pressured to update my blog Looking forward to it!

depends on what blog the person has. most of them have a little form you fill out so that your name is a link to whatever site you do. otherwise, i'd just type the address to your blog at the end of your comment

Oops! Just realized that the open date had ended, though the status says the game is open...

Perhaps I will use the site after each time I update my blog. That way, I can get comments on my site by first commenting others' sites. Would this be an acceptable use of the PIF site?

Thanks again for putting this wonderful tool together! It's fun to see everyone's blogs

Peter++

Hi Peter,
That's the way I generally see the game working, though I don't necessarily think that's how it was designed. It seems to me that limiting the "game" to whenever Jillian has the time to set the status to "open" and change the dates means we're all at her mercy. That's why I think it's a great idea to do it YOUR way. When you post something new, poke around in PIF for "always" bloggers, post some love in those, and I'll bet you the farm you'll get love right back. Doesn't matter if the game is officially "open" or not!

Cheers!
Jules

yup

i'm a really terrible game moderator, i'm just too busy! so i'm going to go ahead and set it to "always on" and maybe we'll have a little kick off to get it started?

i guess if one of you occasionally brings it up on the forum and reminds people to set their status & use the game...it'll all work more smoothly without me.

i'm gonna do that now while i have a few minutes...and then i'll turn it over to you!

ok, set to always, comment count reset, and players labeled "this round" are set to "not now"

anyone who wants to play needs to set their status!

have fun

probably will have a more structured round once wedding season gets going and everyone has fuller blogs.