I’ll be pinkifying my site this weekend to look something like this. I can’t wait to see how live data from my WordPress database will cause me to redo the design. :)
As of right this moment, we have 100 sites (that I have found via Bloglines, Technorati, referrer logs, and emails from the site owners) on board for the event. We’ve been getting about 4 a day, so hopefully we’ll crest 110 by the time October 1 rolls around.
Pink for October is also now listed (not by me) in the Wikipedia entry for Breast Cancer. I’ve also convinced my “new hire group” to theme our party* Pink for October. And this pink thing is impacting life in other areas as well.
What’s been a bit difficult is getting the word out beyond word-of-mouth. Don’t get me wrong, word-of-mouth (or more appropriately word-of-blog) has worked. But I have contacted some high traffic sites to enquire about advertising. I don’t mind shelling out a few bucks to get the word out. But I didn’t receive one response. I specifically sent email to these sites via the “advertise with us” links. Nothing. Just a little frustrating.
But this event was all thrown together ad hoc. Things like this are to be expected. I’ve learned a few things that I will apply to the next event and to next year’s Pink for October.
As always, I value your feedback. Let me know if you have ideas about how to improve things.
*New hire groups at my company (at which I am new) have a big party once they finish company training/orientation.
What a wonderful site this is!
Breast cancer is familial to me…my mother had it…and had a full mastectomy, including lymph nodes.
Thank you for spreading the word, and for educating others.
Comment by Lorri M — 28 September 2006 @ 15:31
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s sites! Ekonoline has already gone pink, and I’ve noticed a few others getting in on the action early as well. Good work guys!
Comment by Brian Gilham — 28 September 2006 @ 15:53
Hey Matt! I posted it on the Wikipedia article a few days after I found out about it from a friend’s blog. I just think what you’ve started is awesome and informative at the same time, so it had to be spread around by someone! :P
Comment by Troy Spier — 28 September 2006 @ 20:11
Excellent, Troy. Many thanks for your efforts. I’ve seen the threads in the OC forums. :)
Comment by Matthew Oliphant — 28 September 2006 @ 20:28
It’s a great clause! I’m in! I’m pink for october too! :P
Comment by Paul — 29 September 2006 @ 6:24
I’m in! :)
hmmm . . . think I saw it first on OCForums as well.
Comment by SWR — 29 September 2006 @ 20:20
I would like to join as well :) Btw, my site already in pink :)
Comment by ~TheAngel~ — 29 September 2006 @ 22:50
is it too late to join? my blog is currently blue, but i can change it to pink…
Comment by joy — 1 October 2006 @ 16:53
Never too late. Well, November may be to late… not that you can’t stay pink all year ’round. :)
Comment by Matthew Oliphant — 1 October 2006 @ 17:11
Some of the websites on the left are not pink, and seem to have no notices about going pink… They look as if they have just said they will for free advertising… :S
Comment by Johnathon — 2 October 2006 @ 5:17
Hey Johnathon,
You are right about that. I am giving everyone some time as I know that “life happens” and it can be hard to keep up. Over the last 6 hours while I slept I had another 50 emails saying “I’m pink!” and I m sure it will take me a while to enter all those URLS…
I will be giving people this week and then will narrow the list.
Comment by Matthew Oliphant — 2 October 2006 @ 6:25