Continuing this series on Compassion Bloggers and exactly how it works, today I’ll tell you how I select bloggers for our trips. Sort of.
What I’ll do is tell you only the stuff that will help you improve your chances of being selected. (The rest of the process is a big fat secret and I’m not telling you no matter what you do to me.)
What is the purpose of a Compassion Bloggers trip?
I think it’s helpful for all of us to remember the purpose of these trips. They are not rewards for faithful support of Compassion, nor are they ย your one opportunity to meet your sponsored child. Compassion International has an open door policy: Any sponsor can see Compassion’s ministry for themselves and meet their sponsored child. Go here to learn more about Sponsor Tours.
These trips are primarily journalistic: spending a week in a country asking questions, taking pictures, experiencing poverty and witnessing progress, ingesting large amounts of programmatic information and regurgitating it all nightly in the form of a blog post. It’s hard work.
A Compassion Blogger trip is designed to do three things:
- Release From Poverty: Get as many children sponsored as possible…with integrity.
- Inform Sponsors: Educate sponsors at home about the particulars of Compassion’s ministry to their child.
- Expose & Inspire: Introduce first-world Christians to third-world need and ministry and toย what the bible says about poverty in hopes that they will care for the poor…even if it’s not through Compassion International.
How do you choose bloggers for your trips?
More than 1200 bloggers have signed up to travel with Compassion Bloggers – to be considered, that is. There’s no way every willing, passionate, generous blogger who signs up can go with us.
There are three rounds I go through in making my selection. Here’s some of what happens in each round.
Round One:
If you sign up to be considered for a trip, I’ll check out your blog and look at…
- User Experience: Is it easy to get around your site? Does everything work as it should?
- Offensive Material: Is there profanity or other divisive or obscene content on your site? This includes consistent political postings, by the way, because Compassion is an apolitical organization.
- Regularity: Do you post regularly and without frequent long breaks?
- Comments: Are your readers engaged?
- Traffic: I have ways of knowing what your traffic is. It’s kinda creepy isn’t it? (Traffic isn’t my top priority.)
Round Two:
If your blog passes through round one then it’s added to my RSS reader. I’ll check in on you every couple weeks for at least six months. Here’s some of what I’m looking at in this round.
- Personality & Maturity: I’m looking for clues as to how someone will think and respond on a trip.
- Faith: Compassion has a statement of faith that all staff agree with. Though bloggers are not paid and are not employees of Compassion, I’m looking for evidence that a blogger believes what we believe.
- Style: Are you a human or a pamphlet?
- Traffic Sources: I know where your traffic is coming from and where it goes when it leaves your site. Again, creepy right?
- Social Networking Influence: I measure your on-line influence using methods known only to me and a few select members of the CIA.
- Regularity, Offensive Material, etc: In round two I’m continuing to look at the regularity of your writing, the comments you receive, and still watching for anything potentially offensive or anything that could hurt Compassion.
Round Three:
I’ll make contact with you via Twitter, e-mail or phone. I’ll ask you any unanswered questions I have. I’ll explain what Compassion does if you’re not already familiar and let you ask me anything you want.
I’ll explain the purpose of these trips, the expectations we have of our bloggers, the details of the trip I’m considering you for. Sometimes I’ll invite you right then to join us. Other times we’ll part ways so we can both pray and consider things a little longer.
This is a very relational process for me. There’s a lot of listening to my “gut” that goes on because a person isn’t the sum of their stats and God doesn’t always lead where the spreadsheet does. I have to trust you and you have to trust us. And we both have to be certain this is a relationship God wants to move forward.
Any questions about the selection process? Leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer.
Don’t miss tomorrow’s post about whether or not these trips are using money that could be better spent helping more children.
Lindsay @ Not2Us.net says:
This was incredibly enlightening and enjoyable at the same time! ๐ Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes look at your process. ๐
Already praying for the next trip and continuing to pray for the Guatemala Bloggers.
Jeff Holton says:
This is really interesting. I honestly thought it was a single-round, personal contact, relational, “let’s see what blogs have been rising to the top of our attention recently” process. Had no idea people *applied* and it was so structured. Fascinating stuff. Am even more impressed now with folks I know who were selected, considering how many opportunities they had not to be.
And now I know I need to start being more careful about using the word “darn” on my blog.
Unless I’m talking about socks.
Shaun Groves says:
“Darn” don’t scare me one bit.
Jason says:
It’s great that you’re so transparent about the process so everyone can understand how you look at the people who apply.
rhonda says:
Honestly, (and this is raw honest here)…there is a part of me that wonders WHY people would apply. I guess it is just my own personal fears there, but its just such a raw, (although good) life changing, gut wrenching experience that a part of me wonders if all of the 1200 that apply really know what they are applying for? (and no, I’m not one of them- my blog is personal and itty bitty)
Shaun Groves says:
Some bloggers we’ve taken did NOT apply. I hunted them down. ; )
rhonda says:
Hmm…Since that is the case, I sent you an email with some suggestions. ๐
Gussy Sews says:
hah… yeah… ๐
carrien (she laughs at the days) says:
Someday I’d like to sign up to be a compassion blogger. Right after my little’s are big enough that I could leave them for a week. Only I seem to keep having babies…
One day.
Shaun Groves says:
You know how that happens right? ; )
Jennifer says:
hahaha
(I’m laughing b/c I’m unexpectedly pregnant, too. I don’t have a CLUE how it happened…)
Amy says:
Jennifer, you might want to google that. I heard you can find ANYTHING on google. ๐
Stephanie says:
Shaun, would a blogger with an audience comprised mostly of existing sponsors have as good of a chance at being picked as would a blogger who is followed mostly by non-sponsors?
Shaun Groves says:
What blog is followed mostly by sponsors…besides Compassion’s official blog?
Barbara says:
Interesting. Very interesting….
Compelling. And yet, terrifying.
Hmmmm…
Jolanthe says:
While the whole thought of going on a trip is a bit terrifying to me in some aspects, I think that what you all are doing is AMAZINGLY wonderful.
What do you suggest for people that have more than one blog? I {think} that I’ve submitted my name/blog before, but am not certain, because there is never a confirmation that the information was received. ๐
Shaun Groves says:
Submit the blog that’s your best – by these criteria, that is. ; )
We’re adding – soon – an autoreply so you guys will KNOW I got your submissions. If you’re not sure, then just send it again. No biggie.
Sara says:
I’m with Jolanthe…I have my own personal blog that is at times random, but also write for The MOB Society monthly encouraging mothers of boys with the intent of reaching the hearts of boys for the Gospel & preparing a generation of men to love the Lord.
Jolanthe says:
I’ll try submitting it again..just to up the number to 1,201 just in case. ๐
And I’ll start practicing my rock, paper, scissors strategy. I read a blog post recently about that….hmmm….
Princess Leia says:
Now, my in-laws nagging me to update my blog has yet to produce measurable results (other than me almost never posting because of the pressure)…but knowing that _you_ look at frequent posting? ;p
I’d love to go someday (and have applied several times now), but am pretty sure my blog will never even make the first cut, let alone the second! One of these days I’ll have more discipline and time and desire. Won’t stop me from applying though! ๐
But in the meantime, may I recommend Rachel Anne Ridge? She has formed a community of “Company Girls” (the same idea of girls never going to a public restroom alone) who are seeking to make their homes a sanctuary, one “small thing” at a time. HUGE following, daily posts. I’ve never met her, but I think she’d be great on one of the trips! http://www.homesanctuary.com
Alexia says:
OH – great blog – thanks for sharing!
Meredith Dunn says:
Super encouraging! A 1-in-1,200 chance is better than I expected.
Su says:
“Big fat secret” makes me feel like darts are involved. Or some other, equally entertaining form of selection. ๐
Shaun Groves says:
Lawn darts actually. And rock, paper, scissors.
Shhh, don’t tell anybody.
Amy says:
Shaun, your humor humors me.
I love that I just used the same word, almost, twice. ๐
Jackalynn says:
He invites you to a top secret classified location of his choosing…usually in the woods somewhere far from civilization so people can’t hear the screams. He stands each applicant against a tree and fires an arrow into an apple above their heads. It’s kind of like casting lots..if the arrow hits it’s target the applicant passed if it doesn’t….well that’s why there would be screaming….
Cheri says:
Okay if the CIA are involved somewhere in the Compassion Blogger trip process I feel a hair or maybe even a smidge better about my tax dollars! LOL!
Amy says:
I’m just disappointed that you could know more about my blog than me. LOL.
Tiffany says:
Wow! That is a process!! But it is comforting to know that you and the compassion team do take such considerable amount of time in selecting those who will represent Compassion on these trips.
I have considered throwing my blog in the ring….but I am easily intimidated. Lol!! Great posts Shaun!!
jen says:
I am so enjoying hearing about the process – hearing about the things that you think/pray through as you select those who get to go on trips. (I must say though that I am a little creeped out at how much you know!)
JessicaBowman says:
I threw my name in the blogger hat a couple of months ago. And I’ve really been working on my blog a lot more lately and feeling proud of it.
..until yesterday.
When I decided to click on every single person’s blog that had left comments on your first “How to Become a Compassion Blogger”.
And was intimidated to the point that I almost considered deleting my humble blog altogether!
Alexia says:
I was a little curious about how all of this goes down – thanks for enlightening me. Maybe some day I’ll sign up! In the meantime, it’s nice to know you guys put just as much care into selecting bloggers as you do for every other aspect of this ministry!
dawn says:
This is cool Shawn, and fun to know. I have been so impressed with the way Compassion uses social media to help kids in poverty.
I’d love to be one of your bloggers one day (just me and 1200 others) but feel like my blog traffic is too low at this point. I will wait until I can have more of an impact before I apply. :0)
Thanks for taking the time to write these posts.
dawn says:
I spelled your name wrong–so sorry! I meant Shaun.
ali @ an ordinary mom says:
“a person isnโt the sum of their stats and God doesnโt always lead where the spreadsheet does.” So true, and such a good perspective to have!
se7en says:
I just popped over from “We Are That Family” … and I just want to say I love whatever makes you choose particular bloggers… because I love following them and spreading the compassion word… our family has been blessed and has become far more mindful and intentional in our living by reading their message and traveling their walks alongside them. We live in Cape town on the door step of poverty stricken children and yet we have friends living right here who have no idea about children in neighboring suburbs who are starving and miserable. I just want to say thank-you for all that you are doing around the world and for making a difference.
lara says:
Thanks for the insider’s scoop. Lord willing…
Sherry says:
Have followed 2 blogger trips now, and look forward to them a lot! I understand the reason for choosing bloggers who have a massive following. But I’d also love to read about a blogger trip from an established blogger who is an active contributor to the OurCompassion site or a Compassion Advocate.
I think it would be fascinating to read trip insights from sponsors who may have modest blogs, but are passionate sponsors who volunteer a ton of hours for Compassion. They might document unusual aspects of the trip, and make the journey even a richer experience for the readers.
melissa stover says:
i think you do a great job of choosing bloggers. i had never heard of compassion until i read it on a blog and that’s why i sponsored a child.
Kit says:
Thanks so much for sharing this info! I am fascinated by your Compassion blogger trips and had wondered how you chose writers. Unfortunately for me, my readers seem to be comment-challenged.
laura@lifeoverseas says:
Wow. This was super informative. I appreciate the behind-the-scenes look.
I totally get the understandable mix of content on people’s blogs, as well as on-line influence. Both important aspects, I assume, of investing in a blogger to go on such a trip.
Regardless, I love the results– poverty being highlighted, kids being changed, hearts being stirred to give. Beautiful.
Thanks for serving the littlest of these, in this specific way.
JessicaB says:
I was reviewing these old posts and I was wondering, what if when someone first submitted their blog (me) their blog wasn’t all that and a bucket of chicken. So they didn’t pass Round 1.
But since then they’ve tried really hard to bread and deep fry their blog into shape.
Is there a way to be reconsidered?
JD says:
Hmmmmm, by CIA, do you perhaps mean “CIA – Compassion International Advocates”? ๐
Marian says:
I want to up my odds and challenge you to a game of Cowboy, Bear, Karate Man. Karate man kicks Cowboys guns, Cowboy shoots Bear (but it’s just a wound, no animals are fatally taken out in this game) and poor Karate Man doesn’t stand a chance against Grizzly bear.
And now I’m off to drink a second cup of coffee and wish I’d waited to post.
All in all, thanks to the team at CI for the opportunity to blog with Amos-like intentions. It will be pretty awesome to watch other ministries follow suit and tap into writers’ arterial passion to serve a greater good.
Tracee Carcasson says:
Always wondered. Thanks for sharing the process. I love following these trips.
I don’t have a blog- but do occasional Facebook posts count? Wink wink! ๐ I post a lot of pictures, so how about giving us the inside scoop on choosing photographers for the trips? I’ll go and earn whatever certification needed to have a chance to be near these kids and capture those precious moments.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Lizzie says:
Thanks for this! I have actually been trying to find out how you choose bloggers. I am assuming you have to be 18 though, right?