Category: Blogging

The first time (and last time) I went to BlogHer was 2007.  It was held at Chicago’s Navy Pier. I booked the wrong flight and missed the keynote address, but arrived in time for the “speed dating”… because the conference was small enough that all of the attendees could FIT in one room and exchange business cards.

There were a handful of sponsoring brands. Butterball was offering to send  bloggers home with Thanksgiving turkeys. Cute, except it was July and I really didn’t know what to do with a frozen turkey on a plane. I probably missed something in the communication.

I sat next to The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, during a session. Mayberry Mom was with me when I learned how to change the background color of my (free) Blogger site. I watched Kristen Chase record a podcast during a rooftop cocktail reception.

If there were any other parties, I did not know about them and that was fine by me. I was “just” a mommy blogger after all.

Four years later at  BlogHer’11, my calendar looked like this:

Why yes, I did have FOUR engagements scheduled at the same time ALL. THREE. NIGHTS. This does not even include the last-minute invitations I received  just by being in the right place, right time. Nor does it account for all of the time spent “holding court” with my lovelies on various sofas and other horizontal surfaces.

Here are my seven quick takes on BlogHer’11 and only seven because I am TIRED!

-1-

Four years ago, it was my impression that only a handful of bloggers were making a living at it. I wasn’t exactly sure how, but I was curious to learn more. The conversations around it were heated, but I had no intention of making this anything more than hobby so why did it matter?

This year, I was the one doing the pitching– for the company I work for, for the company some friends of mine created and that I am now a part of, for the company we are planning to create in the future, for my personal blog, the other blog where I write, my brand, and me.

That’s a lot of pitching and I’m exhausted. No wonder it’s taken me so long to write this!

-2-

That “handful of sponsor brands”  morphed into an expo floor taking up its fair share of a entire convention hall. I made a point of stopping by almost every booth. First, I thanked them for sponsoring our conference. Then, I asked how they were working with bloggers.

Some knew exactly what they were looking for. They had a point of contact for acquiring a review item, a call to action, and “oh, hey, meet our “Director of Public Relations. He’s right here!” Right on! 

Some didn’t know how they wanted to work with bloggers, but they were there to find out. Fair enough! I like that answer. 

Others just had pretty men handing out candy bars… Pass! 

-3-

Walking into the sessions as a blogging newbie four years ago, I was faced with a room full of people I did not know. I had the exact same experience walking through the lobby of the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina this past weekend, except this time it was invigorating!

I don’t know what the attendance was for BlogHer’07 but it was tiny by comparison to this year’s 3500 bloggers- mostly women and a few brave men.

I tend to be social, both online and off, so sometimes it feels like I know everyone (or at least of everyone). So it’s always interesting to meet new bloggers. I love hearing what they write about, what interests them, and somehow in this madness, that they too have found “their people”.  It’s like discovering that there’s a whole other world out there… with it’s very own community and drama.

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That being said, I didn’t spend nearly enough time making new friends since it was hard enough to keep up with the people who I already know and love. There are a lot of you!  The whole weekend, I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions and having to fulfill just as many obligations.

It was draining even for my extroverted self. I spend the last night of BlogHer sick to my stomach. I had had my max capacity for cocktails and my max output of small talk, but went out anyway to support my friends at The Moms’ Fashion File Style Sessions. Love the party and I loved the company, but  man, could I not focus!

At that point, I craved was my bed and/or an uninterrupted conversation. I know that there were about 3500 bloggers who ought to understand completely, so it disappointed me to come home to find a fresh round of “Wah! So-and-so didn’t talk to me?”

That being said, if I ignored you this weekend, it was not intentional. I promise. See above.

-5-

So, what exactly was it that kept me away from BlogHer’08, ’09. and ’10? Moving abroad. Baby #2 born just days before. Sister’s wedding.

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The Wi-Fi failed me, even in spite of having written an entire article on ShePosts about Turning your Mobile Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot . The only time I found it troublesome was during my “Geek Bar” sessions where I was supposed to be the tech-in-charge and… oh, all of my slides were trapped in “the cloud”! I was also a panelist for a session about Being the CTO of Your Life .

-7-

Today’s post was inspired by Kick in the Blog, a new creation by my dear friend, Jessica Rosenberg of It’s my life…. The idea behind it is to have a place for your thoughts to go when you’re hit with writers’ block.  True to it’s name… it’s a KICK in the blog.

The question in the inaugural prompt reads, “Who believes in you today? Who believed in you in the past?”  Here is my response:

When Patti Digh gave the keynote address at last month’s Type A Conference in Asheville, she had the whole room laughing, crying, and buzzing with excitement. Her blog, 37 Days , asks the simple, but tough question, “What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?”

In her keynote, Patti read excepts from her book, Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally, which was inspired by the same question. She spoke about “being enough” and “reclaiming the joy and absolutely extraordinary” in your life.

She reminded each and every single one of us that whatever it is that we have to say, to say it plainly and loudly and proudly. To be ordinary and let that be enough, because everyone has a unique “ordinary”. She spoke directly to our hearts.

And because these are lessons that I have learned time and time again, but am constantly having to re-learn (and re-learn… again), I was anxious to buy her book. Unfortunately, she only brought so many with her and the local bookstore downtown, Malaprops, was also sold out.

“Oh well,” I thought. I’ll just get it later… knowing  full-well that I would probably forget or just keep putting it off. Unintentionally, of course.

On the second day of the conference, Patti returned with a fresh stack of books. I made a beeline for her, purchased a copy, and asked her to sign it. She wrote on my book… as she probably did on everyone else’s… “With love, Patti Digh”.

She and I chatted for a few more minutes about her cute shoes and the conference.  What I really wanted to say was, “I think you’ve changed my life! Thank you!” but how exactly do you DO that without making the other person feel awkward. (If you find out, let me know.)

Life is a Verb is equal parts heart-warming memoir, life list, and valuable lessons. The chapters are short. At least, they feel that way because I never want them to end. Each is then followed with a writing prompt and an activity (experience)  that goes along with the story.

As I read each section, I am filled with so much purpose and excitement. Then, just before I shut the book, the doubts come rushing back in.

Can I do this? Will I fail… again? 

Then one night, I reached for the book and it opened to the page with “With love, Patti Digh” written on it. Since then, I have looked at it every time I pick up the book and think “Patti Digh loves me. I CAN do this…”

I present to you, my haul from Type-A Parent Conference 2011.

As you can see, it’s difficult to resist the urge of “free stuff”… especially when sponsoring brands are literally throwing it your way at conferences and the like.

Try. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself lugging an extra bag home and/or become that person repacking in the middle of the baggage check line.

Before you dive in like a jungle animal for the kill, BIG PAUSE. Ask yourself these very important questions.

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Is there ever a time when unsolicited parenting advice is appreciated? I mean, reeeeally?

As in, has anyone ever said, ” Why THANK YOU! I never occurred to me that the world is full of communicable disease. And here I was, selfishly grocery shopping for my family. Perhaps, next time should I leave my infant home alone. Golly, what would I do without you” and NOT in a sarcastic voice?

I write posts about my follies. I smile knowingly at other parents struggling with a tantrumming children. I comfort. I offer cookies, but I DO not give advice. I’ve also become very skilled at deflecting it.

I am like NINJA.

I’m guest posting on Zulily’s blog today talking abut this very issue. Come on over and leave a comment (pretty please).

This morning we pulled into the crowded Church parking lot, yet found a spot near the door. We walked into Mass totally stoked to be punctual for once. Yep, five til ten. Just in time to…

…catch the closing prayer.

You see, it was actually five til EVELEN. Mass was OVER and we were clearly the only people who didn’t get the memo about DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!

We shameful slunk away to catch 11:30 Mass at another parish. (Fortunately, there’s one approximately every five miles.) There, the priest greeted the congregation with a rousing congratulations on remembering the time change.

I just nodded and smiled.

Likewise, I’m really late getting my weekend roundup posted this week. Again, I blame the time change although I have no idea how it has any baring on last Friday… ahem.

So without any further ado, here is my weekend roundup for the week on Blogging Wisdom:

12 Things to Do After You’ve Written a New Blog Post

A 12-step checklist from Content Marketing Institute.

Create a Custom Welcome Tab for Your Facebook Fan Page

A great links on “how-to” and “what to include” from Melanie Nelson of BloggingBasics101.com

Free, Free, Free

MommyB  Knows Best puts the idea of getting FREE stuff into perspective.

Deep Links?

Bow-Wow Chick-a-Wow-Wow… Yeah, not quite.

Astacia of Smart and Social helps get your mind and mine out of the gutter. Very informative read!

It’s Your Blog, And You Can Post How You Want To

A little reminder from Dear Crissy that the best thing about your blog is that it’s all YOURS.

Finally, I am nothing if not ultimately self serving… so I’m just have to plug myself too. As I’ve mentioned before, I write a trice-weekly tech column on  ShePosts.

Last week, I did a series on online behavior- social media manners, privacy, and press. Yet, I’ve barely scratched the surface. Here are my posts as they appeared on the site:

Social Media Manners Matter

“Bottom line: Social media is real life happening online. The same rules apply!”

Protecting Yourself From the Dangers of Smartphone Pics

What are your smartphone pics revealing about YOU that you’re rather not share with the world?

Keeping Your Online Reputation Intact

“While [social media] services are free to use, they still come at a cost and the currency of the Web is information.”