Yeah, me neither….though I do see you new head over there. Aren’t you cute. Has anyone told you just how lovely you look, hanging your head on their blog? Well, I’ll tell you…just cute as a button.
Oh, Dude, so sorry. I thought you were another chic over there and sometimes the mommy in me comes out and I have just give adoration and affection to all living creatures. I know, makes you want to just take a shower in bleach doesn’t it?
Alright. Its Monday and all bloggers know, THAT is when other bloggers or readers read you and you’d better BRING IT! Another VERY important mention: bacon bacon bacon. Sorry, had to be there.
OKAY, I’ll just get to it.
Saturday at the Westin St Francis, in beautiful foggy San Franciso, I attended the SITS girl’s Bloggy Boot Camp. And let me tell you Tiffany is SO PRETTY. (I was paid to say that! You should see the swag bag….okay, you should see the fun game my two old played with for well over 20 minutes…..totally worth it!).
First let me say, I’ve been blogging for less than a year. I’m still getting a feel for my VOICE and no, I don’t where I’m taking this. I also was totally unprepared. Note to self (and those attending future camps….make and bring a business card for your blog….yeah that was the first painful realization.) ….more notes about what to do in preparation for your boot camp experience in another post. ….I know, CUT TO THE CHASE.
Speakers KNEW their topics. These weren’t bloggers that just had cute, lots of traffic blogs that came up to tell you about theirs and what they’ve found to make themselves successful. These speakers had the some real muscles! (If you don’t believe me, you gotta check out Angry Julie…she could take you down!)
Angry Julie spoke about security. And I felt like wow, um, I may have some work to do. Good stuff girlfriend. No, I’m not gonna give away the store….do your research peeps, go read some other bloggers on the topic, go to a conference!
Any Mad Men fans out there? Ciaran Blumenfeld grew up in that world. Girl knows marketing and her blog, HER SUCCESS is a testament to that knowledge. I could have listened to her all day….she was THAT engaging, yes. At some point….like the next day, I realized, oh, that’s not the kinda blogger I am. But don’t let that devalue this woman’s presentation. She drew me in and yeah, I can see being a switch hitter….building another blog in that world.
Linsey Krolik spoke to us about some legal issues, taking our blog to the next level…that is a level of professionalism. I have to admit, it was after lunch, I was trying to get on twitter and my head was starting to spin from all this massive info coming my way. Yes, she was wearing the cutest shoes. And yes, she scared the shit out of me and pulled me up by the shorties. Another blogger took way better notes and they can be found here and I recommend you read it NOW. We’ll be here when you get back. And then go check this
this one too. EXCELLENT!
Wait…did I just make a huge mistake? Did I send you on to an amazing blog, full of value and content?
Yes I did. Now go ahead and go…check her out and all the other links above. Go, my wrists hurt and I need to get to work….and yeah, the brain is still not running on a full charge.
Nope, no HILARIOUS summary here. Because, yeah, there is more to come….and it may get snarky!
When I started my blog three years ago, it was only to document my kid's journey. I never would have imagined blogging coming to this.
I'm not comfortable with it at all any more. I gave in to Twitter, but will be giving up on it shortly. Maybe even leaving Crackbook.
I think I'll keep writing. For me.
I can't give a crap about my brand, or marketing, or what the cool kids are doing.
sounds like you had a lot of fun, I always get a little bit starry eyed when I go to conferences, too – but they are so worth it in the end… if only just for the new contacts & friends.
You had me distracted with all the bacon talk. One should never start talking about bloggy boot camp and begin with bacon. HA!
It is great to learn new stuff to help you with your blog…but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You have a great thing going here and sometimes when you try to imporve it, you fuck it up. Just be the funny and sexy you.
ooh conferences, just hearing that word in my brain makes me cold, like makes my brain cold. You are funny, your comment was priceless.
It was a pretty day all around. I don't think we met but your review summed it up nicely. There was a little bit for everyone–I wish there was more about writing, but I pushed myself to go up and talk to Kristy Campbell at the end to thank her for talking about writing. And I hadn't even had anything to drink yet! My summary of the conference is that you just need to take what applies to you and your blog. I got the feeling that some people were overwhelmed because they felt the need to take each and every presenters advice.
Now to figure out how to write about bacon on my next post…
Yo! Peeps! I'm giving my shout out to Kristy in another post…LOVED her!….and Michele, I AM THE PEOPLE that were overwhelmed! Just saying!
there's a reason i write anonymously and semi-fictitiously about my life. i am FAR too paranoid to spill completely.
I will prob never go to a conference just cuz I don't want to out myself. Do what works for you hot stuff. Its why we're here for ya.
I am so bummed I missed the conference! I hope they do it again soon. I totally need to go. If not to learn more about blogging, then to check out Tiffany for myself because EVERYONE keeps talking about how pretty she is and how fabulous her hair is. I'm loving all the links you provided. Except now I'm scared to even leave my house- security alert! I can't wait to hear more about it. Snark away my friend!
Ciaren is incredibly bright and helpful as were they all. Linsey, Julie. It's a lot to take it. I always say, take what you needed and leave the rest
Sounds like you had a great time and got lots of ideas. Have fun with the possibilities!
I appreciated the day, too. There was a lot of info, but not all applied and I didn't expect it to! I would have loved more time to interact with more women, not just as we were passing between tables with all our stuff…
Some of the time could have been spent doing jumping jacks to help us warm up…
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
I'm heading to Austin in October. Cannot wait. I am, however, borderline Tulpen's opinion – this crazy ride is getting faster and faster.
Your post just made me more excited to be going. Off to read part 2…