Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Bloggy Boot Camp ~ A Weekend of Awesomeness!

DSC_0079 by AngryJulieMonday.
From Left to Right: Star @ http://star4laughs.blogspot.com/, Sara @ http://savingforsomeday.com/, Sugar (I absolutely loved her dress, helllooo sexy) @ http://blog.sugarjones.tv, Kadi (speaking of sexy, this women has 7 kids, ya I know, I am envious too) @ http://www.marketingbymoms.com, Ted Rubin, Me and Nicole @ http://www.myrealreview.ca
Photo taken by Julie @ http://angryjuliemonday.com/


This weekend I had the honor of attending Bloggy Bootcamp. This was my first “Blog” convention and I had no idea what it was going to be like. My expectations were pretty basic, I was hoping to learn a few blog tips and meet a few people and get re-motivated to work on my blog. Whoa, little did I know this was going to blow my mind.

I was on Twitter on Thursday and a special lady named Sara @Saving4Someday reached out to me, telling me she had to meet me. After exchanging a few tweets, we found out we weren’t too far from each other and I arranged to pick her up the next day on the way to Friday nights dinner(yes we had a blind date). When we got to dinner I felt like I was back in 6th grade attending summer camp, not knowing anyone and everyone had already formed their "cliques". Thank Goodness for Sara! I am a shy person when you first meet me and she just took me around and introduced me to people she knew, even people she didn’t. I guess you can say she took me under her wing!

At dinner our table was Nicole @ My Product Review, Kim @ learning to Sow, Kadi Prescott @ (hello we had a celeb at our table, Supernanny! ), Star @ Laughing Through Parenting, Sara @ Saving For Someday and Amy @ Dealusional (unfortunately Amy could not stay) We had a great dinner with some pretty in depth conversation. I think most of us found comfort in the people we chatted with. I know that I found a connection with Miss Kadi and our children. At the end of the night, we ended up chatting with Ted Rubin with Open Sky.

*My Handy Dandy Notebook
The next day was full of lots of learning and lots of networking and new friendships. The room was constantly buzzing with excitement. I sat next to some awesome women and listened to some even more awesome women speakers (and of course Ted Rubin).

Cathy @ Skip to my Lou and Kim @ Today's Creative Blog talked to us about SEO, essential blogging tips and Wordpress plugins. For first session, I sat next to Jess (she is freakin hilarious) and Chelsea.

Kadi Prescott and Sugar did a presentation on Vlogging. I didn’t think Vlogging could be for me but after seeing how easy and how exciting it could be, I have figured out a few ideas that I would like to do once I get a camera. Thanks for the fun presentation gals!

Amy taught us about branding our name/product. She inspired me to find my niche and really work on putting it out there. Thanks for encouraging us all to "Get a Pair" and reassuring glitter is still cool even if we're not in grade school.

@ Lunch I sat next to Mara @ Welcome to Adulthood, she is the sweetest gal.

That afternoon we listed to
Ted Rubin, he is really passionate about Open Sky and I can't wait to work with them in the future.

More fabulous speakers include Kelly, Lauren and Laura ( I will try to link to them later)

That evening my fiancĂ© and I joined Holly @ Bread Crumz (also Blog Frog), thanks for letting us crash your dinner. She’s one awesome lady! That night we also got to hang out with Star, Amy and their hubbys for the cocktail party. It was nice to get out kid free and go to an adult only event where I was not going to hear any children (hey moms need breaks too).

So here's what I took from Bloggy Boot Camp (in short because I am tired):
I am going to make every effort to publish blogs at least every weekday. I'm going to stay unique to myself for my readers.
I'm going to work on "branding" my image.
I'm going to make the switch to Wordpress eh, even if it kills me (if you have tips please please give them to me).
I am going to continue to build networks and help build tribes and communities!
If I go all the way home to get my DSLR, I better make sure I have the dang camera card.
AWESOMENESS!


**I used a Digital Voice Recorder to record the sessions, let me know if you attended and would like me to send you a copy.

I was so fortunate to meet such rockin bloggers this weekend! A couple more shoutouts:
Special thank you to Tiffany @ Sits girls (you’re awesome and ohhhh so pretty) and Heather @ SitsGirls for putting this together.
More special thanks to Xona Resort, Dole and iGo

Thanks Julie for taking all of those awesome pics.

I got goodies from: Becca @ http://ourcrazyboys.com Twist & Pout Lip Balm , Dee Dee @ TheDeeView gave us a lovely goodybag,

Heather @ KustomKissers gave us customizable lip balm, Dole gave us fruit gels (yum), iGo gave us powerless chargers (check them out, they rock), Sweet Baking Supply gave us cute little leopard print cupcake liners.
I bought a camera strap from http://www.sheyb.com/ It's here: (BTW I looooooove it, it's so comfy)
BTW, Tiffany, you better hide the next time I see you, the one you got is gorgeous and you know I will try to take it ;-)




Me on the left ( I look horribly exhausted) Next to Sara @ Saving4Someday

Amy, Me and Star (only a few drinks were had I swear)

6 comments:

  1. This was an awesome post- I loved what you learned.

    So, you have evidence that I said I would sell my integrity for $2 Mill and the reason to take word verification off your blog is so tipsy me can leave you comments? Perfect.

    It was SO nice to meet you, and while your camera strap is gorgeous, we both know mine is better. ;)

    xoxo
    T

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  2. Okay, apparently, commenting is not my forte- what the heck is that jumbled mess of numbers????

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  3. That picture is hilarious! Kadi looks like Ted just goosed her or something. Good to meet you at Bloggy Boot Camp. Hope to see you again soon.

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  4. Great post. It was so much fun, & great meeting you. We will definitely need to stay in touch.

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  5. You are darling! Even though our encounter was short, I loved meeting you. Even happier to discover your blog through the Bloggy Boot Camp Mr. Linky.

    Based on this post, I can see that you definitely have a ton to offer to the blog world. Can't wait to read more.

    -Francesca

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  6. I love your personal blog too! Two kids and two blogs? No wonder you need Starbucks at night for your second wind! I can't wait to hear about you wedding and your NYC trip on your blog! P.S. I would be totally honored to guest
    blog for you! You should guest blog for me toooo! Fun fun fun. We rock. Let's talk details at some point. P.P.S. So exciting to hear your wedding is in Laguna -- that is where I am from! Where are you having it out of curiosity? It is sooo pretty there.

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