Having passed my five year blog-iversary last fall, I'm clear on the mechanics. But as evidenced by the dearth of entries over the last year compared to previous years, I could use some inspiration and ideas on keeping the ideas flowing,
So this event offered some great tips to either get started blogging or blog more effectively, and how to leverage social media, branding, and other tools, especially for those interested in monetizing their online efforts.
Best of all, the small number of participants (about 100-125) made it really intimate. Intimate as in small, not as in those team building events that begin with an ice breaker like, "Think of your deepest, darkest secret...Now whisper it to your neighbor..."
So herewith, some of the great tips I gleaned during the time I was able to spend at the event.
- The first is more relevant to my own experience of not being able to be fully present this year: spend the time to revel in the event. The organizers Tiffany Romero (hilarious) and Francesca Banducci (lovely and uber-organized) do a great job of making the whole experience very inclusive and low-impact. For example, seating is assigned during most of the day, so you don't have to worry about reliving some mean girl scenario from middle school/high school/college/professional career where the cool kids are staring at you from their table and you think it would just be easier to go sit by your locker and study until the next period. What? Just me? Okay. Moving on. Nothing to see here.
- Because you rotate to new groups of cool women (and the occasional man) all day, trading names, Twitter handles, business cards, and knowing nods at particularly resonant bits of advice from the speakers, bring cards. Even if you don't have a business, you'll want to be able to look up the other folks there afterwards or make it easy for others to connect with you. I arrived and realized I only had out-of-date business cards with my pre-promotion title and out-of-date personal cards that lacked my Twitter handle (@NatashaJ), web address and LinkedIn address. If you're not sure what you're going to do yet online, you can still just get 50-75 basic, inexpensive cards at Fedex Office (formerly Fedex Kinkos), Costco, or any number of local retailers, many of whom can do it in an hour or two in a pinch.
- Share: your story, your advice, your questions, your enjoyment. If something resonates with you, say so. If the speakers say something that raises a question in your mind, say so. It's a very inclusive event and there are clearly folks attending who have learned a thing or twenty about this online stuff, even if they're not presenting. Even you. By sharing, you help others advance from wherever they are at the moment and encourage those who may have the same question or comment but not be as comfortable speaking in a group as you.
- You don't have to be the next online super star, unless you want to. Social media is about community. If you just want to write and maybe build relationships with others who like vintage cameras, automotive repair, crafts, or whatever floats your particular boat.
- Give encouragement. Nearly every speaker that I heard during my short stint there confessed to being nervous speaking to the group. Smart, creative, business-running, job-rockin', household managin', got their stuff in one bag with a label on it and a hashtag social media gurus, and they were nervous. So when you go (you've gotta get to one if you can), give encouragement and kudos to the speakers, the organizers, the other folks you meet for being there and sharing their time and knowledge.
Interested in attending a Bloggy Boot Camp yourself? Check them out: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/bloggy-boot-camp-how-to-blog-for-women/
