Thoughts on Blissdom
What to say about Blissdom? I don’t even know where to start.
For those of you not in-the-know, Blissdom is a blogging/social media conference for women, held here in Nashville, Tennessee. This past weekend marked the conference’s third year, and happened to be my first year attending.
Though the conference spanned three days, I was only able to attend the Saturday sessions, and unfortunately, I don’t think I got as much out of it as I could have due to the stress and craziness going on right now. However, I wasn’t going to let all the negativity I’m dealing with keep me from going in general. I just wasn’t able to be my chipper-perky self quite as much, and as a result failed miserably at networking as much as I had hoped. Just the same, I got to meet some fabulous ladies, all of whom were so welcoming and friendly!
I did get a lot out of the sessions I attended. I focused on the business track for Saturday:
(1) Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Business
Panel, left to right: Amy Turn Sharp (Little Alouette), Caitlin Madden (Mabel’s Labels), Kimba (A Soft Place To Land), Kim Christopherson (You Can Make This), Kris Thurgood (Jesse Kate Designs), and Lisa Leonard (Lisa Leonard Designs).
A few highlights:
- The 5 B’s: (1) Build the buzz whenever you launch a new product, blog, feature, etc., (2) Be yourself–be real and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself, (3) Be specific about the action you want your readers to take–join your Facebook fan page, follow you on Twitter, etc., (4) Bring on the bookmarks!–Social bookmarking is vital, and (5) Be appreciative–people don’t have to sign up for your newsletter or give you their information, so if they do, always thank them and if possible offer something in return (e.g. an e-book you’ve written on an area of expertise).
- Know your audience–survey them to find out which social networking tools they use, and focus on those first.
- Do your OWN social networking on Twitter and Facebook because it is vital to be authentic and personal.
(2) Evolving into a Professional Blogger – Paths to Success
Panel, left to right: Barbara Jones (One2One Network), Audrey McClelland (Mom Generations), Kim Moldofsky (Hormone-Colored Days), Allison Worthington (Allison Worthington Media), and Nancy Smith (@NancyDSmith).
A few highlights:
- Earned media– completely your words, your review; always be genuine, don’t lie about a product just to get paid; use constructive criticism
- Paid media– somewhat restrictive because you must use the words supplied by the advertiser
- Pitching to get paid media/sponsorship opportunities– be prepared to show the company what their ROI will be, use case studies, maintain relationships because often companies will refer bloggers for other opportunities
(3) Niche Blogging – Experts Talk About Blogging Your Passions and Expertise
Panel, left to right: Audrey McClelland (Mom Generations), Rachel Matthews (A Southern Fairytale), Sommer Poquette (Green and Clean Mom), Jennifer Schmidt (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam), Nester Smith (The Nesting Place), Heather Solos (Home Ec 101).
A few highlights:
- 7 questions to ask yourself in order to find your niche (via Nester).
- Bloggers take different paths to find their niche — some are able to define it from the outset (great!) but other times it is something that evolves over time.
- Use your blog’s subtitle/tagline to clearly define what your blog is about.
- Become an authority in your niche — but understand the responsibility that comes along with that.
One of the best things about the conference is the underlying hum of energy and inspiration that you’re able to tap into. It is an amazing feeling to be surrounded by hundreds of brilliant, tech-savvy, talented women. Everyone I encountered was so friendly and more than willing to answer questions and give advice.
For instance, during the morning sessions, I sat at a table with the lovely Beth from In Good Cents. She was more than willing to share with those of us at the table some of her strategies for affiliate marketing on her blog.
Bloggers helping bloggers; women entrepreneurs helping women entrepreneurs: I love it.
I’ll certainly be attending next year, hopefully for the entire conference, and hopefully in a better frame of mind to really experience everything to its fullest. Thanks to everyone who put on this conference and participated in the panels — ya’ll did a fabulous job.
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Twitter: @kimmoldofsky
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope you can make it for two or three days next year. Alli, Barbara and Paula worked very hard to establish a supportive and drama-free zone at Blissdom and I think they succeeded!
kim/hormone-colored days’s last blog … Another Blissdom Post: You are not Invisible
So happy you enjoyed it!
Next year, come teach me how to knit?
I am wicked jealous of your creations.
xo
Alli’s last blog … Telling the BlissDom Story!
Twitter: @salt_says
I have always wanted to attend a social media conference and might have to try to get to the SITS conference in Baltimore after hearing your review!
Salt’s last blog … Wedding Wednesday – Music Edition
Twitter: @heathersolos
I’m glad you were able to get a lot out of the sessions you were able to attend. I know I had a lot of fun and the experience was valuable, if exhausting. :)
Heather Solos’s last blog … Valentine’s Day Menus
Twitter: @AngEngland
I am so glad you included the notes from Niche Blogging because I didn’t make it to that session! :-)
I’m also glad that you accepted the negatives of where you were temporarily, to purposefully take an action step that will benefit you for all the future. Kudos to you for that!
Angela <
Sounds like you had a great time! :)
Twitter: @CinnamonHollow
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like you still got a lot out of it even though you didn’t get to attend the full conference.
Happy Thursday from SITS.
Crystal Martin’s last blog … Enter to win Holey Donuts + $250 in-store credit!