At the risk of driving this Blissdom ship into the bottom of the ocean…

One last post on Blissdom.  I PROMISE!

For Works for Me Wednesday this week, I thought I’d share what I learned during the panel sessions at Blissdom.  And I can do that because Twitter “works for me!”  Instead of taking notes, I just tweeted what I was learning.  Because taking notes is so 20th century.

Now if I was incredibly organized and a glutton for punishment, I would organize these blurbs into the various sessions of which they were a part.  But I am lazy and eager to get to my DVR recording of American Idol.

So!

All weekend I tweeted (NOTE: I did not “live tweet” and neither did you — ALL TWEETING IS LIVE, PEOPLE!) what I was learning in the sessions, but I realize that you were probably not following my tweets all weekend long because you probably have a life.  So I will copy and paste my “notes” from Twitter in case you missed them.  I hope they make some semblance of sense.

By the way, anyone can purchase transcripts from the sessions.

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On my way to the airport with @genmom.

On the plane. Hoping for no geese.

Hello nashville!

Just met @faintstarlite, @kimbaasptl at airport!!!

Arrived at hotel preston. Where is everyone?

Set boundaries. You will have better content. – @simplemom #blissdom09

Use real name on facebook and linkedin, not blog name. Set up in notes your blog feed to update facebook.  #blissdom09

Following people in your hometown and being followed by them opens up a wealth of opportunities and information. #blissdom09

Use twitter however it works for you.  There are no rules. @jessicaknows

Watching exclusive screening of Yanni Voices. WOW. #blissdom09

Holy heck! Guy from Voices soundtrack is HERE!

“They took instrumental versions of songs and put words to it.” #voices #blissdom09

They’re going to sing Happy Birthday to @foldinglaundry.

Sitting with @DiaperDiaries and @JennyItUp and @theSalt getting ready to learn about Finding Your Voice

@babysteph, @herbadmother, @rocksinmydryer talking about Finding Your Voice #blissdom09

@rocksinmydryer keeps an idea notebook in her purse to jot down ideas to blog about.

“Grammar punctuation are there to navigate the language… Not meant to be stuffy… It’s a courtesy to people who read you” @rocksinmydryer

@herbadmother advises to have a grammar guide.

“It’s a question of using the best materials for your art” #blissdom09 @herbadmother

“Voice is more important than grammar…” @herbadmother “Grammar is a good building block.”

“Our writing about our families is an act of love…” @herbadmother “We’re memoirists.” – LOVE THAT!

“Write for yourself first.” @herbadmother #blissdom09

RT @KatjaPresnal: “So many people trust me – I don’t want to promote even remotely what I won’t believe in.” by @acowboyswife #BlissDom09

#1 cure for writer’s block is to write. @rocksinmydryer #blissdom09

RT @momminitup: We’re letting companies off the hook when we won’t talk amongst ourselves about what others are making. Selling ourselves short.

So excited for this next session. reps from RGM, Ketchum, Walmart, and One2One on panel.

“It’s like the wild west right now dealing with marketing and PR.” – @barbarajones #blissdom09

John Andrews – manages social media for Walmart – on panel. Wants to hear our voice and put bloggers in front of execs at Walmart.

Rebecca from Real Girls Media and Divine Caroline – Mission is for real women to share their stories.

@nancy_matira from Ketchum – PR wants bloggers to pitch our ideas to them…  We know our audiences best. #blissdom09

RT @mommysnacks: Even if traffic isn’t huge – readers value what u have 2 say – YES! Great pt @nancy_martira. #Blissdom09

Transparency so important – @nancy_matira – have a clear disclosure policy. Beware payperposts – some PR are wary of that.

If you get a pitch that isn’t good for you – recommend a blogger it IS good for! @barbarajones #blissdom

Interested in working with PR – should have media kit. Rebecca Watson RGM #blissdom09

Media kit – overview of your content, background info of audience, monthly page views, monthly visits, what ad units you offer size and cost – Rebecca Watson RGM

Be honest reporting traffic. #blissdom09

Not a lot of traffic? Find other ways to sell yourself. @nancy_matira

@johnandrews – your product is the most important thing, regardless of traffic – looks for people aligned with brand that have quality product

PR isn’t just on blogs anymore – put out your social media footprint – where are you on twitter, facebook, flickr

RT @JustPureLovely: @barbarajones integrate the product into the voice of your blog…not just blandly review it. #blissdom #blissdom09

Session 3 – Branding: You, Your Blog, Your Business #blissdom09

Interesting to hear how each panelist has branded her blog.

Successful Blog – Liz Strauss – All about community – I love the story behind her tagline!

“Stay true to who you are even if you get negative comments” – seems to be a theme #blissdom09

“There is only one you. they come to hear your voice.”

“Stop comparing yourselves to people you think are smarter and more successful.” @fussypants

@mrsflinger “took me 4 years to figure out my brand” — I would say it took me 2.5. (I’ve been blogging for 3.)

“Look to what you talk to people most about when you’re not blogging and you’ll find your brand.” #blissdom09

“If you’re going to rebrand yourself, have a plan.” – jessica turner #blissdom09

“Nothing will sell your blog like being yourself.” @foldinglaundry #blissdom09

RT: @Katadhin #Blissdom09 traffic is not the key metric in social media – engagement is.

RT @annieblogs: 100 hits a day and 100 followers on twitter – that makes a community. #blissdom09

Session 4 – Book Deals with Jen Lancaster, Michelle Lamar, Linda Konner (literary agent)

“How does a blogger know when they’re at a point to approach publisher?” #blissdom09

Answer – When you feel that your writing is at the level where people will actually spend money and buy your books – Linda Konner

“The way I usually approach bloggers is when I’ve heard about them in another context” — talk show, newspaper Linda Konner #blissdom09

Just slipped into the other session “Successful Blogging” with The Nesting Place and Inspired Room.

Advice – find someone else in your niche, same size as your blog, and work together… #blissdom09

by that, they mean to support one another. #blissdom09

Eating at Fiesta Mexicana downtown Nashville.

Just got carded. WOOT! WOOT!

Had dinner with @typeamom, @tothink, @foldinglaundry, @diaperdiaries and more.

Sitting in the nashville airport. paid $5 to get online. now what do I do? Twitter, of course!

Scarfing a big plate o’ nachos before boarding the plane. hope I don’t live to regret it!

Finally home. #blissdom09. Got some of that PBD going on but mostly just ready for bed.

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And that’s a wrap!

For more Works for Me Wednesday posts, head on over to Rocks In My Dryer!

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