From the category archives:

Blissdom09

Fashion Friday: What to Wear to Blissdom

by Jo-Lynne on January 14, 2010

in Blissdom09,Blissdom10,Fashion and Shopping

It’s the age-old question: WHAT DO I WEAR?

When it comes time to pack for a blogging event or conference, the first thing I consider is what outfits I feel good in. And then I think, what will I be comfortable wearing all day?

What makes you feel comfortable and confident? Those are the outfits you want to bring. The last thing you want to do is go out shopping and buy a bunch of stuff that isn’t really you, because you think it’s what you’re “supposed” to wear.

During the day, you can wear pretty much anything you are comfortable in. Shop your closet. You will see some people dressed “business casual,” but you will also see plenty of jeans. You will most likely find me in jeans and a sweater. Here is a photo from last year of the day we arrived. We were all wearing jeans and a sweater or top of some sort. Lisa takes the cake with her “I’m cooler online” t-shirt.

You will also see some ladies in dresses and heels during the day. It’s really up to you — what are YOU most comfortable in? Go with your instincts.

If you feel like your wardrobe is a bit stale, consider adding some inexpensive accessories to pop your outfits. After all, the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

Quick. Can you name that movie?

Pick up a cuff bracelet or some bangles at Target or Forever 21. And long necklaces are all the rage right now. Or there’s also the scarf.

For the evening, you will probably want to glam it up a bit. This year, there is a cocktail party both Thursday and Friday nights. (See the agenda for all the deets.) Friday night is also the Tastemaker party. Be sure to RSVP! These are the nights to bring out the dressy jeans or a slinky dress.

Last year I wore my trouser jeans and a sweater and red patent leather pumps. Here I am with my roomies, all dressed up and ready to paint the town red. (Don’t ask me why we we’re partially beheaded. And I have no clue what was going on with my hair.)

There were lots of slacks and dressy blouses. And there were little black dresses and sexy strapless numbers. Amy from Mom Advice took the prize though. Look how adorable she was. That dress is to die for, and I love how she dressed it down a bit with accessories.

Photo credit: Secret Agent Mama

You will also want to bring cute pajamas or sweatpants to hang out after hours. Saturday night is the pajama party, and that’s the night to get comfy and watch a movie or just visit in the lobby like I did last year.

But before that, there is the final closing keynote and the Harry Connick, Jr. performance with a meet-and-greet afterward, so you’ll probably want to wait to put on your PJs until after you’ve had your picture taken with “The Vice-Chairman of the Board.” But that’s totally up to you.

If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them in the comments, but the most important thing is to be yourself and have fun! Remember, a confident woman is a beautiful woman.

{ 35 comments }

Blissdom Q&A

by Jo-Lynne on February 13, 2009

in Blissdom09

I apologize in advance to those who are tempted to plug their ears and run for cover when they see the word Blissdom appear on the computer screen. YES, I know I said I was done posting about Blissdom but in an earlier post, I asked if anyone had any questions for me so at the risk of discussing the topic ad nauseum, here are my answers.

Kellyn asks:

What is the most important lesson you learned?

The most important thing I learned, I think, is that even if you’re a hobby blogger (meaning you blog as a hobby and not for income) blogging conferences are totally worth the price. Meeting people face to face has only enriched the blogging experience for me.

Who is the blogger you met that you were the most excited about?

Now that’s a hard one. There were several of my closest blogging buddies that I was excited to meet, and I couldn’t pick just one of them. But the night before I left to go to Nashville, I found out that Lindsay from Suburban Turmoil was going to be at the RGM dinner I was attending on Friday night. And for the first time, I got that “OMG! I’m going to meet a blog supah-stah!” thing going. Because Lindsay was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started blogging and she’s always been one of the bloggers I’ve admired from afar. I’m pleased to tell you that she is delightfully down to earth and funny and outgoing in person — just like she is on her blog.

What was the highlight? The low?

The highlight was the evenings, after the cocktail parties and the dinners when everyone was milling around, hanging out, and I hung out in the lobby both nights and just chatted with whoever was around. It was totally casual and so much fun! That was definitely the best part.

The low? Leaving. Seriously, I was NOT ready to go home.

bliss

Photo courtesy of Secret Agent Mama

Adventures In Babywearing asks:

Did you have any lightbulb moments at BlissDom?

When Her Bad Mother said “We’re memoirists,” it was like all of the sudden there was a title for what we do, and somehow having a title legitimizes it, you know? For the longest time I would cringe when I heard people say that you need a niche. Because I don’t have a niche. I talk about parenting, fashion, TV, God, shopping, friends, family, and sometimes all in the same post. Sometimes I tell stories, sometimes I just talk, sometimes I give advice and tips on various subjects, sometimes I share recipes, sometimes I review products. It’s a mish-mash. I’ve wondered at times if I should focus on one thing.

But this weekend I realized that my life is a sum of many parts, and my blog reflects that. And that’s okay — as long as it’s my voice. And that was the other lightbulb moment. Was it Liz Strauss who said, “There is only one you. They come to hear your voice.” That is the key, right there! Whether I’m telling you about a new product I’ve discovered or talking about my day or sharing about a parenting milestone, or complaining about the never-ending housework — as long as I stay true to my voice, it’s okay if there isn’t a theme. My niche is diarist/memoirist. Hearing those terms throughout the weekend to classify what we do was really an epiphany for me.

Blissdom a Flutter

Photo courtesy of Mommy Always Wins

Tiffany asked:

Blissdom… What aspect do you feel was most beneficial? The actual content of the sessions or the networking that was done in between?

The networking, DEFINITELY. But I would replace the word “networking” with “socializing” — there may only be a fine line between the two, but I’m definitely just socializing. Networking implies having a strategy, and I have none of that. I wish I did, but I’m just not wired that way. I love meeting people I’ve admired from afar and getting to know people I am friends with online and discovering new friends that I happen to meet. I would be just as happy if I didn’t attend a single session. Which is why I say that blogging conferences are for everyone, even if you never make a dime from it.

Got more questions? Leave them in the comments. I’m happy to answer!

{ 15 comments }

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

by Jo-Lynne on February 10, 2009

in Blissdom09,Bloggity Bizness,Works For Me Wednesday!

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.

* * *

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.

* * *

And that’s a wrap!

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

{ 18 comments }

What I Learned This Week {at Blissdom} Edition 2

by Jo-Lynne on February 10, 2009

in Blissdom09,What I Learned This Week

This week I learned that you get better carnival participation when you offer a giveaway prize. Haha, just kidding. Well, I did learn that, but that’s not what I want to talk about.

As promised, here are the three key things I learned at Blissdom this weekend:

1) People who seem uber cool online are no cooler than anyone else in real life. As Alli said during one of the panel discussions: “We’re all just geeks sitting behind a computer.” Not everyone was what I expected, but I certainly don’t mean that they aren’t being authentic. It’s just that you can only convey so much of yourself online, and that’s why conferences like this are so valuable. Online relationships are like a pencil sketch, and meeting in person is like coloring in the picture. Now tell me you’re as impressed with that little analogy as I am. I’d say that’s a stroke of brilliance right there.

2) The people that I REALLY connect with online, I REALLY connect with in real life. And, not surprisingly, they WERE pretty much just like I expected, which proves that online friendships are the real deal. I hear people say that they aren’t making enough money at blogging to justify the cost of a conference, but I want to encourage everyone who loves blogging to try to get themselves to a conference. I know that the prices are steep (although Blissdom is BY FAR the least expensive of them all) but I look at it this way: people have no trouble spending money on their hobbies. Some people quilt, some scrapbook, some ski. We blog. And meeting up in real life just enriches the relationships we have established online. It is well worth the expense.

Here is a link to the photos I took this weekend. There aren’t many, but you can find everyone linking their photos to the Blissdom flickr group.

3) I need to press the reset button. Regularly. After spending two days connecting in real life with the women I have spent three years getting to know online and learning as much about social media and the craft of writing as we could cram into two days, I spent Sunday with my brother and sister-in-law and we started out by going to church.

After a few well-chosen hymns and some liturgy that got me into the frame of mind to worship, the pastor launched into his sermon. He started by talking about how connected we are these days and yet how disconnected. He even mentioned email and Facebook and blogging and twittering and tumbling. At that point, I glanced over at Sarah and we shared a look of utter disbelief. This sermon could not possibly have been any more directed at us if he had planned it that way. (Our pastor at home is not into technology so hearing these terms from the pulpit was quite a lark!)

He went on to say that despite the constant interaction, we are a lonely generation, and on top of that, we fill our minds full of news and blogs and information from every source except the one that holds the truth. His prescription for our connected yet disconnected society was to “push the reset button.” And we do that by taking time aside for Scripture reading, silent meditation, and prayer. Even the Lord Jesus took time out of his ministry to go to a solitary place and pray. How much more do we need this time for refreshment and renewal. This is not news. But I SO needed to hear that.

Now I want to know what YOU learned this week. Here are the carnival rules.

1. Any time this week, publish your What I Learned This Week post on your blog. (It can be one sentence. It can be several paragraphs. It can be a list. It can be serious. It can be silly. It can be thoughtful and profound. It can be sarcastic. It can be sentimental. It can be ANYTHING that you learned as long as it is of a family friendly nature.)

2. Within that post, please mention the What I Learned This Week carnival and link to this post.

3. Then link up with the Mr. Linky form down below. (Please only link if you have written a What I Learned This Week post. And please link directly to the carnival post, not the main page of your blog. And finally, please do not put a Mr. Linky on your post. THANKS!)

4. Then visit the other participants and see what they learned this week. And comment, comment, comment! Because we ALL love comments.

Ready, Set, GO!

* * *

Hey, don’t miss my giveaway this week. It’s a sweet one — a Peek in red cherry.

{ 33 comments }

Blissdom09

by Jo-Lynne on February 9, 2009

in Blissdom09,Bloggity Bizness,Linky Love

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. I want to talk about all the amazing women I met this weekend, but that would take DAYS and I know I would miss someone. Like I already did when I listed all the necks I hugged. (Sorry, Amanda! Love ya, girl!) I would like to try to share what I learned, but again, that could be a book. And it WOULD be a best seller. You KNOW it would!

So let me just give you the CliffsNotes version:

FRIDAY:

Get up at dark o’clock, stumble around trying not to wake up the fam, lug ridiculously over-sized suitcase down the stairs and stow in back of husband’s monster pickup truck, call Sarah to tell her I’m on my way, talk all the way to her house, as if there won’t be enough togetherness in the next 3 days. Drive to airport, park, shuttle to terminal, check in, locate Colleen, gab nonstop all the way to Nashville. (My most humble apologies to those sitting around us on the plane!)

Arrive at Nashville airport, run into Kimba at baggage claim, hugs and introductions all around, meet more bloggers, shuttle to Hotel Preston, meet more bloggers, pick up swag bags that were worth the price of registration in and of themselves, eat lunch, meet more bloggers, take pictures, meet more bloggers, reunite with bloggers, hunker down for first session — Building Your Readership & Providing Amazing Content with Tsh Oxenreider, Amy Clark and Meredith Pelham. Then on to Social Media/Marketing with Ghennipher Weeks, Kelby Carr and Jennifer Doyle.

Head upstairs to primp and preen for cocktail party, return downstairs (rocking the red patent leather pumps of course!) and mix and mingle and grab a blisstini before meeting up with RGM peeps for dinner out on the town at miro district (thanks, Rebecca!) with Melissa of The Inspired Room, Jessica of Jessica Knows, Tara of Deal Seeking Mom, Lori of A Cowboy’s Wife, that’s Rebecca at the head of the table, Amy of Mom Advice, Lindsay from Suburban Turmoil, Jamie from Blonde Mom Blog.

I should have been thoroughly intimidated by that brilliant group of women, but each and every one was down-to-earth and delightfully real that I felt totally at home. (And I totally pilfered that photo from Amy because my husband has my camera cable.)

Back to the Hotel Preston for more mixing and mingling. Change into comfy new sweats and hang with my dear sweet friends Shannon and Amy and Moriah in the lobby until we’re too tired to do anything but stumble upstairs to bed.

SATURDAY:

Wake early for another day of hand shakes, hugs, gabbing, photos, and of course learning as much as I can from these creative, brilliant women.

After breakfast, the big secret screening is finally revealed — Disney set up an amazing sound system with a ginormous screen and several other smaller screens around the room and we get a sneak peak of Yanni Voices. Then before we know it, two of the men from the performance are actually IN THE ROOM to answer our questions and pose for photos. Ladies, if we want to be taken seriously, it might be wise NOT to act like dogs in heat when a couple of handsome men appear in our presence, and that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Then it’s Writing With A Passion with Stephanie Precourt, Catherine Conners and Shannon Lowe which is by far my favorite session of the weekend. It’s nice to learn about social media and marketing but it is the craft of writing that is our bread and butter, and that is what I love. And it didn’t hurt matters any that some of the most fantastic writers in the blogosphere were sitting on that panel.

Next, Maximizing Relationships: PR, Marketing, Brands and Ad Agencies with Nancy Martira of Ketchum, Rebecca Weeks Watson of Real Girls Media, John Andrews of WalMart, Tara Anderson of Lijit, and Barbara Jones of One2One Network. Now THAT’S a power panel, y’all. After that, on to Branding: You, Your Blog, Your Business with Liz Strauss, Arianne Segerman, Megan Jordan and Allison Worthington. And finally, Success Blogging with Nester and Melissa Michaels who have two of the most beautiful blogs on the internet and yet are so delightfully modest about their success.

After that, a brief respite — step outside for a breath of fresh air with Jordana and Meredith. Return inside for a little more schmoozing (totally skip out on Chris Mann and the keynote, cause I believe in living dangerously) and then out for Mexican with another list of awesome bloggers — Shannon, Melanie, Annie, Robin, Lora Lynn, Amber, Dawn, LisaB, Sarah, and Kristen and a few more who I’m sure I’m forgetting. Return to Hotel Preston, turn around and go BACK out to a SECOND dinner (yes! TWO DINNERS!) with Jill (love this girl), Beth (happy birthday, friend!!), Arianne and Amber (part of the brilliance behind Blissdom09), Kelby and Anissa (seriously hysterical – so loved meeting these two), and Heather (absolutely adorable).

Ooooh, here’s a picture I stole from Anissa’s Flickr stream:

Finally, back at the ranch hotel to hang out in the lobby with Jyl and Carissa and LisaB and Kimba and Jen and and Julie oh gosh, who am I missing? Really, if I wasn’t fried from the weekend, I’m fried from typing this post!

SUNDAY:

Quick breakfast and a millionty-two good-byes. Greet my brother and sil and head out for a day of church, lunch, shopping, and then airport where we run into Catherine, Tanis, Motherbumper (names! they are escaping me!), Michelle, Sugar, and others at airport restaurant. Sit down and chat for a bit and calm air travel nerves with a glass of crisp, fruity Pinot Grigio. Say our goodbyes and then Sarah and I find a quiet spot to do what all bloggers do when they get a free moment — get online of course. After an uneventful flight and long ride home, I am finally HOME.

And that, my friends IS the CliffsNotes version. I TOLD you I could write a book about my weekend. Tomorrow I will post a recap of my tweets from the seminars, but this post is QUITE long enough, dontchathink? Yes, it DID take all morning to write this post, between hugs and smooches and a game of Candy Land and several board books and the infamous kindergarten pickup line.

You can find photos of the event at Beth’s Flickr photo stream, and there will be plenty more coming. When there is a Blissdom Flickr Group up and running, I’ll be sure to share the link. And I’ll have some photos of my own to post once I get my camera cable back from my husand’s truck.

I’ll leave you with this. My dear friend June (who I have still yet to meet face to face, an unfortunate situation that will hopefully be rectified this summer) asked me this morning in quintessential June-speak, How was blisterdom? and more specifically, What was the biggest thing you learned?

I definitely want to share that with you, but you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow – yes, tomorrow is another What I Learned This Week carnival! I hope you will all link up! And speaking of linking, you can link up to your Blissdom recap on this post.

Finally, I want to officially thank Alli Worthington and the ladies of the One2One Network for planning and organizing this event and Lands End, Walmart, Little Debbie, Real Girls Media, Disney, Sony, Geek Squad, Care.com, Ligit, New Line Records, Victor Records, Wind-Up Records, Blue House Blogs, and Crocs for sponsoring it. And most importantly, big kudos to the fabulous Maria Bailey of BSM Media and Mom Select for sponsoring my trip.

{ 26 comments }

Blissdom Recap

by Jo-Lynne on February 9, 2009

in Blissdom09,Bloggity Bizness

And just like that! It’s over. It will take me several days to process everything I’ve learned and seen and heard. I can’t wait to get around to the blogs of all the fabulous women I’ve met. I want to write a thorough recap, but that will have to wait until I get home.

If you’ve been at Blissdom and have a recap post, please link in below! I can’t wait to hear your impressions of the event!

{ 40 comments }

My Disjointed Thoughts on Blissdom Thus Far

February 7, 2009

1. I accidentally wrote Blissdom Thus Fart in my title. That made me giggle. I clearly have the sense of humor of a 14-year-old boy. 2. Meeting people face-to-face that I’ve only known online is surreal, enlightening, and strangely natural. I’ve hugged more necks than I can count, but that won’t stop me from trying [...]

16 comments Keep reading

She’s Making Her List… Checking it twice!

February 5, 2009

Mani/pedi… CHECK! Boarding passes… CHECK! Laptop… CHECK! Blackberry… CHECK! Camera… CHECK! Various chargers and batteries… CHECK! Business cards… CHECK! Trouser jeans… CHECK! Black sweater… CHECK! Gray sweater… CHECK! (A girl’s gotta have options.) Fancy red patent leather shoes… CHECK! Sweater dress… CHECK! Accessories… CHECK! Slippers flip-flops… CHECK! Cute pajamas sweatpants and t-shirt… CHECK! Stop right [...]

34 comments Keep reading

Two Days Away

February 4, 2009

I’m finally coming out of my funk. I try to keep the moaning and groaning to a minimum here on the ol’ blawg, but I’ve really been down in the dumps lately. It’s the winter blahs — nothing more nothing less, and there is no point in complaining about it. It always goes away. Eventually. [...]