On Saturday I attended my first blogging “conference” in Baltimore. (Ironic, isn’t it? Same day as my blogaversary.)“Bloggy Boot Camp” was put on by the Secret is in the Sauce or more affectionately known in the blog world as SITS.
I’m gonna be honest with you, I had no idea what to expect.
The conference had a nice blend of topics and some truly engaging speakers. And I learned a lot. But in the end, I didn’t really care much about all that.
You know what I liked most of all? Hanging with MY PEOPLE. You see, in my real EVERY DAY life, I am the odd ball. Having a blog isn’t as common as say, owning a car. Or a blender. My friends appreciate my blog, don’t get me wrong. They just don’t have a PASSION for blogging like I do. They don’t exactly “get it.”
I’m the odd ball.
But at Boot Camp, the bloggy passion was literally oozing out of these ladies very pores and it was simply AWESOME.
I confess that I even found myself a little nervous around ladies that I admired. And I was all yammering on like that middle school girl who just REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wants you to like her. Which was amusing and slightly pathetic at the same time. Thank goodness I have ADD and quickly moved on to the next shiny object or I might not have emerged from under the proverbial blanket ever again.
So if you are a blogger and have not had a chance to attend a conference or a seminar or something of that nature, I say to you “GET THEE TO ONE, AND QUICK!”
You will love it.
And because I am feeling all generous and stuff, I put together some tidbits I gleaned from the sessions:
Good overall advice: Be clear on who you are and what you do. You don’t HAVE to categorize yourself as a “mom blogger.” Once you decide what it is that you do… DO IT WELL! Develop a tagline. USE IT. And whatever you do: BE SWITZERLAND! Stay neutral and out of the drama.
On social media: Everything you do in social media has to be thoughtful. Who you follow and who you interact with makes up your online reputation. Even your comments can be traced back to you. Don’t forget that even Twitter is searchable by Google. Above all else, be professional! You are your own brand. Consider every part of your online presence and act accordingly.
If you would like to see a Whrrl story on Bloggy Boot Camp, click here. For more pictures, you can check out Scary Mommy’s photo stream on the event here OR for tons of posts on the event, head over to In The Trenches of Mommyhood for a link up of the posts on this event.
DON’T FORGET: I’m hosting a Blogher2010 cash sponsorship giveaway from SEED! Find out more here!
Well, then it is time to speak up and start talking about SEED!
SEED Power (a line of all natural body care) is providing some lucky ladies with the chance to attend BlogHer 21010 in NYC with their fabulous SEEDS OF INSPIRATION contest. Not only will the winner receive a $250 CASH sponsorship, but they will also be VIP guests at an exclusive, swanky NYC PAR-TAY the Friday night of the convention. (And let me tell you – from what I hear it will be FAB-U-LOUS!)
HERE IS HOW ENTER THE SEEDS OF INSPIRATION BLOGHER 2010 SPONSORSHIP CONTEST:
Visit theSeed Website and read about the products and the founder’s story. Write a blog post about how the products, philosophy or owner’s story INSPIRE YOU to nurture your own entrepreneurial spirit, live a more organic lifestyle OR make a more positive environmental impact! The post must include a link to the SEED website within it and a mention and link back to this contest to be considered. Then come back to Hip As I Wanna Be and link up!
A COUPLE OF OTHER RULES, BABY:
All contestants must ALSO complete the following steps for their entry to be considered:
Visit the SEED website and join their community via email
{And don’t forget to leave a comment letting the contest host (ME!) know you completed these required steps}
Submit your entry via Mr. Linky below and then you are done!
BUT THERE IS ONE MORE THING, LADIES... The fact that you can enter to win once a week until the contest closes. Just create a new post, link up again and tweet! The coolness, never ends does it? And if you want extra chances to win in a different way, you can enter each week over at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom (Whrrl contest) and Makeover Momma (Vlog contest) as well.
TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU… If your lovely self submitted ONE entry weekly on each of the three blogs hosting the SEEDs of Inspiration BlogHer 2010 Sponsorship contest{Hip As I Wannabe, Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom and Makeover Momma} THEN you would have the opportunity to enter a total of 12 times {4 times on each host’s blog}. Sweet!!!
Each entry must be unique and not simply the submission of the previous week’s entry.
Winners who have followed the submission rules will then have their entries judged by SEED on the following criteria:
Creativity
Originality
Interpretation of the theme
SEED Power Body Care will choose the winner of the contest as well as several ancillary winners who will receive invitations to the swank-tastic invite only party being hosted on Saturday August 5th, 2010 by SEED. BTW – Hip As I Wanna Be, though partially sponsored to BlogHer 2010 by SEED, will have no part in the selection process and is simply hosting this contest as part of an ongoing involvement with Team SEED.
Contest ends March 31, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced on the SEED website on or about April 9, 2010. (But it might be a good idea to follow “me” on Twitter and fan Hip As I Wanna Be on Facebook to make sure you are up to date on the contest 411.)
AND…. because they are a truly fabulous company, Seed is also offering the readers of Hip As I Wanna Be a discount on their products. To order some fabulous products using your special discount code, click here.
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Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…
My very own blog is all grown up and ONE YEAR OLD today!
So exciting! This blog is truly a passion of mine. Can you tell?
When I branched out on my own last year and decided that I would host my own blog instead of solely blogging for others, never did I think that I would end up with so many amazing friends and opportunities.
I have been truly blessed by this amazing blogging community. Y’all rock.
But not even in my wildest Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated dreams did I imagine that I would have been published by Maryland Life Magazine!
But back to topic….what I really need to say is THANK YOU to each and every person who has ever stumbled upon my blog and stopped to read a post that I have written. I may not know you, but you have profoundly impacted my life!
This Fitness Friday I have asked my friend Lori Rypka to do a guest post. Lori has lost an amazing amount of weight (70 pounds and counting…)on her fitness journey and inspires me every day to make the right choices. She is living proof that determination will get you the results you want every time!
Dieting sucks, so why do it?
Now that you’ve gasped and spit out your morning danish, hear me out.
It’s true, dieting sucks. Coming from a serial dieter, I can’t say I have looked back on a single program and thought, “Wow, this is the
life. I’ve got it made on this program. Next stop: The cover of Oxygen magazine.”
Deprivation, starvation, contemplation of confection. Shun them all. I have seen the light and am giving you a glimpse of my world.
The Girl Scout Cookie Diet.
OK, I’m obviously kidding. So let’s drill down to what we hear the most. Forget Aktins. Forget South Beath. Forget The Cookie Diet. Doctors have
been saying it for time and eternity. Eat a well balanced diet with fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. I mean,
they built a whole Food Pyramid on these principles.
Yeah, yeah, heard that before. Guess what … it actually works. Whoa!
Call the media! This is HUGE news!
A friend told me about the Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Rosa. I thought about it, researched it, bought the book … and a light went on in an already
lit room. She’s got some great information there, the actual food she recommends is on the Food Pyramid. No food groups are eliminated.
Certain food groups are limited. She recommends food as close to how God made them as possible, and in the healthiest varieties (read: no white
flour/sugar/rice). I’ve heard it all before, but this time it clicked. I was also weighed down with the whole “Do I really want to set my kids up
for health issues in the future?” guilt.
Was it easy? Yes and no. Yes, because I made up my mind that this is a lifestyle change and not a diet, and that it ultimately is the best
thing I could do for my family. No, because I have too cook and shop a lot more (sort of wish I could find all the ingredients in one store).
I’m about three weeks into it, and I do feel better, have dropped some weight and feel good for what I’m doing for my kids. It’s also been fun
to be approached for advice from friends who have also been thinking about this. It’s worth the extra mileage hunting down ingredients as
well as the extra time in the kitchen. After all, a diet is temporary. A lifestyle is for life.
Lastly, it was also about deciding that I’m worth it. And I am.
Okay fellow blogging pals… I’m gonna be honest here. I AM SWAMPED AT WORK!
Momz Share is a week away, my new business has taken off, I am launching a huge Blogher10 contest on Monday and I am in the thick of all of these things. Woot! (Yes, I “wooted.” Scandalous, I know.) I feel like I have been in so many meetings that I have not been able to get the “real” work done. Know the feeling?
So in honor of my swampedness… (Yes, I made that word up.) I decided to host a little linky love instead of writing my Thursday blog. Please feel free to link up you favorite post or giveaway and when I get a chance I will grab a cup of Joe, relax and visit!
I wanted to share a dialogue with you that occurred between my 10 year old and I last night. I tell you this so that you can feel proud of yourself as a parent and as you lay your head down on your pillow tonight you are able to thank the dear Lord that this was not a conversation held with YOUR OWN SON. You’re welcome.
TINY NINJA: Mamma, today I had a bloody nose.
ME: Ohmygoshwhathappened?! (I’m slightly freaked out by this news. My son has never had a bloody nose before.) Did your teacher see? Did anybody HELP you? Where were you? In recess? Did you fall down?
TINY NINJA: No. I was in class.
ME: Poor baby! What happened?
TINY NINJA: I was trying to get a BOOGER out.
ME: OH. (Wince.) You know dude, you shouldn’t pick your nose. That is nasty.
TINY NINJA: Mom, I’ve got to! It’s, like, my JOB.
CHARMING. Yes people, this was an actual, undoctored conversation with the fruit of my loins. And THAT is my gift to you on this witty Wednesday. If you feel like reading some oldies but goodies about my life with boys, try:
A blog about one working gal and her quest to successfully juggle work, life, marriage, and the mania of male offspring while struggling to get her mojo back! Wanna know more? Find out here.
I’m gonna be honest with you, I had no idea what to expect.
BUT THERE IS ONE MORE THING, LADIES..
Can you believe it?
Follow us on Twitter: 
So in honor of my swampedness… (Yes, I made that word up.) I decided to host a little linky love instead of writing my Thursday blog. Please feel free to link up you favorite post or giveaway and when I get a chance I will grab a cup of Joe, relax and visit!
