Posted by JennieG on 6th August 2011
This post is part of the BlogHop Blog Conference at Home. To see the full agenda of learning sessions visit Blog Conference Newbie.
When I first started blogging four years ago, I was a bit of an anomaly in my community. I knew of no one else “in real life” who blogged or participated in social media.
As much as I loved it, I really craved someone to relate to. I am a relationship person. I thrive on friendships and collaboration.
Then as chance would have it, I happened across a loose network of bloggers in the Maryland area. Just a handful of ladies searching for something similar to I. What started out as a lucky meeting on Twitter with a handful of women, blossomed into network of bloggers in six states and a new initiative affectionately dubbed Momz Share.
The principal of forming relationships is nothing new in the blogosphere. We do it all the time over the wonderful world wide web. That being said, there is no denying that personal relationships are strengthened tenfold when maintained by consistent face-to-face interactions.
The benefits of developing your own hyper-local network:
- Deep personal connections
- A tribe to lean on, outreach to and identify with
- Real-life friendships
Not convinced you need a hyper-local concentration yet? Then let me enlighten you on how I have been blessed by my relationships with some of the fantastic folks I have met locally: a feature article in a statewide magazine, speaking engagements in front of numerous professional organizations, a blog in the Washington Times community, a full scholarship to BlogHer, an online webshow, a brand ambassadorship, numerous complimentary family opportunities and on and on… The largest benefit however, has been the friendship and camaraderie with my peers. Priceless.
So how do you even begin to find your local tribe when the Internet is such a vast, crazy place?
- Local and statewide publications. Check for family or niche bloggers on their sites and connect with them on their respective social networks. (Start a spreadsheet. I’m not kidding. Start one. I did.)
- Ask! Take to Twitter, Facebook or Google + and ask around. Find folks through recommendations.
- Search through various blog and online directories. Add them to your spreadsheet. (Yes, the spreadsheet again. Stick with me, there is a method to this madness.)Now that you have found and connected with some of these folks….
Work that connection: In this harried work it is easy to unintentionally drop a connection, be sure to invest time in those relationships. And remember, this gang is local so you can (gasp!) get their phone number. (What a crazy concept, right?) Networking is key!
Organize something: Don’t dream about the opportunity – create it! Organize a coffee meeting, play date, girl’s night out, Tweet-up, brunch or workshop. Expending a little effort for the benefit of others will pay off in spades. If you are shy about putting yourself out there, reach out to me about using the Momz Share platform. (If you kept a spreadsheet, your outreach will be easier. Just sayin’)
Form partnerships: Hyper-local is a huge trend in blogging. Explore opportunities to pair up on projects to provide value to your readers and community. (Heck, start a local publication! Hey, AOL is doing it…)
Expand your content: Start a new blog, add a local section to your website or weave location into your titles. I frequently start hyper-local posts with titles like “DC Readers: Great Deal At …..” It will expand your opportunities and thus your network.
You’ll find that in reaching out to those closest to you, you’ll not only build a sense of community but also reap tremendous personal rewards. Now get out there and GO LOCAL!
Jennifer Gerlock is co-founder of Momz Share along with Lara DiPaola and Sunday Stillwell. MomzShare is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to connect bloggers and social media mavens in the MD, VA, DC region while also giving back to charity.
Tags:
benefits,
blogger,
hyper local network,
Momz Share,
social media
Posted by JennieG on 18th May 2011
The last time I crimped my hair I was 14 years old pining away for Simon LeBon of Duran Duran. (Why, oh why, wouldn’t he love me? Sniff…)
The last time I used AquaNet I was 16 getting ready for a show choir competition. (Jazz hands and big hair that never moved, by God!)
That is, until this past Saturday night’s Momz Share event.
Pac Man, wax lips, Michael Jackson, big hair, movie posters, leg warmers… we had them all!
It was so great to connect with all of the bloggers and social media mavens that attended! Special thanks to Lara and Sunday, who help keep me sane while we arrange all of the festivities along with Amanda our fantastic hostess! (More pictures from the party can be seen here at betterinbulk.net She can capture a photo like no other!)
Special thanks to Dolci Gelati for the unbelievable treats (Coconut and pistachio? I’m in heaven!) as well as Pop Chips (new. obsession.) and Rita’s Italian Ice in Frederick, MD! (Rita’s provided us with the ice that we used to make these unbelievable “adult” beverages. Expect a post with a recipe soon!)
I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the Anastacia Dellaccio of the United Nations Foundation and Girl Up! for their gift bags. It is a wonderful cause and we are proud to be helping spread the word about the Girl Up movement.
Are you a blogger in Maryland, DC, Virginia or the surrounding areas? We’d love to have you attend one of our events! Sign up here and we’ll email you when the next event is announced…
Tags:
Maryland,
Momz Share,
networking,
virginia,
washington DC
Posted by JennieG on 5th October 2010
What to say about the Fall Momz Share event?
Should I start by telling you about how I completely forgot my pants (yes, I said PANTS) and had to go back and fetch them? Or perhaps let you in on the secret that I later discovered that I also forgot my bra? (Ridiculous much?)
Maybe I will skip that part and begin my tale with the scruptious food from Piv’s Restaurant or the social media themed cupcakes.
Hmmm….But if I did that I would be missing the heart of the event, which is the bloggers themselves. These women are my tribe, my peeps, my virtual therapists and without them I am fairly certain I would go stark raving mad. When people ask me why in the world I spend my time planning these events, I tell them about the women of Momz Share. That is all the explanation they need…
Come to think of it, it might be best to instead tell the tale with pictures…
The Fall event was hosted by the awesome and fantastic Jill of Scary Mommy and brought to life by the Momz Share power trio: Sunday Stilwell, Lara DiPaola, and yours truly. (Okay, obvious self-promotion but, DANG, we worked hard y’all!)
I would just like to take up a little bloggy space to send out my heartfelt thank you to some of the people who made this night a success:
Pivs Restaurant – Seriously? Their food rocked. I had no idea what to expect. If you live in the Baltimore area, stop what you are doing and go to their restaurant. Right now.
Sponsoring this event was Washington Family Magazine. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with Jolie from Washington Family for some time now. They are fantastic and super supportive of moms who blog!
A big shout out to Amy Phillips of Social Pollen who was another event sponsor. Not only did she provide hands-on help for all
sorts of WordPress issues, she also brought the killer social media cupcakes. Honestly? Social media cupcakes? Phenomenal, just like her.
We were also treated to our first splendor station courtesy of Leiann from Love and Kindness. She gave lotioned hand massages and we all fell in love. Not only are her lotions and candles to die for, she is also a terrific example of a mom entrepreneur.
I can’t go any further without mentioning the photographer, Eddie Winter of Edward Winter Weddings. He went above and beyond to make everyone comfortable and captured the essence of Momz Share perfectly. I admit to being a little biased here because, well, he is my brother. That being said, his work speaks for itself. He was the consummate professional and put everyone at ease. (Plus he is way cute, if I do say so myself…)
One last shout out to Michael Guill of 107 Designs who streamed our video LIVE on Saturday night. It was our first time live streaming and it was mighty fun! (He is not only tech-ily gifted, he is also one hell of a dishwasher.)
Other sponsors of our fall Momz Share event that I have to mention are Madeleine from La Papillon Spa who hosted a fun Twitter beauty Q & A contest last week and Melanie and Theresa from Sisarina. Sisarina designed our new Momz Share website. Stunning, right?
If you head over to the Momz Share site later this week, we will have a full accounting of all of the amazing people who provided giveaways and gave support to Momz Share.
Remember, if you live in the DC, MD, VA, WVA, PA area – you are always welcome to attend! Our next event will be announced soon!
Tags:
DC Metro mom blogger,
Maryland,
mom bloggers,
Momz Share,
networking,
virginia,
washington DC
Posted by JennieG on 5th September 2010
Just a little reminder that we’ve moved all of the Momz Share info to our new site: http://momzshare.org
I’m happy to announce that the fall 2010 event is now registering!
HOSTESS: Jill Smokler of Scary Mommy
Who doesn’t know @ScaryMommy? This popular and talented blogger will be hosting the Fall 2010 event at her home!
WHEN: Saturday, October 2, 2010
ADDRESS: For privacy reasons, participants will be privately emailed directions once registration is confirmed. (Baltimore, MD)
COST:$10
NOTE: Bring business cards!
Tags:
fall 2010,
Momz Share,
scary mommy
Posted by JennieG on 1st August 2010
So excited to announce that the official Momz Share website is live! So very, very excited!
What you can expect from the new site:
- News about blogger networking events in the Baltimore / Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Guest posts by fantastic bloggers on important topics.
- Features on area bloggers and much, much more!
Tags:
Baltimore,
Momz Share,
washington DC
