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!

This post is part of the Merry SITSmas Card blog tour.

Merry SITSmas!

Welcome to all of my SITS girlfriends hopping around the internet o’ holiday cheer.  If we’ve never met before, let me just first thank you for stopping by my blog  Hip As I Wanna Be!  I truly appreciate your time and look forward to getting to know you better.  Please leave a comment to let me know you’ve been by and I will be sure to explore your little home on the internet… pronto!  (Oh and by the way… leave your twitter name as well.  And let me know if you are planning on hitting Blogher in 2010, because I am and I would love to meet some new pals!)

I guess I should tell you a little bit about myself, huh?  Well, since this is a holiday post, I think it is only right if I share some holiday info about myself… (If you want the real deal, hop on over here. )

Favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Elves.  In our family Christmas Elves are a huge part of the holidays.  You see, we believe that on Thanksgiving Santa dispatches his elves across the world to watch each individual boy and girl until Christmas Eve.  Kind of like SANTA SPIES. (Yes, I get tons of “youbetterbegoodtheelvesarewatching” mileage out of this one.) If you are interested you can read more here.

Tinsel? Actually, yes.  Or should I say... YES! (Exclamation point!) I am AWARE that the majority of the world is inclined to think that hanging tinsel on your Christmas tree is WHITE TRASH.  I get it.  I even agree.  But you know what?  I can’t have a tree without it.  And just so you know….I BLAME MY MOTHER. Who, incidentally, ingrained the need for tinsel into my psyche at a young age and who NO LONGER uses it on HER tree.  Come to think of it… no one else in my family uses tinsel anymore.  They’ve all kicked the habit.  I am the only junkie left in the family and early indicators show that I am already passing the preference along to my children.  Poor things. <heavy sigh>

Holiday Song? “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant.  Makes me bawl every time I hear it.  Oh and another favorite  is “Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag” by Shedaisy.  Rockin’!

Favorite Christmas Cookie? Why, chocolate chip of course!  My mom’s recipe.

Favorite gift of all time? An engagement ring from my (now) husband.  Who could ask for anything better than true love? Second runner up, though, was a super tricked out “boom box” in eighth grade.  I was uber cool that year.  And that was the ONLY year.  Coolness evaporated after that.

Favorite Holiday Movie? “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney.  Never heard of that version?  Oh, man…. classic!

So there you have it.  You now know that I am a white trash tinsel loving, cookie eating, eggnog chugging, hopeless romantic who’s coolness ran out after eighth grade.  Aren’t you glad you stopped by?!