And so, my first ever conference for bloggers comes to a screeching halt.
NOOOOO!!!
I was just beginning to learn at the feet of giants! And by this I mean, bloggers who have been blogging way longer than I and who have far more experience than this gal from Queens, aka, me. Though, true, today does mark my one-year anniversary of blogging. Hooray for me!
But I was beginning to recognize that Mommy Bloggers--of which I am not one--are the new Soccer Moms, and they sure have a lot of clout! Witness all the private parties, luncheons, spa treatments, hosted by big-ticket sponsors—just for them! From what I could tell, Mommy Bloggers represent 75% of all bloggers. But that is solely based on how 2 out of 3 bloggers I met were MB’s.
Here’s what else I discovered:
Bloggers are very supportive of each other: I met many a blogger willing to answer my questions and offer me tips of the trade. Like, how mediabistro.com is a great site for anyone who creates or works with content, and I can learn my clout score by going to klout.com, which determines your level of engagement in social media. I’m a 37 and my score increased by 1 point over the past day (which I assume is a result of attending the conference and tweeting like crazy while I was there).
Here, I'm with She Writes member and Assignment & Syndication Editor, Rita Arens. Rita participated on a panel, "Owning Your Beauty: If We Change the Conversation, Can We Change the Culture?"
She Writes member, Lauren Marie Fleming, strikes a fancy, happy pose.
Lisa Stone, Co-Founder & CEO of BlogHer, moderates closing keynote with, from left to right: Fatemeh Fakhrale, Ricki Lake, and Carol Jenkins. The topic, "Women in the Media, Women Making Media." Very insightful and empowering.
After all is said and done, I got a chance to sit down with Lisa Stone, Co-Founder and CEO of BlogHer, and let her know just how much the conference meant to me. Lisa gave a big shout out to Kamy and She Writes. "I LOVE She Writes!" Lisa exclaimed.
Well, it's officially over. I made lot of contacts, new friends--and so many memories!
So adieu, BlogHer11. Thank you for giving me plenty of opportunities to network and nosh. It was sheer heaven!
From what I understand, you have to get the attention of corporate sponsors. You have to build a robust following, and I don't know what else. Mommy bloggers are a strong force. I think it helps if your writing about kids 12 and younger, which is why I don't feel like I'm a Mommy blogger. My kids aren't kids anymore, and I don't always write about them, anyway. We should ask a genuine Mommy blogger. Chances are, the word mom or mommy is their blog's name.
So what does one have to do to get into that exclusive Mommy Blogger club? I could use a spa treatment and private party. I am a mom. And I blog. Is there certain content criteria or certain % of poopy diaper or truculent teenagers stories you have to post to earn the key to that club? Glad it went so well. I think I'm getting ready to up my game, so next year might be the year to go (and I know my husband wouldn't mind being loose a few days in NY).