Omigosh! Returned home today from Blog Her Food 2012 — my 1st food blogging conference. Well, my first blogging conference ever! What an amazing experience to meet/chat/socialize with hundreds of people who are passionate about food! (note to self: business cards
And I had a beautiful room at the Renaissance Hotel as well as a delicious meal (and mediocre wine but you can’t win ’em all), a short walking distance from the event hotel.
My only gripe is about the coffeemaker — no cups just Styrofoam cups? Oh and why no light switch to enter the bedroom???
I met great folks — Heather, United States of Motherhood, Megan, the Gluten Free Vegan, and the irrepressibly Jan, Heckerty especially stood out and of course, meeting Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman was a special highlight. She is as friendly and gracious in person as she seems on her blog and TV. Yes there was a pic taken and no I’m not showing posting on my blog. YES, we love cowboys! AND THE FOOD ….. No more needs to be said.
Even better was the enormous focus on learning. Finally I am starting to understand how social media is re-shaping our society and how businesses sell products/find customers. More importantly I see that blogging can be a business or a hobby. Knowing which one it is and keeping that front and center is critical.
I have a voice (for those who know me, you can insert “loud” voice) and am clear as to who I am as a ‘brand.’ It’s the technical stuff I need to learn — improve my photography skills, network with other bloggers, learn how to use all aspects of social media (woohoo Instagram and Pinterest I now know how to use!).
It’s exciting and frightening to stretch my comfort zone and develop new skills. It doesn’t hurt that I’m going to new cities for conferences … wheeeeeeee, travel’s always fun.
To my new friends from BlogHer Food 2012 — see you in Austin 2013.