On Thursday until Saturday I attended Blissdom Canada – a conference to discuss social media, public relations, blogging and online engagement.
I feel like I am still processing everything, but WOW I had such a great time. It was likely the combination of learning (which I love to do) and seeing/connecting with so many people that I don’t get to hang with every day (and some that I get to see more often but was able to have a blast with – Ottawa peeps I’m looking at you!).
I’ve decided to write out short lists to summarize the ocean of thoughts I have about the past couple of days in my head. There’s just so much swimming around up there, I need to get it down and break it apart.
My favourite parts (and the stuff they can’t accurately describe on the website)
- Meeting people that I have spoken with online for years, but don’t live near me. There were hugs (some awkward) and laughing and awesomeness.
- Seeing people that I don’t get to see nearly enough. Sometimes it seems like Toronto and the surrounding area is so close. Then I remember how far it is because so many people I love to be with are there.
- Ottawa represents – we are a fun crowd. Can I say that? Ottawa is special. Seriously, yes, I’m bragging, but we are our own community. It’s an inclusive group and we support each other. Love it.
- I got to dress up! Ok, that’s not what it’s all about, but I don’t get to do it often and it was fun.
- I am surrounded by talented and supportive people. How many times did I get to congratulate talented women this weekend on their new/continuing ventures? How many did I get to listen to talk about their strengths and share their goals and tips. Countless. I felt loved all weekend.
- Secret: All that chatting and meeting with people and mingling is stressful for me. No, really it is. It exhausts me. I do it because it’s rewarding – people are fun and I really have fun! But my anxieties leave me feeling silly sometimes or thinking I sounded like a dork (and yes, sometimes I did ha!). And yet, I NEVER once felt judged. Or unwelcome. Or foolish. I felt like I was with my people. And it was during the opening remarks that I realized that.
What I learned: From Panels to Conversations – Taking it back to the blog
- I want to improve my writing, but do to that I need to keep finding my voice. But to do that, I have to be less guarded. No matter what though, I get to decide where to go with it (and I like that!)
- I love doing what I’m doing – blogging, sharing, connecting. It’s a perfect fit for me.
- I write about community giving and even if my blog is small, I think my online voice has a way to help.
- I love helping others – other bloggers, small business owners. Even if it’s just sharing an idea or offer small piece of ‘how to’ help, I really want to continue to do that.
- My blog is my business. The minute I decided to monetize I had to start treating it like that. I Have to get my admin in even better order.
- I don’t need to work with brands to be a good blogger. I will remain selective of those I work with.
- I love Bit of Foodsense and it needs some more attention – which I am going to give it.
What’s Next?
- More blogging on Bit of Foodsense.
- Better time management for Bit of Momsense so I can focus only on great content – and those brands/advertisers I work with that are the best fit for me and my readers.
- Make more time to connect with people. I’ve been able to do it more in Ottawa, but now I want to see all those awesome Toronto area people more!
- Learn to write better. Chip away at some of the walls I put up, the lack of confidence and work to improve my writing.
Areas I’d love to see focused on next year:
- Focus on Social Media and small business/entrepreneurs
- The business of blogging – the conversation about monetization has been open, but if we are going to monetize, it becomes a business. What does that mean? What’s different?
- How small blogs make a difference, are of value and have their own niche. Stats are important and tell a story but they aren’t everything.
- More time for connecting outside of sessions – this may be impossible but there’s so much value in it!
- ETA (just thought of this): Community Management and jobs/careers IN/about Social media
Conferences like these are incredible work to put together, and I can’t thank the organizers enough for hosting a wonderful weekend. This was my first time and I loved it. Meeting everyone and participating was valuable for not only my blog but more importantly for me.
If you were at Blissdom and I didn’t get to meet you, I’m sorry. And I mean that because as I had suggested to others, I wish there was a way to meet every participant in a reception line (or speed dating way as someone said) just to be able to put names and faces together. The smiles of so many lovely people warmed my heart and lifted me in ways that can’t be explained.
Lastly, I ate supper at a place with sushi on mini boats that floated around where we sat and I could grab sushi off the boats. Sure, maybe it was the company that made this a hilarious and fun time, but it was pretty awesome. 🙂
Thanks for the memories and motivation Blissdom Canada!
I think you’re pretty awesome 🙂
Ditto Waldo
I followed #Blissdom on Twitter when I could. It sounds like it was a fabulous conference. I might force myself to go to a conference next year. My biggest roadblock, is that I am a Mom first and I find it overwhelming and frustrating to go and be so inspired because I want to do more but I can’t because my time is allocated to my young family first. All in time…
Jayda, you know I left early to get back to my family right? I am still having trouble leaving them lol It is all step by step – and it’s no fun to go to an event and not enjoy it because we are missing home. I hope you think about going – there’s a lot to take away!
Ottawa bloggers are awesome, if I do say so myself. 🙂 I didn’t walk away with as much as I hoped from the panels but the connections were incredible. Amazing women at Blissdom.
high five for Ottawa! So many amazing women – and the support blows my mind. I agree about the panels – I was left wanting more but was happy to find a nugget or two in each 😉
I’m sorry I didn’t get to chat with you.
I really related to your comment about walls in your writing. I find when I stay “safe” it’s boring (so no one visits) but when I branch out, no one is there because I bored them previously. It’s really hard to write outside of your comfort zone when writing about your life and the people and things in it. There are so many boundaries to respect outside of our own.
Good on you for figuring out the goals you want to achieve so soon after the conference. Hope the journey to achieving them is a good one! 🙂
I’m sorry too! I left early (Saturday at noon) and there’s never enough time – like I said, I should have stepped out on one session to visit more 😉 The writing thing will be my hardest journey I think. I have much to learn
So glad that we were able to chat if even for just what seemed like a few seconds..and I am with you on learning to write better.
It’s always too brief – and yes, I look forward to more writing convos!
You Ottawa bloggers REPRESENTED. I was impressed. And envious of the community you all have.
I’m glad you enjoyed Blissdom Canada. Good luck on your goals!
I Love Ottawa – and the people 🙂 Thanks! I need the goals to help guide me. If I move away from them they won’t be failures, just shifts in the plan 😉
I would have loved to have sushi on boats with you!!! Next time K?! 🙂
It was great to see you again!!
Sushi. On a boat. Coming to me. I mean, really Shannon it was awesome 😉 – let’s make plans 🙂
I’m loving hearing all about Blissdom, and I hope that maybe next year I can find the time to go! I think many of us find these conferences a bit exhausting. It’s hard talking to so many people you don’t know 🙂 Great goals for the next year, and I look forward to seeing what you do!
Thanks Misty – I needed to write down some goals. They push me 😉 I hope you can go next year!
It was nice to chat with you, if only briefly, and I would love to continue the conversation. I find it hard to believe that the networking is hard on you because you do it so well. I admire you for that.
Looking forward to seeing the progress you make on your goals.
Thanks Brie. I’ve heard that before about my networking which is why I thought it important to say. I struggle. But I do it because it always ends up being rewarding (despite that voice that sits on my shoulder telling me no one likes me the whole time 😉 It’s taken YEARS to do this. And these events remind me that stepping out of my comfort zone reaps great rewards (mostly in the form of awesome people 😉 Looking forward to chatting more about writing!!
Wow, it is so powerful how you’ve taken the experience and the learning and turned it into a vision and a plan! That totally rocks!
Thank you! But that’s soooo the type of person I am. I need a plan. Goals. A List to really move forward and feel accountable 😉 I’m like the little engine that could chugging ‘I can do it…” over and over if I write it down 😉
So glad we got to chat, however briefly! That is the best part of the meals.
I found it hard to find opportunities for deep conversations – in sessions and informally. I really crave that depth and I just couldn’t find it. I’m sure it had something to do with having the baby there. As welcomed as she was, she distracted me and made conversations difficult (mostly because they centered around her!)
I love that you have next steps…I need to develop some of those. My blog has been all but dead for over a year.
I agree, I wanted more conversations, but was hopping around too much – a curse to try to take it all in. Write out your goals/steps. Even if they aren’t spot on in the end, having them written down or something to aim for will really help!
It was so great meeting you and all the other Ottawa tweeps! Ottawa totally rocks! As does sushi floating my way on a wee boat 😉
We’ll have to do more Ottawa get togethers 😉
I loved the social aspect of the conference. I need to make more time for that in my daily life. Also, while I’m not a huge sushi fan, sushi on a boat is the only way I’ll eat it now.
I’m glad that BlissDom helped you figure out your goals and focus. I look forward to the attention to a Little Bit of Foodsense. I enjoy those recipes.
This weekend I need to look at Bit of Foodsense. I have great contributors and love food so it’s a great fit 😉 Also, we’ve been chumps eating sushi without a boat before 😉
I loved spending time with you. WE have so much in common! I love your recipes from Little Bit of Foodsense. Not sure if I told you that before… and I look forward to reading your posts.
xo
Seriously heart you. Let’s get together more. And know what I would have dressed up as if I stayed for the costume party? Sookie Stackhouse (Chapters had shirts/aprons!!) But, Sookie who is hot for Eric, not ‘alone Sookie’ nonsense 😉
Aw I love that I’m in your post with you! And I’m so glad you wrote this post because now I don’t have to 😉 I get nervous around other people and I’m not outgoing and I really want to meet new people but it’s not my forte. I would love the change for more focused opportunities to connect with other bloggers and for the opportunity to learn about social media and small businesses. I find balancing my personal blog brand and my business tricky and I’d love to learn more about how to do it!
aw thanks Sara 😉 I agree about focused opportunities – smaller panels/group discussions? Niche focused? And yes, SM and Small business would be a much needed focus. I hope you keep your blogging up! love it
You Ottawa folks really ARE special. 🙂
we wear it with pride 😉
That sounds like a lot of fun. I wish I could have been there. Glad you were able to make it!
I hope you can make it in future years Chantal!!
I’m so glad you had fun…the Ottawa crowd does sound special and I love that you learned so much during such a fun atmosphere. It is a pleasure to work with you and hang with you online! Great article!
Great having a quick breakfast with you! I love when events give you great takeaways!
I love your post. I am thinking about going next year, and am particularly interested in the whole small blog thing being important. I would also like to know more about how to turn a small blog big, and whether that is even possible with a family and full-time job.
It’s really hard to write outside of your comfort zone when writing about your life and the people and things in it. It sounds like it was a fabulous conference.