MN Blogger Conference 2016

This way to the coffee. Yes!

 Saturday was the 7th MN Blogger Conference. As I apparently don't read and absorb information too well, I arrived an hour early for the start of the conference, not the 30 minutes I thought I was.I over prepared for construction (because Minnesota road construction always sucks) and parking issues, and had neither, plus in my head it started at 8:30 when it actually starts at 9:00. Taking advantage of the time, I thought, "let's start blogging about my day now." I'm a smidge hung over from our wine club river cruise last night. I didn't make a dent in the 37 wines, two liqueurs, and two spirits that were available to sample, but sure felt this morning like I had. I was so dehydrated!

MN Blogger Conference is in a bigger venue than last year so they could increase attendance, or at least have more spots available.  Last year there was a wait list and I ended up buying a ticket from someone else that ended up not being able to attend. DD1 was going to attend, but she had a work conflict and any of my friends with an interest weren't able to come. There was no wait list this year, so I have an extra ticket. I suppose I could grab her "stuff" but then I'd have to carry her free notebook, a really nice one at that and pen, around with me all day. Not doing it. I brought my camera, as it does have WiFi capability, but I haven't figured out how to configure that yet. Perhaps I'll get pointers later on. I'm a self proclaimed troglodyte.

 At this point, more people are starting to come so I made my way to the auditorium to start a little networking-and find coffee.The opening speaker, Jennifer Kane,was quite good, a mixture of entertaining, motivating, and informative, with the theme of Fierce and Fearless or vice versa. I feel neither I nor my blog is either synonym, so I tried to perk up to her tips. My two morning sessions were on unblocking writers block, and using live video. I am still trying to figure out the world of a recorded and edited video on YouTube so the presentation was interesting, but not applicable-now. It was presented by the wonderful Erica Hanna, who I've been stalking following on Twitter since I had a short chat with her at last years conference. I got a chance to do a little fan girling at the end of the day and thank her for the presentation. After  a little networking over lunch, I attended the session I was most looking forward to, "From Blog to Book" with Amy Zellmer who in just a short few years, turned a blog post on her experience with a traumatic brain injury into not one, but now a second book. Sessions on automation and pod casting, and final closing session on Marketing closed my day. I did not attend the after party this year, feeling pretty spent by 5:00 and wanting nothing more than my flannels and a comfy couch. 

The fierce, fearless, and fabulous Erica Hanna @meeterica

Take aways-

• I can't see myself making a real career out of blogging in the near future, but as a viable hobby, and way to meet like minded folks, I'll keep at it. But...one never knows.

• I need to just get off the dime and launch content on samandcoffee.com, and not worry about perfection. Also, a little video (even if not live) can go a long way. 

• Who knew Hennepin County library had so many free resources for aspiring writers? I do now.

• I like learning and feeling like a student again. Admittedly, 50% of today was over my technological comfort zone, but terms I've heard are no longer foreign, and I am inspired to explore new ways to improve my writing, my use of technology, and my enjoyment of this hobby. 

• Minnesota has some really creative people, and people willing to share their experiences and expertise. January weather still sucks, but the people are awesome.

Will I attend next year. Sure! Why not invest a day in learning new information, potentially new contacts, and new skills? The price was a bargain; early bird tickets at $20, and even with eating one of the two tickets, still low cost. I have another idea from just talking ideas out loud for yet another blog site, pulling bits I've touched on in a more singular purposed topic. We'll see how much cabin fever I get this winter before I dive into  another project. I do this though, get excited about ideas and then reality sets in, and energy wains.That whole full time job and a family thing. Still, hopefully in the last last year I applied some new strategies from the last conference that made my my blog and writing better and will do the same in the months to come. I even picked  up a few more followers on Twitter-wowsa, I'm at 110 now. Who's up for joining me in 2017?

One of my favorites, engraved on a university wall, fitting for the day.

An Over the Top Giddy Review of the MN Bloggers Conference

I had the opportunity to attend the 6th Minnesota Blogger's Conference yesterday.  Waking up in the dark but starting my day as the sun was rising on a perfect fall day that turned out to be yet another gift to Minnesota, set the tone for my mood.  I just kept feeling higher and higher as the day went on. Once parked, I got out of my car and walked a bit aimlessly wondering which direction to go to find the Couer de St Catherine's, the hub for the day. I needn't to have worried.  I met my first blogger of the day, My Life Caffeinated, a beautiful and friendly young blogger who was attending the conference for the first time as well.  We gravitated to the building together, chatting a mile a  minute the whole way, and found ourselves at the same table for opening remarks. We later "followed" each other through Twitter, and smiled and compared notes when we ran into each other through the day.

My first workshop was on deciding to blog or do a web site, and what is the difference anyway.  The presenter, was one of three creative minds behind, Family Fun Twin Cities, Gianna, who shared her take on the difference, and that both have meaning and purpose. To paraphrase, "A blog creates community, a web site solves a problem." While New Frame of Reference has been mostly for fun, I'm working on an actual web site, that I hope does just that for women (and men if they really want the female perspective) on navigating life resources for women beyond the mommy stage.  I even got so far last summer as buying a domain name, and getting a front page up, but with a note that it is under construction. Her workshop, plus affirmation from others yesterday, helped me decide I am going to move forward with this idea, and hope that 2016 will be the year Sam and Coffee is launched. Was it just coincidence that the first person I met also pays homage to caffeine?  I'll see it as an omen.

A terrific presentation on setting up an editorial calendar, was followed by me not getting space in a room on keyword and content, so I took a session on legal issues in blogging.  Very good, but I will add, I'm a touch scared.  Better to be scared than ignorant, right? The keynote speaker discussed his  journey of blogging as a creative outlet, to it opening doors and opportunities. My last two sessions were on security of web and blog sites and marketing.  The last session was a packed room again, and as I was trying to figure out where to take a seat on the floor, I saw a familiar looking woman. Here it was Lisa from Twin Cities Frugal Mom, who I follow on my blog roll, and I have seen her on several local news programs.  She was an incredibly nice person, and we had the opportunity to chat a bit about her blog and evolution, and my proposed venture. 

An after conference social gathering at a local microbrewery, first beer compliments of the sponsors, was just icing on the cake.  Hello's and shout outs to Alex, Debbie, Judy, and Jenny, for the great conversation, idea sharing, and kick start to my Sunday. Consistently through the day, I felt a connection with speakers, and fellow bloggers at tables. My estimation, the group was 20% professional blogger doing so as part of their full or part time paid gig, 20% blogging and writing as their livelihood,  20% blogging for nothing more than personal fun and creative outlet, and the remaining 40%, hoping like me, eventually it could open opportunities for either employment, or to supplement a second income or (early) retirement. The age range seemed to be college to seniors, with the bulk being 30 somethings, but the organizers truly made this event about building a community, where all voices were equally important. The event was even covered by one of the metro newspapers and here's the story, Minnesota Bloggers Compare Notes.  

I'm proud of myself for making the investment in myself. Time and money are precious and both were well spent. Though, I am not sure how the organizers did it, but the cost of the day was less than a catered lunch, which was included. I've got next year's date in my calendar already. Who knows who I'll meet next year.