Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Lessons Learned

October19

Things Blissdom ’08 taught me

Edited to add: Blissdom 08 was a blogging conference hosted by Blissfully Domestic.  The lovely bloggers speaking talked about marketing, making money, branding, etc – it was all about how to maximize your blogging efforts if you are looking to take blogging to the next level.  It was born after BlogHer cancelled their Nashville stop.

* Despite my tendency to not act like a “normal” girl, I do have girlie moments as evidenced by my husband suggesting that my outfit would be fine with different pants and the resulting meltdown over my not having any other pants that fit my post-partum ass self and my rejection of the suggestion that we go buy some because I don’t want to acknowledge that this current body of mine might be sticking around long enough to make purchases for it.  That was the longest run on sentence in the history of sentences.

* I’m breaking all of the rules for successful blogging and not in a cool rebel kind of way – more of a clueless doofus kind of way.

* Keep it short.  Ha.  See above for longest sentence ever.  I’m incapable of keeping it short.

* Twitter.  I’ve been ignoring it despite everyone talking about it.  I jumped.  I have no idea if I will use it much or not but you can find me as MichelleSmiles on Twitter.  So what – email is too slow now?  But all of the cool kids at Blissdom 08 love it so I’ll give it a try.

* People who make money at this gig work hard to do so.  Really hard.

* Remember to respect the brand – don’t think of yourself as “just” a mommy blogger.  You have the power to communicate to an audience.  Don’t underestimate the value of that power.  (“Because I’m strong enough and smart enough and dog-gone-it people like me.” Sorry…channeling Stuart Smiley for a moment there.)

* I don’t blog to make money (good thing considering I don’t).  I don’t want to turn my blog into a job or obligation.  I blog because it lets me connect with all of you on days when I might not leave the House of Poop and Whine.  It is cathartic and fun.  But I like hearing what others are doing – maybe some day I’ll have an idea for another kind of blogging gig where I might make a buck or two.  And if not, I still get to meet all of these great blogging queens.

* I have a girl crush on Megan after hearing her talk all day.  She acts out loud like I do in my head.  Love her.  Yet didn’t speak to her – I’m a dork.

* Swag bags rock!  Does anyone know what to do with a soap nut?  Now that I know they didn’t put turds in my swag  bag I’m trying to figure out what to do with them.

* My husband and children can survive 9 hours without me.  My blouse, however, doesn’t fair as well when I go that long without nursing.

* Epson made it possible for this fabulous free event.  They sent some of the Epson Artisan 800 printers to the event so pictures were being printed all day long.  I have to tell you that the pictures were great!  And it prints 8x10s – not just the little 4×6.

posted under blog
14 Comments to

“Lessons Learned”

  1. On October 20th, 2008 at 6:32 am Brenda Says:

    You lost me on this whole blog. I think you were speaking another language..haha

  2. On October 20th, 2008 at 7:08 am Vanessa Says:

    Thsanks for sharing the Mpnday ramblings:)

  3. On October 20th, 2008 at 7:09 am Jamie Says:

    When I got the email notification you were following me on twitter, I was like YES! Another convert. hahaha

    Twitter is fun though and super addicting!

  4. On October 20th, 2008 at 8:12 am mama k Says:

    Sounds like you had a good time. I am resisting Twitter. Really, I have far too many computer time-sucks right now. And I love Soap Nuts! (I know. You are shocked. haha)

  5. On October 20th, 2008 at 7:25 pm Lori @ Front Porch Legacy Says:

    Hi Michelle! It was great meeting you at Blissdom and now I’ll have to pop on over to Twitter and find you there. Trust me…you’ll end up loving Twitter!

  6. On October 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm Bobbi Says:

    WHat is twitter??? Geez, blogging, facebook, twitter??? AAAAAAHHHHH when will I have time to raise my children??

    Sounds like you had a fun time. And, that your family survived without you is great. Oh, I remember the days without the girls when I was nursing–there is always a consequence isn’t there, when you are a Mom?

  7. On October 20th, 2008 at 9:13 pm Rhonda Says:

    have never heard of TWITTER? glad you enjoyed your time out. everyone needs that!

  8. On October 21st, 2008 at 8:06 am melany Says:

    Hey – Twitter with me! “pilarina”… I’m going to look for you now. I started mine for my little business and don’t really know how to use it much yet – but I’m trying. Just to be hip. 😉

  9. On October 21st, 2008 at 8:42 am karla | looking towards heaven Says:

    i’m so glad that you were able to make it! wonderful to see you.

    xo ~K

  10. On October 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am Sarcastic Mom Says:

    So you know what I forgot to tell you when I saw you that day? Your hair looked so great! I totally thought it right when I saw you, and I’m a dummy so I didn’t say it out loud.

    🙂

  11. On October 21st, 2008 at 10:52 am Jamie Says:

    I’m so glad you were able to get out of the house and escape to BlissDom! It was great seeing you.

    p.s. still resisting Twitter….must try the soap nuts, though 😉

  12. On October 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 am carla Says:

    Im your sister in clueless blogging and just seeing what happens.

    Im pretending its deliberate.

  13. On October 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm Brianna Says:

    What did your kids think of the books in the swag bag? I’m curious because I’m the author of We Are Girls Who Love to Run and I love to get feedback from KIDS and their parents! 🙂 Stop by my blog and say hello sometime – and be sure to let me know if you review the book (or have your kids do it!). I’ll send my readers your way.

    Oh, and you’ll find that I’m notorious for NOT keeping it short on my blog, though I’m working on it!

  14. On October 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm Samantha Says:

    the first rule of a true girl crush is not speaking to the person that is on the receiving end of said crush. nice work.

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