I came, I saw, I conquered!
…that would be my fear I conquered.
I went to Blissdom Canada and I survived. I’m gonna tell you right now, I was a good 15 – 25 years older than the majority of the over 400 attendees. In fact, I could probably count on both hands the people that were my age (and most of those were speakers). I truly enjoyed it all. Everyone was beyond friendly and helpful, and the conference was first class.
Here’s how it went…
I did not get lost on the way there. I wrote about that fear in my earlier I’m Scared post. Really, all I had to do was take a flight to Toronto, find my luggage, call a cab, and check into the hotel (ha! but yes, I was scared).
Have I mentioned that I met up with my daughter, Jo-Anna? She blogs at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs. It was the highlight of my experience to be able to spend time with her and watch as she navigated her way through the conference. She knows her stuff and is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.
She is also an extremely forgiving roommate. It’s quite possible that I snore. Add to that the fact that I picked up a nasty cold… and nasty cold plus snorer = well, you can imagine…
I rode my daughter’s coattails the whole time. We ate together, attended sessions together, and went to a couple cocktail hours together. I disappeared to my room to avoid the parties, but other than that I didn’t miss much.
Every day I was in awe as I listened to all these young women as they discussed working with brands, choosing advertising companies, and writing sponsored posts. They have created a business from their blog, and they want to grow it. Blogging is big, and companies are noticing.
For the hands-on workshop, I choose to participate in “Creative BIG storming” with Marilyn Barefoot. A bit out of my comfort zone, but that was the whole idea. Take a totally random image or word, and by association, come up with as many new ideas as possible. Nothing was too crazy. Write them down.
I enjoyed the inspirational speakers, I laughed and I cried (really) at their words, and came away with a renewed sense of what my blog is about.
So here’s the truth:
- Just thinking about working with ad agencies and brands exhausts me.
- Sponsored posts are fun, to a degree. When I write a sponsored post, it has to be about something I like, and something that I believe in. However, I don’t expect to be inundated with offers any time soon…
- Social media is king. If you want to attract advertisers or sponsors, you have to have a large reach with Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. For some reason, G+ was not even mentioned (I was a bit disappointed in that).
- Twitter is like a tunnel (think Alice in Wonderland) but I am proud to say I’m experimenting with it (learn something new…). During sessions and while people were speaking, everyone was tweeting constantly (about whatever the subject was at the time). This was encouraged, and the tweets would show up on a big screen at the front of the room… all new to me. I have to admit, I had a hard time following it all.
- At times I felt invisible (to brands). No offence to anyone… this was a conference aimed at young entrepreneurs, and I knew it. It did not diminish my sense of self-worth at all.
- Quite simply, I just like to take photographs and write about them.
- I know who my tribe is (and you know who you are).
And now, about the photos…
Blissdom Canada had employed a lovely photographer by the name of Anna Epp to take portraits. I thought, what the heck, and went for it. Whenever else would I be wearing a jacket?
Bless her soul; she managed to clean me up a bit while still keeping it real!
well, you look great!!! i’d have been in your age group or even older. :)
i wholeheartedly agree with your last two statements. i don’t blog for vendors or products. i blog to share beauty and wonder with my friends all over the world. :)
Thank you, TexWisGirl!
You look beautiful and younger than you think. I’m so glad that you attended the conference. More ideas to bubble in your mind. I so enjoy reading your posts and blog. Always inspirational, honest, and beautiful photos. And you know, the whole back thing could have very well started with your nerves about going….Hope all is fine now!!
Thank you, Kathy! I love that you enjoy my blog! I have a suspicion that you are right about my back, tense muscles and one wrong move = disaster! I am mostly better – it’s still sore but it doesn’t limit me in any way.
You’re head shots are fantastic! Glad you went and enjoyed yourself. Also good that your daughter was there. I went to a local photography club meeting last month and there were so many people that I got a panic attack and had to leave. It really helps to be with someone if one (me) is not confident in social situations/crowds/parties.
Thank you, Gail! So sorry you had to leave the photography meeting – I totally get it though!
You look great Barb! Love your entire post. I hope you know I’m one of your tribe.
I admire your courage for participating in Blissdom. I can so relate to your being “scared” and the various emotions you’re speaking of here. I also admire your amazing photos AND your layouts at Digital Scrapper. You’re a truly talented and gifted artist with both your photography and scrapbooking. I wanna be just like you when I grow up! (I’m PRETTY sure we’re close to the same age, I may be older than you! LOL)
Thank you so much, Cheryl! You are most definitely one of my tribe :) and I am humbled by your admiration of my work… and may I say you yourself are not lacking in the talent department!
I love your head shots! And I had such a great time at BlissDom with you…it made the experience there so wonderful! How lucky that we were able to do this together!
Thank you, Jo!
Lovely post, Barb, so nice you had a wonderful time together with your daughter !
Gorgeous portraits, you look great !
Happy weekend,
Sylvia
Thank you, Sylvia!
Love the look Barb you look very cool… The conference sounds very pressured and it looks like you have come away with plans …
Thanks, Viv!
You’re beautiful, Barb! I love the portrait!!! And what a very informative, thought-provoking post. Thank you!
Thank you, Dotti!
You look like quite the sassy businesswoman. I hear ya about the advertisers. I noticed you stared following me on Twitter. I guess that means I should tweet something. :O Glad you enjoyed and got clarity for where you’re headed with your blog.
What a great picture….You are so pretty and I love that haircut….So glad you had a good time at the convention and that you were able to spend time with your daughter…..Sounds like it was definitely a win win trip….
Good for you. Doing something that scared you – even just a little. We learn so much from every new experience, don’t we?
So glad that you fought the nerves, went, and had a great time. And there you are – it was worth it – you even got some great photographs taken!
Oh so glad you had a great time Barb, and loved reading about your trip. I could so relate you talking about going back to your room and making it an early night. Love seeing you and you are beautiful, great portrait. Very interesting about how all of this works with advertising, not something I would care to get into. I know a lot of people do and I think you really have to want it to because I would think it would really be a job.
Oh my goodness Barb you look wonderful and so gorgeous. What an awesome photo of you. Sounds like you has an fab time.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ummm, you definitely don’t look the age that you’ve stated. Great to see your personal list of what you know you gain from blogging. And I’m so pleased you enjoyed your trip and time with your daughter. Renee
So proud of you, Barb! Love the new picture!
I really like the portrait of you – good that you went for it! I have never been to a blogging event or a conference like you describe here although we do have some of those in the Bay Area. I probably would be scared as well, so I congratulate you for the conquer! Very well done.
What a grand time you had and the bonus was spending all that time with your daughter. Love the picture, and so glad you managed to bury those fears and totally enjoy the conference. I know what you mean about being “older” than the crowd….that is how I feel everytime I attend anything like this. But I figure, it’s never too late to learn new things in life.
great photos! and great that you went to the conference – sometimes just taking it all in is the best…you never know what might percolate and come to the surface later…