FL Blog Con 2014

It was my second year attending the FL Blog Con, and once again, I left full of information and totally inspired to get out there and make my blog work. This year's theme was "Gotta Get Blogging" and that's exactly what I wanted to do as soon as I left.

The keynote was from Ted Murphy of IZEA. I had seen some flyers and mention of IZEA at last year's blog con, but was so grateful to get a look at the start of the company, and how they are trying to help bloggers like us.

Then I was off to my first session, photography with Julie Deily of The Little Kitchen. I learned overall that lighting matters, sometimes you just don't like you pics, and above all, edit. And in the end practice, practice. practice, you can only get better.

Next I attended the writing workshop with Adam Avitable. Another great session, where we learned the importance of editing.

Unfortunately, it was a very rainy day in Orlando, but the gloominess only moved lunch and the after party inside. It was a little cramped, and took a little longer than usual to get food, but I did really like the Tijuana Flats for lunch. I was so happy to see them using a local company. And I love me some Mexican food.

Since the lunch time was all messed up and took longer than planned, I wasn't able to make it to any of the lunch sessions. But I did check out all of the great sponsors in the Florida Dairy Farmers lounge. (And I might have had some ice cream.)

After lunch, I got tons of business info from Heather Lopez about Turning from Hobby to Business. Then I went to the Monetizing Your Blog session, which was a great panel that included 3 different companies (Crystal from IZEA, Brandon from Affiliate Manager, and Matthew from Sonobi)  that help bloggers and social media influencers get with brands and get compensated. (I got too into this session, cause I didn't take any pics!)

One of the surprises sessions for me was the Instagram session. Nicole Siscaretti of Sparkly Ever After was great, fun, and so excited to share her Instagram knowledge. If you're not following my Instagram, do it now!

Then we learned all about Pecha Kucha in the closing keynote. It's so interesting and such a cool way to communicate.

We got a pecha kucha demo from Katy Widrick. Had to laugh along with her 10 Secrets Only Bloggers Really Know About Blogging.

I love going to this event. It leaves me inspired to share and do even more here on my little corner of the internet. And it's great being with like minded people. My bestie, Kris, is toying with the idea of starting a blog so this was a great place for her to get her feet wet with the whole thing. And see the type of crazy I'm involved in.

I even ended up meeting some South Florida peeps there. I'd love to have a blogger meetup here in the 305, so any Miami-Dade bloggers, hit me up, so we can meet up and chat.

Florida Blog Con

A few weeks ago I went to my first Blog Con. I attended FL Blog Con in Orlando. As soon as I saw tickets opened up I got one. And I was very glad I did.

The theme was "Aiming for Awesome" and if we didn't have our sights set on being awesome, they sure are there now.

I learned tons about making my blog work and making it even better. I heard talks from people all over the blog world from comedy to fashion, fitness to DIY.

Here are a few tidbits of what I learned at FL Blog Con:

• From Pat Williams (keynote speaker): "When your greatest talent intersects with your greatest passion, you've hit your sweet spot."
• From Katy Widrick: first impressions are important.
• From J's Everyday Fashion: It is possible to do it.
• From Julie of The Little Kitchen: Create a tribe. It's all about building relationships.
• From Adam Avitable: Don't be afraid to be yourself.
• From Katie of Katie's Cucina and Sew Woodsy: Charge what it's worth.
• From Pam of Marketing Nutz: You are the media!

I also got to meet some great Florida bloggers. It was nice to talk to people that actually "get" this whole blog thing. It was tons of info to take in, but it was all so worth it. I feel like I have so many awesome ideas now, I just need time to make them all happen.

FL Blog Con also had great sponsors and tons of goodies throughout the day. There was coffee from Barnies (though a little cafecito instead of just American coffee would have been great!) And thesr was also lunch from Bahama Breeze. After all the sessions ended there was also a great after party right in the Full Sail backlot. It was great to be able to listend to some cool music, have some food and drinks and best of all, yummy cupcakes.

I can't wait til next year, so I can learn even more and meet more cool bloggers. A big thanks goes out to Bess and the whole planning committee, for putting together such an amazing event!

Social Media Day

This past Sunday was Mashable Social Media Day. There was a big Social Media Day event going on in Miami and my friend Godfree from Gamertag Radio let me know about it. We both registered and headed out to the event.

Social Media Day Miami was held at the Knight Concert Hall downtown at the Adrienne Arsht Center. It was a cool place to get everyone together.

The day was more than just a social networking day (though there was plenty of that too). There were about 40 different sessions and tons of great speakers and panels on a variety of topics. I learned tons about social media, and about business too.

It was great to see so many people in Miami interested in new media and willing to share and learn more about it. Check out the huge crowd at the event (and feel free to play Where's Waldo to find me).


picture from Social Media Day Miami

I learned so much at Social Media Day and even found a few new-to-me Miami blogs too. This was an awesome event, and I can't wait to attend again next year.



Did you participate in your local Social Media Day?