Window to my Digital Soul

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AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!! That describes the SITS Bloggy Bootcamp I attended in Baltimore. This was the fourth blogging conference I’ve attended in the last year and the smallest, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I had heard some positive feedback from the SITScation in Las Vegas last October (and so jealous I couldn’t attend), so I was expected to be WOWed. And I was!

I don’t like comparing conferences because each one has it’s own purpose and I’ll do another post on that. Bloggy Bootcamp was a 1 day conference with less than 100 attendees. The vibe from this conference is one of inclusion. No one feels left out. I hadn’t met @SITSgirls before, but by the time I left Bloggy Bootcamp, I found myself referring to her as Tiff. (Sorry Tiffany if you don’t like that shortened version of your name, but it shows how open and warm you are). Everyone was really open and warm and it felt like I’d known them all for years (most I just met).

How it started

Tiffany started the Bloggy Bootcamp because she wanted to bring something small to the local areas and she didn’t want one person to stand alone and feel out of place. She definitely accomplished that with the Bloggy Bootcamps. And on top of that I learned a lot. I was concerned about the sessions because there weren’t any choices. We all sat through the same sessions, but there was definitely something for everyone. With each of the speakers, we all had assigned tables. I was a tad nervous about this at first, but this is set up so that we all meet many new people and no one ever sits alone. By the end of the day, I loved it!

Bloggy Bootcamp Morning

In the more beginner session, there was a lot of interaction between the speakers, @SITSGirls @mamakatslosinit, @ScaryMommy and those of us listening. I learned some new tips and tricks. It never hurts to take a refresher course on the topics you think you know a lot about.

Then @resourcefulmommy rocked the PR Roadmap. I came away with a plan of action to make my blog more PR friendly and what to do in different situations.

Bloggy Bootcamp Lunch

We took a break for lunch where we also had assigned tables. The conversation at the table was just an extension of the sessions. I learned a lot from my lunchmates and enjoyed hearing about their blogs and sharing information. The food was delicious. I do not know what the sauce was on the chicken breast, but it used a roll to be sure I soaked up every last bit of the sauce. Then the decadent (to steal FitBloggin’s, Roni’s word) chocolate cake was mouth watering yummy. Think layers of moist chocolate cake with fudgy chocolate between the layers. Then on top there was a smooth milky chocolately fudgey frosting like topping with chocolate chips sprinkled on top. Add a bit of raspberry (I think that’s what it was) sauce, whipped cream (I left that on the plate) and a strawberry and you have the most decadent chocolate cake I have every tasted. I ate every last bit!

Bloggy Bootcamp Afternoon

After lunch, @feelslikehome showed me that SEO matters and it doesn’t have to be scary and complicated. She broke it down into manageable steps and great examples and instructions. I once again have a plan of action for my blog and SEO. UPDATE: Tara posted her Bloggy Bootcamp SEO presentation on her blog.

The afternoon networking session was a bit more relaxed and no assigned tables. We all had a chance to meet many people so no one had to sit alone. We just chatted, networked, ate jello pudding, took pictures, exchanged biz cards, laughed, tweeted, whrrled and enjoyed our new friendships.

Then @justicefergie (who I had planned to meet, but never go to) explained some of the FTC guidelines to us in simple and plain english! I didn’t think that was possible, but she did it and now I feel more confident that I’m doing all that I should be doing.

At the end of the Bloggy Bootcamp, I was sad for it to be over. I met so many wonderful people and learned so much. Saturday night will get it’s own blog post. @TheBudgeBunch and I had an interesting eventing.

Bloggy Bootcamp Thanks Video

I am much better at showing my appreciation that writing about it, so I created this video to thank the SITS Girls for a wonderful Bloggy Bootcamp. I know this song is a “love” song, but if you think of it in terms of friendships & blogging, this is the perfect song….

More to come on my new friends, what I learned and my Saturday night adventure. Thank you to the Pier 5 hotel. They were very gracious hosts and everyone was super nice. The rooms were very warm, just like the entire conference.

Bloggy Bootcamp will be in several other cities in 2010. Go to the Bloggy Bootcamp website and see if they are coming to a city near you. It is definitely worth attending. I know I plan on attending the one in Philly.