I’m at the BlogHer conference in Chicago and having a grand old time.
You’d think, given the cushy bed at the W hotel and the lack of 4-year old waking me at the break of dawn shouting MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY, that I would be well-rested and relaxed. But nooo, I have my pal and roommate Kathryn leaping from bed to bed in a makeshift Superman cape and singing vibrato until the wee hours… which is really just as bad. At least she’s not spooning me while I sleep… (sorry, Eve!) I guess that’s what happens when you agree to share a bed… and then the bed turns out to be MINI-full sized.
My eyelids are drooping, my head throbs, and I walk around in a fog saying things like, “who are you again?” to bloggers who I’ve idolized since the beginning of time. The lack of sleep is starting to wear on me, AND YET…
I cannot just GO TO BED. There is so much going on- so many people to meet, so much to learn, so much to THINK ABOUT- that the energy just spurs me onward. This conference is like the world’s biggest Red Bull.
It really is an adrenaline rush to be in this beautiful locale with so many women who are all so unique and different but also alike. Jory Des Jardins kept saying in “The State of the Momosphere” session that “Mommy Bloggers are incredibly powerful” and being here you really see and feel this. There is a buzz of energy permeating the air… the excitement, the passion, the potential.
I’ve heard so many things that have changed or shaped my thinking, have inspired me, overwhelmed me, and (occasionally) left me a little bit confused.
“How do you define success for your blog? You need to know how to define success for your blog!”
ACK! I haven’t defined success for my blog! What is SUCCESS for my blog?!?!?
“You need to have a one-sentence tagline that encapsulates everything you’re about.”
Huh? One sentence to say what I’m about? Is that possible? How do you DO that?
“Don’t be too broad. A blog will never be successful if it tries to cover too many topics. Pick a narrow focus and stick with it.”
(hyperventilating) oh boy oh boy oh boy I cover too many topics. Must focus Must focus Must focus Must focus… BUT WHAT SHOULD I FOCUS ON?
“You shouldn’t care about traffic. STOP CARING ABOUT TRAFFIC.”
okaaaaaaaaaay… that’s like telling me I shouldn’t eat an entire chocolate cake for dinner; or that I should be running five miles a day. Riiiight, thanks. It’s not the KNOWING I SHOULD that I have a problem with, it’s the DOING.
All of this can only end in one place.
I WILL NEVER BLOG AGAIN.
or
the confusion will wear off after a few hours sleep, and I’ll be back to terrorizing the Internet with my wacky ways.
Here’s hoping it’s the latter.
P.S. to all of you who aren’t here… I MISS YOU!
***
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xo Jen
July 28, 2007 at 2:53 pm
You shouldn’t care about traffic?
That seems kinda funny. Isn’t a good amount of traffic one of the reasons you get invited to Blogher?
Oh well, glad you’re having fun! You simply must come back and terrorize us with your wacky ways!!!!!
I love reading your posts. Always makes me smile.
July 28, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I miss you too!!!
July 28, 2007 at 4:24 pm
We miss you too. Glad you checked in. Sounds like they are trying to make blogging more like WORK. Stick on one topic. Make goals. Etc. Nah, just have FUN!
July 28, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Let’s see…what would a Ya-Ya do with all of those rules and regulations?
July 28, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I’m hoping for the latter! Glad you’re having a blast.
July 28, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I agree, go with the latter. Sounds like you’re having a fabulous time! Might I suggest that a cocktail would counter those Red Bull effects…?!
July 28, 2007 at 9:54 pm
It sounds like you are having fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it once you get back!
July 28, 2007 at 11:30 pm
How’s THIS for more traffic? You are welcome to cuddle with me next time…:)
July 29, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Sounds like a great time; albeit a lot like work conferences…. pretend to agree with the speakers, then go home and do what you do best. Have fun!
July 29, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I agree with Maureen.
Besides, you’re fabulous as you are. Your blog is fabulous as it is.
I mean, really, I wouldn’t bother coming here if you/it weren’t. =P
July 29, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Despite my jealousy, I am so glad that you’re having a good time. I gotta wonder . . .if you’re not worried about traffic, then why worry about focus, taglines, etc.?
July 30, 2007 at 3:38 am
Interesting information.
I understand the traffic one..although that is hard to do.
July 30, 2007 at 9:42 am
Awwww, that last line is so sweet. I miss you too!
July 30, 2007 at 3:24 pm
ACK.
I was in the same session and came away with the same feeling.
Oh, but I did learn that you can blog about LOTS of topics if you have a big personality, so I guess that could be my new tagline.
BLOGGING WITH A BIG PERSONALITY.
Also: none of us need to get published, there’s no money in it….
July 31, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Ugh. I so felt that way. If you would have spoken to me on Sunday morning I would have told you that I am quitting my blog forever. Not quite the spin you’d expect after a chummy she-ra-blog-pow-wow, hmmm? But I’m still here.
It was so nice meeting you!!!