Just got back from the blogging convention in San Diego (that was the Lede). I experienced a lot and most, not all, of it was good (that was the Hook). But met lots of cool, smart, savvy women and there was loads of energy and buzz. My pretension meter did go off a few times, however. And I was aware that “savvy” sometimes goes hand in hand with “weary.” But there was so much to learn and many kind women to chat up. For example, I learned about the basic format of journalistic writing–Lede, Hook, Nut graph, Kicker (this is the Nut Graph). Here are some more things I gleaned:
- We bloggers should wait a few hours before compulsively hitting “publish” after we write a blog entry–so that things can settle and we can come to it fresh. We need to look for echoes. We need to edit for length.
- There are a lot of women with mom/coupon/money-saving blogs. You can find great deals at RainingHotCoupons and GreenBacksGal and MommySavers.
- I am the world’s worst Tweeter. I tried my best. But I don’t really like it and must try harder. My friend Elaina and I would sit at tables of women and no one would be talking. Everyone was staring at their phones tweeting. I felt terribly old fashioned and rather out of the loop. But maybe not in a bad way. At least Elaina and I could chat.
- The CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi, is winning and warm. I believe her when she says that an ice cold Pepsi is “to die for.” She spoke about the trouble with being a wife/mother/CEO. I think any woman wanting to work and raise her family has so many sacrifices and choices to make. I am struggling with that myself. But imagine being the CEO of Pepsi and raising kids. That gave me a lot of perspective. Did you know that Pepsi uses Stevia in some of its products? At least that’s progress, right? In fact, because large companies want to captivate the blogosphere and get good viral PR, many large corporations were on hand selling the benefits of their products to us. I’m not sure that McDonalds’ new healthy oatmeal offering is going to win them a get-out-of-jail card from this blogger, however.
- Here is a book that looks funny: Got M I L F? The Modern Mom’s Guide to Feeling Fabulous, Looking Great and Rocking a Minivan. M I L F author, Sarah Maizes spoke on pitching a book. She was lovely and generous with her ideas. Watch the trailer for her book here. Funny.
- Met some really lovely women like Kate from PeepThread and Carrien Blue of the Charis Project and Lilian from ChineseGrandma.
For me, my blog has always been a place where I put all my favorite things. I am reexamining this now that it is a platform for my products and brand and I do think change is afoot (this is the Kicker). I don’t have many readers and am grateful if you are reading this. I write here as a way to complete a process–a process begun by the making and sewing of stuff and completed by the telling and showing here. I feel honored that people read my thoughts. The implication of a listener in this big, quiet, anonymous void is rather nice … even if no one is actually there. I have a lot to think about since BlogHer, but I am too busy working to think!
I will leave you with a quote I heard there:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman
(And now, instead of waiting overnight to hone my writing and make this post better, I am going to hit “publish.” I’ll edit it later.)
thanks for a great post. 🙂
I’m so glad we got to spend some time together there not tweeting 🙂 I love that quote. I’m glad you told me what a nut graph is too. 😀
I am so glad you enjoyed the panel and honored you thought enough of me to mention my book! You…in my book…are O.K.! Best, Sarah
By the way, your designs are GORGEOUS!
Thank you for the mention! Especially after I stalked you with your two sweet kids in the elevator. 🙂 Your designs are amazing! Please let me know how I can get the word out.
it was great meeting you & i hope to see you again here in phoenix. i may ring you once our school schedule relaxes and settles.
First of all – I’m horrible at tweeting too! 2nd – I wish I sat next to you at BlogHer – but alas I was not there at all – so you win on that one. 3rd – I came to your blog because of a lego sewing machine. I’m going to make mine in Green – but I wonder now if I have all the right pieces. 4th: I too am a mom – trying to figure it all out (the way to do it all) If you figure it out first – I’d love a heads up! and Finally – my blog has been a way for me to share my “things” (recipes, tutorials, history) with my girls and anyone else that wants to read…So now I have to go read the “kicker” because I worry I should be changing too. Great post. Thanks! – kg