Ten of the top things that I took away from SITS Bloggy Boot Camp this weekend:
10- There’s no reason not to share. Expertise, ideas, etc. We can build each other up.
9- Be Switzerland. Amy from Resourceful Mommy had some great advice. Be professional and steer clear of the drama.
8- Transparency doesn’t mean telling everything to everyone. It means that you’re authentic.
7- “Reach” is not just about page views. Your blog reach is so much more than that (twitter following, Facebook exposure, real-life influence, etc)
6- If it’s not obvious, disclose it! (and even better–don’t stress about FTC fines. They will go after the advertisers, ie–the companies, first. The FTC guidlines are guidelines, not laws!)
5- Staying out until 1:00 AM is apparently past my curfew. Even Mommy gets in trouble for staying out too late. And apparently, being gone for a full day feels like a week for my kids (enough to make me a Welcome Home Cake). Wasn’t long enough for Mommy.
4- Tara from Feels like Home CAN TEACH ME to finally understand SEO! I am thinking about making a whole extra post just about the SEO tips and tricks I learned.
3- Sometimes Moms can benefit from kids activities just as much as the kids do. Case in point: Tiffany’s summer camp “Circle of Trust” might have been the best hour and a half of the conference.
2- We need to be more forgiving of each other and ourselves. We are all women sharing a common love–for networking, sharing, writing. It’s all good!
1- The women behind the blogs we read really are just as cool (or maybe even cooler) in person as they are in the Blogosphere. And the connections we make on our blogs are real.
I wish I could link to everyone that I met this weekend. And I wish I had more pictures to share of all of the amazing people I was able to chat with. It was a fantastic weekend!
© 2010, Lolli. All rights reserved.
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You got to meet Francesca! I am so jealous. I keep trying to get her to come to the CBC.
.-= Kristina P´s last blog ..Search, Ponder, and Buffet =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Yep, this was actually the second time that Francesca and I got to hang out, though I must say I got to see a lot more of her this time around than in Vegas. She is great!
Now getting her to the CBC….that’s a great idea! I can even bribe her with a place to stay!
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Love the wrap up — hate it that I am a dork, was too shy to walk up and introduce myself, even though I’ve been stalking your blog for quite a while!
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Lolli Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Ah shucks! I wish you had introduced yourself! Like I keep saying, there were too many people to keep track of–so many people I wanted to meet and not enough time to tlak to everyone. But still a really FUN day!
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Fantastic recap! You’re one of those writers that make me want to be a better writer. I’m so enthralled by your gift. And those pics? AMAZING! I’m so glad we sat next to each other at the onset of the conference. You’re so sweet, kind, and funny! You captured the essence of boot camp perfectly, and the circle of trust….WAS AMAZING!!!
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..What I learned at BloggyBootCamp =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Me? A good writer? Wow! Thanks! I often don’t feel like that’s one of my strengths. Yet I really like doing it. Always have. So who cares if I’m good at it or not? I’m not stopping!
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So great to see you again, if only for a moment. Thank goodness we will have another chance to catch up at Momz Share!
.-= JenniferG of Hip As I Wanna Be´s last blog ..Win A Sponsorship To Blogher 2010 From SEED at Hip As I Wanna Be! =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I was thinking the same thing. I am so glad we’ll have another chance to sit and chat!
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Great recap! I put together a top 10 list too that will be posted tomorrow. I’m bummed we didn’t run into each other. I’m heading to Philly and will definitely be staying the night! I loved your pictures. You truly captured the essence of the boot camp.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Thanks! I’ll come check out your post! There were way too many people I didn’t get to chat with. It was overwhelming (in a good way). I just could have used another full day!
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Great recap of what sounds like a wonderful experience. I’m going to my first blogging conference, BlogHer, in August and I can’t wait. And yes, tell us about SEO PLEASE!
.-= dusty earth mother´s last blog ..ABC Butt =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Yay! I’ll be at BlogHer, too! I will be writing some SEO tips for sure!
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Loved meeting you… and the SEO was so helpful. Glad we figured some things out together!
Great photos. I wish I had taken some!
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
OK–this is hilarious. I finally made the connection as to who you are online/blog comments. Is it crazy that I didn’t recognize you behind your mug? I’m so embarrassed! I am so glad we sat together and could chat. I definitely came away with a new (and good) friend!
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erica Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I know, not bringing the mug? #conferencefail for sure!
.-= erica´s last blog ..By: e =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I think you understood what I was saying there, but rereading it, I realized it should have said that I didn’t recognize you without your mug, not behind your mug.
Sometimes I’m slow, though…
Wow I would SO love to meet the women in your photos!! I’d like to learn more too.. sure…
Jealous of your cake too!
.-= Carissa´s last blog ..Twitter Tweets I Tweet =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
It was amazing. Next time…
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Great write up of the day! Very creative. And did you realize that we never got a picture of just us?! Next time, first picture of the day.
.-= Safire´s last blog ..QOTW: Divorce and Multiples =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Isn’t that always the case?! Thanks SO MUCH for coming with me!
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Looks like so much fun.
.-= angie´s last blog ..{A little letter to my laptop} =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I just wish you could have been there!!
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I am so bummed I didn’t get to meet you in person… what the HECK happened during the time we were there? IT FLEW! Okay, I clearly missed “something” b/c although I knew that Tiffany ran a summer camp, I was not privy to the “Circle of Trust” event?!?! Was that Fri or Sat night? Bummer!!
So great to connect, even if it’s just “I was there, too!! Wish we met!!”
Hugs, and I’ll be following you!
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
It totally flew by! I didn’t meet half of the people there, and yet I felt like I made tons of connections. It just wasn’t enough. The Circle of Trust was after dinner (late) on Saturday night. Sorry you missed it!
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Thanks for sharing! As someone who couldn’t make the conference, its nice to read about what all of you lucky ladies who did attend took away from it. I’d love to read the SEO tips post if you decide to do it.
.-= Danielle from A Few of My Favorite Things´s last blog ..The Write Stuff {GIVEAWAY} =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
The SEO trips were worth the cost of the conference (which was cheap anyway…) I will be sharing for sure!
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This was a perfect post
You captured such great moments and your pictures are gorgeous as always 
LOVE that your kids made you a welcome home cake! That is too cute!!!
Loved even more getting to meet you in person. I just wish we’d had more chatting time. Next time? If not Philly….some other
.-= debi9kids´s last blog ..One Time, at Bloggy Boot Camp…. =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Thanks! It was a thrill to finally meet you. I’ll never forget where we met the very first time. I’ll always remember our hug in the ladies bathroom.
I’m sure we’ll be able to cross paths again. This is certainly not my last conference!
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debi9kids Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 12:06 am
LOL! Yes, that was CLASSIC
We will definitely meet again!
.-= debi9kids´s last blog ..Twos-day for Tuesday =-.
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Sounds like you had an awesome time! Can’t wait to hear about the SEO tips that you learned! I totally need some help in that area.
.-= shelly´s last blog ..One of Those Days =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
I need help, too. But I finally think I can do it. I’ll be sharing soon!
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Sounds like a great experience! I look forward to more tips from you. I don’t even know what SEO is (guess I’m showing my blogger ignorance) so I better go look that up right now!
.-= CDScott´s last blog ..Spring Break Chicken =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
I have been hearing a lot about SEO, and how important it is, and I have read a bunch of articles about it, but it never really clicked until this weekend. Don’t worry–I will be sharing!
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It looks like a GREAT conference:-)
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
It really was great, thanks!
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Terrific Pictures! I definitely think you should write about the SEO stuff you learned too. It’s so hard to find any kind of actual -comprehensible- advice about that topic out there on the net for the layman to use.
.-= Gilliauna´s last blog ..Cute and Unique for 100 =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Thanks!! I will definitely write something about the SEO tips I learned (once I get the teacher’s ok, of course!) PS–I’ll be putting your post up tomorrow evening!
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Laura, it was so nice to meet you and spend time with in the Circle of trust. I hope to meet you again.
Kim
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Me too! I wish I could have spent more time with everyone!
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You captured so many fabulous pictures! I love them, I failed at photo taking while I was there, so it’s great to be able to show my husband what we did
.-= Jayme´s last blog ..I am a quitter. =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
I didn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked, honestly, but at least I got something. It was such a fun day, I kept myself busy!
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You are so right on about the connections. They are REAL and really mean alot to a person.
And yes, please right that SEO post. I need a review b/c somewhere in the middle my brain got lost.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Sorry, I Didn’t Get That, Please Try Again. =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I took good notes during the SEO class. I’m just hoping I can do it all justice!
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I really enjoyed your re cap. Amazing pictures, I wish I could have been a part of that circle of trust. That’s what I get for going back and forth in one day. ;o( Next time I’m spending the weekend to get the full effect!
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I drove home after the late night fun….granted, I only had an hour drive. But, boy was I tired the next day!
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Looks and sounds like a great time. I’ve got to get up the courage to actually go to a bloggy conference.
.-= Krystyn´s last blog ..Mommy and Me Monday-The 3rd Edition =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
I really hope you can go to a conference! They are so much fun and great motivation to keep on blogging!
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sounds like a blast–getting excited to go the SF one.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
You will have a blast!
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Awesome write-up! It was such a blast – but I dont think I formally met you? I agree “Circle of Trust” was the best.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
After the conference, I was looking around and realized there were tons of people I didn’t ever bump into. Even one great blogger that I met before. As I was saying goodbye I realized I had seen her as we were walking in, but never had a conversation with her.
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Awesome pics! The conference was so much fun, wish i could have met more people!
.-= Stephanie @ Geezees´s last blog ..Engagement photo with story,Canvas Unwrapped, Bloggy Bootcamp =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I feel the same way. I missed so many people. There just wasn’t time to meet everyone!
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That sounds absolutely amazing! Great tips and thanks for sharing!! I am so glad I am going to a conference and I am so excited to meet you and all the other really awesome women and men we blog with!!
.-= Brandie´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot! =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
It was so much fun, and has gotten me so much more pumped for the CBC!
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It was such a pleasure to meet you! You take the BEST pictures!
.-= Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..This One Time? At Bloggy Boot Camp? =-.
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Lolli Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Thanks!
I LOVED meeting you, and just wish we had more time to spend together!
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