How very exciting to be attending the BlogHerDC conference and blogging while the noise of the conference surrounds me. Our first action —
Who knew we’d be standing in two lines, facing each other, in a hotel meeting room when attending a conference on blogging? Our computers were left on tables and our assignment, a “BlogHer” dating session. What? The goal — spend one minute talking to the person across from you to find out her blogging interest. Well, good idea, except the room was not conducive to high-pitched voices talking all at once. So whom did I meet? Couldn’t even begin to guess. Some seemed to be moms into eco-ideas, someone who had applied for a job they didn’t get at my organization, and someone who sounded nice, but I couldn’t figure out a word she said. The funny thing? A bunch of us from AAUW were standing next to each other and by the time they got to me, even with the difficulty of hearing, they knew we were all about women and equity. Maybe that’s the secret of this type of “get-to-know-each-other” exercise. Have four of you lined up, giving the same message, and the participants will remember you.
Through various sessions we are learning how to build community, promote our cause, focus on our writing, use all of the tech social media (twitter, SEO, etc.) to get new audiences and, for the geeks among us, mentoring, hacking, troubleshooting … What is my take-away so far (it’s mid-conference)? Visit other like-mined blogs, organizations, etc., comment, comment, comment — linking to AAUW all the while. What other blogs do you like that we might want to share comments/links to?
CV: you’re right, one of the great things about BlogHer was meeting so many interesting people. I just wish I could remember them all so appreciate your follow-up and the fact you’ll now be following our blogs. Also have to agree about 4 ladies in a row, when we realized what was actually occurring, the ice breaker was almost finished – next time!
One of the most memorable moments for me was the afternoon session with Leslie Stahl and the other panelists. Not only was their commentary fascinating, but this was the first time I actually followed the twitter “conversation” that was occurring at the same time. It finally made Twitter make sense in a business setting and I’m planning to try it myself, especially at an event. Thanks again.
Christy-
Are you saying you don’t remember me?
After giving you my super-pretty business card? After all my suggestions for how AAUW could hone your brand and your outreach, or how I might write about AAUW’s identity and action on my own blog? Bummer.
Still, it was great to meet you and your colleagues at BlogHer…I’m signing up for your RSS feed so that can keep on the lookout for posts on your site that I can blog about or link to at my serious blog http://www.AuthenticOrganizations.com, or my advice blog http://www.AuPairMom.com.
One thought about your post (above)…I can see how it might have felt productive to you to have 4 women in a row in the ‘speedtroductions’ exercise, but doing that made it less productive to the women on the other side of you. Those women talked to 4 AAUW representatives in lieu of 1 AAUW rep- with-an-agenda-and/or-strong-message, and 3 other attendees who might have been useful connections too.
Two things that I learned at BlogHer:
(1) listening is just as important, if not more important, for getting out a blog’s message, and
(2) serendipity matters, since you can’t always know at the start where the connections between you and other bloggers really are. Serendipity often is the spark that ignites co-conspiracy & co-advocacy.
I’ve been seeing both messages, in spades, as I travel to all of the blogs belonging to the BlogHer attendees I met on Monday. I’ll be listening for your message and be open to the possibility of serendipity.
Happy Blogging!
CV