It’s 4:45 AM time and in another hour I’ll be heading back home to my guys who I miss more than I can tell you. Still, I don’t regret coming here. I attended some great sessions at the Blog World and New Media Expo yesterday and though I didn’t spend really any time on the trade floor, I did get in another great day of learning.
First up
Copyblogger Brian Clark was supposed to lead the session on creating engaging content, but wasn’t able to attend (Hope everyone is feeling better, Brian.) I was pleasantly surprised to find Liz Strauss stepping in and she didn’t disapppoint. If you’re not familiar with Liz’s Successful Blog, she has a way of speaking to people in a simple but touching language and her session was informal but informative and I left feeling inspired. I understand Liz’s decision to fill in was a last minute decision and though she said she was “winging it” she was able to deliver her message and encourage everyone to write for their community by writing for themselves. It was a pleasure meeting Liz this week and I’m sure I’ll call her “friend” for a long time to come. I’ll post more in detail about this session upon my return as I feel we can all benefit.
OK so I blew off the social networking session to have lunch at the Wynn with some friends. Nothing to see here.
Next…
I was interested in attending the hiring bloggers/bloggers for hire session with Jim Turner and Tris Hussey, aka, “The warm up band for Mark Cuban”, because I’m a blogger for hire and I was interested in hearing what they had to say. It wasn’t what I expected but it wasn’t bad and didn’t disappoint. They basically talked about the different types of blogging gigs out there that, yes, you can make a living doing this sort of thing. A couple of people suggested next year I speak in a session as a blogger for hire talking about my end, and I might consider it.
So to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to attend the closing keynote with Mark Cuban. I thought it was one of those “let’s close with a bang by bringing in a celebrity and packing the house” sort of moves. Well it was a brilliant move as he was informative and very, very, funny.
Cuban talked about why he started blogging, which was to address and deflect negative publicity and also to exchange ideas which originally was limited to regular conversations in bars with “the four or five drunks I know”. It was through his blog that Cuban learned he didn’t own the Dallas Mavericks. The city of Dallas owns the Mavericks, he’s “just a caretaker. ” And though he clearly listens to what the fans want, he warns us not to pander to our audience as the key to successful blogging is honesty.But he doesn’t always recommend bloggers participate in negative debates and recommends we avoid confrontation. “I don’t hold back,” he said, “because I have more money than you.” There’s a whole lot more, but I need to exit this room. Suffice it to say, I’ll be talking about the things I learned and people I met for a few weeks to come.
A good time, with good people. I look forward to next year!
Deb-
Thanks so much for ‘blogging the conference’. As most of the conferences I’ve attended in my life were a) command performances, b) deadly boring or c) ones I was in charge of, I’ve never really been one to seek out and attend them. Your wonderful reviews and reflections on Blog World made me wish I was there. Perhaps next year! Thanks for sharing your slice of the pie.
I enjoyed reading about the blog conference. I found myself every day to see what was next. It sounds like it was exciting and interesting.
Thanks for sharing about the conference. Glad you had a good time. Hope by now you’re home safely to your family.
It seems both fun and educational. (Wow! I used fun and education in one sentence!
) Maybe in a couple of years when I can afford to fly to the US, I can go and rub elbows with the A-list bloggers. 
Deb,
Thanks for the mention. I would love to do a panel with you! Next conference that comes up let’s pitch what it’s like to be a pro blogger! I saw you at my booth but I had a couple of people I was already talking to. Next time just grab me and say hello!
Thanks everyone. I’m so glad you found my reports useful. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I should attend. I’ve never traveled by myself before and it took some convincing. Probably the best career move I made yet! (Besides quitting my office job.)
@Jim – I’d love to be part of a panel with you. I think something that was missing this year was a “pros and cons of being a blogger for hire” type session. Lots of people are looking to get hired, not too many people know what’s involved.