This past weekend’s Bloggy Bootcamp in Philadelphia was my third SITS event, and by far my favorite. I was able to make my trip to Philly a full weekend vacation (emphasis on Vacation) and even got to swing by a certain Pennsylvania hospital to meet my brand new niece, born during the conference. So what did I learn and why do I keep going back?
1- Friends are friends no matter how you meet. Take Erica from Mommy’s Still Fabulous, for instance. We’ve been blogging friends for a while and met at the Baltimore Bloggy Bootcamp….but how many of you would consider inviting a person you’ve only seen twice to sleep on your couch? Erica would. And guess what? Her couch was amazing. And so was chatting with her late at night when we both should have been sleeping.
2- Once you’ve met a blogging friend and had a chance to sit down and gab face to face, it’s time to take the relationship to the next level. That’s what Heather from ThetaMom and I decided. I have always adored her, but now….I adore her more. Same goes for a dozen other bloggers I met this weekend.
3- If you’re speaking, don’t change your presentation the morning that you leave for the conference. Or do. In the end, I was glad that I scrapped my old plans because when it came time for my presentation, I only had about 20 minutes to give a room full of 125 women my best tips on getting better photos, and somehow it worked.
4- The best conversations happen over food. Julie at Dutch Being Me….you know I’m talking about you now.
5- Sometimes the most important things are learned outside of class. I can’t wait to put to use some of the budget-saving tips from Lynn at Maven of Savin’. Rite Aid, here I come!
6- Good roommates make all the difference, and I got lucky. Tara from Feels Like Home is somebody I both admire and consider a dear friend, as well as a blogging, SEO diva. The “off time” that we got to spend together was some of the best of the entire weekend.
7- Don’t leave home without a big stack of business cards. If you don’t have some of your own (or are running out like me) go enter my fancy business card giveaway.
8- Wear whatever you want, but whatever you wear, make sure it’s comfortable. I admired the cute scarfs and the cool boots and the colorful shoes throughout the conference, but I happily stayed in my Skechers walking sandals all weekend. With my needing-to-be-repainted blue toenails, no less.
9- Take lots of pictures. Period. See #10 below.
10- Try a new battery when your camera stops working before the big social cocktail party. Don’t just leave the camera in the room and figure that snapshots don’t matter that much. Because they do, and you’ll regret not having them.
PS– for those of you who were at Bloggy Bootcamp with me this weekend, or for those of you who weren’t and would like to see what I spoke about, here are the posts I mentioned:
My Top 10 Tips to Improve your Photography
Get to know your Camera Mode Dial
The Rule of Thirds (note: this post includes the pictures of me and my husband that I was talking about)
Photo of me and Erica and of me speaking are from the Bloggy Bootcamp Philly flickr group. The rest are from me.
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
You have so many friends : ) People just love you. And I can totally see why! Hope I get to meet you one day! I love all of your camera posts. I always learn a LOT from you!: )
Just launched my blog two days before the conference, so the conference was the perfect inspiration that blogging can be fun!
Bought a new Canon Rebel before the conference, but left it home thinking it was too big. But watching you, hearing your presentation and seeeing the photos you took, convinces me that I must take it in the future.
Thanks for the “10 tips to Improve Your Photography” card. It’s in my camera case to keep on reminding me of how to shoot.
Everyone was drawn to your appletini. It was so pretty! And so were you….it wasn’t hard to make you look good!
I hope so, too! I feel like we were often in the same area but never sat down and chatted. Another time!
Bring me with you? ;) Unlike BlogHer, there’s tons of visiting time at BBC. It’s all about networking with people vs brands.
It was great to meet you, too! I wish I lived just a little closer so that I could sneak into some of your GLO’s!
I hope they help! I am hoping to get back into posting tips regularly now that summer is over.
I wish you had been there, too. YOu were there in spirit…and then there was the flat headshot… ;)
I have made the same mistake myself. And you’d think that I’d know better being the photographer. Sometimes I just want a break, though!
If only I had a picture of us. ;) I know one exists somewhere. Haha! Thanks for the support, friend!
I’m so glad the tips came in handy! Yay!
eventually, when we run into each other again, I will actually carry on more conversation than just staring at you, and asking you for your photo tips card!
You did a wonderful job with your presentation, and I hope to run into you again soon!
I’m laughing as I read this, since I was waiting for Angie to comment on me with my drink in my head. Thanks for making me look good, L!
you look like you had an amazing time. bloggy bootcamp looks like such a great workshop. i really want to go to the one in St George.
Love your recap and your photos are amazing! It was great to meet you and chat a bit. You are super sweet!
Can I tell you how excited I am about your photography links? I’m trying to learn the manual modes on my camera and ways to better my shots. Yay!
So great to meet you! Thanks a million for the photography tutorial. My son’s first birthday party was Sunday and I swear the pics came out better because I was able to play around with the settings! All the best, Jill
The feeling is SO mutual my friend!! I always had tons of admiration and respect for you and since we’ve met in person, it takes that connection to a whole new level.
You totally rock and I am so honored to be a part of this post!! And your blog? Looks amazing!!
Awesome pictures! I made the mistake of bringing my little point & shoot instead of lugging around the SLR – BIG MISTAKE.
I’ll just have to come over and view your pictures when I want to recap the weekend ;) And great presentation, your tip card is now in my camera bag!
Like Angie said, I so wish that I would have been there. It looks like it was an amazing time. :)
Stopping by from SITS, cute blog! And I am in 100% agreement with you that the best conversations happen over food! =]
I know! Darn the luck that we live on the opposite ends of the US! Hopefully someday soon our paths will cross.
That’s Michelle from https://professionalfamilymanager.com/. Isn’t it oddly spooky when you see someone who reminds yourself of you?
And I cannot believe you haven’t met Jill!
wish I could have been there for it and meet you and other bloggers there
Wish I could have been there to catch up and hear your presentation……….and finally meet Jill! :)
Now, who is that woman in your color collage, right hand bottom picture and the end of the table?
I swear to you, she looks so much like I used to. If I didn’t know the picture was recent I would have thought it was me!
I’m so glad it helped!! And email away! Or call. You’ve got my number on my card. ;)
Well, when you come to a Momzshare event, come stay in my basement. Deal? :)
If I didn’t say it before, I really liked your presentation. For my birthday I got a a Nikon D3000 and I have your tips in my new camera bag. Your talk could not have come at a better time. I’ll be emailing you for more tips. :)
I feel honored to be a part of your Bloggy Boot Camp re-cap! And I love that the photo of you and me… our faces are schmushed like Besties.
I agree, meeting people and the “off time” of BBC is so valuable. I am going to have to figure out a way to get to a Momzshare event down in the DC area to see all my Boot Campers.
Any time you need a couch… or air mattress… or spare bed if I have one, you can call on me!