JenOni

#BLOGHER15

Why I Started Blogging in My Words?

Blogging

 

Why I Started Blogging? 

  1. While I was laid off  I started scouring the internet for work from home opportunities, this is when I discovered an entire community of BLOGGERS at Mom Bloggers Club.  This is how I met Jen Lawrence at JenOni   Our last meet up was at BlogHer15 in July.  We initially met( IRL) 5 years ago at a blogging event in PA.   Twitter was my first introduction to a social media platform and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY!
  2. It is a form of THERAPY! As a parent and single mom, I quickly realized I was not alone with my challenges and experiences.
  3. I discovered it was a way to connect with MOMS around the globe.
  4. It is a PHENOMENAL platform to share my ideas, thoughts, experiences and challenges.
  5. I OWN MY CREATIVITY!

My Kid’s Chronicles: MamaBear App for Teen’s Phone- I Asked – You Mad?

You mad?    Every time I say this to my teen he gets so upset.  Then he has to remind me “mom you’re not cool”! In honor of his favorite artist!

giphy (5)

 

When I looked at the list of brands attending Blogher15, I knew I had to meet the folks behind the MamaBear app.    This app is long overdue for my son.    I gave him an ultimatum with the app.    Basically I told him either you download the app or the phone gets turned off until further notice.   Honestly I think leniency has ruled with my teen since he received a cell phone.   What really surprised me is my mobile carrier has no feature to offer tracking.   The only thing TMobile does offer is to block incoming and outgoing calls(911 is permitted) at specific blocks of time.   The downside is the blocks of time are predetermined by TMobile.   As a parent this makes no sense to me because I want the option of choosing the time slots myself.   My teen has turned into a night owl with his gadgets so I would love to have more control on the blocks of time.    MamaBear has saved the day!

 

MKCPost0810

After the app is downloaded on each phone,  you add each child and you can set location alerts ( home, other locations(school, bff’s house, etc) as well as any restricted locations), social media alerts(which means they must give you their username and password), driving alerts (if you have licensed drivers in your home, it will send an alert if they are going over the speed limit).   For the social media alerts, it will alert with new friends, followers, tags/@mentions and photos and you can even get alerts on restricted words(you have to create the list of words).

Each child is assigned a color code so the alerts are individualized on your phone.  The app is free to set up however if you want to see the details of the alerts you have to do a monthly subscription.  I paid  three months which was $14.99 which is  $5.00 per month.

Now the teen was smart enough to let me know he deleted the app to free up space on his phone.  I was happy to inform him either the app goes back on or you will no longer have a phone. I do not give up easily so I will keep you posted on the app vs. phone saga!!!!

My First Blogher Conference: Why I Blog?

Blogher15Hashtag

 

Blogher15 Conference

What one day of attending the Blogher Conference was like in my words.    Do you remember the movie WEDDING CRASHERS?   As hilarious as this movie was with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson  I never thought I too would CRASH an event!!!!!   I planned to spend one day in NYC at Blogher15.   When I purchased my ticket I remember it stated Expo and party only.     This ticket granted me networking access only for the brands and the closing party on Saturday.

As a newbie, I had no idea what to expect.   I chose to go on Friday because I thought this was a better day connections with brands on the first full day.   For some reason it never dawned on me the opening/closing ceremonies , lunch and the sessions were not included in my registration – this was a total Oops!!!!   I am officically a BLOGHER CRASHER!!!!!   Prior to the conference I reviewed the schedule and  went through the list of brands to map all the brands relevant for me.    I wish there was a newbie 101 to walk you through how to navigate the conference.

I wholeheartedly believe every experience has lessons to be learned.   This was my first blogging conference so I had idea on what to expect.  It was wonderful to see and hear about Soledad O’Brien’s foundation and her mentoring efforts with the mentees on the panel.   Also Anna Maria Chavez, CEO of Girl Scouts of America speak on her organization and the girl scouts on the panel sharing their experiences.  A great opportunity to leave with inspiring and empowering messages.  Oops, I did attend the lunch with keynote, Gwyneth Paltrow discussing her site GOOP.com.

Oops,  I did attend one session, The Writing Lab and the facilitator was kind enough to share all of her notes with attendees.

 

Blogher15Collage

Newbie Mistakes

  1. Spending one day is not enough  time to connect with bloggers and brands.
  2. Realized after I returned home my ticket was for networking only, ooops I attended the opening ceremony and lunch!!!!!
  3. Attend and stay from Saturday to Sunday.
  4. Never miss the closing party, what was I thinking?
  5. Spend more time in the expo hall with brands.
  6. Pack comfortable shoes.
  7. Take pictures, pictures and more pictures!!

I attended the conference to learn and understand about brands as well as meeting other bloggers.

What I Learned:

  1. The expo and party only ticket is not for the sessions or speakers.
  2. Brands are people too.  They were extremely personable and willing to answer all of my questions.
  3. Always be courteous and personable as you are meeting new people, you never know who you may meet along the way.
  4. Check in early to connect with bloggers.
  5. Purchase an all access ticket to take advantage of the sessions, speakers, expo and closing party.
  6. Spend as much time as possible connecting with brands, take lots of pictures with brands in booth.
  7. Take pictures, pictures, pictures and more pictures.
  8. Try to connect as much as possible on social media during the conference.
  9. Live “Scope”!!!!
  10. Try to sightsee in the host city if possible.

Brands

ISow
This is a great way to change the dynamics of gift giving for my kids.    I love teaching my kids the value of giving back and making a difference.

InfoLinks
how to monetize my blog with ads

MamaBear
an app to track my kid’s social media activities as well as a their location

Shea Moisture
0ffers haircare, body care, makeup, hair color products.  The fruit fusion/coconut water hand and boy scrub is an at home TREAT for your hands and body.   I also tried the Superfruit Complex body wash and oil.  These products smell heavenly!!

Shark
I had a chance to try out one of their vacuums which was so lightweight and I put in my plug to review their “steamer” mop.  Fingers crossed!!!!!

NutriNinja
This was the best chocolate smoothie I ever tasted and hopefully I will have an opportunity to review their product.

NRG
Charger on the spot and it is the best.  It slips in your handbag and charges to 2 phone chargers.

Tom’s
I started using the wild lavender deoderant for my 8yo so it was nice to engage with the brand in person.  Tom’s offers a toothpaste to transition from kid’s toothpaste to adult toothpaste.

GoGo Squeez
One of my DD’s favorite on the go applesauce brands.  There were samples for the new flavor apple pineapple.

Storied Myth
This is a wonderful app for my young reader.  In addition to the app she will receive activities in the mail to use along with the app.

I had wonderful chat with an editor from ESPNW who is interested in our perspective in areas beyond sports such as fitness, apparel, food, activities, interests,  etc.   As a mom blogger with a focus on fitness I think there is a lot to share from a fitmommy blogger perspective.  Hopefully this will develop into a lasting relationship and content channel.

The best part of attending was getting to see Jen Lawrence-Snipes over at Jael Custom Designs.  She and I met on Mom Bloggers Club in 2009 and the last time we saw one another was in 2010.  Definitely far too long to connect in person!!!

I have send a huge shout out to Danyelle Little over at The Cubicle Chick for giving me that nudge off the sofa!!!!  It was an invaluable experience and has paved the way for me to attend the next conference.

Why I Blog-My TOP 3 take aways from the conference is 1)NETWORK 2)INSPIRE 3)EMPOWER

Thanks for stopping by!

My Inspiration: Why Leave My Comfort Zone? -My First Blogging Conference

BH15-going

What happens when we are nudged out of our comfort zone?   I see OPPORTUNITY and INSPIRATION!!!!!

After my blogging consultation in June with Danyelle Little over at Cubicle Chick, she suggested I try to attend Blogher15 even if just for the day.   Our conference call was my wake up call to put the wheels in motion toward defining a niche and the “golden carrot”   I never considered myself large enough to attend a blogging conference so I must admit attending any blogging conference was put on the back burner.    In June I  had a great 2 hour meet up with Janeane Davis over at Janeane’s World and the best advice I walked away with is “don’t compare yourself to others”.   This resonated so loud in my head!!!!

After registering for the conference,  I realized this is an excellent opportunity for all women(of varying levels) who impact social media in some capacity.    I am planning to attend for one day so it is important to make the most of the day.   Based on Friday’s  schedule,  I have outlined the day to attend multiple sessions that will help me build a better  brand.    I have reviewed the sponsors and plan to network with as many as possible!!!!  The prospect of networking with brands and bloggers is going to be an exciting day!!!

Danyelle shared this great article as a must read before attending a conference, Read This Before Attending Next Blogging Conference!!!  This put my day in perspective so off I go with a STRATEGY!!!

The ride to NYC  should give me plenty of time to make notes, plan and strategize!!!!

Packing List for one day at Blogher15

  1. Tote Bag
  2. conference  schedule
  3. camera and USB
  4. Ipad and charger
  5. business cards
  6. notebook/pens/folder
  7. phone and charger
  8. sanitizer/pain reliever
  9. makeup case
  10. trail mix/gum
  11. sweater
  12. flat shoes(just in case)

MENTAL NOTE TO SELF: PICTURES!!!!PICTURES!!!!!

Stay tuned…….