It wasn’t about the swag, the parties, the sessions, or even the networking.
Even though the swag was nice, the parties a lot of fun (especially Dance Party USA at Sparklecorn), the sessions I attended (Essential Writing and Editing Skills, Essential Blog Content Development Workshop, How to Pitch Freelance Editorial Work and Malcolm Gladwell is Missing the Point: Revolutions are Happening Online) extremely informative and the networking a great step towards furthering my freelance writing career, for me, BlogHer ’11 was more about finally meeting so many amazing women that I have been getting to know on the Internet through their blogs and on Twitter for months.
It was about the connections I have built online with women I had already considered friends, but wanted to hug in person and tell how much they mean to me. It was about surrounding myself with like-minded mothers, seeking their advice, sharing a laugh and a glass or two of wine and maybe even shedding a tear as they worked through an emotional moment.
I did all of the above and in turn, BlogHer ’11 met and exceeded my expectations.
Thumbing through the stack of business/blog cards I collected from everyone I encountered makes me smile. Many of these women I already classified as members of my tribe and a few I had been fortunate enough to meet once or twice before, or talked to on the phone. Being able to spend an entire weekend with them was pure magic. There are also lots of new names in the stack and I’m looking forward to getting to know them and their writing soon.
I met most of the women on my “must meet at BlogHer ’11” list, but didn’t get to spend nearly as much time as I would have liked with anyone.
The weekend moved much too fast and in a lot of ways felt like being back in school, shuffling from one event to the next, saving seats, checking in, wardrobe changes and cute shoes, gossip and laughs. It will surely be a weekend that I won’t soon forget and I’m already missing Natalie, Nichole, Katie, Sherri, Gigi, Morgan, Lori, Poppy, Robin, Yuliya, Galit, Cheryl, Tracy, Jessica … this list could go on and on and on.
All I can say is, thank God for Twitter!
Feeling more inspired and focused about my writing and my little corner of the Internet than ever, I am planning to attend BlogHer ’12 in New York!
I took copious notes during the sessions I sat in and will be sharing a few tips over the coming weeks (although I believe the bulk of the information covered will be available on the BlogHer Web site), but if you’d like to know more about my BlogHer experience or have a specific question, please ask.
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So glad to hear you had a great time at the conference and I’m glad I got to spend a little bit of time with you even if it wasn’t much.
Me too! I wish we could have sat down and chatted for a while! No, make that HOURS. 🙂
So glad you had a good time, look forward to your recap 🙂
It was almost magical, wasn’t it?!
I am missing you too…a lot…
So glad you had a great time! I loved following all of the tweets to see what was going on. Hope to see you at BlogHer12!
How fun!
If it weren’t for those pesky kids at home, I could have used 1 more day. Oh, and I loved that tank you were sporting on Morgan’s site, where did you get that?
There’s a link to it. 🙂 Tim (aka: Soge Shirts) sells them! I totally need one.
Cafe Press, it’s one of Soge Shirts. Here’s the link: http://www.cafepress.com/+be_nice_or_ill_blog_womens_tank_top,553451772
Order one!
Glad you had a great time! I was there too. So much to take in, I’m still processing my post. 🙂
Missing you too. So glad we got to room together for a night and have a good long talk.
I am too! Funny that I didn’t really get to see you the whole rest of the time. I hope you enjoyed the weekend as much as I did.
It sounds like it was awesome! You got to spend time with amazing ladies.
Don’t I know it!! I feel so lucky.
So glad you went and had a great time! I loved reading through the tweets to see what was going on, even if I was a little jealous. 😉
I wish you could have been there. Any chance you’ll make to NYC next year?
Well hello tall, sexy one. I miss you. I loved meeting you. I really loved hugging you. You are so kind and real and just kind and gorgeous. I hope our paths cross IRL again very soon. xoxo
Your list reads like a “Who’s Who” of my blogging idols (including the person you see in the mirror each day!)
I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience!
Oh dear lady, it as an honor to be part of your tribe.
(True confessions – at first I thought you did not care for me! Cause I am sometimes a stupid dork. I’d blame the booze but it was 11:00 am. Instead I’ll blame the tired.)
You are a stupid dork.
Glad you had fun!
I love your new look btw! I’ve been under a summer rock, so forgive me for missing when it switched!
Great recap sweet friend! I so adored meeting you. Wowsa are you ever amazing! XO
I miss you so very much.
It was so hard to have you leave on Saturday…it felt like I was missing my right arm.
Can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks!
xo
I LOVED being roomies with you! I miss you (and your mustache) already! And you take the best notes of anyone I have ever met. If we were in high school? I would be coming over to copy your notes every day after school. yeah, I would be that friend.
Wow, so many new girlfriends! That’s wonderful! Over the years, people have often asked me how I manage to have so many good girlfriends and that its silly to have that many. But I disagree! Each of my amazing girlfriends provides me with new outlooks on life, they each can share their unique experiences with me and they are all so different. I love having all of that in life. I have no doubt that you’ll stay in touch with all your fabulous blogging ladies.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I would have loved to be one of your roomies! It would have reminded me a lot of memories!
I know exactly why your BlogHer friends already miss you! You’re unique and very special. XOXO