Blissdom Recap

As I write this, it is 6 o’clock in the morning. (Kinda like that song by T-Pain now that I think of it…)

Fellow Boston Parent Bloggers Sarah, Christine, Kim and I just boarded the plane to head back home at this ungodly hour. I’m definitely not posting pictures of that. No one ever said going to and from blogging conferences was glamorous.

Yet, it seems a bit surreal that I am heading home to diapers and online chats after spending 48 hours meeting celebrities and having real life conversations. That is what makes Blissdom a great conference. The ability to step out from behind the computer and into a setting with growth, inspiration, connections, learning and, of course, bliss. Frankly, Blissdom 2012 rocked. (Rather literally, as you soon will see.)

At Blissdom, workshops fostered discussions. The sponsors respected attendees. The attendees supported each other. While it is no easy feat to find childcare, juggle schedules, leave work or find sponsors (or your own checkbook) to cover costs, the overall professional atmosphere is why so many Bloggers recommend attending Blissdom.

The sessions included subjects such as growing your Facebook fan page, how to use your camera for great blog images, learning to brand yourself or creating a blog mission statement. Thus, Blissdom has the right blend of content, talent and conversation to improve your blog.

Yet, fun screenings like the new Dr. Seuss “The Lorax” movie or Oprah’s new show “The Next Chapter” or the amazing musical acts by Rascal Flatts, Chris Mann or Joe Jones, rocked the house. (I still cannot believe we saw all of them perform live.) While we were tweeting away, it enabled us to renew ourselves so we can continue to tackle our roles as spouse, coworker, parent and social media marketers when we get home.

(From left to right) Sarah, Chris Mann, Charlene, Jodi

All in all though, no matter what conference you choose, it is what you make of it. You have to put in what you want to get out. No matter how slick or professional a conference is, it still comes down to you. It can be overwhelming, but retreat to your room from time to time to regroup or go with a friend. However, if you are looking for a way to engage offline, meet brands or learn more about blogging, then definitely put Blissdom 2013 on your ‘To-Do’ list.

If family or budget prevents it, you can always sign up for Blissdom at Home to get notes, video and audio. So when the kids are asleep or when you have a spare minute or two, you can get great tips and ideas shared in the Blissdom sessions for a really reasonable rate (no hotel or airline fees!) Or if you would like to read more about the blogging tips and new products showcased at Blissdom 2012, including a video recap I am putting together, follow me on Twitter or head over to my Facebook Page to learn more.

All in all, whatever you do this year, may you find your bliss!