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| Sheraton Myrtle Beach, SC |
It has been a few days since our return from BlogPaws. BlogPaws, is a conference where bloggers,
writers, and social media personalities of the pet world meet to socialize,
network and learn to expand and grow our own avenues whether it is a blog,
writing and etcetera. Even to this day
ideas are flowing on how to improve my blog.
I have so many ideas to write about, how to improve my writing, how I can
show my dedication to what my blog is about and why I am blogging. I have pages of notes from the different
sessions we attended to the individuals we spoke to who have successful blogs
or publications themselves. However, it
wasn’t all educational there were socialization time with sip and paint hosted
by Red Roof Inn, Happy Meower hosted by VCA, and the Red Carpet Hour hosted by
Natural Balance. This conference was
about the education and the networking with or without your pets.
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| Sip & Paint hosted by Red Roof Inn |
With this being my first BlogPaws conference I wasn’t sure
how to plan or what to expect so I read all the posts in the social learning
center on how to prepare, what to expect and what to bring to BlogPaws. I carefully read each newsletter that was
emailed prior to the conference in regards to what to expect upon arrival, who
will be available to ask questions, and so on.
At first all of that was overwhelming but don’t let it be, read it all
thoroughly then go back take notes to that which is pertinent to you. When the schedule is published review and
re-review it, unfortunately you will not be able to make it to all sessions as
much as you want to so again make chooses that are most pertinent to you and
what you want to achieve. Just
networking/socializing you will be able to pick up the highlights of the other
sessions but the best news is most of the speakers are fellow bloggers or
writers so they are available and easy to speak with. Even the speakers that are major speakers
such as this year with Kathleen Gage or Jay Baer, don’t be shy after they speak
go up to them and ask them questions.
Both were very down to earth and open to answer questions. The
environment there is a friendly social environment, not like other conferences
where speakers sneak out the back to avoid the attendees or answering further questions. It is a well-organized and relaxed
environment.
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| Speakers Stage |
Even with the reading and re-reading once we showed up it
was quite overwhelming with meeting and greeting fellow pet world personalities
and their pets from cats, dogs, ferrets, rats, and a bearded dragon. It is comical that we all recognize each
other by our blogs or writing not necessarily by our names but still everyone
was so friendly and welcoming. There was
a BlogPaws staff member available to welcome each of us, our pet and to answer
questions.
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| BlogPaws this way... |
Only downfall to BlogPaws that I saw was it was too short or
went to quick pending how one would look at it.
Another was there were some people I overheard stating how people stayed
within their “clicks” however I feel it takes two. If there was someone you wanted to speak to,
go up introduce yourself and speak to them.
That is what this conference is about networking and socializing. I knew a lot of people from the BlogPaws chat
on Twitter or from their blogs but never really met anyone face to face that is
why I went to the conference. I put
myself out there, introduced myself, gave my business card and spoke to
them. Not only was I able to put a face
to a blog but I met new people and new blogs. Was it scary, yes, but I lived
through it and it was worth it. I would
do it again in a heartbeat and Yes, I purchased my ticket for 2018 BlogPaws in
Kansas City where I hope to meet even more new people as well as meet up with
those I met with this past BlogPaws.
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#BlogPaws #veteranservicedog #servicedog #pug #sheraton
#myrtlebeach #pugnation #puglife #vca #merrick #pawsact #southcarolina #pugs
#socialization #networking #tooquick #cats #ferrets #beardedragon #petworld
#blog #piapiathepug #fun #enjoyable #redroofinn #naturalbalance #kathleengage
#jaybaer #sheratonmyrtlebeach #spotpetproducts #ethicalpetproducts
I'm glad you enjoyed your first BlogPaws. I remember being very overwhelmed my first time, but the pet community is awesome and welcomed me with open arms. I hope to meet you in person in Kansas City!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lola the Rescued Cat. Yes, it was overwhelming but a positive overwhelming. It was an awesome experience and very welcoming. I am so looking forward to next year to not only reconnect but to meet even more individuals. I look forward to meeting you in person also!!
DeleteI will be in Kansas City in 2018 myself and it will be my first conference of any kind. I am SO excited and so thankful that the conference will be in a state near me this coming year. I am nervous, anxious, excited and like you will be reading as much as I can to prepare!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice hearing from another first time BlogPaws conference attendee! Thank you for this.
I imagine I will be overwhelmed as well - but in a good way of course.
I'm so glad you are going! I've been wanting to meet you and ask about your blog. I have an idea for a great topic in the FBF subject. I'll be there too.
DeleteI completely understand that is what happened this year with me Fashion Beyond Forty, this year's BlogPaws was close to me so gave me the opportunity to "get my feet wet". Oh my goodness it was the best and so glad that the BlogPaws staff continues to look at different locations each year, giving more individuals a chance to attend. Yes, read and prepare but still understand it is overwhelming but in a positive aspect. Please feel free to ask me questions. I look forward to meeting you next year. Trust me it will all be worth it!!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed your first conference. Hoping to make it to the next one, which would be my first time. Thanks for the tips! I expected it to be a bit overwhelming the first time, but I'm glad they send enough info ahead of time to help you be as ready as you can be.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. I hope you are able to attend next year also. I actually have a list of tips that I am tweaking that I hope will help newbies. The BlogPaws staff as well as other individuals who live around or shared their first time experiences also do a good job. The BlogPaws staff really does a good job with giving as much information ahead of time to the location, what to expect and so on.
DeleteSo glad you came! The first event is often overwhelming, but as you say, much depends on YOU making the most of opportunities. And hopefully, next year I'll also be around more and get to actually meet more folks! Your tips for prep are paw-some!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. I was so bummed was I found out your were there and I missed you. Congratulations on your award! Yes, I agree only YOU can make the most of the opportunities that are presented to you and if you don't that the fault lies on you. I look forward to meeting you next year.
DeleteSo glad you got to go! I'm planning to go next year. And so true what you say about approaching people. I find "clique-y" people are often just shy and need someone else to make the first move. Or they are busy and overwhelmed but appreciate someone approaching them. Just walking up to people and saying "Hi! Are you so-n-so?" is how I've met some of the big movers and shakers in animal welfare and people I now call my good friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathi, I am so glad I got to go also. I hope to see you next year! I agree with you in regards to the "clicks". However I really didn't see them maybe because I took advantage of networking and meeting those who are on the chats on Tuesdays and such. I think it is all in the eye of the beholder and what each of us want to take from the conference in order to move forward in our careers. There is a lot to take in I wish I could have gone to each session and meet more people but there just wasn't enough time. But everyone from the BlogPaws staff, hotel staff, vendors, to attendees were all so nice and friendly. It truly was a great time.
DeleteYay! Good for you. I was a newbie also this year and practically worshipped the Newbies Course on the SLC. We started a BlogPaws 2017 Newbies group on Facebook so we could try and interact a bit in advance of the conference and while we were there. It really helped. I think most of us were a bit overwhelmed but in a good way.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a nice time. I too took advantage of the Newbies Course on the SLC, in fact, I reviewed it twice. I didn't know about the Facebook page that would have been fun but either way I had a nice time and met a lot of nice people. I agree with you it was overwhelming but in a nice way. Maybe the Facebook page can help next year's Newbies?!
DeleteGlad you came to BlogPaws and had a good time! It really is a great way to both learn and network,
ReplyDeleteThank you Carleenp. I am glad I went too. It was nice to get away still learn yet have fun too. The networking and socializing was all just an added benefit.
DeleteI was also a Newbie this year! And I was overwhelmed but it was a wonderful experience. I met so many people from vendors to fellow NPOs (I was there with Colorado Pet Pantry) to bloggers to rescue folks...so much was happening! I was exhausted at the end of every night.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Amy, at the end of every day was so exhausting but it was so worth it. So much going on, meeting so many nice people from all aspects of the pet world. Such a wonderful time though. I hope to meet you next year!
DeleteLast year was my first year. I didn't really have trouble meeting people but I took Mr. N with me so people came up to me exclaiming his name a lot lol.
ReplyDeletePets for break the ice don't they. LOL, It helps a lot when people have their pets but even without your pet one should take advantage of what it given to them. I had Pia Pia with me but not all the time because she is a service dog for my husband and he needed her but I still took the advantage of meeting/greeting people.
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed your first BlogPaws experience! I remember being overwhelmed my first time too, but everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It's such a wonderful community to be a part of! Hope to meet you next year!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great community Kitty Cat Chronicles, the support and welcoming is quite overwhelming itself let alone meeting the individuals behind the support. It was such a wonderful experience I am just so happy I took advantage of being close enough I could drive and did it. That is why I did not hesitate to purchase my ticket for next year. Yes, hope to meet you next year too.
DeleteIt was great reading your post as I was unable to attend the conference. It's nice to read your perspective as a newbie too. Glad you had a great experience overall. Making plans for 2018!
ReplyDeleteSorry you were unable to attend Kamira. I hope that next year you will be able to attend. It is a wonderful event and pet friendly. It encourages us to advance not only individually but together as a team within the pet world. So you don't feel like you are alone but with a team. So much encouragement, welcoming and support. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, but I hope to see/meet you in 2018 in Kansas City.
DeleteYay! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I enjoyed myself as well. I don't think we met? Everything went by so fast and it was hectic, whew! I tried to reach out to as many as possible...I definitely agree that it takes two!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kia. Yes, I totally enjoyed myself as did Pia Pia when she wasn't working. Unfortunately no we did not meet. That was the one downfall is that is went so fast. I thought arriving on Wednesday morning I would have some extra time but nope, it still went fast. However, we can't stop time. I was doing my best to reach out to as many people as possible even it is was just to say Hi.
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