This is the Blogger Bag Tag that I won!

A good friend of mine, Stacie, told me about an opportunity to get a blogger bag tag from Invitation Consultants and to enter a contest to win a $300 sponsorship to BlogHer ’11. I, along with over 200+ other bloggers, entered the contest. Much to my surprise, I found out yesterday that I am one of six winners! The other winners are:

• Molly – A Day in Mollywood
• Xenia – Thanks Mail Carrier
• Jennifer – Makobi Scribe
• Caryn – Rockin’ Mama
• Nirasha – Mommy Niri

I’ve been blogging since 2005 and while even many brand new bloggers attend blog and social media conferences from the get go, I just started attending blogging and social media conferences last year. Later this week, I’m attending the largest blog/social media conference I will have been to, BlogHer ’11. While I’m looking forward to the learning opportunities at BlogHer ’11, from what I understand, this conference focuses heavily on networking with other bloggers as well as brand representatives. I am very excited about the educational sessions but let me tell you.. I’m super duper ginormously nervous about the in-person networking. I suffer from extreme shyness and social anxiety and working from home for the last 11 years hasn’t helped my shyness or social anxiety.  I will keep attending conferences anyway in hopes that one day I will be able to walk up to a stranger, start a conversation and feel good about it!  If any conference will help me accomplish that goal, I think it will be BlogHer!

My HOPES for BlogHer ’11:

• Most importantly, I hope to have a safe and relaxing flight to San Diego from Atlanta.
• I hope that I am able to attend all of the educational sessions that I have on my BlogHer schedule, of which I’ve double-booked myself for a few.
• I hope to be able to network with bloggers and brands representatives I’ve chatted with online and who I’ve never met before as well as meet bloggers and reps I haven’t had the opportunity to communicate with previously or meet.
• I hope that I won’t feel too guilty for leaving the kids, yet again.
• I hope that my luggage doesn’t get lost.
• I hope I’m able to keep a positive attitude no matter how overwhelmed, tired, or lonely I might feel at times.
• I hope that I am able to keep my composure and not let my emotions get the best of me when I think about my daughter.
• I hope that my daughter’s biopsy results come back either before BlogHer or after so I don’t have a meltdown during BlogHer.

My Goals while at BlogHer ’11

• Connect Goal – My #1 goal is to make new friends and connect with representatives from brands that I respect and would like to work with. Let’s be real.. that is what BlogHer is about!
• Learn to Write Goal – have been considering taking a writing class at Kennesaw State University but my goal at BlogHer is to learn how to write better at the Women Create sessions on Wednesday. If I don’t meet that goal, I’ll take a class at KSU after BlogHer.
• Relax Goal – I actually signed up for a 6am Yoga class during BlogHer ’11. Doesn’t that sound relaxing!?
• Swag Goal – My goal is to come home with typical BlogHer swag, but only items that will be useful to my family, or that my kids will appreciate, or that we can donate to local charities.
• Don’t Break Down and Cry Goal – I am going to try my hardest NOT to call my husband or sister crying about not having anyone to talk to. That only happened once but boy does that memory sit in the forefront of my thoughts during trips like this.
• One really big goal that I have that I’m afraid Stacie, Desiree, Niri, and Caryn, might laugh at me for, is to not give in to peer pressure (you know who you are!) and skip out on educational sessions in order to attend a party or other event that might give me swag but not the educational value that session would have.  Ha!  We’ll see if that happens!
• Grand Finale Goal – Learn a lot! I feel pretty confident that even thought I’ve been blogging for over 5 years and working online for over 10 years, there are still things for me to learn.

More about Invitation Consultants

InvitationConsultants.com has been creating style in print since 1999. Their focus is providing customers with a product you will be excited to send to your family and friends. Planning an event takes time, so ordering invitations should be as easy as possible. Follow our easy steps and you are one step closer to your big day: 1. select your item, 2. enter your wording, 3. review and approve your proof, 4. they print your items, 5. they ship to your doorstep, office or guests, 6. sit back, relax and enjoy your event! It’s that easy!

What makes Invitation Consultants different and great to work with: They offer customers free ground shipping on orders $75 or more!. Their huge selection of invitations, personalized stationery and party favors from top manufacturers makes shopping fun. There is something for everyone, whether you want paper that is stylish, traditional or funky.

Thank you Invitation Consultants for providing me with a $300 BlogHer ’11 sponsorship.   Learn about my main BlogHer ’11 sponsor here!

Wish me luck at BlogHer please!

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to read about what I learn, who I meet, and what I do at BlogHer.

My Goals and Hopes for BlogHer ’11 – Invitation Consultants BlogHer $300 Sponsorship Winner! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Part 2 – Moms in Business Unite Conference Session 2: Just Enough Geek To Get You Going
Part 1 – Using Technology to Market Your Business

Speaker: Christie Crowder
Twitter: @chatterboxgc
Website: ChristieCrowder.com

Christie is speaking about tips on how business owners (or aspiring business owners) can choose technology wisely to that it’s used to keep your venture running smooth on the inside and shining like a star on the outside.

It All Starts With You

- Start with technology on your own level
- Keep your internal technology as current as your external technology
- What’s popular might not always be what works – great point!
- Start Simple – stick with gadgets and apps that challenge you but are user-friendly. You can always upgrade.
- Keep it simple. Don’t sign up for every social media network or buy every productivity app.

Be Proactive and Productive with Apps

- Less Errors with Trials. Look for free versions of apps.
- Maximize Multi-Tasking.
- Choose apps that handle more than one task or function simultaneously.
- Look for web and mobile capabilities
- Get a “Wingman” (or woman)
- Have someone you can call on for technical assistance and advice

Don’ts and Do’s

- Ignorance is not bliss
- Do not leave all of your technology operations to one person.
- Don’t go changing trying to please me
- Don’t make unnecessary changes just to keep up with the Jones’
- Don’t be afraid to change
- Don’t panic, it’s supposed to be fun!

My (Christie’s) “Coolest Things” For You and Your Business

- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Square credit card reader for iPhone (free)

Notes and Brainstorming Tools and Apps

- Evernote (web, mobile, and desktop applications). All sync together.
- MindNode (Mac app). There are other “mind mapping” apps available.

Operations & Collaboration Tools and Apps

- Google Docs
- Nozbe
- Producteev
- Skype
- Dropbox (online file storage)
- Wiggio.com (makes it easy for you to work in groups)

Client Management and Accounting Tools and Apps

- Gist
- Tungle.me
- Simplifythis
- Wave accounting (free accounting system)
- Outright

Communications and Public Relations Tools and Apps

- MailChimp
- Mad Mimi
- Shout’em
- Wufoo (Christie’s favorite form maker). Can create surveys and forms.
- Pitch Engine. Social media press release.
- QR code maker and reader (free apps available including JumpScan)

Marketing and Social Media Tools and Apps

- Hootsuite
- Facebook
- Trackur
- What the hashtag?
- Seesmic
- Tweetdeck

I hope you enjoy these tips from Christie as much as I have. I will link up to the Tools and Apps mentioned here later, after the conference.

Moms in Business Unite Conference Notes – Just Enough “Geek” To Get You Going with Christie Crowder is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I’m in the first session of the day at Moms in Business Unite in Atlanta and am enjoying hearing Lorraine Robertson talk about how to use technology/social media to market your business. Here are a few notes.. Pardon the format as I’m not editing as I take notes.. just trying to get the information out to you so you can enjoy it with me!

Speaker: Lorraine Robertson
Twitter: @askwifey
Session: Using Technology to Market Your Business

Why Use Social Media?

- Raise Awareness
- Increase Sales
- Build Branding
- Engage with Consumer

Large Brand Facebook Success Example:

- Coca-Cola is the biggest Facebook Fan Page with over 26 million Fans.
- They let the fans really drive the Facebook page
- Enlisted Maroon 5 to create a song for them
- Booked Maroon 5 for 24 hours and asked fans to choose/create a song via Facebook Fan Page. Great interactive way to engage Coca-Cola fans.

Smaller Brand Facebook Success Example:

- Charles Orlando – The Problem with Women is Men
- Self published author
- Set up blog and social media platforms
- Naturally gravitated toward using Facebook. Responded when people posted questions. Interaction.
- You don’t have to take on every platform out there.

How to segregate different topics on Facebook VS. Twitter?

- Look at who your audience is on each
- Twitter is more open. Anyone can be following you on Twitter unless you block your Tweets.

It’s OK to Tweet something more than once.

Top 10 Social Media Marketing Tips from @askwifey

- Have a Plan
- Do your research
- Be selective
- Understand the rules
- Don’t be overwhelmed
- Pay attention
- Make a schedule
- Provide good content
- Be engaging
- Be authentic

I hope you enjoy reading my notes from the Moms in Business Unite Conference as much as I’m enjoying being here!

Moms in Business Unite Conference Notes – Using Technology to Market Your Business with Lorraine Robertson is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Scroll down to find upcoming conferences.

We want you to be in the know.  If you are a ‘mommy blogger’ (AKA a mom who writes a blog) I’m sure you hope to attend the latest and greatest blogger and social media events.  However, you might not be aware of all of the great blogger conferences going on and before you know it, you’re reading posts on other blogs about how great the BlogHer conference or ___ cruise was and you wished to the high heavens that you were there.
The Mommy Insider Blogger and Social Media Events Guide features upcoming social media and web events, parties, and conferences that we think mommy bloggers, website editors, and those who are interested in blogging and social media will appreciate learning about.

Is your event not on this list? Contact us at least one month before your event with details about the event and we’ll try to list it here in The Mommy Insider Blogger and Social Media Events Guide.

BlogHer ’11
When: August 5th-6th
Where:  San Diego Marriott and Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Cost: $298
Twitter: #BlogHer11  and #blogher

Becoming Conference
When: August 12th and 13th
Where: Asheville, NC
Cost: $93 – $100. 50
Twitter:  @becomingconf

WordCamp San Fransisco
When: August 12th – 14th
Where: Mission Bay Conference Center, San Fransisco, CA
Cost: $50
Twitter: #wcsf

Bloggy Boot Camp – Chicago
When: August 20th
Where: Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, Chicago,  IL
Cost: $140 (sold out)
Twitter:  @bloggybootcamp

BlogPaws 2011
When: August 25-27th
Where: Vienna, VA
Cost: $179
Twitter:  @BlogPaws

2011 International Food Blogger Conference 
When: August 26th-28th
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost: $350
Twitter: @ifbc

September 2011 Conferences

BlogHer Handmade 
When: September 15th-17th
Where: St. Paul, MN
Cost: $225
Twitter:  @blogher

WordCamp Albuquerque
When: September 16th-18th
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cost: $25 or $150
Twitter:  @ABQWordPress

She Streams Conference – New York
When: September 23rd-24th
Where: Crowne Plaza Times Square, NY
Cost: Prices vary
Twitter: @shestreams

Conference information shown here was copied directly from the respective conference websites. Please refer to the conference/meeting’s respective website for additional information, rate increases, or other conference information revisions.

2011 Blog and Social Media Events and Conferences is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I’m all about trinkets and gadgets and when I got these OXO products to try out my first thought was how cool looking they are. But I’m going to move on from looks and talk about the OXO Collection for what else it is.. useful.

OXO Push Pin Dispenser:

• Telescoping wand has handy magnet built into underside of lid
• Magnet grabs and presents pins safely, avoiding finger pricks
• Holds up to 50 push pins
• Comes with eight OXO GOOD GRIPS™ push pins
• The OXO push pin dispenser (+ 8 push pins) is just $4.99, a great price for something useful and space saving.

OXO Good Grips™ Push Pins features:

• Non-slip soft grip
• Large, contoured shape for efficiency and comfort
• Colors include orange, red, blue and green
• 24/Pack

OXO Pencil Cup

• 4 compartments
• Compartments completely removable
• Slightly see through so you can see the paperclips or rubber bands your 3 year old dropped into the pencil cup. That’s where they were all this time!

Other OXO office products include staplers, tape dispensers, and 3-hole punchers.

Visit your local Staples store or Staples online to check out these and more OXO Office Collection products.

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment below telling me what your biggest clutter issue is.  It doesn’t have to be related to push pins or pencil cups! Entries accepted through February 25th.

OXO Office Collection and a giveaway is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!