Bloggy Boot Camp - St. Louis: Blog Conference Recap

About six weeks ago, Sean and I were sitting on the couch after he returned home from work. With kids crawling all over us, he randomly looked at me and said, "You should go to a blogging conference this year."

If you remember, I did attend a Kansas City blogging conference last summer, but it didn't quite fit my style (or lack there of since it was mostly a fashion focused conference). To find a conference more my speed, I would need to travel to it. And Sean knew that when he suggested that I go.

Did I marry an incredible guy or what? He wanted me to take a day or two off from the kids and offered to stay with them so that I could improve my skills. But more than that, this is how he always is with my writing and blogging: 100% supportive and excited for whatever opportunities I have. He does his very best to make sure that I continue to grow as Rebecca, and not just be a quad mom. He loves that I love to write. How awesome is that?

*so in love!*

All that to say, because of his encouragement, I did get to go to a blogging conference last weekend:

The SITS Girls: Bloggy Boot Camp - St. Louis

It was a whirlwind trip, but it was totally worth the exhaustion by the time we got back. I went with Sarah, a friend, fellow blogger, and triplet mom. We were able to split the costs of gas and hotel to make it affordable for both of us. We left at 3pm on Friday, and we were both home by 10pm on Saturday. Whew!

So this is where the story gets interesting. Earlier last week, I started to come down with a cold. The kids bring home everything from preschool. Ugh! But I was just going to suck it up because I wasn't that sick. Unfortunately, my voice started getting scratchy on Thursday afternoon. By Friday morning, I had no voice at all. I tried to speak normally, but literally nothing would come out. I ended up having to whisper...the entire weekend.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to network while only being able to whisper?! So frustrating!

But the other bloggers were super nice and kindly worked with me. Sarah ended up doing quite a bit of talking for me, including, calling the front desk for the wifi password, ordering my meals, and telling me not to try to talk at normal levels because I would scare people. Lol!

So here is a quick recap of our very short, very full trip:

Around 7:30pm, we rolled into the hotel, and checked in. The rooms were all suites, with a living area, refrigerator, two sinks, and two double beds. It was a very nice setup, and I sure wouldn't mind staying there again!

We were going to go grab some dinner somewhere, but I got a message from another blogger that there were several kid-niche bloggers eating dinner in the hotel restaurant. So we changed our plans and joined them. After dinner, we headed back to one of their rooms and hung out for awhile.

 Laura from LalyMom. In true blogger fashion she was working on a craft while we were visiting.

Sarah from OMG There's Three, Alisha from Makeovers and Motherhood, and Amanda from Dirt and Boogers

About 11pm that night, Sarah and I bowed out and headed to bed. Two higher order multiple moms and the possibility of a full night's sleep without being woken by kids...yeah, we were definitely prioritizing!

The next morning, I gave my voice another try (and Sarah told me to quit scaring people) so I was officially stuck at whisper level. I made the best of it though...after Sarah ordered my breakfast for me because the guy couldn't hear what I was saying.

And then the actual conference got underway. I highly recommend Bloggy Boot Camp. It is literally a boot camp with 10 very packed hours of blogging info. Goodness gracious, it's going to take me awhile to digest all of it.

Francesca and Allison from The SITS Girls

It was very well done with around 125 attending bloggers. For the first four sessions, we had assigned tables that changed with every speaker. For an introvert like me, it was a little nerve-wracking, but ended up being great because I was able to meet a lot of people who write in a lot of different niches. (Special thanks to Alida from The Realistic Mama, Nicole from Mom Saves Money, and Ashley from Lovely Commotion for being willing to help me be heard!)

By the time I reached my second table, I realized that not everyone could hear me saying that I didn't have a voice. Haha! So I made a sign and Melissa from Sippy Cup Mom thought it was so funny she had to take a photo. And then she tweeted it. And that's why I now have this photo.

Side note: Don't go to a blogging conference unless you fully expect for awkward photos of you to end up on the internet!

The sessions themselves were jam packed. Everything from tips to improve blogging to design techniques to working with brands to finding your unique writing voice. I just wanted to slow the whole thing down and absorb all of the experience and wisdom of the speakers/writers who presented. Such valuable info!

By the time we hit 5:30pm and the conference was over, Sarah and I were exhausted and ready to head back to Kansas City. There was a bonus wine reception after, but we instead opted for large cups of caffeine and the road. I'm bummed we missed that extra networking time, but by that point, I was SO sick. So, so sick. I just wanted my own bed.

It's pretty obvious that we both have little kids, isn't it?

So Sarah and I headed back to Kansas City and managed to get home at a decent time. We did make a brief stop at a Cracker Barrel for dinner on the drive back, and the food seemed to revive both of us a bit. The waiter at Cracker Barrel felt so bad for me (the guy was practically sitting on the floor next to me to hear my order) that he brought me out some tea. He had even added lemon slices to the small teapot to steep with the green tea bag. Then he handed me honey and gave me a homemade cough syrup recipe to make when I got home. It was really, really unexpected and thoughtful of him! And my throat did feel a bit better after drinking the tea.

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend away and all of the tips I learned. The only way it could have been better? If I hadn't had to whisper the whole time!

Eh, maybe next year. :)

About six weeks ago, Sean and I were sitting on the couch after he returned home from work. With kids crawling all over us, he randomly looked at me and said, "You should go to a blogging conference this year."

If you remember, I did attend a Kansas City blogging conference last summer, but it didn't quite fit my style (or lack there of since it was mostly a fashion focused conference). To find a conference more my speed, I would need to travel to it. And Sean knew that when he suggested that I go.

Did I marry an incredible guy or what? He wanted me to take a day or two off from the kids and offered to stay with them so that I could improve my skills. But more than that, this is how he always is with my writing and blogging: 100% supportive and excited for whatever opportunities I have. He does his very best to make sure that I continue to grow as Rebecca, and not just be a quad mom. He loves that I love to write. How awesome is that?

*so in love!*

All that to say, because of his encouragement, I did get to go to a blogging conference last weekend:

The SITS Girls: Bloggy Boot Camp - St. Louis

It was a whirlwind trip, but it was totally worth the exhaustion by the time we got back. I went with Sarah, a friend, fellow blogger, and triplet mom. We were able to split the costs of gas and hotel to make it affordable for both of us. We left at 3pm on Friday, and we were both home by 10pm on Saturday. Whew!

So this is where the story gets interesting. Earlier last week, I started to come down with a cold. The kids bring home everything from preschool. Ugh! But I was just going to suck it up because I wasn't that sick. Unfortunately, my voice started getting scratchy on Thursday afternoon. By Friday morning, I had no voice at all. I tried to speak normally, but literally nothing would come out. I ended up having to whisper...the entire weekend.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to network while only being able to whisper?! So frustrating!

But the other bloggers were super nice and kindly worked with me. Sarah ended up doing quite a bit of talking for me, including, calling the front desk for the wifi password, ordering my meals, and telling me not to try to talk at normal levels because I would scare people. Lol!

So here is a quick recap of our very short, very full trip:

Around 7:30pm, we rolled into the hotel, and checked in. The rooms were all suites, with a living area, refrigerator, two sinks, and two double beds. It was a very nice setup, and I sure wouldn't mind staying there again!

We were going to go grab some dinner somewhere, but I got a message from another blogger that there were several kid-niche bloggers eating dinner in the hotel restaurant. So we changed our plans and joined them. After dinner, we headed back to one of their rooms and hung out for awhile.

 Laura from LalyMom. In true blogger fashion she was working on a craft while we were visiting.

Sarah from OMG There's Three, Alisha from Makeovers and Motherhood, and Amanda from Dirt and Boogers

About 11pm that night, Sarah and I bowed out and headed to bed. Two higher order multiple moms and the possibility of a full night's sleep without being woken by kids...yeah, we were definitely prioritizing!

The next morning, I gave my voice another try (and Sarah told me to quit scaring people) so I was officially stuck at whisper level. I made the best of it though...after Sarah ordered my breakfast for me because the guy couldn't hear what I was saying.

And then the actual conference got underway. I highly recommend Bloggy Boot Camp. It is literally a boot camp with 10 very packed hours of blogging info. Goodness gracious, it's going to take me awhile to digest all of it.

Francesca and Allison from The SITS Girls

It was very well done with around 125 attending bloggers. For the first four sessions, we had assigned tables that changed with every speaker. For an introvert like me, it was a little nerve-wracking, but ended up being great because I was able to meet a lot of people who write in a lot of different niches. (Special thanks to Alida from The Realistic Mama, Nicole from Mom Saves Money, and Ashley from Lovely Commotion for being willing to help me be heard!)

By the time I reached my second table, I realized that not everyone could hear me saying that I didn't have a voice. Haha! So I made a sign and Melissa from Sippy Cup Mom thought it was so funny she had to take a photo. And then she tweeted it. And that's why I now have this photo.

Side note: Don't go to a blogging conference unless you fully expect for awkward photos of you to end up on the internet!

The sessions themselves were jam packed. Everything from tips to improve blogging to design techniques to working with brands to finding your unique writing voice. I just wanted to slow the whole thing down and absorb all of the experience and wisdom of the speakers/writers who presented. Such valuable info!

By the time we hit 5:30pm and the conference was over, Sarah and I were exhausted and ready to head back to Kansas City. There was a bonus wine reception after, but we instead opted for large cups of caffeine and the road. I'm bummed we missed that extra networking time, but by that point, I was SO sick. So, so sick. I just wanted my own bed.

It's pretty obvious that we both have little kids, isn't it?

So Sarah and I headed back to Kansas City and managed to get home at a decent time. We did make a brief stop at a Cracker Barrel for dinner on the drive back, and the food seemed to revive both of us a bit. The waiter at Cracker Barrel felt so bad for me (the guy was practically sitting on the floor next to me to hear my order) that he brought me out some tea. He had even added lemon slices to the small teapot to steep with the green tea bag. Then he handed me honey and gave me a homemade cough syrup recipe to make when I got home. It was really, really unexpected and thoughtful of him! And my throat did feel a bit better after drinking the tea.

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend away and all of the tips I learned. The only way it could have been better? If I hadn't had to whisper the whole time!

Eh, maybe next year. :)

Go Blog Social Blog Conference Recap

Last weekend, I had a chance to attend my first blogging conference. I always get a glazed over look when I mention the conference to people, so let me explain what it is.

At this point in the internet age, blogging is actually a career path. Just like you might be sent to a conference as part of your job duties in your field, there are blogging conferences offered all over to teach better practices and how to be more effective as a blogger. Interesting, right? Very much so! I had no idea they existed when I started this blog three years ago. Of course, I was also sick as a dog with quadruplets, so blogging as more than a way to keep people in the loop was as far from my mind as could possibly be...

Go Blog Social had it's inaugural conference here in Kansas City over the weekend. I chose to go to this one because it was inexpensive, and I wouldn't need to pay for a hotel room. Made sense to me.

For me, the highlights of the weekend included, meeting my blog crush: Tracie from Penny Pinchin' Mom, developing a deeper friendship with my friend, Sarah from OMG There's Three, and meeting two other mommy bloggers from Kansas City: Ashley from Marie and Me Learning and Stephanie from The Making of a Mom.

My goal at this conference was to do a little networking (including meeting my blog crush!) and learn some of the nitty-gritty stuff that blogging consists of: how to build a great blog, how to use keywords, and how to work with brands in a natural way. I bet you didn't realize that there was so much going on behind the posts that I write, did you?

While I did pick up some new information, I found that the vast majority of the conference was geared toward fashion bloggers. I didn't realize until I got there, that the conference was started by fashion bloggers, was mostly attended by fashion bloggers, and that most of the speakers were...fashion bloggers. If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that "Rebecca" and "fashion" don't go together. I'm one of those moms that pull the top tshirt out of the drawer and start my day.

So while I felt like the conference was definitely not geared toward those of us in other blogging niches, I was very pleased to meet some new people and a couple of brands that I hadn't heard of before.

This blogger is seriously amazing, knows her stuff inside and out, and is such a kind person in real life. It was a real pleasure to get to speak with her for a few minutes! 

Traci Fobes from Penny Pinchin Mom

Expo Hall: This is where brands set up to meet bloggers. Most of them were jewelry based, but it was also Go Blog Social's first year. Hopefully next year they invite more brands and expand it to include more products that aren't solely fashion based. Nothing against the jewelry tables at all, because those women were wonderful! I just like variety...and again, I'm not so fashionable. I should work on that. In all my free time.

This was my first blogging conference, and they had a surprise for us! I guess blogging conferences always offer Swag Bags of items that brands send over to get in front of bloggers. It was fun to go through it and see some new items that I hadn't heard of before.

A few of the brands: Paper Sherpa, Hello Cheeseburger, Cosentino's Market, Zevia, Twistband, Mabel's Labels, and more

Some of the only other Mommy Bloggers there. I was SO happy to meet them!

Ashley from Marie and Me Learning, Stefanie from Making of a Mom, Me, and Sarah from OMG There's Three

And then apparently, it was my lucky weekend! I won a ton of  brand giveaways. Yay!

Jewelry from Erin Paige Designs

Wine Gift Basket (basket not pictured) from Seasons 52

Personalized Jewelry from Hello Cheeseburger. Love it!

With the Go Blog Social blogging conference being local to Kansas City, I was still able to make it home both evenings to tuck the kids in bed and spend some time with Sean. I miss my babies when I'm gone! Many thanks to the best husband in the world for holding down the fort with the quads while I was gone!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, please see my disclaimer page.

Last weekend, I had a chance to attend my first blogging conference. I always get a glazed over look when I mention the conference to people, so let me explain what it is.

At this point in the internet age, blogging is actually a career path. Just like you might be sent to a conference as part of your job duties in your field, there are blogging conferences offered all over to teach better practices and how to be more effective as a blogger. Interesting, right? Very much so! I had no idea they existed when I started this blog three years ago. Of course, I was also sick as a dog with quadruplets, so blogging as more than a way to keep people in the loop was as far from my mind as could possibly be...

Go Blog Social had it's inaugural conference here in Kansas City over the weekend. I chose to go to this one because it was inexpensive, and I wouldn't need to pay for a hotel room. Made sense to me.

For me, the highlights of the weekend included, meeting my blog crush: Tracie from Penny Pinchin' Mom, developing a deeper friendship with my friend, Sarah from OMG There's Three, and meeting two other mommy bloggers from Kansas City: Ashley from Marie and Me Learning and Stephanie from The Making of a Mom.

My goal at this conference was to do a little networking (including meeting my blog crush!) and learn some of the nitty-gritty stuff that blogging consists of: how to build a great blog, how to use keywords, and how to work with brands in a natural way. I bet you didn't realize that there was so much going on behind the posts that I write, did you?

While I did pick up some new information, I found that the vast majority of the conference was geared toward fashion bloggers. I didn't realize until I got there, that the conference was started by fashion bloggers, was mostly attended by fashion bloggers, and that most of the speakers were...fashion bloggers. If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that "Rebecca" and "fashion" don't go together. I'm one of those moms that pull the top tshirt out of the drawer and start my day.

So while I felt like the conference was definitely not geared toward those of us in other blogging niches, I was very pleased to meet some new people and a couple of brands that I hadn't heard of before.

This blogger is seriously amazing, knows her stuff inside and out, and is such a kind person in real life. It was a real pleasure to get to speak with her for a few minutes! 

Traci Fobes from Penny Pinchin Mom

Expo Hall: This is where brands set up to meet bloggers. Most of them were jewelry based, but it was also Go Blog Social's first year. Hopefully next year they invite more brands and expand it to include more products that aren't solely fashion based. Nothing against the jewelry tables at all, because those women were wonderful! I just like variety...and again, I'm not so fashionable. I should work on that. In all my free time.

This was my first blogging conference, and they had a surprise for us! I guess blogging conferences always offer Swag Bags of items that brands send over to get in front of bloggers. It was fun to go through it and see some new items that I hadn't heard of before.

A few of the brands: Paper Sherpa, Hello Cheeseburger, Cosentino's Market, Zevia, Twistband, Mabel's Labels, and more

Some of the only other Mommy Bloggers there. I was SO happy to meet them!

Ashley from Marie and Me Learning, Stefanie from Making of a Mom, Me, and Sarah from OMG There's Three

And then apparently, it was my lucky weekend! I won a ton of  brand giveaways. Yay!

Jewelry from Erin Paige Designs

Wine Gift Basket (basket not pictured) from Seasons 52

Personalized Jewelry from Hello Cheeseburger. Love it!

With the Go Blog Social blogging conference being local to Kansas City, I was still able to make it home both evenings to tuck the kids in bed and spend some time with Sean. I miss my babies when I'm gone! Many thanks to the best husband in the world for holding down the fort with the quads while I was gone!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, please see my disclaimer page.