Are you sick to death of hearing about the BlissDom blogging conference yet? So many people have already posted their photos and stories about the weekend on other blogs, and that’s all anyone is talking about on Twitter. I just spent the last hour and a half reading through all the other blog posts written about it, looking through Flickr and Facebook photos from the weekend, and responding to e-mails I’ve gotten from all of my newfound friends. At this point I’m wondering if there’s anything left to say!
Oh, what the heck–I’m going to say it anyway. I can’t resist.
The weekend in Nashville was amazing. And I learned a lot. But the highlight was definitely hanging out with so many of my blogging buddies in one place. (At the top you can see me rubbing shoulders with the lovely sisters Missy and Susie of Bienvenue, and the fabulous Rhoda of Southern Hospitality.)
We stayed at the Hotel Preston. Here’s the front lobby:
The hallway that led to the conference rooms:
Here I am with Amy of Living Locurto at the New Orleans Manor restaurant where we went for dinner. Amy is one of the most creative women I know!
Two of my favorite fellow-Ohio bloggers, who I famously met in the elevator at IKEA a year ago and then rediscovered when we each mentioned meeting the other on our blogs: Emily and Jenny of Momminitup!
Oh, yeah, we also had a few sessions where we actually learned stuff. Here’s proof:
I was excited to meet Kristen of WeareTHATfamily:
And the very cool Jamie of BlondeMomBlog:
Ten Things I Learned at BlissDom:
1. If the elevator looks crowded, take the stairs. When we got back from our Ohio blogger dinner, 13 of my friends crammed themselves into the elevator. Later I checked Twitter and saw countless tweets saying they were stuck between floors! You can read the harrowing story of their adventure here. Thanks to Twitter, they were rescued. (Who says Twitter is useless?) Being bloggers, they videotaped themselves while they were waiting for help. And took photos of the sign in the elevator that said, “Maximum occupancy: 7 people.”
2. Wear higher heels next time. And maybe a big hat. All weekend I heard things like, “You look so much taller on your blog!” and “You’re so much smaller in real life!” (Does my profile pic make me look tall?)
3. Bring business cards with your blog address on them. Look at all the cards I collected this weekend! And they were all so cute, clever, and creative. I held the distinction of being the ONLY blogger who didn’t think to bring any cards with her. Yep, that was me. For two days I heard, “You don’t have a card?!” I resorted to writing my name and blog address on Hotel Preston stationery and handing it out. Way to make a first impression, Julia!
4. Just because they give you all the free Little Debbie snack cakes you can carry, that doesn’t mean you have to eat them all! You might not respect yourself in the morning. Trust me on this.
5. You think YOU’RE nervous? There are lots of people in the room who are more scared than you are. Be nice to them. It’s amazing how quickly you can get over your own shyness that way.
6. A lot of bloggers are uncomfortable talking numbers. I was surprised by how few of the speakers would answer basic questions about how much traffic they’re getting or what they charge for ads. People ask me these questions all the time and I always tell them the truth, but apparently it’s a taboo topic to a lot of other bloggers.
7. The average length of time a visitor reads a blog before moving on is 4 seconds. That’s right. They told us that you have to keep your posts short because no one is going to stick around long to read more than a word and a half anyway. So you haven’t read this far for sure. I’ll try to keep things shorter in the future, but I’m not promising anything.
8. Potential advertisers expect to see a “disclosure policy” on your blog. They won’t consider advertising with you otherwise. This was news to me. Attention all advertisers–I just added mine here.
9. “Information is all over the Internet. There is only one you.” That was one of my favorite quotes of the weekend, from Liz Strauss of Successful Blog. And it’s so true–it’s your unique voice and presentation of the facts that make all the difference.
10. Bloggers “match” their blogs! You know how you imagine the way bloggers must be in real life after reading their blogs? Well, they are. They are just like they are on their blogs. It didn’t feel like I was meeting any of them for the first time. They felt like old friends! Prime examples are Susie (Bienvenue), Rhoda (Southern Hospitality), Kimba (A Soft Place to Land), and Nester (Nesting Place), below. They are all as beautiful as their blogs, inside and out!
To see what other people learned at the conference, visit Musings of a Housewife who is hosting a Mister Linky party that everyone is linking up to today. You can also get the Blissdom 09 transcripts here.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
I stayed longer than 4 second! Great list. We didn’t meet but I’ll say hi now.
Michelle Smiles’s last blog post..Contest open until noon central!
LOL Michelle you beat me to the punch. I too stayed longer than 4 secs. I always reads yours Julia fromm top to botton…I must admit I don’t do that with everyone.
I am so glad you had a nice time.
Kathy
I read every word. Trust me it’s worth reading over and over. Im just so glad that I wasnt in that elevator. I woulnd’t need twitter my voice would be loud enough,haha! I like stairs anyday but my heel were a bit too much for them. Thats what you get when your trying to be an inch taller. I loved getting to spend time with you. Your post just said it all, Thanks for making my trip extra special~
I love this summary post of Blissdom. Takes me back!!! Going through a little Blissdom withdrawal over here
. Such a fun weekend! Thanks for sharing your fun pics and 10 things list.
Jyl (Mom It Forward)’s last blog post..Mom It Forward’s Mother of All Giveaways!
I read your whole post – some bloggers are always worth reading. Others…not so much! One of my favorite quotes about blogging is, “never have so many had so little to say.” Those are the blogs that I avoid, and I pray that I never become one of them. No danger of that on your blog, which I always enjoy and learn something from. Now I’m off to visit those links you provided so I can learn more. Thanks!
Linda’s last blog post..A new friend…or lunch?
oh boy that 4 second thing threw me for a loop. I read you beginning to end, just like all my other favorites in the blog world. Looks like a blast, Julia! I’m still kicking myself for not going.
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..Room To Breathe
One of the highlights of my week was meeting you Julia! You are definitely one of those bloggers that I will stick around to read your whole post…you always have wonderful things to say.
~Angie
co-founder of I ? Faces
theArthurClan’s last blog post..I ? Faces Week 5 – "Silly"
Ok, Julia, I spent way more than 4 seconds reading this. Just so ya know.
And every picture of you i have seen is SO GOOD! You are so photogenic! Your “red carpet face” is awesome! And you are awesome in real life, too. I think we need to have an IKEA reunion soon. I like the elevators at IKEA much better than the ones at Hotel Preston!
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up!’s last blog post..Twove in a Twelevator – the Elevator 13 Story
Great recap! I’m definitely a 4-second reader (maybe a little longer). Just don’t have time to read and read, especially on a computer screen! Thanks for that tip, I need to keep that in mind more often.
I admitted my very measly traffic numbers for my springsbargains.com blog at #cyberbliss. It is hard for people to talk about numbers, I think – it’s like talking about your salary or how much your husband makes!
carrie : SpringsHomeBlog.com’s last blog post..How to register a vehicle in Colorado
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us, Julia. I actually hope you don’t shorten your posts. I guess I’m a lengthy person myself, but I often just get interested in short posts… and then they end.
Katie
Katie @ makingthishome.com’s last blog post..Setting Up a Kitchen Recycling Center
It was so much fun seeing you again! And I am with you on the numbers thing – out with it already! But for real, if we had your traffic, I would have it tatooed on my forehead.
Emily’s last blog post..Twove in a Twelevator – the Elevator 13 Story
I. AM. SO. JEALOUS. It looks like a great time. The only thing I don’t agree with is keeping post short. That’s boring. I like to read long posts! And I always, always, always read your whole posts.
Mom in High Heels’s last blog post..The great purse clean out
May I add #11. I frequently go to arts strolls. I have a terrible time remembering who and what I saw. I collect a pile of pretty but difficult to read cards. Events should provide a webpage with everybody’s name, website, blog, and email. That way, you can revisit the event and the folks you met without eyestrain and without mis-typing URLs.
Terry Kearns’s last blog post..Dutch gables, Cape Dutch architecture in Atlanta?
Loved your wrapup and I also love that quote from Liz Strauss.
Thanks for saying “I’m cool!”
It was a pleasure to meet you and sit by you Julia. I hope to see you again next year!
p.s. I am still worn out and I didn’t even go Friday…whew!
Jamie’s last blog post..He’s Just Not That Into You (And Also He’s Just Really Cheap)
Great post and recap! I too didn’t have business cards at the last blissdom–no biggie, I like that you didn’t even think to bring them! Love you girl!
The Nester’s last blog post..Total Bliss
Hi Julia, Wow looks like you had a Wonderful time with the ladies, its so nice to get out for the weekend, and meet the ladies, and to have a great time.
If I notice that I am not taking the time to read someone’s whole post and interact in the comments section, then I just stop reading that blog. Once I find a blog I really like I’m consistent about reading every post from start to finish. I think the 4 second rule must be for people who come upon webpages through search engines and skim to see if it’s relevant to what they are looking for. If they can’t find what they are looking for they click the “back” arrow and try their search again. Once a man tried to leave a comment on one of my posts about how he was looking for information about windmills and was extremely disappointed when the search engine lead him to my blog. He told me I needed to change the name of my blog immediately! I just deleted that comment because some people are idiots.
Fighting Windmills’s last blog post..One Word: Growth
I actually don’t think I read any other blogs written by women who attend BlissDom, so I’m glad you decided to share your experience. That’s really interesting about the numbers – and their unwillingness to disclose. I guess they consider the topic like money? And I’m surprised by the 4 second stat…I always read my favorite blog posts to the end…maybe they were talking about people surfing around for new blogs to read? And finally so good to hear and see that photo of the ‘business cards’. I’m going to BlogHer and had wondered if I should have something made up for my blog – I’m definitely going to do so now. Thanks for the tips!!! (oh – and you have really cute hair – I love the color!)
christy’s last blog post..All dogs go to heaven…
I read the whole thing! And I’m glad I did because I got to see you with my friend. Kristen (We are THAT Family) and I have been friends in real life for more than 10 years. We don’t live near each other any more and I miss her. And now it’s really cool because she’s “famous”!
I read every word and am glad I did! I am not surprised by the 4 second thing. Unless I already am familiar with the blogger, I tend to “surf” and do quick reading. I also love photos. Once I know the blogger, then I can sit and read forever!
How fun that you all got to meet. Everyone looks so happy and comfortable with each other.
Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos!
Sheryl
4 seconds?! What are they talking about?! I read almost all posts all the way through–and I read all through all of yours. Especially Design Star recaps. Or Top Design recaps–which show was the lame one again? Looks like BlossDom was so fun and that there were lots of big bloggers there–how esciting to get to meet them. They should have a Top Blogger show–though I have no idea how it would even work.
Aubrey’s last blog post..Warmth, Trouble, Bone Loss
So glad you had such a good time – the only thing I can do in 4 seconds is make a bottle. Which I won’t have to do next year so hopefully I’ll be able to make a conference and meet people in real life!
Alana @ Gray Matters’s last blog post..House Rules
Thanks for sharing Julia! I just learned a few things… The 4 sec thing. That’s true for me. If a post is very long I don’t even start reading (so I guess I’m not the only one). I wonder why most people don’t talk openly about numbers and money!
Maya@Completely Coastal’s last blog post..Decorating Nautical with Signal Flag Designs
4 seconds?
I guess I spend about 4 seconds *deciding* if I’m going to read the blog. If someone hasn’t said something interesting in the first bit, I don’t necessarily read the whole thing. But 4 seconds for the whole entry? Where’s the meat in that? This isn’t twitter, people!
Your entries are on the long side, but mostly because you have so many pictures! Which is a good thing, because they’re relevant, and what the site is about.
Now, someone with 57 nearly identical pictures of their dogs playing that day…maybe a little boring. But yours are always unique, and important to what is being discussed. Your blog is great. Don’t change a thing for those sticklers.
PlantingOaks’s last blog post..What lies above
Thanks so much for the info. I guess I need to put a disclosure policy on mine since I will soon be doing some reviews.
I always stay on your blog more that 4 seconds. Usually it is more like 40 seconds. Ha!! Just kidding!!
Monkey’s Momma’s last blog post..How To Get Free Books
How fun that you went to Blissdom…I am in the Cincy area and would of loved to have gone!
-sandy toe
sandy toe’s last blog post.."Family Fun" is the BEST to GIVEAWAY!
Thanks for filling us in on your weekend and the helpful hints. I just started blogging and I am really loving it. I only live 2 hours away from Nashville, I wish I would have known about Blissdom! There’s always next year! Your blog is wonderful, thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Leslie
)
Leslie’s last blog post..The room that love built….
as someone who didn’t attend, I enjoyed your list and read the whole thing – thank you for sharing!
Andi – udandi’s last blog post..Recipe: Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
As a blog junkie, I usually stay longer than 4 seconds! I really wish that I could have attended, but I’m such a newbie in the bloggie world…it would have been hard to justify the trip to my husband.
Thanks for sharing, and what a good list!
Well, this is one reader that stays for your last word! Thanks for sharing what you learned. I just started blogging in Jan., so I didn’t make it to Blissdom this year, but you can bet I’ll be there next year! And I’ll remember to bring cards!
Kimm at Reinvented’s last blog post..Containing Kid Clutter
Ok, this is totally off topic… but you have the BEST hair! Really beautiful.
Liz’s last blog post..Birthday Break
Ha- I read WAY more than 4 seconds. Does that make me special? Loved the pictures. Thanks for the recap!
Gigi’s last blog post..I Love A Good Hissy Fit
I got to meet two bloggers a few weeks ago and thought they were even better in person!
Kathy’s last blog post..Tuesday Thingers and Picture of Milou
Great post! And I would only have my photo business cards with me. They don’t have my blog addy on them. But my website does!
Melissa (Missy)’s last blog post..An Award!
It’s a funny thing, Julia, but you do seem tall! I don’t know why … your profile picture is only your face. And, I imagined Rhoda (”Southern Hospitality”) to be petite, and she is the tallest one in your photograph!
And, just for the record, I read every word of the blogs I follow, even if I don’t always comment. (However, it takes only 4 seconds or so for me to make an impression about a blog that I’ve not read before … and to decide whether or not I’m interested in reading further.)
Kathryn Wells’s last blog post..Believer or Deceiver?
I read it all, Julia! I need to learn how to shorten my posts, but it’s so hard, because I’m Southern & we *talk*!
What cute pictures of you & the other ladies. So glad you got to go!
Ms.Tee’s last blog post..Decorating with Maps
The more I read about Blissdom the more irritated I am at myself for missing it. Nevermind that I didn’t even have a blog up and running when registration was going on. Next year, next year. OK, I can’t help but laugh at the thought of all those women stuck in the elevator. Taking pictures, tweeting, video taping! I love it! So happy they weren’t stuck for too long!
Lazy Mom Leslie’s last blog post..Ten Minute Task Tuesday
This was the next best thing to actually being there!
Courtney’s last blog post..a sweet strawberry party
I stayed more than 4 seconds, and I would talk numbers if I knew how!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Other People’s Kids
Well, I read longer than 4 seconds, but I also write way longer than 4 seconds. Maybe that’s a problem. Glad you had a good time! I know one thing, though, from everybody’s photos. I don’t have any clothes cute enough to go to Blissdom.
Holly’s last blog post..Parade of Homes: 1995-1999
If it makes you feel any better, I know of a couple of people who didn’t remember business cards or who didn’t know they should bring them. NO worries.
I know people were just glad to meet YOU!
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)’s last blog post..Blissdom: the recap
It was soooo great meeting you. Oh you forgot about being “organic”. LOL! I have to say, everyone I met seemed shorter in person;-) I was happy to meet tall Rhoda so I didn’t seem like a giant. Good to know most of your readers spend more than 4 seconds. I always read the entire posts too!
Amy @ living locurto’s last blog post..Blissdom ‘09
Oh, wow…there must be nobody reading my posts through. Wish I’d known that! I wouldn’t spend so much time writing them!!
I personally appreciate a blog more for its written content. In fact, my favourite blogs are those whose owners are good writers. And I really enjoy a blogger with a great sense of humour…guess I am odd woman out!!
I love your blog for more than the photos, by the way…
Linda
Linda@ Restyled Home’s last blog post..In the Studio…
Hey Julia! It was so good to finally meet you in real life! I only wish we had had more time to TALK, I missed having the chance to sit down with you! It was an overwhelming event, GOOD but oh so many people!! Next time, I just want to go and VISIT (i.e. not speak)! Every was indeed just wonderful, I loved meeting everyone and seeing that they were REAL!
melissa @ the inspired room’s last blog post..Guest Bunks: Making the Best Use of Small Spaces
What fun you beautiful chicas had! I bet there wasn’t enough time for visiting, meetings, and everything you wanted to do! Thanks for sharing for those of us who didn’t go.
angela | the painted house’s last blog post..Make a Ginormous Idea Board
This was a great post about Blissdom, Julia. I loved your 10 Things, very interesting. Thanks for sharing:)
A Bloggers convention-how cool is that! Loved your report on all the people you met and the fun you had! I would love to attend something like that in the future. And guess what It has been way more then 4 seconds since I pulled your post up! LoL! Guess I am the exception to the rule-or your blog is just that good-I think it is the latter!
~Smiles~Tam!
Tam’s last blog post..Hey ~Lets do some catching up!
I read the whole thing! I always do! Admittedly, sometimes I’ll open a post and if I don’t have time for it, I come back later, or I leave it open in a tab and come back to it in a bit. But I always read! And I wasn’t talking about you, specifically, just blogs/posts in general.
I love all of your stuff. And I agree, even with ALL of the information out there, “there is no one you-er than you”.
Amber Filkins @ {ae filkins}’s last blog post..Reflections of my life right now…
Thanks for your take away, Julia. I read the whole thing and learned alot. I appreciate the photos as well. It’s almost like I was there. Hope to make the next big blogging event so I can meet everyone.
Mary@Everyday Baby Steps’s last blog post..Concealing Undereye Circles
This is an AWESOME recap! Thanks for linking in. I’m so glad I found your blog.
I am SOOO jealous of all of you who got to attend!
I was struck by how tall Rhoda was in all the pictures. I didn’t know she was a tall lady!
Everyone looks absolutely beautiful in every photo I’ve seen.
I have no problem talking traffic and advertising numbers, but mine are tiny compared to many. haha!
I agree that you only have 4 seconds to grab their attention. You gotta do it quickly or they move on!
Thanks for the great recap!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope to be able to attend one of these conferences one day!
Karin Katherine’s last blog post..Things I never thought I’d say…
Julia, it was SO NICE to meet you! Love your recap too – it’s been fun catching everyones! Hugs!?
sandy’s last blog post..Forgiveness is a Beautiful Valentine’s Gift – a BG Lesson!
That ? mark is supposed to be a *heart* – funny it didn’t work!
sandy’s last blog post..Forgiveness is a Beautiful Valentine’s Gift – a BG Lesson!
This is amazing!! Most of these ladies are new to me but I have read Rhoda’s blog for while now!! How fun!!
I know you had a blast!
Love,
Sue
Sue’s last blog post..Poor, Poor Pitiful Poster
4 seconds?? No wonder I’m always behind! I always back read everyone’s posts from beginning to end LOL There’s no way I could keep my posts that short. My life is long winded
Looks like you had a great time and I don’t think you’re tall looking, I would guess 5′6″?
rue
rue’s last blog post..A project and an unpacking interuption
Thanks for the information! I’m just a mom posting kid pics right now, but have some ideas. Looks like it was lots of fun.
Your blog is my favorite–I must have some sort of voyeuristic tendencies. I just love peeking inside houses! Thanks for all the great pictures on your blog!
Thank you for the information, Julia. You are always so generous with your readers.
It sounds like a very informative conference.
I have been toying with the idea of advertising on my blog, but
I’m not sure I’m quite there yet. I’m also
very tech challenged. It may take a while for me to even figure
out how to do it!
xo
Brooke
velvet and linen’s last blog post..our home
If I could visit a blog for four seconds, I’d have so many hours leftover each week.
I think it’s a bummer most won’t discuss numbers. Should have been a more open forum to foster one another, no? That said, I’m still totally jealous.
laura @ the shore house’s last blog post..Real friends, real estate, real good times.
I was wondering how your trip was. Glad you has a great time.
thanks for sharing this … we have nothing like these conferences in Aust to my knowledge – it would be so much fun
the four second thing – I don’t buy it …. one cannot absorb an ounce from anywhere in four seconds – only to conclude the fit was wrong and the reader was never really a reader anyway …
I read blogs the way I use to read magazines … for the content and delighful images – not for four seconds worth of nothing … my best to you Julia – you are a standout – le
le’s last blog post..Frugal Date – with Julia Influences