Last weekend I left the kids behind and drove through the Texas Hill Country to visit a friend who happens to be a blogger. Lisa Pennington lives in heaven had the perfect spot to host a gathering – a “blog chat” – nestled deep in the scenic, hilly Kerrville area.
I couldn’t help but sing “Little Patch of Heaven” as I drove up her driveway.
She picked the very last weekend of spring that was tolerable to be outside. I know you may be shaking your head (since Texas women should be used to the heat, right?) but I am a wuss when it comes to being hot. However, it was really nice in the early part of the day, and we enjoyed “chatting” on her limestone paved front porch area – all 15 or 20 of us.
She had invited a few seasoned, popular bloggers, social media experts and shop owners to come and speak to everyone who attended, sharing secrets and tips on how to achieve your online goals. It was much more like a women’s retreat and friends’ get together than a blog conference; hence the word “chat” in the title. Very fitting. I came away with a few pages of notes and a lot of valuable information that might have been difficult or impossible to learn at a large conference.
Valuable tips like:
– you can schedule Facebook posts now, so you don’t have to get online as often (not that I would do this, but…)
– the best ratio on twitter is 1 to 5 (1 of your own promotion-type tweets, and 4 that bless others)
– if you loved Picnik, you can now use Picmonkey to create graphics online
– don’t use clever titles in your Etsy descriptions – use searchable terms and repeat them in your listing
– if you give things away to bless others, you will grow
– focus your energy on what works, don’t do things just because others are doing it
– find a mentor who will tell you the truth
– best times to participate in social media are: early am before work, lunch, 2-4, before bed/night
– create a network “cheering squad” and love on each other (promote others and build more than yourself)
– have a schedule: know when you are OFF (your family comes first)
– don’t give away your time and talent – you are worth being paid for what you do (even if you love it)
– blogs typically get one comment per 100 views
– make sure your pins are linked to the original source or you could be sued
– don’t use Pinnerly – it strips the source of the pin
– airplane mode will allow you to Instagram (save your photo) without uploading it to your stream (private)
– narrow your focus to become an authority (unfollow those that are not in line with your purpose)
Group shot by Stacy, @Steet on Instagram : the Pinterest Queen!
Lisa and Gina outdid themselves with the decorations and Lisa’s girls were amazing hostesses. Check out the cute flower arrangements, roaming chickens, beautifully decorated porch, and yummy BBQ that was catered in by a local business. I loved Lisa’s signature burlap theme and her choice of conference theme: “Bloom”… since she was hoping we all would learn and grow together.
I met some wonderful women at the gathering. Some were new bloggers, some old hats, some were business owners and others were crafters, DIY experts, PR specialists, child nutrition teachers, or doctors aiming to reach out online in their particular niche. It was really an amazing group of women to spend time getting to know. Not everyone there were bloggers. Some wanted to learn more about building a Facebook or Pinterest following, and others wanted to hone their photography skills. I especially liked the class Lisa taught on the “Pool Deck” (which she built with her own hands) about running an Etsy business.
I also enjoyed touring Lisa’s home. I’ve never seen so many cute DIY projects in one place. She should be working as the mom evangelist for Lowe’s. She has build editions, finished out attic space, remodeled her kitchen, built furniture, created themes with cute accessories that she makes from turning trash to treasure… you name it. She has a lot of cool DIY stories on her blog, but I warn you – it will make you feel like your house is ugly. I came home with a head full of project ideas and the hope that one day I could make good friends with the tools in my garage.
It was such an enjoyable day. I was able to recharge my creative battery and although I stressed out over being away from my nursing baby (didn’t help that my husband texted me things like: “he’s acting like he’s coming down off of crack” and “just cried himself to sleep again”)… I certainly needed a little mama time with like-minded friends.
I came home encouraged.
{You know Lisa writes for the Homeschool Post, right? She’s more than qualified with 9 kids ranging from 20 to 4. Our motto at the Post is Encouraging, Inspiring and Connecting the Homeschool Community. Lisa did all three of those things at her Blog Chat this past weekend.}
What encouraged you lately?
In His Grip,
Sounds like a great time! How great is that to have a home big enough to do such a thing. Thanks for sharing the list too, however that last one I’m confused about:
“narrow your focus to become an authority (unfollow those that are not in line with your purpose)”
The first part I can understand, thats your “niche”, I get it. But the “unfollow” part, to me, is shutting people out who you might otherwise bless or God may want to use you in their life in some way outside of your bloggy niche. Thats my thought anyways. … Now, unless you’re talking about Twitter maybe? Maybe you can explain that a little more here in the comments what was meant, practically speaking, about that.
YOU WROTE:
“narrow your focus to become an authority (unfollow those that are not in line with your purpose)”
The first part I can understand, thats your “niche”, I get it. But the “unfollow” part, to me, is shutting people out who you might otherwise bless or God may want to use you in their life in some way outside of your bloggy niche. Thats my thought anyways. … Now, unless you’re talking about Twitter maybe? Maybe you can explain that a little more here in the comments what was meant, practically speaking, about that.
— the unfollow part is just about streamlining your time and focusing your life. If your blogging time is spent on homeschooling for the most part, and you want your blog to take that direction, it doesn’t do you much good to follow every single blog or newsletter that is on other topics you won’t ever write about. Each email you get takes up your time, and if you allow the clutter of EVERYTHING to bog you down, you will be less productive online during the time you have set aside to do it – or you will be less productive in your REAL LIFE with your FIRST PRIORITIES. 😉 It isn’t really about unfriending people as much as it is about whittling down the stream of mental work you have to sort through each day. 😉
What a fantastic report! Thanks for gathering the goods and writing about them. Excellent!
Just in case my oldest daughter reads this, she is 22, not 20. I know, I know. It’s hard to keep up with AND depressing that I would have a 22 year old daughter. 🙂
Thanks for coming. I am SO glad you stayed the whole day. Lisa~
What a great post, Heather! What a fantastic recap of the wealth of info that was presented! Wish I could have stayed the whole day, but so thankful I could be there at all! A very refreshing day, indeed!
Thanks Candace! 😉 So awesome to meet you. I can’t wait to go back next year!