Every Girl's Dream, Part 2
Posted by: Sara Hodge on: 2010-11-04 Permanent Link: Every Girl's Dream, Part 2
(above) Jewels and handbags provided by Teca Cameron and hair accessories by Sassy Sweet Pea
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog called Every Girl’s Dream , which was part one of my incredible Blissdom Canada adventure. Upon arriving at Blissdom, I quickly realized that my dream come true was only half over. Here is the rest of the story!
As if having The Way We Were for a clothing sponsor and the incredible Teca Cameron as a personal style coach for my trip to Blissdom Canada weren’t enough to make me feel incredibly fortunate, there was more.
Lots more.
Like immeasurable inspiration, unlimited opportunities and the chance to meet some of my favourite bloggers in the flesh for the first time. Amazing.
But I don’t want this to be about me. Part of my mission at Blissdom was finding a way to make this opportunity into something share-worthy. Something that could benefit others. So if you want to blog, this might become a dream come true for you also, because I’m going to put something valuable right in your lap.
Now, if you’re new to the world of blogging or you’re just comtemplating the idea of it, there are a lot of people who will tell you it’s not worth it. I get told that often. And in their defense, it does involve a lot of hard work. Anything worth doing does. But what are the rewards?
How about:
- the satisfaction of having challenged yourself to go beyond your own expectations every time you sit down to write?
- having the opportunity to share your story (even if it’s a story that’s already been told) in your own unique way?
- knowing that you aren’t the only one who benefits from your writing?
- getting to know and appreciate the work of other incredibly talented writers in the blogosphere, learning more about yourself through their work and becoming a better writer for it?
- the opportunity to attend amazing events like Blissdom Canada , where you can expand on your talents and minimize your flaws? Where you can learn to “suck less” and use your blog to influence change?
- finding ways to turn your blog into a business where you can make extra money (if you so choose).
I could go on for days.
The point is, I hope you will turn your idea of a blog into a reality. I hope to read and enjoy your writing and I hope to see you have your own dream come true like I did. Have a look at the photos below if you’re wondering how just simply having a blog can take you places. Because it can.
In the meantime, here are 10 valuable blogging tips that I learned at Blissdom Canada:
1. Suck less. Find ways to expand on your talents and continually push yourself to do better.
2. Know why you’re here. Know your goals, priorities, principles, what makes you who you are, what pushes your buttons. Create clarity in your writing and have a mindfulness of what you are doing. If you know your identity you can package your content accordingly.
3. Find your “one word”. Figure out what one word best describes you and your personal brand- being aware of this word will help keep you focused on your goals. My one word is “connect”, as connecting people and families is what I aim to do with Mums ‘n Chums.
4. Use your influence to create social change. Yes, you have influence, and you can use it to do more good than you ever imagined. Why waste it? Try to make change by showing people how they can make changes in their everyday life. If you reach one person, you have made a difference.
5. Do NOT downplay your importance. Don’t dilute your messages with “I’m just…”. Use your ability to connect and share.
6. You don’t need a huge audience. Sometimes it only matters that you reach 5 people. There may be a large group of people who can’t identify with your story, but for the small amount of people who might it can have a lasting impact.
7. Alignment = blogging zen. Ask yourself what you are putting out there and what you are going to get out of it. Being that you are marketing yourself (you are your “brand”), figure out what you are contributing, and what you’re promoting.
8. You will have critics. Someone out there will not like what you write and you have to be okay with that. Ask yourself “Can I live with this? Can my kids live with this?”. Your content can affect you both personally and professionally and will have consequences and ramifications you need to be prepared for. If you write something controversial, you must be prepared to stand behind it.
9. Declutter. Your content is permanent and represents your brand. Editing is not only about words, but visual elements as well. Spend 5 times longer editing than writing and strip away things that are detracting from your work, such as flashy banner ads. Think of your blog as a shop window- does it lure people in?
10. Make it a no brainer for your sponsors. Make it easy for potential sponsors to find out what you’re about- consider creating a PR page with the details sponsors might want to see, and remember credibility is key- when brands work with bloggers, it is their job to protect their consumer status and they are very wary of that. The most important part of word of mouth is whose mouth it is!
I hope you’ll take this information and use it to make your own blogging dreams come true. By the way, we have a fabulous blogroll so be sure to contact us if you’d like to see yours added! There are people out there waiting to hear from you, and what you have to say is valuable.
…and you might get to do fun stuff like this….
This is me with Blissdom roommate and longtime friend @RadioRedHead (who, by the way was handed the keys to her brand new Chevy Cruze during the conference- she won the car in a Twitter contest!). I’m wearing a lace cocktail dress from The Way We Were and Brown hair accessory from Sassy Sweet Pea (did you know they make accessories for moms too?). Jewels from The Way We Were and Teca Cameron’s Stella & Dot collection.
My gorgeous red cocktail dress, which Teca Cameron found for me at The Way We Were , paired with an equally gorgeous hair accessory from the talented Sassy Sweet Pea.
One of two stylish outfits from The Way We Were , which I had the honour of sporting at Blissdom Canada . Jewels from The Way We Were and Teca Cameron’s Stella & Dot collection.
My favourite outfit, also from The Way We Were , including the fabulous blingy headband that made my everyday ponytail look uber-chic! Jewels also from The Way We Were.
Had to include this one! Sign on the door at the Mabel’s Labels- sponsored Mabel Bliss party.
The Hypnotiq in the ‘Hood cocktail, made by the fabulous Cocktail Deeva, at the Mabel Bliss party. Recipe below- thanks Dee!
*Hypnotiq in the Hood* as made by Cocktail Deeva
2 oz Hypnotiq vodka
2 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz coconut water
1/2 oz soda water
Add the first three ingredients together and shake well with ice. Strain into a glass rimmed with icing sugar, top with the soda and enjoy!
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