Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sign up for a FREE webinar
As we mentioned in our newsletter we are launching a new series - Blogalicious Bytes: Lessons in Social Media. Blogalicious will host monthly webinars on topics of interest to our social media community. These hour-long webinars will be taught by well known and respected instructors in their respective areas of expertise.The first webinar will be held on Monday January 18th, 2010, at 8:00 P.M. EST, join Ken Gibbs, Jr., former Site Development/Real Black Network Director on Essence.com, as he presents on the topic of Money Matters: Monetizing Your Blogs.
Please rsvp here to reserve your spot in this session. The webinar is free, so in the spirit of the season, please share this tip with your friends:)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
We need your input, please
Planning a conference is not as easy as it seems! There are so many details and so many choices and it's a little daunting that one misguided decision could affect many things. Fortunately, there weren't too many poor choices for Blogalicious 2009 (we hope you would agree).
As we embark on Blogalicious 2010 we are once again reminded of the many, many choices that go along with this process. We narrowed down the city to Miami with ease and I think we are all pretty comfortable with that choice. I mean, c'mon, its Miami - sun, sand and fun; what more could we ask for?
Onto the next big decision - the hotel. Do we want posh and hot or laid back and relaxed, mid city or beach front, fancy guest rooms or great amenities. Granted, it would be fabulous if we could wave a magic wand and get it all, but the truth of the matter is that it's just not that easy.
We visited Miami this weekend in search of the perfect place to host Blogalicious 2010. For us, the accommodations and vibe have to be just right because we want the best for you. We want you to enjoy your experience so we are considering many options. But, we have safely narrowed the choice to a couple hotels, BUT we want your input.
Help us choose the RIGHT hotel. Here are the specs:
Downtown - moderately priced; fantastic rooms with lots of hi-tech gadgets; great in-hotel amenities; posh and sleek; Biscayne Bay views; walking distance to shops, dining and the Bay; a 10-minute ride to South Beach.
Beachfront - moderately priced; plush and spacious rooms; beautiful beach views from rooms; beachfront resort; laid back; family amenities; great outdoor facilities; North Miami Beach; convenient shuttle rides to South Beach and superb shopping.
Tell us what you want your experience to be. Please leave us a comment AND vote. Voting closes on December 12th, and we're looking forward to your feedback.
As we embark on Blogalicious 2010 we are once again reminded of the many, many choices that go along with this process. We narrowed down the city to Miami with ease and I think we are all pretty comfortable with that choice. I mean, c'mon, its Miami - sun, sand and fun; what more could we ask for?
Onto the next big decision - the hotel. Do we want posh and hot or laid back and relaxed, mid city or beach front, fancy guest rooms or great amenities. Granted, it would be fabulous if we could wave a magic wand and get it all, but the truth of the matter is that it's just not that easy.
We visited Miami this weekend in search of the perfect place to host Blogalicious 2010. For us, the accommodations and vibe have to be just right because we want the best for you. We want you to enjoy your experience so we are considering many options. But, we have safely narrowed the choice to a couple hotels, BUT we want your input.
Help us choose the RIGHT hotel. Here are the specs:
Downtown - moderately priced; fantastic rooms with lots of hi-tech gadgets; great in-hotel amenities; posh and sleek; Biscayne Bay views; walking distance to shops, dining and the Bay; a 10-minute ride to South Beach.
Beachfront - moderately priced; plush and spacious rooms; beautiful beach views from rooms; beachfront resort; laid back; family amenities; great outdoor facilities; North Miami Beach; convenient shuttle rides to South Beach and superb shopping.
Tell us what you want your experience to be. Please leave us a comment AND vote. Voting closes on December 12th, and we're looking forward to your feedback.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Facebook changes its privacy policies
FYI....just in case you didn't know, Facebook is changing its privacy policies. Please see open letter from Founder, Mark Zuckerberg:
An Open Letter from Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg
Share
by Mark Zuckerberg Yesterday at 9:23pm
It has been a great year for making the world more open and connected. Thanks to your help, more than 350 million people around the world are using Facebook to share their lives online.
To make this possible, we have focused on giving you the tools you need to share and control your information. Starting with the very first version of Facebook five years ago, we've built tools that help you control what you share with which individuals and groups of people. Our work to improve privacy continues today.
Facebook's current privacy model revolves around "networks" — communities for your school, your company or your region. This worked well when Facebook was mostly used by students, since it made sense that a student might want to share content with their fellow students.
Over time people also asked us to add networks for companies and regions as well. Today we even have networks for some entire countries, like India and China.
However, as Facebook has grown, some of these regional networks now have millions of members and we've concluded that this is no longer the best way for you to control your privacy. Almost 50 percent of all Facebook users are members of regional networks, so this is an important issue for us. If we can build a better system, then more than 100 million people will have even more control of their information.
The plan we've come up with is to remove regional networks completely and create a simpler model for privacy control where you can set content to be available to only your friends, friends of your friends, or everyone.
We're adding something that many of you have asked for — the ability to control who sees each individual piece of content you create or upload. In addition, we'll also be fulfilling a request made by many of you to make the privacy settings page simpler by combining some settings. If you want to read more about this, we began discussing this plan back in July.
Since this update will remove regional networks and create some new settings, in the next couple of weeks we'll ask you to review and update your privacy settings. You'll see a message that will explain the changes and take you to a page where you can update your settings. When you're finished, we'll show you a confirmation page so you can make sure you chose the right settings for you. As always, once you're done you'll still be able to change your settings whenever you want.
We've worked hard to build controls that we think will be better for you, but we also understand that everyone's needs are different. We'll suggest settings for you based on your current level of privacy, but the best way for you to find the right settings is to read through all your options and customize them for yourself. I encourage you to do this and consider who you're sharing with online.
Thanks for being a part of making Facebook what it is today, and for helping to make the world more open and connected.
Mark Zuckerberg
An Open Letter from Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg
Share
by Mark Zuckerberg Yesterday at 9:23pm
It has been a great year for making the world more open and connected. Thanks to your help, more than 350 million people around the world are using Facebook to share their lives online.
To make this possible, we have focused on giving you the tools you need to share and control your information. Starting with the very first version of Facebook five years ago, we've built tools that help you control what you share with which individuals and groups of people. Our work to improve privacy continues today.
Facebook's current privacy model revolves around "networks" — communities for your school, your company or your region. This worked well when Facebook was mostly used by students, since it made sense that a student might want to share content with their fellow students.
Over time people also asked us to add networks for companies and regions as well. Today we even have networks for some entire countries, like India and China.
However, as Facebook has grown, some of these regional networks now have millions of members and we've concluded that this is no longer the best way for you to control your privacy. Almost 50 percent of all Facebook users are members of regional networks, so this is an important issue for us. If we can build a better system, then more than 100 million people will have even more control of their information.
The plan we've come up with is to remove regional networks completely and create a simpler model for privacy control where you can set content to be available to only your friends, friends of your friends, or everyone.
We're adding something that many of you have asked for — the ability to control who sees each individual piece of content you create or upload. In addition, we'll also be fulfilling a request made by many of you to make the privacy settings page simpler by combining some settings. If you want to read more about this, we began discussing this plan back in July.
Since this update will remove regional networks and create some new settings, in the next couple of weeks we'll ask you to review and update your privacy settings. You'll see a message that will explain the changes and take you to a page where you can update your settings. When you're finished, we'll show you a confirmation page so you can make sure you chose the right settings for you. As always, once you're done you'll still be able to change your settings whenever you want.
We've worked hard to build controls that we think will be better for you, but we also understand that everyone's needs are different. We'll suggest settings for you based on your current level of privacy, but the best way for you to find the right settings is to read through all your options and customize them for yourself. I encourage you to do this and consider who you're sharing with online.
Thanks for being a part of making Facebook what it is today, and for helping to make the world more open and connected.
Mark Zuckerberg
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
McDonald's releases “Meet the Mom Blogger Series” on MOMTV filmed at Blogalicious 2009
Watch Blogalicious 2009 attendees on MomTV as they support Ronald McDonald House Charities’ (RMHC) commitment to children, their families and to making the world a better and more caring place. The on-site interviews sponsored by RMHC were conducted by Maria Bailey, CEO of BSM Media. Ms. Bailey views the interviews as "an example of engaging moms in a 2.0 way that creates a relevant dialogue and allow these moms to continue the conversation." Ms. Bailey spoke with influential women bloggers of color such as novelist, Denene Millner of My Brown Baby, and Ms. Latina of Latina on a Mission about their perspective on mom blogging.
For 35 years, RMHC has supported programs that directly improve the health and well being of children by providing a bridge to quality health care. With the approach of McHappy Day on November 20, RMHC is endeavoring to spread the word about the Charity using social media. On Facebook, fans can download the “Give a Hand® for Ronald McDonald House Charities” online widget application, and McDonald’s will donate $1 for each of the first 35,000 Hands shared online. Followers can link to the RMHC web site, or follow the Charity on Twitter using the #McHappyDay hash tag.
For 35 years, RMHC has supported programs that directly improve the health and well being of children by providing a bridge to quality health care. With the approach of McHappy Day on November 20, RMHC is endeavoring to spread the word about the Charity using social media. On Facebook, fans can download the “Give a Hand® for Ronald McDonald House Charities” online widget application, and McDonald’s will donate $1 for each of the first 35,000 Hands shared online. Followers can link to the RMHC web site, or follow the Charity on Twitter using the #McHappyDay hash tag.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Product Recommendations come from friends, not networks?
MediaPost published an article today discussing a survey of 583 moms with kids under 12 conducted by MomConnection entitled "Product Recommendations Come From Friends, Not Networks."
The gist of the the study is that that "despite all of the attention being given to the relationships that moms form online through social media...they do not use social networks as a resource when it comes to product decision-making. Moms are four times more likely to turn to their personal offline network of friends and family than online social networks for product recommendations and buying advice." (Read the MomConnection release here).
I could NOT relate to this story at all because I find myself relying on online recommendations for certain products, especially products related to my daughter. Don't get me wrong, I have not bought products based purely on Twitter entries, but I rely on my "trusted mom" sites/blogs to look for information.
I think the study misses the mark a little because it fails to appreciate that in many instances our online network (especially in the blogosphere) is personal and true friendships are made and that it's not just about being social.
What are your thoughts? Do you rely on social media for information about products or do you view your online relationships as purely social? Is this survey correct?
The gist of the the study is that that "despite all of the attention being given to the relationships that moms form online through social media...they do not use social networks as a resource when it comes to product decision-making. Moms are four times more likely to turn to their personal offline network of friends and family than online social networks for product recommendations and buying advice." (Read the MomConnection release here).
I could NOT relate to this story at all because I find myself relying on online recommendations for certain products, especially products related to my daughter. Don't get me wrong, I have not bought products based purely on Twitter entries, but I rely on my "trusted mom" sites/blogs to look for information.
I think the study misses the mark a little because it fails to appreciate that in many instances our online network (especially in the blogosphere) is personal and true friendships are made and that it's not just about being social.
What are your thoughts? Do you rely on social media for information about products or do you view your online relationships as purely social? Is this survey correct?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Follow @SantaClaus on Twitter!
[Actually you really can.] A recent survey found that 17% of adult shoppers will use social media in some aspect of their holiday shopping, and 19% will rely on their mobile phones.
Deloitte's 24th Annual Holiday Survey polled more than 10,000 adults in the U.S, and says that of the nearly one in five who plans to use social media sites, 60% say they will do so to find sales, discounts, and coupons; 53% intend to use sites like MySpace and Facebook to research gift ideas, and 52% say they will check the wish lists of friends and family.
No surprise there right? As social media increasingly becomes a routine part of our everyday experiences, it only makes sense that the trend spills over into traditional activities, such as holiday shopping. As we enter into the wonderful, dreadful holiday season, how does social media factor in to your plans?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Marketing to women of color
At the Town Hall Discussion "Marketing to Women of Color - The Real Deal" our spectacular and gracious moderator, Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, shared some mind-blowing statistics with us about the spending power of women of color. Funny thing is that we all had an inclination about this information already, but actually hearing it in the aggregate was powerful and truly showed the power of women in the marketplace. With her permission, we are pleased to share these statistics with you.
Our hope is that you take note of your power and more importantly of our power as a group. Let your voice be heard and share the news that we are a strong force in the marketplace.
Our hope is that you take note of your power and more importantly of our power as a group. Let your voice be heard and share the news that we are a strong force in the marketplace.
- Latina, Black, Asian, Native American and Middle Eastern women of color control 85% or more of all purchase decisions made today. WomenEntreprenuer Magazine labels this distinct and unique group of women as "multi-influential" because they reach so many demographics.
- By 2010 the buying power of women of color will reach $1.2 trillion, a 20% increase from 2007.
- There are 54 million women of color currently living in the United States and they are responsible for the purchases of 1.5 million new cars and trucks, 90% of all vacation and travel plans and more than 80% of pharmaceutical decisions.
- In contrast to some misleading stereotypes, women of color are big consumers of online technology from social networking, blogging, search optimization, and email. Women of color currently represent the largest group of all new technology users which is a position they are projected to keep for years to come.
- Multi-influential women of color are the fastest-growing economic sector in the entrepreneurial markets.
- The 2.4 million businesses in this country owned by women of color generate $230 billion in gross sales receipts and employ 1.6 million workers.
- They are a highly networked, influential and motivated group of successful women who are quick to recommend another company, brand, service and prospect if they believe it offers value.
- Gaining their trust as a customer and as a supplier of your goods will pay huge dividends.
- According to Winning the Toughest Customer: The Essential Guide to Selling to Women by Delia Passi, A woman will refer up to 26 individuals to a company, product or service if she is happy with her experience compared to a man who will only refer an average of 11 people even with the highest degree of satisfaction.
Source for information:
Muley, Miriam. “Introducing the Multi-Influential Women of Color.” WomenEntreprenuer.com. WomenEntrepreneur Mag., 7 Sept. 2009. 5 Oct. 2009. http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/09/introducing-the-multi-influential-women-of-color.html
Muley, Miriam. “Tap Multi-Influential Referral Power.” WomenEntrepreneur.com. WomenEntrepreneur Mag., 29 Sept. 2009. 5 Oct. 2009. http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/09/tap-multi-influential-referral-power.html
Information presented by Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, CEO of Nia Enterprises, LLC, www.niaenterprises.com blog: www.girlgetmestarted.com, online community: www.niaonline.com
Feedback please
Did you attend Blogalicious? If so, we want to hear from you. If you haven't already done so, please complete our short survey (click here) and tell us what you thought. We really appreciate it and we're looking forward to hearing from you so that Blogalicious 10 can be even better.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Conference Recap
The theme of this year’s inaugural conference was "Your Wow Factor" and all we can say is "WOW!" By all accounts, Blogalicious 2009 was a success. From the attendance, to the location, sessions, sponsors, and social events, the weekend was better than we imagined. We are overflowing with appreciation for the energy and excitement that radiated during the conference and continues on the blogs and tweets gathered from all parts of the web. Conference attendees live Tweeted the event and, within the first hour of the conference on Saturday, Blogalicious09 was a Trending Topic on Twitter. There were also live broadcasts On Maria Bailey Live on momtv.com and ustream.com.
It was loads of fun and we hope that you will stay connected with us and become a part of the Blogalicious community. Join our blogger marketing network at: http://www.theb-link.com/ or follow us on Twitter at @blogalicious09.
In the meanwhile, please enjoy a few photos, courtesy of Carol Cain, NYCityMama.
P.S. Please forgive me if I got your name wrong or misspelled it because I was operating based on memory (and we all know that my mommy brain doesn't always work well).
It was loads of fun and we hope that you will stay connected with us and become a part of the Blogalicious community. Join our blogger marketing network at: http://www.theb-link.com/ or follow us on Twitter at @blogalicious09.
In the meanwhile, please enjoy a few photos, courtesy of Carol Cain, NYCityMama.
P.S. Please forgive me if I got your name wrong or misspelled it because I was operating based on memory (and we all know that my mommy brain doesn't always work well).
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wow
Blogalicious 2009 came and went! We are still reeling from the energy and positive vibes that you all radiated throughout the weekend. We're already at work (no, we can't help it) gathering all of your fantastic posts and the pics from the event, so stay tuned for a conference recap coming soon. In the meantime, if you want to help us out by providing us a link to your Blogalicious posts, Flickr pages, and anything else that would be great. We've included a Mr. Linky to make things easy.
Can I just say one more time how much we loved the Blogalicious love? You all were fabulous!
Until Miami...
Can I just say one more time how much we loved the Blogalicious love? You all were fabulous!
Until Miami...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Look out Atlanta, Here We Come!
We hope to see you there and if you weren't able to make it this year, we hope that you'll follow the conversations on Twitter (search hashtag #blogalicious09), blogs, and elsewhere. We can't leave without saying thank you to everyone for your support, encouragement, and help over the last 8 months. We appreciate all of you for what you've done to help make the inaugural Blogalicious Weekend a fantastic sold out event. Amazing! Check out the complete conference guide here: Blogalicious E-guide. It's full of important and fun information such as speaker bios, what to wear, the detailed agenda, party information, and valuable twitter handles! Special thanks to Justice Ny who worked for weeks and endless hours gathering all this information.
We'll have so much to say, stories to share, and pictures to show you when we return and we want to hear all about your experiences at Blogalicious 2009. See you soon!
P.S.
If you post about your trip to the conference, leave us a link in our comments! We'd love to hear your take on the weekend and check out your photos and video.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Conference eGuide Is Here
We are only a few days before Blogalicious 2009 - yippee!!! After more than 7 months of planning, it's here and we can hardly describe the emotions that we are each experiencing right now. In an effort to keep you updated on all the happenings, we've put together a guide with a little information about our speakers and sponsors, as well as answers to your burning questions. You can access it here.
See you in a few days!
See you in a few days!
Announcing the Blogalicious 2009 Theme - "Your Wow Factor"
At the core of all the captivating blog posts, the most engaging Twitter conversations, and the influential social networking communities is a powerful network of diverse women bloggers. We are in large part responsible for social media and Web 2.0 being the amazing phenomenon that is has become. Our similarities and differences and the colorful variety of voices that we bring to the online community keep our readers coming back for more.
Our influence and opinions are stronger and louder than ever and marketers and their brands are paying attention. Above all, our moxie is what keeps us connected to one another. As a group, we are fierce. Individually, we even more special. Each of us has a "Wow Factor" - something that makes us stand out from the rest. That "something" is what we want to celebrate at the inaugral Blogalicious Weekend. Over the 3 days (and beyond!) we want to hear and learn about that unique quality; that spark that defines...you.
What's Your Wow Factor?
What's Your Wow Factor?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Special Event Announcement: Party Like a Princess!
On Saturday night October 10, 2009, The BlogRollers Media Presents:
"The Blogalicious Princess Celebration"
"The Blogalicious Princess Celebration"
This December, Disney will release a new animated film, "The Princess and the Frog" featuring our first African-American Disney Princess, Tiana! To celebrate the princess in all of us, we will put on our tiaras and jewels and toast our new princess overlooking our "kingdom," in the swank Altitude party lounge on the 27th floor of The W Hotel Atlanta-Midtown. There will be hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, open bar from 10pm - 11pm, and exciting entertainment. The princesses in attendance (yes, us!) will be able to relax, mingle, and cut a rug if the mood hits them.
A girls night out...Big Easy style!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Special Event Announcement: The Pine-Sol Lady!
Stop by Pine-Sol Table 108 during the 3:30 PM conference break for a chance to meet “The Pine-Sol Lady” and famed comedian Diane Amos.Diane has served as the spokesperson for the national Pine-Sol® advertising campaign since 1993, and you might recognize her from the many commercials she’s done over the years or the latest Pine-Sol advertising campaign. Since 2007, she has contributed to the company’s Powerful Difference campaign, which aims to celebrate African-American women making an impact on their communities. Be sure to swing by our sponsor Pine-Sol’s table for a chance to meet her and get some fun swag.
You can also follow @PowerfulDiff on Twitter during the conference for live updates as to her arrival.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Heather's in the spotlight today
Our featured speaker today (and the countdown is on by the way) is Ms. Heather Barmore. Heather will be one of the fabulous women on the panel for the Town Hall & Plenary Session - Marketing to Women of Color: The Real Deal. I'm looking forward to Heather's remarks because she is witty and bright and honest. In the meanwhile here's a little more about Heather in her own words:
Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? Six months shy of my 21st birthday I got caught - by the police - purchasing a handle of gin. Also I'm getting another tattoo.
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? In my spare ten minutes I wish I could be at Anthropologie. I'm actually reluctantly returning messages via the phone. Which begs the question of why people don't use email. Email is great and doesn't require me to hem and haw on the phone I can do my work without having to speak to anyone. I like that.
If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? A simple yet ornate Tiffany right hand ring. Inscribed would be 'SINKing and loving it!'
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? KLONOPIN!
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Indolent. Mercurial. Wino. Fun. Loyal.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? 1) A book deal that left me enough freedom to write but still do what I do 2) Someone to unpack my apartment/decorate/clean 3) To be three sizes smaller (oh, vanity!)
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A Senator who was picked to be a Presidential nominee's running mate and we end up winning (duh) so I become Vice President.
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I love to write and yet I spend so much time surrounded by words and thinking of words and then I get upset when people don't like the particular words I've chosen. Because they're buttheads (I picked that word out just for them).
Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? I have a tattoo of a butterfly on the inside of my right ankle. It stands for "I just moved to DC, I'm 17 years old, I have a fake ID and so what ridiculously stupid thing can I do with my fake ID? I know! Get a tattoo of a stupid, ubiquitous, BUTTERFLY" Clearly there's a lot of meaning to it.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Pretend I'm being interviewed on Meet the Press or The Daily Show. I'm usually in the car. But I'm laughing my ass off and talking a lot and wildly gesticulating. I'd make an awesome interviewee.
For more from Heather check her out at http://nopasanada.org; @TheHeatherB on Twitter
Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? Six months shy of my 21st birthday I got caught - by the police - purchasing a handle of gin. Also I'm getting another tattoo.
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? In my spare ten minutes I wish I could be at Anthropologie. I'm actually reluctantly returning messages via the phone. Which begs the question of why people don't use email. Email is great and doesn't require me to hem and haw on the phone I can do my work without having to speak to anyone. I like that.
If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? A simple yet ornate Tiffany right hand ring. Inscribed would be 'SINKing and loving it!'
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? KLONOPIN!
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Indolent. Mercurial. Wino. Fun. Loyal.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? 1) A book deal that left me enough freedom to write but still do what I do 2) Someone to unpack my apartment/decorate/clean 3) To be three sizes smaller (oh, vanity!)
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A Senator who was picked to be a Presidential nominee's running mate and we end up winning (duh) so I become Vice President.
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I love to write and yet I spend so much time surrounded by words and thinking of words and then I get upset when people don't like the particular words I've chosen. Because they're buttheads (I picked that word out just for them).
Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? I have a tattoo of a butterfly on the inside of my right ankle. It stands for "I just moved to DC, I'm 17 years old, I have a fake ID and so what ridiculously stupid thing can I do with my fake ID? I know! Get a tattoo of a stupid, ubiquitous, BUTTERFLY" Clearly there's a lot of meaning to it.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Pretend I'm being interviewed on Meet the Press or The Daily Show. I'm usually in the car. But I'm laughing my ass off and talking a lot and wildly gesticulating. I'd make an awesome interviewee.
For more from Heather check her out at http://nopasanada.org; @TheHeatherB on Twitter
Friday, September 25, 2009
Hotel Room Block Closes Today!
We wanted to give everyone a heads up that the Blogalicious discounted guest room block at the W Atlanta Midtown closes today. Don't miss out on our great rate and reserve your room ASAP.
See you in 2 weeks!!!
See you in 2 weeks!!!
Latoicha will put the spotlight on IP issues for you
As you may know, the three founding partners of Blogalicious are all attorneys. But, just as you would not go to the podiatrist for advice about your eyes, you will need to consult an intellectual property attorney for advice on the "Possibilities and Pitfalls of Having YOU on Net". And that's exactly what we've done. We are thrilled that Latoicha Givens will be sharing her expertise on the myriad of legal issues that we face in the blogasphere. Here's a little more about Latoicha in her own words:
"Latoicha is the founding partner of the firm, Phillips Givens LLC. Her practice includes representation of start-ups, small, and mid-sized businesses in intellectual property matters. Specifically, she provides legal services in the following areas: trademarks, copyrights, legal issues in new media, and licensing issues. She also writes a law blog entitled http://www.iplaw101.com/. There she provides practical tips for individuals and small businesses in solving basic intellectual property issues. Latoicha is a frequent speaker on intellectual property issues and has been featured in the Atlanta Tribune Magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is also a contributing writer for Black Web 2.0, the Brand Protection Council, and the United Kingdom Management Forum. She is also writes a beauty blog entitled Luxetips at http://www.luxetips.com/ There Latoicha shares how every woman can live the luxe life regardless of occupation or budget. Follow her on Twitter @IPLAW101 and @Luxetips."
AND
• Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? No comment. LOL!
• In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? Lounging in the Sun. I am actually checking email or my social media accounts.
• If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Louis Vuitton Train Case.
• You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My cell phone.
• Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Outgoing, Emotional, Sociable, Funny, Optimistic
• If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? To be absolutely happy....always!
• When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? Actually a Doctor and then a Lawyer, and Business Owner. I am doing 2 out of the 3.
• Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I am so emotional. I love it because I am always feeling an emotion. I don't like it because sometimes it makes me crazy!
• Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? NO.
• What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Dance and sing wherever I am.
"Latoicha is the founding partner of the firm, Phillips Givens LLC. Her practice includes representation of start-ups, small, and mid-sized businesses in intellectual property matters. Specifically, she provides legal services in the following areas: trademarks, copyrights, legal issues in new media, and licensing issues. She also writes a law blog entitled http://www.iplaw101.com/. There she provides practical tips for individuals and small businesses in solving basic intellectual property issues. Latoicha is a frequent speaker on intellectual property issues and has been featured in the Atlanta Tribune Magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is also a contributing writer for Black Web 2.0, the Brand Protection Council, and the United Kingdom Management Forum. She is also writes a beauty blog entitled Luxetips at http://www.luxetips.com/ There Latoicha shares how every woman can live the luxe life regardless of occupation or budget. Follow her on Twitter @IPLAW101 and @Luxetips."
AND
• Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? No comment. LOL!
• In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? Lounging in the Sun. I am actually checking email or my social media accounts.
• If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Louis Vuitton Train Case.
• You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My cell phone.
• Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Outgoing, Emotional, Sociable, Funny, Optimistic
• If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? To be absolutely happy....always!
• When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? Actually a Doctor and then a Lawyer, and Business Owner. I am doing 2 out of the 3.
• Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I am so emotional. I love it because I am always feeling an emotion. I don't like it because sometimes it makes me crazy!
• Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? NO.
• What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Dance and sing wherever I am.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A keynote from Karen
My fellow Trini is in the spotlight today and I'm so excited that she will be giving our Afternoon Keynote "The Beauty of Different". Karen Walrond is a veteran in the blog world and has launched her love for photography into a beautifully successful brand. My words are few when it comes to talking about Karen because she truly inspires me in so many ways that I'm pretty much speechless. Here a little more about her:
Karen Walrond is a former lawyer, former engineer, and a current writer and photographer. Her fine art pieces and projects have been included in exhibits around the country. She was one of the founding contributors to the collaborative website, Shutter Sisters, a photoblog aimed at inspiring and creating community among avid women photographers. She is the author of Through the Gadling Lens, a weekly column on the travel site Gadling.com, with tips and other information on how to take amazing travel shots. She has appeared on both local and national television shows, including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. And she's the creative mind behind the blog Chookooloonks, a website that helps readers see that their ordinary lives are, in fact, extraordinary; and the author of the upcoming book, "The Beauty of Different," a book that helps readers see that their differences are, in fact, their superpowers.
Please add Karen to your list of favs (if you haven't already)
http://www.chookooloonks.com/
Karen Walrond is a former lawyer, former engineer, and a current writer and photographer. Her fine art pieces and projects have been included in exhibits around the country. She was one of the founding contributors to the collaborative website, Shutter Sisters, a photoblog aimed at inspiring and creating community among avid women photographers. She is the author of Through the Gadling Lens, a weekly column on the travel site Gadling.com, with tips and other information on how to take amazing travel shots. She has appeared on both local and national television shows, including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. And she's the creative mind behind the blog Chookooloonks, a website that helps readers see that their ordinary lives are, in fact, extraordinary; and the author of the upcoming book, "The Beauty of Different," a book that helps readers see that their differences are, in fact, their superpowers.
Please add Karen to your list of favs (if you haven't already)
http://www.chookooloonks.com/
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Special Event Announcement: Blogalicious Movie Screening!
You heard it here first! We'll be screening the newly-released Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Blogalicious. Power couple Lamar and Ronnie Tyler, present their first inspirational documentary dedicated to promoting marriage and parenting in the black community.
Bonus: Our very own speaker, Denene Millner, is featured in the movie!
Whether you're married, single, or dating, and no matter what the shade of your skin, everyone will appreciate and enjoy this film centered around the importance of community and family.
Movie Description:
From the creators of the award winning website Black and Married With Kids comes a ground breaking documentary set to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding marriage and parenting in the black community. Couples and experts discuss topics such as the image and portrayal of black marriages and families, the effect the Obamas will have on marriage in the black community and the importance of parenting.
Stay tuned for more exciting special event announcements coming soon...
Bonus: Our very own speaker, Denene Millner, is featured in the movie!
Whether you're married, single, or dating, and no matter what the shade of your skin, everyone will appreciate and enjoy this film centered around the importance of community and family.
Movie Description:
From the creators of the award winning website Black and Married With Kids comes a ground breaking documentary set to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding marriage and parenting in the black community. Couples and experts discuss topics such as the image and portrayal of black marriages and families, the effect the Obamas will have on marriage in the black community and the importance of parenting.
Stay tuned for more exciting special event announcements coming soon...
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ghennipher's in the spotlight
Social Media and the Woman of Color is the panel on which today's speaker, Ghennipher Weeks, will be participating. Ghennipher has a lot of insight on all things social media. Her blog gives great insight to the power and possibilities of social media and we are looking forward to her discussion. Here's a little more about Ghennipher in her own words:
@Ghennipher is a veteran of the search marketing industry. Her first taste of the ever-changing world of search marketing began in 1999 as a web designer and internet marketing consultant for small local clients. Over the years, she expanded her clientele and has gained recognized expertise as an independent consultant to ecommerce, lead generation and content companies, providing them with strategy assessments and development, search engine optimization, conversion rate marketing, PPC advertising strategies, and in recent years, corporate social media training.
During 2008, she researched and helped create the book "SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate". She is currently the Director of Product Marketing at The Women's Information Network Online (http://TheWINonline.com).
With over ten years of business experience in the trenches, Ghennipher is a perennial all-star in the world of internet marketing, Ghennipher has been a noted speaker at conferences and industry events such as Webmasterworld PubCon, Blissdom, Touchpoint and Search Engine Strategies.
Outside of working, Ghennipher is an IKEA junkie and determined foodie, insisting on the freshest ingredients, double cream in her coffee and an absolute refusal of microwave ovens. She has an occasional weakness for giant chocolate-chip cookies. She would like to live on a rocky coast in a temperate climate, the west coast of France being one future candidate. All that notwithstanding, Ghennipher is a die-hard overworking techno-nerd-entrepreneur.
Read her blog about social media topics at http://www.ghennipher.net/
@Ghennipher is a veteran of the search marketing industry. Her first taste of the ever-changing world of search marketing began in 1999 as a web designer and internet marketing consultant for small local clients. Over the years, she expanded her clientele and has gained recognized expertise as an independent consultant to ecommerce, lead generation and content companies, providing them with strategy assessments and development, search engine optimization, conversion rate marketing, PPC advertising strategies, and in recent years, corporate social media training.
During 2008, she researched and helped create the book "SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate". She is currently the Director of Product Marketing at The Women's Information Network Online (http://TheWINonline.com).
With over ten years of business experience in the trenches, Ghennipher is a perennial all-star in the world of internet marketing, Ghennipher has been a noted speaker at conferences and industry events such as Webmasterworld PubCon, Blissdom, Touchpoint and Search Engine Strategies.
Outside of working, Ghennipher is an IKEA junkie and determined foodie, insisting on the freshest ingredients, double cream in her coffee and an absolute refusal of microwave ovens. She has an occasional weakness for giant chocolate-chip cookies. She would like to live on a rocky coast in a temperate climate, the west coast of France being one future candidate. All that notwithstanding, Ghennipher is a die-hard overworking techno-nerd-entrepreneur.
Read her blog about social media topics at http://www.ghennipher.net/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Another Fabulous Sponsor Update!
With only three weeks until Blogalicious, we're excited that so many wonderful brands are still signing on as sponsors. Here's a snapshot of some of the great names that are helping to make our inaugral year a memorable one:
Rise and shine! Our Welcome Breakfast will be brought to us by the Glade Holiday Candles Collection.
Did someone say FREE CHILDCARE? Bring along your kiddies to take part in the Childcare Suite sponsored by Kimberly-Clark, makers of the Huggies brand. Make sure to sign up for this fabulously free service at registration (or send us an email).
Party with the Clever Girls. Join us in the SweetSuite sponsored in part by The Clever Girls Collective. With all the surprises up their sleeves, you don't want to miss this one...
For all you Ladies Who Brunch, Suave Skin is making sure that our Sunday Brunch is specatcular.
Believe it or not, we'll have another fabulous sponsor update for you next week!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Spotlighting Michelle
"Community, advice and resources for working moms" is the by-line on this blog and it rightfully describes what our speaker is about. Michele Dortch will be a panelist on Mom 2.0 and after visiting her blog you'll agree that she is a perfect fit for this session. Michelle, a mom of 3, offers her personal stories of balancing work and life, while sharing tips for other similarly-situated moms. Here are Michelle's responses to our 10 fun questions:
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing?
Running or sleeping. These are the two activities that in short bursts give me incredible energy.
What are you actually doing?
Tidying my house! It's a process that never seems to cease with three kids, a husband and a dog. Sadly, this doesn't give me any energy and instead exhausts me.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home?
My iPhone. Aside from air and water, my iPhone is an absolute necessity.
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives?
Honest (to a fault sometimes). Spiritual. Passionate. Focused. Helpful.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want?
Wish #1 - To be 100% debt-free.
Wish #2 - To run a successful non-profit foundation that serves women & children in some way.
Wish #3 - To make a real living as a writer; I imagine working from my home located off the Southern California coastline - writing and loving every minute of it!
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up?
I've always aspired to be a published writer, though my parents tried desperately to steer me in a different direction. They succeeded for a very long time. It's not until recently (like the last 12 months) that I made a conscious decision to pursue writing as a career. Terrifying and exhilarating all at once!
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself?
What I love most: my loyalty to people and causes. If I believe in you or your cause, I will stand alongside you/it, be your advocate, and cheer you across the finish line. What I love least: I am so focused that I can be resistant to change. I'm quickly growing out of this the longer I'm a mom and married. Change is a mainstay in my life no matter what I do to prevent it!
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking?
Ask her when you meet her*
General Info:Blogs: http://www.integratedmother.com/ and http://www.writerunpray.com/
Web: http://www.micheledortch.com/
Twitter: @integratedmom
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing?
Running or sleeping. These are the two activities that in short bursts give me incredible energy.
What are you actually doing?
Tidying my house! It's a process that never seems to cease with three kids, a husband and a dog. Sadly, this doesn't give me any energy and instead exhausts me.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home?
My iPhone. Aside from air and water, my iPhone is an absolute necessity.
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives?
Honest (to a fault sometimes). Spiritual. Passionate. Focused. Helpful.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want?
Wish #1 - To be 100% debt-free.
Wish #2 - To run a successful non-profit foundation that serves women & children in some way.
Wish #3 - To make a real living as a writer; I imagine working from my home located off the Southern California coastline - writing and loving every minute of it!
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up?
I've always aspired to be a published writer, though my parents tried desperately to steer me in a different direction. They succeeded for a very long time. It's not until recently (like the last 12 months) that I made a conscious decision to pursue writing as a career. Terrifying and exhilarating all at once!
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself?
What I love most: my loyalty to people and causes. If I believe in you or your cause, I will stand alongside you/it, be your advocate, and cheer you across the finish line. What I love least: I am so focused that I can be resistant to change. I'm quickly growing out of this the longer I'm a mom and married. Change is a mainstay in my life no matter what I do to prevent it!
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking?
Ask her when you meet her*
General Info:Blogs: http://www.integratedmother.com/ and http://www.writerunpray.com/
Web: http://www.micheledortch.com/
Twitter: @integratedmom
Monday, September 14, 2009
Xochitl's up today
If you're anything like me, you find yourself irresistibly drawn to anything wedding-related. I honestly don't care that it's not my wedding, I just want to see and "decide" (in my crazy head I feel like I have a say) on all the details. Our spotlighted speaker has the privilege of being able to put her passion for weddings and event planning into her everyday job - Xochitl (So-Cheel) Gonzales is one of the co-founders of "Always a Bridesmaid" a New York based wedding consulting firm. Xochitl is a panelist on "The Art of Small Business Blogging" and we are excited to hear her insight on this issue. Here's a little more about Xochitl in her own words:
"Xochitl (So-Cheel) Gonzalez is one of the co-founders of Always a Bridesmaid, the New York based wedding consulting firm founded in 2003. While growing up in Brooklyn, she dreamed of being a talk show host, never knowing that life would lead her to wedding planning and, of course blogging. While her career goals have changed, her high-speed personality has stayed pretty much the same. Her impatience is both her best and worst trait and she describes herself as positive, outgoing, anal, polite and humorous. She started blogging in '05 as she chronicled her time as a wedding planner AND at the time, an engaged bride to be. The project didn't go over so well with her in-laws or her then fiance, but did prove her to be addicted to blogging, and so in 2007 she launched Always a Blogsmaid. The blog not only showcases her company's work, but it tackles problems that readers send in, and offers up insight into life as they work on the business and their clients weddings. If money were no object, Xochitl would probably have a closet filled with expensive handbags. If she ran into a genie into a dark alley, she'd probably ask for health, true love, and tons of fabulous bridal clients!"
You can find Xochitl at:
Company: Always a Bridesmaid (http://www.alwaysabridesmaid.us/)
Blog: http://www.alwaysablogsmaid.com/
twitter: www.twitter.com/theblogsmaid
"Xochitl (So-Cheel) Gonzalez is one of the co-founders of Always a Bridesmaid, the New York based wedding consulting firm founded in 2003. While growing up in Brooklyn, she dreamed of being a talk show host, never knowing that life would lead her to wedding planning and, of course blogging. While her career goals have changed, her high-speed personality has stayed pretty much the same. Her impatience is both her best and worst trait and she describes herself as positive, outgoing, anal, polite and humorous. She started blogging in '05 as she chronicled her time as a wedding planner AND at the time, an engaged bride to be. The project didn't go over so well with her in-laws or her then fiance, but did prove her to be addicted to blogging, and so in 2007 she launched Always a Blogsmaid. The blog not only showcases her company's work, but it tackles problems that readers send in, and offers up insight into life as they work on the business and their clients weddings. If money were no object, Xochitl would probably have a closet filled with expensive handbags. If she ran into a genie into a dark alley, she'd probably ask for health, true love, and tons of fabulous bridal clients!"
You can find Xochitl at:
Company: Always a Bridesmaid (http://www.alwaysabridesmaid.us/)
Blog: http://www.alwaysablogsmaid.com/
twitter: www.twitter.com/theblogsmaid
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Blogalicious on The Chatterbox Show
The Mamalaw ladies (the founders of Blogalicious) will be live on The Chatterbox Show tomorrow, Monday 9/14 at 10am EST. If you have questions or comments about the conference, or just want to call-in and let us know how excited you are, we'd love to talk with you.
The show, hosted by Chatterbox Christie, is called:
So, we look forward to chatting with you tomorrow. But if you want to reach out to us off-air, please feel free to Tweet or Email us anytime.
On Twitter:
@blogalicious09
@justicefergie
@justicejonesie
@justiceny
Email:
info@blogaliciousweekend.com
contactus@blogaliciousweekend.com
Sincerely,
Justice Fergie, Justice Jonesie & Justice Ny
The show, hosted by Chatterbox Christie, is called:
Blogalicious 09: Everything You Wanted to Know (but were afraid to ask)
And while we hope that you do call-in with questions for us, we want you to know that we are always accessible to you. We created this conference for you and we've tried our best to listen to your ideas and concerns and incorporate them into our conference planning.So, we look forward to chatting with you tomorrow. But if you want to reach out to us off-air, please feel free to Tweet or Email us anytime.
On Twitter:
@blogalicious09
@justicefergie
@justicejonesie
@justiceny
Email:
info@blogaliciousweekend.com
contactus@blogaliciousweekend.com
Sincerely,
Justice Fergie, Justice Jonesie & Justice Ny
Friday, September 11, 2009
We've added rooms to our hotel room block
Phew! You were in an uproar about the room block being sold out so we've worked it out with the W Hotel and we've added rooms to our block. You've got to call hotel reservations directly to book a room: (404) 892-6000.
Remember to connect with other attendees on the discussion board if you're interested in sharing a room. http://blogalicious2009.blogspot.com/2009/08/announcing-blogalicious-message-board.html
Remember to connect with other attendees on the discussion board if you're interested in sharing a room. http://blogalicious2009.blogspot.com/2009/08/announcing-blogalicious-message-board.html
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Facebook privacy
Here is a helpful article for all you (us) social networking gurus out there, especially if you use Facebook. http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
One Month Until Blogalicious!
With only one month until the conference, we are counting down the days until we are all in Atlanta, and we want to make sure that all of our Blogalicious ladies are all set to have a great time.
Register!
First things first, you've got to register! If you haven't already, please take a moment to register for the event. We've got some special promotions going on that we want you to take advantage of, like the Buddy Pass (bring a friend and get a discount!), a Skip Pass (attend on Saturday only and save!), and the Student rate (get your network on for a fraction of the price!)
Already registered? Fantastic! Pass the news along to everyone that you know that might be interested in coming. If they register, have them fill in your name in the "How did your hear about Blogalicious?" line, and you'll receive a special gift at the conference.
We've extended registration until September 25 so that no one misses out.
Blog & Drive!
Once you've registered, make sure to apply for the Chevrolet and OnStar Carpool. Our Exclusive Automotive Sponsors have been so thoughtful and generous in providing a brand-new 5-passenger Chevrolet to any group of 3 Blogalicious registrants that apply! Please visit their application for details and apply now to ride to Blogalicious in style.
Free Childcare!
Yup, you heard us correctly. We're pleased to be offering free childcare for your little ones so that you can attend sessions, network and enjoy the company of fellow bloggers, all while knowing your children are in good hands. The kids will enjoy complimentary meals and a slew of fun activities to keep them entertained.
We ask that you pre-register your child(ren) first. To do so, simply click here and fill out the information. Registration Form
*Note: Nursing Moms - you're more than welcome to bring your babies along too!
Hotel Guest Rooms!
Rooms our going quickly!! We sold out but have since added more rooms to our hotel block. Last to get the discounted rate is 9/25 or until all rooms are sold.
That's it for now. We hope you're getting as excited as we are!
Register!
First things first, you've got to register! If you haven't already, please take a moment to register for the event. We've got some special promotions going on that we want you to take advantage of, like the Buddy Pass (bring a friend and get a discount!), a Skip Pass (attend on Saturday only and save!), and the Student rate (get your network on for a fraction of the price!)
Already registered? Fantastic! Pass the news along to everyone that you know that might be interested in coming. If they register, have them fill in your name in the "How did your hear about Blogalicious?" line, and you'll receive a special gift at the conference.
We've extended registration until September 25 so that no one misses out.
Blog & Drive!
Once you've registered, make sure to apply for the Chevrolet and OnStar Carpool. Our Exclusive Automotive Sponsors have been so thoughtful and generous in providing a brand-new 5-passenger Chevrolet to any group of 3 Blogalicious registrants that apply! Please visit their application for details and apply now to ride to Blogalicious in style.
Free Childcare!
Yup, you heard us correctly. We're pleased to be offering free childcare for your little ones so that you can attend sessions, network and enjoy the company of fellow bloggers, all while knowing your children are in good hands. The kids will enjoy complimentary meals and a slew of fun activities to keep them entertained.
We ask that you pre-register your child(ren) first. To do so, simply click here and fill out the information. Registration Form
*Note: Nursing Moms - you're more than welcome to bring your babies along too!
Hotel Guest Rooms!
Rooms our going quickly!! We sold out but have since added more rooms to our hotel block. Last to get the discounted rate is 9/25 or until all rooms are sold.
That's it for now. We hope you're getting as excited as we are!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Spotlighting Jessica
You know you have an impact in social media; we know we make an impact in social media; now hear more from an expert on women of color and social media. Jessica Faye Carter will be one of our panelists on "Social Media and the Woman of Color" and we are looking forward to learning a lot from her.
Here's a little more about Jessica:
Jessica is the founder and CEO of Nĕtte Media, is a social media company for women, which provides opportunities for women to connect online across various aspects of their identity, including culture, profession/career, philanthropic efforts, and religion. Jessica was previously a corporate lawyer on Wall Street and is a member of the New York Bar.
She is a nationally-recognized expert on cultural and gender diversity and an award-winning business author.
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? I wish I could be in dance class (ballet, salsa, etc.), but I’m usually working—even in my spare time.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? Probably my laptop or maybe my makeup bag, especially if I had something to do later.
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A fashion designer. That didn’t go over too well with my parents, who immediately said no.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? I love singing and believe me, no one is looking (or listening) but me!
You can read more at http://nettemedia.com/ or follow @nettemedia
Here's a little more about Jessica:
Jessica is the founder and CEO of Nĕtte Media, is a social media company for women, which provides opportunities for women to connect online across various aspects of their identity, including culture, profession/career, philanthropic efforts, and religion. Jessica was previously a corporate lawyer on Wall Street and is a member of the New York Bar.
She is a nationally-recognized expert on cultural and gender diversity and an award-winning business author.
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? I wish I could be in dance class (ballet, salsa, etc.), but I’m usually working—even in my spare time.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? Probably my laptop or maybe my makeup bag, especially if I had something to do later.
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A fashion designer. That didn’t go over too well with my parents, who immediately said no.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? I love singing and believe me, no one is looking (or listening) but me!
You can read more at http://nettemedia.com/ or follow @nettemedia
Friday, September 4, 2009
Carrie's in the spotlight
Our speaker spotlight today is on Carrie Ferguson Weir who will be on our "Possibilities and Pitfalls of Having YOU on the Net" panel and blogs at "Bilingual in the Boonies". Carrie is "a former newspaper reporter who now hangs with her bilingual-in-the-making chiquitica" and lives in Tennessee, "far from the Cuban-American homeland that is Miami, so for Spanish comfort I stalk Latina moms at the park, grocery store and gym."
The first thing that I loved about our Carrie's blog was its name "Bilingual in the Boonies" - being a city gal who always wonders whether I could ever survive a small town, her blog name alone captures my interest because I wonder what it would be like to not only be in "the boonies" but to be different in boonies.
Here's a little more about Carrie:
Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That I do the same stuff I tell her not to do. (like skipping breakfast and eating too much ice cream...)
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? Getting a massage. What are youactually doing? Twittering.
If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Italian shoes purchased during a Roman holiday.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? If said item was for someone else.
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Talkative, creative, connector, opinionated, head-strong.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? An island, health and a never-ending mojito glass.
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A writer.
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? Grateful for my creativity and not so grateful about my bull-in-china-shop ways.
Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? No tatt. Can't imagine what I would want to keep that long.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Pluck my brows in the car.
You can find Carrie at http://www.bilingualintheboonies.com/
The first thing that I loved about our Carrie's blog was its name "Bilingual in the Boonies" - being a city gal who always wonders whether I could ever survive a small town, her blog name alone captures my interest because I wonder what it would be like to not only be in "the boonies" but to be different in boonies.
Here's a little more about Carrie:
Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That I do the same stuff I tell her not to do. (like skipping breakfast and eating too much ice cream...)
In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? Getting a massage. What are youactually doing? Twittering.
If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Italian shoes purchased during a Roman holiday.
You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? If said item was for someone else.
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Talkative, creative, connector, opinionated, head-strong.
If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? An island, health and a never-ending mojito glass.
When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A writer.
Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? Grateful for my creativity and not so grateful about my bull-in-china-shop ways.
Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? No tatt. Can't imagine what I would want to keep that long.
What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Pluck my brows in the car.
You can find Carrie at http://www.bilingualintheboonies.com/
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Headline NEWS!!!!
Announcing new admission specials. These are for a limited time and a limited quantity, so take advantage of them before they are gone.
Student Pass - A special discounted price of $75 per ticket is now available for students. A Student Pass admission gives you access to all conference activities BUT you'll have to present current college or university student identification at conference check in and you'll have to be at least 21 years of age to party.
2 for 1 Pass - A special discount of $350 for admission for 2 will be offered to you and a friend if you register together. Admission includes all the perks of a regular admission - just at a discount.
Party Pass - For those of you who want to network a little and party a lot, this pass will give you admission as a conference attendee to the exclusive Blogalicious events on Friday and Saturday nights and will give you access to the Exhibitor Marketplace during the day on Saturday.
Skip Pass - If you only want to attend the general sessions, then this pass is for you! For a special price of $100, you'll get admission to the Saturday Morning Keynote Session; Keynote Luncheon (includes lunch); Town Hall Session; Coffee & Snack Breaks; and the Exhibitor Marketplace.
Don't sleep because these offers are for a limited time only! http://blogalicious2009.eventbrite.com/
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Denene Millner is shining bright
Today's speaker spotlight is on the incomparable Denene Millner who will be making a couple appearances at the conference. She will be a panelist on the "Mom 2.0" session, as well as gracing us with a book reading/author insight during Sunday brinch.
I must disclose that I love Denene! She's smart, funny, gracious, humble, beautifual and she keeps it real. She's an accomplished writer and parenting expert and most of all she's a devoted mom and wife. Here's a little more about Denene in her own words:
"I’m a parenting and relationship expert who’s written or co-written 18 books exploring love—between men and women, parents and children, siblings, and friends. I’m also a member of Parenting magazine’s Mom Squad of experts, who help women negotiate the ins and outs of motherhood. In my spare time, I write entertainment, relationship, and travel features for magazines like Essence, Health, and Heart & Soul, and run MyBrownBaby (www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com), a blog where I give thought-provoking, insightful, wickedly funny commentary on motherhood, pregnancy, childrearing, sex, work and relationships—all filtered through the lens of the African American experience. I’m also obsessed with African American art and children’s books, and, in my next life, I’ll have the astonishing ability to whip up drapes and fancy pillows. I live near Atlanta, Georgia with my husband, three children, and goldendoodle, Teddy.
Here are some extra tidbits about me:
I would never tell my Dad this, but he was right to make me go to the prom with my brother’s best friend, Mike. Had I gone with the guy I really wanted to go with, I definitely would have broken curfew (11:30) and I definitely wouldn’t have come home a virgin.
If I had a spare ten minutes every day, I would troll the internet looking at art by and featuring African Americans. I’m obsessed. Romare Bearden is my favorite; to me, his work—especially his collages—is absolutely magical. And these days, I’m really digging Tamara Natalie Madden, Franks Deceus, and April Harrison. Alas, I’m too broke to buy their art, and can NEVER find that spare 10 minutes because I’m too busy writing.
If money was no object, I’d buy an original Romare Bearden (as explained in the entry above this one).
I work from home these days—no getting dressed up, no traffic, no wasting money on expensive lunches, no annoying co-workers (my dog Teddy is the perrrfect officemate!). But if I sit down to my MacBook and I don’t have gummy bears, double bubble bubble gum and a Hersey’s chocolate bar with almonds? Oh, it’s a situation. Everything must stop until I get my fix. There’s magic in that sugar!
If I had my way when I was little, I would have grown up to be an architect and interior designer. Alas, my Physics grades sucked, so I ended up using my left brain in other ways (writing) and, for kicks, rearranging the furniture and drooling over Ethan Allen, zgallerie and Williams Sonoma furniture.
I am talented, sweet, no-nonsense, thoughtful, and a bit of a procrastinator —#workingonthat. And while I love my face and round hips, this baby weight is k-i-l-l-i-n-g me. (Yeah, my youngest child is 7—and? #whatsyourpoint?)
If I were granted three wishes from an angel, it would be to see my mom one last time, so that she could see the beautiful flowers her grandbabies have become, so that I could thank her for her grace, wisdom, and firm hand, all of which have factored greatly in my accomplishments and the woman, wife, and mother I’ve become, and so that I could tell her just one more time how much I love her. With that, I wouldn’t need any more wishes.
When I think no one is looking, I sang, chile—loud and strong and wrong. Especially if it’s a Stevie Wonder song. Stevie makes me happy!"
You can reach Denene at MyBrownBaby (http://www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com) or
on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mybrownbaby. You can also read some of her work at essence.com and parenting.com, and get her books at major traditional and online book stores.
I must disclose that I love Denene! She's smart, funny, gracious, humble, beautifual and she keeps it real. She's an accomplished writer and parenting expert and most of all she's a devoted mom and wife. Here's a little more about Denene in her own words:
"I’m a parenting and relationship expert who’s written or co-written 18 books exploring love—between men and women, parents and children, siblings, and friends. I’m also a member of Parenting magazine’s Mom Squad of experts, who help women negotiate the ins and outs of motherhood. In my spare time, I write entertainment, relationship, and travel features for magazines like Essence, Health, and Heart & Soul, and run MyBrownBaby (www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com), a blog where I give thought-provoking, insightful, wickedly funny commentary on motherhood, pregnancy, childrearing, sex, work and relationships—all filtered through the lens of the African American experience. I’m also obsessed with African American art and children’s books, and, in my next life, I’ll have the astonishing ability to whip up drapes and fancy pillows. I live near Atlanta, Georgia with my husband, three children, and goldendoodle, Teddy.
Here are some extra tidbits about me:
I would never tell my Dad this, but he was right to make me go to the prom with my brother’s best friend, Mike. Had I gone with the guy I really wanted to go with, I definitely would have broken curfew (11:30) and I definitely wouldn’t have come home a virgin.
If I had a spare ten minutes every day, I would troll the internet looking at art by and featuring African Americans. I’m obsessed. Romare Bearden is my favorite; to me, his work—especially his collages—is absolutely magical. And these days, I’m really digging Tamara Natalie Madden, Franks Deceus, and April Harrison. Alas, I’m too broke to buy their art, and can NEVER find that spare 10 minutes because I’m too busy writing.
If money was no object, I’d buy an original Romare Bearden (as explained in the entry above this one).
I work from home these days—no getting dressed up, no traffic, no wasting money on expensive lunches, no annoying co-workers (my dog Teddy is the perrrfect officemate!). But if I sit down to my MacBook and I don’t have gummy bears, double bubble bubble gum and a Hersey’s chocolate bar with almonds? Oh, it’s a situation. Everything must stop until I get my fix. There’s magic in that sugar!
If I had my way when I was little, I would have grown up to be an architect and interior designer. Alas, my Physics grades sucked, so I ended up using my left brain in other ways (writing) and, for kicks, rearranging the furniture and drooling over Ethan Allen, zgallerie and Williams Sonoma furniture.
I am talented, sweet, no-nonsense, thoughtful, and a bit of a procrastinator —#workingonthat. And while I love my face and round hips, this baby weight is k-i-l-l-i-n-g me. (Yeah, my youngest child is 7—and? #whatsyourpoint?)
If I were granted three wishes from an angel, it would be to see my mom one last time, so that she could see the beautiful flowers her grandbabies have become, so that I could thank her for her grace, wisdom, and firm hand, all of which have factored greatly in my accomplishments and the woman, wife, and mother I’ve become, and so that I could tell her just one more time how much I love her. With that, I wouldn’t need any more wishes.
When I think no one is looking, I sang, chile—loud and strong and wrong. Especially if it’s a Stevie Wonder song. Stevie makes me happy!"
You can reach Denene at MyBrownBaby (http://www.mybrownbaby.blogspot.com) or
on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mybrownbaby. You can also read some of her work at essence.com and parenting.com, and get her books at major traditional and online book stores.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Natalie's in the spotlight today
Our speaker for today is a woman after my own heart. Ms. Natalie McNeal who can be found at The Frugalista Files took a "vow of frugality" in 2008 after she spent a month without getting her hair done, eating out or getting a manicure or pedicure and saved $400. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.! Natalie blogs about and teaches people how to live the frugal and fabulous life.
Natalie will be a panelist on the Cyberstyle & The Multicultural Blogger panel and here's a little bit more about her:
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? I would probably tell her, so I could irritate her.
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? I would be writing something meaningful, but I am tweeting and Facebooking.
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? An extensive Louis Vuitton collection.
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My keys.
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Thick, sensitive, assertive, frugal and fabulous.
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? Financial security, a beach home in Los Angeles and my book written!
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A journalist
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? The best thing about me is my ability to adapt to different situations. My procrastination is HORRIBLE. I’ll make it go away. Tomorrow.
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? No tats.
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Hmm. Adjust the twins. Heheh!
Natalie will be a panelist on the Cyberstyle & The Multicultural Blogger panel and here's a little bit more about her:
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? I would probably tell her, so I could irritate her.
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? I would be writing something meaningful, but I am tweeting and Facebooking.
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? An extensive Louis Vuitton collection.
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My keys.
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Thick, sensitive, assertive, frugal and fabulous.
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? Financial security, a beach home in Los Angeles and my book written!
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A journalist
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? The best thing about me is my ability to adapt to different situations. My procrastination is HORRIBLE. I’ll make it go away. Tomorrow.
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? No tats.
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Hmm. Adjust the twins. Heheh!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
End-of-Month Registration Sale!
Did you hear the news?We've rolled back conference registration prices for a limited time. Take advantage of this special low price by registering today: http://blogalicious2009.eventbrite.com/
Friday, August 28, 2009
Spotlighting Leticia
We are spotlighting Tech Savvy Mama today and please be assured that once you visit her site, you will leave smarter than before. I love visiting because I can rely on her blog to give me all the tips and reviews on what's the best educational resources for our little ones. Also, as her name indicates, you can count on her to tell you all about the tech toys for adults too!
Leticia will be speaking on the "Upgrade You: Taking Your Blog to the Next Level" panel and here's a little bit more about her:
"Leticia (aka Tech Savvy Mama) is completely addicted to the internet and any new gadgets. As someone born and raised in the heart of Silicon Valley, she thinks that the love of technology was due to both nature and nurture but her marriage to a network engineer took the geek girl in her to the next level. For a very brief period of time, Leticia was proud to claim that she owned more computers than her husband!
Leticia shares her love of technology, knowledge from years of experience as a classroom teacher & technology consultant, and perspective as a mom on Tech Savvy Mama. Through Tech Savvy Mama, Leticia addresses current issues about technology use in the home and helps families find the best technology products, websites, and resources for children of all ages. She has found that her own children (ages 5 ½ and 3) are becoming quite critical about technology and are learning about qualities of a good website when looking at sites to review.
Being a classic Type A overachiever, Leticia isn’t content just working on Tech Savvy Mama and teaching. She is the City Editor for Being Savvy Washington DC, consults for PBS Teachers, is also one of five teacher moms who writes for Leapfrog’s Teacher Tagvocates, and muses about life in the DC Metro area on DC Metro Moms. Leticia also helps chair the parent group at her son’s preschool and was asked to coordinate the elementary school silent auction but since her daughter wasn’t enrolled yet, she took politely declined that opportunity. Leticia can often be found blogging, Tweeting, and working into the early hours of the morning while the rest of her family sleeps. To get through the day, Leticia relies on her morning coffee and her iPhone.
While at Blogalicious, you are most likely to find Leticia enjoying pampering treatments, using TweetDeck on her iPhone, or searching out any restaurants in the Atlanta area where Top Chef cheftestants currently cook.
In the event that Leticia wins the lottery or inherits a large sum of money before Blogalicous, she will still be there and won’t have given up any of the above."
Check her out ...
Blog: Tech Savvy Mama
E-mail: tech savvy mama at g mail dot com
Twitter: techsavvymama
Leticia will be speaking on the "Upgrade You: Taking Your Blog to the Next Level" panel and here's a little bit more about her:
"Leticia (aka Tech Savvy Mama) is completely addicted to the internet and any new gadgets. As someone born and raised in the heart of Silicon Valley, she thinks that the love of technology was due to both nature and nurture but her marriage to a network engineer took the geek girl in her to the next level. For a very brief period of time, Leticia was proud to claim that she owned more computers than her husband!
Leticia shares her love of technology, knowledge from years of experience as a classroom teacher & technology consultant, and perspective as a mom on Tech Savvy Mama. Through Tech Savvy Mama, Leticia addresses current issues about technology use in the home and helps families find the best technology products, websites, and resources for children of all ages. She has found that her own children (ages 5 ½ and 3) are becoming quite critical about technology and are learning about qualities of a good website when looking at sites to review.
Being a classic Type A overachiever, Leticia isn’t content just working on Tech Savvy Mama and teaching. She is the City Editor for Being Savvy Washington DC, consults for PBS Teachers, is also one of five teacher moms who writes for Leapfrog’s Teacher Tagvocates, and muses about life in the DC Metro area on DC Metro Moms. Leticia also helps chair the parent group at her son’s preschool and was asked to coordinate the elementary school silent auction but since her daughter wasn’t enrolled yet, she took politely declined that opportunity. Leticia can often be found blogging, Tweeting, and working into the early hours of the morning while the rest of her family sleeps. To get through the day, Leticia relies on her morning coffee and her iPhone.
While at Blogalicious, you are most likely to find Leticia enjoying pampering treatments, using TweetDeck on her iPhone, or searching out any restaurants in the Atlanta area where Top Chef cheftestants currently cook.
In the event that Leticia wins the lottery or inherits a large sum of money before Blogalicous, she will still be there and won’t have given up any of the above."
Check her out ...
Blog: Tech Savvy Mama
E-mail: tech savvy mama at g mail dot com
Twitter: techsavvymama
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Awesome Mommy Niri is up today
Today's spotlight is on Mommy Niri out of Boston. Niri has so much going on that it's kinda hard to even describe her happenings so you should just visit mommyniri.com. Niri will be a panelist on "Secrets to a Successful Blog" and as soon as you visit her site you'll see why she's on that panel. Her site is different and awesome - I just love it!
She's an interesting lady and when I had to choose whether to post her official bio or her answers to our 10 fun questions, I couldn't.
"Mommy Niri, a mom to 2 little girls, exchanged her rat race life as a software engineer for her rug rats. Having had a love for journalism forever but not daring to pursue it in the turbulent South Africa (where she was born and bred), she is now writing to her heart’s content from her current hometown of Boston. You can also find her writing at Retrevo.com (as a parenting angle on technology) and MomsOfHue.com (featuring women of color) and has worked with companies like Hooked On Phonics and iRobot. She has been featured in several newspapers including Parent's And Kids Magazine. You can find her speaking at the upcoming Blogalicious conference. Her writing has gained her popularity as Mommy Niri has been nominated for the Nickelodeon Parent's Pick Award. She doesn’t do anything she isn’t passionate about (except maybe diapers)!"
AND
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That she was correct about everything!
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? What spare 10 minutes?
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Something that hides these thighs!
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My cellphone
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Passionate, Honest, Kind, Loyal and Just
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? 1 - To Have my mom back alive, 2-To see all my family together again 3-To have Mommy Niri be a success
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A lawyer
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? A little hot-headed
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? None, wish I did
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? The same I do when everyone is looking. I am just me, all the time.
Be sure to add Niri to your blogroll - if she's not already there!
She's an interesting lady and when I had to choose whether to post her official bio or her answers to our 10 fun questions, I couldn't.
"Mommy Niri, a mom to 2 little girls, exchanged her rat race life as a software engineer for her rug rats. Having had a love for journalism forever but not daring to pursue it in the turbulent South Africa (where she was born and bred), she is now writing to her heart’s content from her current hometown of Boston. You can also find her writing at Retrevo.com (as a parenting angle on technology) and MomsOfHue.com (featuring women of color) and has worked with companies like Hooked On Phonics and iRobot. She has been featured in several newspapers including Parent's And Kids Magazine. You can find her speaking at the upcoming Blogalicious conference. Her writing has gained her popularity as Mommy Niri has been nominated for the Nickelodeon Parent's Pick Award. She doesn’t do anything she isn’t passionate about (except maybe diapers)!"
AND
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That she was correct about everything!
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? What spare 10 minutes?
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? Something that hides these thighs!
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My cellphone
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Passionate, Honest, Kind, Loyal and Just
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? 1 - To Have my mom back alive, 2-To see all my family together again 3-To have Mommy Niri be a success
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? A lawyer
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? A little hot-headed
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? None, wish I did
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? The same I do when everyone is looking. I am just me, all the time.
Be sure to add Niri to your blogroll - if she's not already there!
http://www.mommyniri.com/
http://www.momsofhue.com/
@mommyniri - twitter
niri@mommyniri.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Chevy Blog & Drive Carpool to Blogalicious!
Need a Ride to Blogalicious 2009?
Sign up to Blog & Drive – okay, don’t do both at the same time ; - )
Are you and your friends attending Blogalicious? Sign up for the Chevy auto blogging car-pool. We’re looking for people to blog about their trip to Blogalicious and while you’re at it - tell us what you think of the ride.
Are you going solo? Well, join the Blogalicious 2009 Message Board on Big Tent and connect with other bloggers to form a Blog & Drive group. Chevrolet is providing a limited number of car-pool vehicles for registered attendees of Blogalicious 2009. All you need is a group of three that’s willing to tell us what’s on your mind.
Save money and cruise to A-T-L in a hot new Chevy. Space is limited so apply fast at the following link: http://gm.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3qiFIgVrr6hb9pW&SVID=gm
You must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license to operate a Blog & Drive vehicle. We recommend that Blog & Drive groups blog at least two posts about their experience in the vehicle. Twitpics, podcasts, live streams and the like are also welcome. Groups are selected by Blogalicious and General Motors on a transparent and equitable basis.
Sign up to Blog & Drive – okay, don’t do both at the same time ; - )
Are you and your friends attending Blogalicious? Sign up for the Chevy auto blogging car-pool. We’re looking for people to blog about their trip to Blogalicious and while you’re at it - tell us what you think of the ride.
Are you going solo? Well, join the Blogalicious 2009 Message Board on Big Tent and connect with other bloggers to form a Blog & Drive group. Chevrolet is providing a limited number of car-pool vehicles for registered attendees of Blogalicious 2009. All you need is a group of three that’s willing to tell us what’s on your mind.
Save money and cruise to A-T-L in a hot new Chevy. Space is limited so apply fast at the following link: http://gm.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3qiFIgVrr6hb9pW&SVID=gm
You must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license to operate a Blog & Drive vehicle. We recommend that Blog & Drive groups blog at least two posts about their experience in the vehicle. Twitpics, podcasts, live streams and the like are also welcome. Groups are selected by Blogalicious and General Motors on a transparent and equitable basis.
Speaker Spotlight: Melanie Babcock
As you may know, we've got a Town Hall discussion scheduled for Day 1 of Blogalicious that promises to be a very intriguing and informative session. "Marketing to Women of Color: The Real Deal" will be a discussion between a group of marketers and a group of women of color bloggers with audience participation that we hope will help uncover some of the roadblocks between the two groups and hopefully lead to an action plan to help further integrate women of color in the blogosphere.
Today's spotlight is one of the marketers on that panel - Melanie Babcock, Senior Vice President for Digital Strategy and Services with MS&L. Here's a little more about Melanie:
"Melanie is an interactive specialist with 13 years of interactive/web consulting expertise. She is responsible for helping clients develop and deliver innovative, high-impact digital communications solutions to meet their business and communications objectives. Some of her most recent work includes developing digital communications programs for Best Buy, The Home Depot, Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and Equifax.
Melanie brings a wealth of interactive and digital media experience to her clients. Before joining MS&L, Melanie was the Director of Interactive Strategy at an international PR agency where she helped build their interactive and social media practice including a blogger relations and social networking/community practice. Here she worked on several clients including Kodak, Frito-Lay, Kids II, Lenovo, FedEx and Wendy’s.
Melanie lives and breathes the digital and social media space. She is a born entrepreneur, who enjoys delighting clients with creative interactive marketing and social media solutions. Melanie earned her MS in Information Systems from Ball State University and a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan."
We're looking forward to hearing from Melanie!
Today's spotlight is one of the marketers on that panel - Melanie Babcock, Senior Vice President for Digital Strategy and Services with MS&L. Here's a little more about Melanie:
"Melanie is an interactive specialist with 13 years of interactive/web consulting expertise. She is responsible for helping clients develop and deliver innovative, high-impact digital communications solutions to meet their business and communications objectives. Some of her most recent work includes developing digital communications programs for Best Buy, The Home Depot, Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and Equifax.
Melanie brings a wealth of interactive and digital media experience to her clients. Before joining MS&L, Melanie was the Director of Interactive Strategy at an international PR agency where she helped build their interactive and social media practice including a blogger relations and social networking/community practice. Here she worked on several clients including Kodak, Frito-Lay, Kids II, Lenovo, FedEx and Wendy’s.
Melanie lives and breathes the digital and social media space. She is a born entrepreneur, who enjoys delighting clients with creative interactive marketing and social media solutions. Melanie earned her MS in Information Systems from Ball State University and a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan."
We're looking forward to hearing from Melanie!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Blogalicious 2009 Welcomes Chevrolet & OnStar
Get your roll on with Chevy & OnStar this October!
We are pleased to announce these great names as the Exclusive Automotive Sponsors of Blogalicious. General Motors has been supportive of our conference from the start (waaay back when it was merely an fledgling idea) and they made sure to become a part of this monumental event. A special word of thanks to Kameya Shows at OnStar and Monique Brentley at General Motors for working so hard to make this happen.
So, what does this mean for you? Glad you asked...
We are pleased to announce these great names as the Exclusive Automotive Sponsors of Blogalicious. General Motors has been supportive of our conference from the start (waaay back when it was merely an fledgling idea) and they made sure to become a part of this monumental event. A special word of thanks to Kameya Shows at OnStar and Monique Brentley at General Motors for working so hard to make this happen.
So, what does this mean for you? Glad you asked...
Ride in Style TO Blogalicious
Chevy & OnStar are sponsoring a Ride & Blog Carpool to Atlanta. Bloggers in multiple cities across the country will be able to carpool in a chic Chevy, equipped with OnStar, for a fun and comfortable ride to Blogalicious. Details coming soon. In the meantime, you can start preparing by (1) registering for the conference (required to participate) and (2) thinking about 2-3 bloggers in your city that can join you. Check out the Ride & Blog Carpool forum on the Blogalicious Big Tent to organize your group.
Ride in Style AT Blogalicious
Our amazing sponsors will also be hosting a test drive at the conference. We'll have more information for you soon about this, so check back soon and get ready to drive a Chevy! But wait, there's more. Chevy & OnStar has generously offered to provide our attendees with party transportation to Girls Night Out. No need to catch a cab or worry about hoofing it in your cute shoes. Our Auto Sponsors have got.you.covered.
Is Blogalicious 2009 Only for The Mommy Blogger?
We've received some really good questions lately and it seemed fit to share the answers with everyone. So here goes. If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to send them to us and we will get back to you. You can send all inquires to info(at)blogaliciousweekend(dot)com.1) Question: Is Blogalicious 2009 a blogging conference for moms only?
Answer: Nope. Blogalicious is a conference for all women, mommy or not. Some of our attendees have children and some of them don't. Heck, some of our mommy bloggers are using this weekend for some much deserved "me time" while also pursuing their passion for blogging.
2) Question: Why Blogalicious 2009? There are already so many other conference, do we really need another one?
Answer: While there are several other great blogging conferences, before Blogalicious 2009, there were no conferences with a target audience of the women of color. Women of color are all over social media. We document our lives on our blogs, we promote our latest work on our blogs, and we are new moms, veteran moms, non-moms, and all of the above. (see question #1 above). As women of color in social media, there are some issues directly related to us that have not yet been addressed in a forum like Blogalicious. We saw the void and took action.
3) Question: Why did you pick Atlanta for the conference location?
Answer: Atlanta is a beautiful city. The weather in October is nice, hotels are great, and the airport is an easy one to fly to, even from the West Coast. Between the The Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park, World of Coca-Cola, there are so many fun things to do before and after the conference. And since Blogalicious Weekend falls on Columbus Day weekend, you can spend an extra day or two to visit just some of these great places. Visit the Atlanta Travel Guide for ideas on more fun things to do in Atlanta.
4) Question: What can I expect while at Blogalicious 2009?
Answer: You can expect to feel at home at our conference. We've designed a great weekend with many activities. We've also partnered up with some fabulous companies that have designed some really great opportunities for the weekend- just for you. We can't wait to share all the exciting things planned and are bursting at the seams to spill the beans. As soon we finish up all the paperwork and links and website are done being created - again, just for you- we are going to share all the juicy details.
Answer: Nope. Blogalicious is a conference for all women, mommy or not. Some of our attendees have children and some of them don't. Heck, some of our mommy bloggers are using this weekend for some much deserved "me time" while also pursuing their passion for blogging.
2) Question: Why Blogalicious 2009? There are already so many other conference, do we really need another one?
Answer: While there are several other great blogging conferences, before Blogalicious 2009, there were no conferences with a target audience of the women of color. Women of color are all over social media. We document our lives on our blogs, we promote our latest work on our blogs, and we are new moms, veteran moms, non-moms, and all of the above. (see question #1 above). As women of color in social media, there are some issues directly related to us that have not yet been addressed in a forum like Blogalicious. We saw the void and took action.
3) Question: Why did you pick Atlanta for the conference location?
Answer: Atlanta is a beautiful city. The weather in October is nice, hotels are great, and the airport is an easy one to fly to, even from the West Coast. Between the The Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park, World of Coca-Cola, there are so many fun things to do before and after the conference. And since Blogalicious Weekend falls on Columbus Day weekend, you can spend an extra day or two to visit just some of these great places. Visit the Atlanta Travel Guide for ideas on more fun things to do in Atlanta.
4) Question: What can I expect while at Blogalicious 2009?
Answer: You can expect to feel at home at our conference. We've designed a great weekend with many activities. We've also partnered up with some fabulous companies that have designed some really great opportunities for the weekend- just for you. We can't wait to share all the exciting things planned and are bursting at the seams to spill the beans. As soon we finish up all the paperwork and links and website are done being created - again, just for you- we are going to share all the juicy details.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bloggers' identities may be revealed
I stumbled across this article in my internet travel today and wanted to share it with you; of course, this doesn't really apply to any of you because we all blog with integrity! But I wanted to pass it on:
Google reveals blogger's identity after Vogue model's 'skank' insult.
Miss Cohen, 37, went to the Manhattan supreme court to discover who had attacked her so she could sue for defamation. The Skanks in NYC blog featured photos of Miss Cohen and described her in a series of unflattering terms....In what may prove a far-reaching ruling, Joan Madden, a New York supreme court judge, rejected the blogger's claim that the blogs were a "modern day forum for conveying personal opinions, including invective and ranting" and should not be treated as factual assertions. The judge quoted a ruling by a Virginia court in a similar case that said that anonymous online taunters should be held accountable when their derision goes too far. Google said it had complied with the ruling by supplying the blogger's IP and email addresses to Miss Cohen's lawyers. The blog was removed as soon as Miss Cohen took legal action. Read more...
Google reveals blogger's identity after Vogue model's 'skank' insult.
Miss Cohen, 37, went to the Manhattan supreme court to discover who had attacked her so she could sue for defamation. The Skanks in NYC blog featured photos of Miss Cohen and described her in a series of unflattering terms....In what may prove a far-reaching ruling, Joan Madden, a New York supreme court judge, rejected the blogger's claim that the blogs were a "modern day forum for conveying personal opinions, including invective and ranting" and should not be treated as factual assertions. The judge quoted a ruling by a Virginia court in a similar case that said that anonymous online taunters should be held accountable when their derision goes too far. Google said it had complied with the ruling by supplying the blogger's IP and email addresses to Miss Cohen's lawyers. The blog was removed as soon as Miss Cohen took legal action. Read more...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Marta takes the spotlight
Sometimes it's difficult to determine how much is too much to put out there on the internet. You want to speak from your heart and tell your story, but then you may hesitate because you're not sure whether there could be repercussions. Well, our speaker, Marta, writes from her heart - she has found her voice and shares with us lots of personal photos, so much so that after spending a little time on her blog, you'll feel like you know her entire family - and that's her secret!
Marta Darby from http://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/ will be speaking at the panel on "Secrets to a Successful Blog" and here's a little more about her:
"The most important thing that you need to know about Marta is that she does not go anywhere without her red lipstick. She sings in the car when she thinks no one is looking and has even gone as far as playing some serious percussion on her steering wheel.
Marta was born in Havana and fled Cuba with her family when she was just 5 years old.
If she were granted three wishes, one of them would surely be to see a free Cuba in her lifetime. She would also wish for her children to have happy and fulfilled lives. Her third wish would be for really long legs, but that’s not important right now.
When she was growing up, she wanted to be an artist and a writer. Writing her blog, My big, fat Cuban family makes her feel like she’s accomplished both. She embodies Cuban hospitality with her great sense of humor and passion for good food and great friends."
Make sure to add mybigfatcubanfamily.com to your blogroll today!
Marta Darby from http://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/ will be speaking at the panel on "Secrets to a Successful Blog" and here's a little more about her:
"The most important thing that you need to know about Marta is that she does not go anywhere without her red lipstick. She sings in the car when she thinks no one is looking and has even gone as far as playing some serious percussion on her steering wheel.
Marta was born in Havana and fled Cuba with her family when she was just 5 years old.
If she were granted three wishes, one of them would surely be to see a free Cuba in her lifetime. She would also wish for her children to have happy and fulfilled lives. Her third wish would be for really long legs, but that’s not important right now.
When she was growing up, she wanted to be an artist and a writer. Writing her blog, My big, fat Cuban family makes her feel like she’s accomplished both. She embodies Cuban hospitality with her great sense of humor and passion for good food and great friends."
Make sure to add mybigfatcubanfamily.com to your blogroll today!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fabulous Sponsor Update!
It's been awhile since we've given you an update on the wonderful sponsors that have signed on to help make the conference a success. We're excited to announce the addition of the following three brands as official sponsors of Blogalicious 2009....
You heard it here first! Mattel is launching its very first collection of African-American Barbie dolls. The fun, new "So In Style" or "S.I.S." line is designed to give little brown girls positive role models and to teach them that they can be inspirational mentors all while being stylish too. Look for Mattel and the S.I.S. collection at Blogalicious where they will be sponsoring the Cocktail Reception. We'll even have the special treat of meeting and hearing the doll's designer tell us first-hand what inspired her to create these adorable dolls.
America's favorite household cleaner is making an appearance at Blogalicious! Pine-Sol is a brand committed to diversity and it shows. The company has teamed up with Ebony Magazine and together they have been hosting SisterSpeak Luncheons all around the country honoring remarkable African-American women. We're pleased to say that Pine-Sol has teamed up with Blogalicious to honor YOU at the Friday evening Cocktail Reception.
LeapFrog has a stellar reputation when it comes to providing fun, engaging and educational toys for our little ones. And they're well-known for reaching out to bloggers to solicit honest and genuine feedback about their products. So naturally, it's fitting that they partner with Blogalicious to show you just how much they value your opinion and support. To top it all off, you'll have LeapFrog to thank for your much-needed Morning Coffee and Snack Break!
Join us in thanking to these great companies for supporting Blogalicious and women of color bloggers.
People's Choice Panel - Now it's your turn to vote!!!
We asked you what you wanted and you let us know … now it’s your turn to vote. We’ve sifted through all your suggestions and these three topics rose to the top. Cast your vote before September 1st and let YOUR voice be heard. (Go to the poll is on the sidebar)
“Show Me the Money – Monetizing your blog” – You want to take your blog to the next level in terms of making a little extra money on side, this session will explore how to get started, discuss realistic expectations of how much money can be made, who you should contact, and discuss the various options available to bring in some money.
“Yikes … An Audit! – Tax Implications of Making Money from Blogging” – Now, you’re making a little extra money from doing what you enjoy, it’s time to think about Uncle Sam. This session will explore the various tax implications of making those few (or thousands) of extra bucks.
“Raising Multi-racial kids on Your Blog” – You’re not a woman of color but you are raising a child of color. This session will explore the unique issues that you may face as you navigate the blogosphere and the real world.
“Show Me the Money – Monetizing your blog” – You want to take your blog to the next level in terms of making a little extra money on side, this session will explore how to get started, discuss realistic expectations of how much money can be made, who you should contact, and discuss the various options available to bring in some money.
“Yikes … An Audit! – Tax Implications of Making Money from Blogging” – Now, you’re making a little extra money from doing what you enjoy, it’s time to think about Uncle Sam. This session will explore the various tax implications of making those few (or thousands) of extra bucks.
“Raising Multi-racial kids on Your Blog” – You’re not a woman of color but you are raising a child of color. This session will explore the unique issues that you may face as you navigate the blogosphere and the real world.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The light shines bright on Veronica
Today's Speaker Spotlight is on Ms. Veronica Arreola. What can I say? It's best that you read for yourself. Let's just say that she's amazing!
Veronica will be one of the women on the Town Hall discussion "Marketing to Women of Color: The Real Deal". Veronica blogs at http://www.vivalafeminista.com/ which is described as "written by a woman living in Chicago trying to navigate and understand the intersection between being a feminist, a mom, and a Latina. Besides the every day rantings and ravings."
Here's a little more about Veronica in her words:
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That she did succeed in scaring me out of getting a tattoo. She died 6 years ago and I still think she’d find a way to carve it out with a butter knife.
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? Reading a book outside. Thinking about the next thing I’m going to write.
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? A pair of fabulous black Mary Jane heels. I have a nice pair, but not a fab pair. Those cost a bit more than Payless.
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My office keys – happens a lot actually.
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Happy, messy, busy, energetic and loving
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? One day where my late-mom and daughter can finally meet. We’d go to Disney World. Wish #2 would be for my mortgage to be paid off. Wish #3 would be to be healthy enough to see my daughter grown and with her own family.
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? Astronaut, marine biologist, teacher, writer.
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I love that I’m optimistic, I hate that it leads me to take on too much!
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? None! Yet.
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Watch entertainment news.
Want more of Veronica...check her out:
Chicago Abortion FundWomen In Media & NewsNOW Mothers & Caregivers Economic Rights
Blog: http://www.vivalafeminista.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/veronicaeye
She's in the current issue of Ms. Magazine - On sale now!http://www.msmagazine.com/summer2009/mommyblogs.asp
She'll be speaking at:Florida Consortium for Women's Studies October 2-4 in Tampa, FL http://web1.cas.usf.edu/wst/fcws/
Veronica will be one of the women on the Town Hall discussion "Marketing to Women of Color: The Real Deal". Veronica blogs at http://www.vivalafeminista.com/ which is described as "written by a woman living in Chicago trying to navigate and understand the intersection between being a feminist, a mom, and a Latina. Besides the every day rantings and ravings."
Here's a little more about Veronica in her words:
1. Tell us something about you that you would never tell your mom? That she did succeed in scaring me out of getting a tattoo. She died 6 years ago and I still think she’d find a way to carve it out with a butter knife.
2. In your spare ten minutes each day, what would you wish you could be doing? What are you actually doing? Reading a book outside. Thinking about the next thing I’m going to write.
3. If money was no object, what item of clothing or accessory would you like to have? A pair of fabulous black Mary Jane heels. I have a nice pair, but not a fab pair. Those cost a bit more than Payless.
4. You're five minutes away from work and realized that you forgot something. What would be that one thing that would make you turn around and go back home? My office keys – happens a lot actually.
5. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives? Happy, messy, busy, energetic and loving
6. If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want? One day where my late-mom and daughter can finally meet. We’d go to Disney World. Wish #2 would be for my mortgage to be paid off. Wish #3 would be to be healthy enough to see my daughter grown and with her own family.
7. When you were growing up what did you want to become when you grew up? Astronaut, marine biologist, teacher, writer.
8. Which is the trait you love the most and least about yourself? I love that I’m optimistic, I hate that it leads me to take on too much!
9. Do you have a tattoo, where is it located and what does it stand for? None! Yet.
10. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Watch entertainment news.
Want more of Veronica...check her out:
Chicago Abortion FundWomen In Media & NewsNOW Mothers & Caregivers Economic Rights
Blog: http://www.vivalafeminista.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/veronicaeye
She's in the current issue of Ms. Magazine - On sale now!http://www.msmagazine.com/summer2009/mommyblogs.asp
She'll be speaking at:Florida Consortium for Women's Studies October 2-4 in Tampa, FL http://web1.cas.usf.edu/wst/fcws/
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Join The Blogalicious Message Board
We hear you... The Blogalicious blog is great for updates and news, but you want to be able to connect with other bloggers planning to attend the conference. Piece of cake! Hop on over to the Blogalicious 2009 message board on BigTent and make yourself at home. You'll be able to look for a roommate, ask questions, and dish about all things Blogalicious. Sign-up is easy and free.
Only 30 Days Left to Book Your Hotel Room!
As of today, there is only 1 month left to reserve your guest room at the W Hotel at the Blogalicious discounted conference rate. By staying at the conference hotel you'll have the advantage of being in middle of all the conference activity, the benefit of being only an elevator ride away from your room, and the perk of not having to worry about transportation to and from the Blogalicious events.
Need to find a roommate? Check back here tomorrow!
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