Blog Better (Boston) or not ever again?

Hmmmmm…Sometimes I think not ever again.

I’ve been so uncommitted to my blog for a while. There are days that I think I should just stop promoting it, take down the 4HB posts (my biggest source of traffic, sadly. I know, I can’t believe it’s not The not so crafty Mama gets her (Father’s Day) tie on either!) and just let it be my family blog.

Blog Better Boston

Yesterday was one of those days, and ironically I was at a blogging conference, Blog Better Boston. You’d think I’d be all gung ho afterwards and come here and post away like I did last year. I sat there, my knock off spanx all pinching my thighs, looking at all these pretty young things thinking “Am I kidding” myself here?

The conference was organized by two very young hip gals. They did a great job, truly. Most of the attendees appeared to be fashion bloggers. I say appeared to be becasue some of the fashion was questionable to my very old tired eyes, but maybe that’s what’s fashionable now. I DON”T KNOW. This is my point.

It seemed like all these PYTs were very focused and jazzed up, and the panelists at least – very accomplished. I know, I know “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I know! But I couldn’t help it. I accomplished getting out of the house without any kid mess on me that morning. That my friends, is an accomplishment in my book.

My reason for this blog is manyfold (is that a word because I like it). In the beginning it was my business blog, then I extracted the personal posts and it became a personal blog. It’s a documentation of my life, a form of self expression through writing, photography, and video. Then it became a small (very small) business writing reviews and doing giveaways. It’s has always been a way for me to keep my skillset sharp and network for the day that will eventually come when my kids are in school and I want a J O B.

My determination to be really good at something that I do, combined with the mental injuries of Cool Dog not doing as well as I hoped, added with my utter exhaustion at the end of the day has left me defeated. I can’t put my all into something again because it isn’t really my all. My all goes to my kids. My blog, and before that my business got my what’s left over. A coming down from latte overload, tired, unshowered version of myself.

Back to the conference.

Monetize your Blog – For me, this was by far the best panel. Lots of good stuff here. The most interesting bit that was revealed (to me) is that I could have another revenue stream by helping others with videos for their blogs. Also creating motion graphics for their vids. Good stuff right? But do I dive back into another business venture? Ugh.

Working with Brands – Mommy Niri. Oh, our good friend Niri. So smart. Know you’re worth something. Don’t pimp yourself out. Figure out what you’re getting from the relationship. Sounds like life, no?

Traffic & Community – I didn’t understand that this panel would be discussing offline community. I wouldn’t have gone. I don’t have time to keep up with my actual community – my friends.  I am not building an offline community, I’m just not. However, I loved these ladies. Smart, funny and yes fashionable. Takeaway – Be authentic. Always. Find what you’re good at and go deep.

It was a good conference in its inaugural year, and next year, I think it will be even better. I wished the panels were a bit longer and breaks a bit shorter. Maybe two food stations to help with the lines. Oh, and bigger cupcakes :-)

life of reilly latte

This post is fragmented and a little bit swirly, but that’s kind of the way I feel right now.

So to recap I like to blog, I’m not very good at it, I like to go to conferences, I’m tired, and my spanx are hurty.

See, now this is the part in the post where I am supposed to ask a question like Why do you blog? or What keeps you blogging? or Do you wear Spanx too? Meh. Also, you’re welcome for the PYT earworm.

Time for more caffeine I think.

 

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8 Comments

  1. I think you are a brave woman who clearly lets raw emotion about her insecurities and herself come through on the page of a blog.

    That is the kind of blog I like to read.

    I think you are a great writer, I love that you share about your family and it is not all brand centric. I like to read your stories.

    Why did you start blogging in the first place? Does it have to be about who is popular or being courted by brands? I think good writing will naturally bring those opportunities along.

    oh and I LOVE the idea that you create video for other bloggers.. there could be a good amount of business there. You should do that.

    But ultimately, you should do what makes you happy.

    • You are so kind to me Liz! I appreciate every word you wrote. I started blogging in the beginning for my business, which I didn’t love. I started to love it when I began writing about my kids, my day and my life. It does make me happy. I need to remember that’s all the payment I need!

  2. Ron, I have always enjoyed your blog posts, whether they are work related telling everyone about a new service or about a new architecture project, about personal stories, or a conference you attend. Keep it up, and I am sure I will enjoy your writing even if it focuses on traffic, branding, or monetizing the site. Keep it up!

    • ED!!!! I can not believe
      A – you read my blog
      B- that you just commented on it.
      Thanks so much for stopping by and checking in. It really means a lot to me.

  3. I have been struggling with the very same questions myself. So glad to see I am not alone. I love your honesty. Love it! Plus you are pretty damn funny. I would be sad if I did not get to read your musings any longer. But you need to do things that make you happy and not feel blogging is another chore. God knows parents have enough of ’em! I know what ever you end up focusing on next – video consultation, blogging, spanx model – you will be great!

    • You have?! Do tell!
      I think you are on to something with the Spanx model gig. Have you see the girls on the site? They DO NOT need Spanx. Bitches.

  4. Awwwwww. *hugs* I want to write more but this is an old entry.

    I will post a little compliment and reminder: You don’t need to call them knock-off spanx, there’s other valid shapewear. Don’t get me wrong, I giggled at your writing, but I perhaps have a tiny pet peeve about Spanx being a modern Velcro thing, taking over a common name.

    I really actually LOVE your writing, and that’s a bit rare for me to feel. ;-) Thus, I hope you never quit! :-)

    • Oh and I wear Spanx, Jockey, something with a worn away label (Spanx???) and bike shorts. (Ayyy, the rub!)

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