by Karen Weido
I started blogging in 2010. I didn’t know too much about blogging other than it could be a place to record our family activities and memories. I soon discovered that blogging was so much more. It could be a community. It could be friends. It could be a brand. But I had no idea how to get that.
I discovered Arkansas Women Bloggers just after the new site launched. I signed up and started following all across social media. Soon there was talk of the 2nd annual conference – Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged (better known as AWBU). It sounded like fun and something I needed to attend.
I actually tweeted myself to a scholarship for that 2012 conference. As attendee lists began coming out, I started reading blogs from these women in Arkansas. I soon found out I was way behind in the blogging game. Maybe even over my head? My blog was small, tiny actually. At most I had around 20 page views per post. Some of these blogs I read got that many comments on one post! I suddenly found myself a little terrified, but still excited, about my very first blog conference.
I headed north for that first conference and found myself face to face with Arkansas Blog-ebrities (you know, bloggers who are celebrities). Did I introduce myself? Did I try to talk to them? I soon found I didn’t have to make that first move. These women who had this blog thing figured out were also nice and outgoing, and very welcoming of a very tiny fish in this big blogging pond.
I spent the weekend soaking it all in. There were promotion tips listed on chalkboards. There were storytellers that told us how to make our blog our own. There were experts that shared their knowledge. I took it all in. I took in an entire notebook worth of notes. I left my first blog conference with more knowledge, confidence and determination than I knew I had. I was ready to enter the blogging world full force.
I came home and started putting some of my new knowledge to use. I started treating my blog as more than a blog and more like my corner of the world. I made friends with some of the Arkansas bloggers and found out that they were as willing to help as I was eager to learn. I worked hard and often referenced my many notes that I had from the weekend. I noticed my following starting to increase. Those graphs on Google Analytics started heading up.
Over the past year, I’ve watched my blog become my brand. My hard work has paid off through blog ambassador programs, paid opportunities, and life experiences. My blog has grown in ways I couldn’t have possibly dreamed a year ago. My blog has value and it is a place where I can tell the world my story.
It all started at the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference. It was a weekend that truly changed me and completely changed my blog. It was a weekend that I’m looking forward to experiencing again in September. I’m already registered for AWBU 2013. Are you?
See you there!
Karen lives in South Arkansas with her husband and two kids. Somewhere between chasing kids and her full-time job in healthcare marketing she blogs at Ting’s Mom Blog. You can also catch her sharing it all on Twitter and Instagram.
I was at the gathering at the Museum of Discovery several years ago and that positive experience has stuck with me. I had never been part of such a warm and knowledgeable group of women, I was blogging about cupcakes back then and now I have a new blog and hope to make it to AWBU13.
Elaine, we’d love to have you join us at AWBU13! You might want to check out this scholarship opportunity! http://justjasmineblog.com/2013/07/16/justjasmineblog-scholarship-giveaway-attend-arkansas-women-bloggers-unplugged-13-on-me/
Thanks Julie! A Scholarship may be the only way I can be there.
Loved your story. I well remember seeing and introducing myself to you for the first time. I admired you for taking the time away from your new baby and preschooler to come and become a part of this odd assortment of women that we are— yet, an assortment that works together just that a Forrest Gump “box of chocolates.” Your youth and string-willed eagerness infuse an enthusiasm in me that I dearly appreciate. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
I remember you introducing yourself to me as well. I’m was impressed that someone actually knew who “Ting’s Mom’ was!
Oh Karen, I am so gald you stepped out that first time, now we are like bloggy family. I adore you and look forward to spending more time with you on all these bloggy adventures we have planned!
Ditto. I love my bloggy family and look forward to our upcoming weekend as well.
Great post! I’m so glad to have “met” you through blogging and look forward to meeting you soon hopefully! 🙂
You too. I have loved seeing all your beautiful pictures all over the place. So glad we have connected.
Loved your post! I’ve been thinking about signing up for AWBU for a couple months now, I need to just take the plunge!
Take the plunge. You will NOT be sorry. Hope to see you there.
Sure hope you will! Would love to see you at Foodie Friday as well. If you have any questions, please contact me. I’ll be glad to help.
Great post, Karen! I look forward to meeting more fellow AWBs at AWBU, and applying all I learn to better my blog. 🙂
I am really looking forward to the conference!
Hey, Karen!
Great writing, here. 🙂 Looking forward to the event and hope, hope, hope life will let me come to it.
My first adventure in the world of blogging was when some blogger stole one of my magazine articles and got paid for it! My editor fixed, but I was sour on blogging for ages.
This sweet group has helped fix that. 😉
Karen, great story. I enjoyed reading how you’ve learned from your experience as a blogger. And I appreciate all the advice you’ve given me.