What I Learned at BlogHer'08

I have to admit I was very intimidated at the beginning of BlogHer'08, I had no idea what to expect and it has been years since I attended anything like this.  As a small business owner I was always the vendor at the trade show, and I was never wined, dined or even given a free water.  Well.....times have changed and I do not think I will look at a conference or trade show again after this affair.  With the swag, the parties, the cocktails, the make-overs, the free gifts and free food I felt like like Sally Fields at the Oscars,"You like me, you really like ME!"

By the end of the event I was t-i-red.  I was tired of talking about me, about my blog, about other blogs, learning about blogs, what I should (and should not) be doing with my blog, B to the L to the O to the G - ahhhh enough about it!  Being around over 3,000 women (and a few men sprinkled in to make sure it did not turn into an free for all pillow fight in our panties) made for some interesting conversations, observations, discussions and I learned a even learned a few things:

1. It's Not About You, It is About Me - That is right, it's all about me, me, me!  I never realized how bad I was at self-promotion.  I mean I am not horrid, but compared to some people, I suck at it.  I think I am witty, amusing, I make people laugh, I tell silly stories, I am sarcastic from time to time.  But the truth is I got sick of me, I got sick of talking about me. 

2. I Don't Know Jack about Blogging - No really, I do know some things, I get the big "words" in blogging, after a few sessions, I did not realize how much I did not know.  At first I was depressed,thinking I can never compare to all these great blogs.  And then I took off my cranky pants and just decided I had to write better, and keep at it, I have a lot of work to do. Ya, that is my story, I am not going to pull the cover over my head and whimper because of my blog ranking....nope not me.

3. I Need to Twitter or Die - Okay this was all anyone was talking about at every break out session, at the parties, the mixers.  Social networking was all the rage and all anyone wanted to talk about. Twitter! Twitter! Twitter! The chant heard around San Francisco, so much so the server went down on Saturday from too many "tweets".  I did jump into the mix, not sure if my "tweets" were at all interesting, or who is actually following me.  At least my mother knows what I am doing, and where I am, at ALL times.

4. Mommy Blogger Envy - I have not quite embraced the term, "Mommy blogger", I wish that they did not need the label.  Though, in their defense I have totally embraced the term "Mompreneur" and used it to my benefit.  After attending BlogHer I am a huge fan of those Mommy's.  I love most the Mommy Blogger, because they are damn funny, inspiring and hecka fun to hang out with.  I wish I could be as honest as those women....and as funny.

5. Bloggers Should Know Their Celebrities - If you are going to attend a conference, find out who you want to meet and um, maybe you should know what their names are and look like While at one of the parties, I almost got trampled by a gaggle of women yelling, "Moose! Moose! It's Moose!" chasing after my friend (who has a short blond bob and glasses).  I had to stop them and say, "It's DOOCE!   And no that is NOT her!"

6. Success is in the Eye of the Beholder - some women said this and I have to say this has resonated with me since I got home, and I am going to tattoo it on my forehead as soon as I get a chance.  I went to a great open discussion with Female Entrepreneurs lead by Susan Mernit from TechStars. What started out as a big kum-by-ah group hug ended with some very brilliant women and some brilliant observations.  Having never been around that many successful women before I did not know what to expect.  The best part was that everyone was so darn nice, and so helpful and willing to help each other - I mean WOW!!!  Those be my peeps!  I think we all need to remember this quote (me especially) when I get down on life.

Originally posted at SV Moms, and you can also read about Jamie and her crazy life, running her business at JPD Mom.