To be brutally honest while there is a lot to learn about blogging, there really isn’t…if that makes any sense. Generally I feel if you have been on any Twitter chat or browsed the Internet you don’t need a conference to tell you what to do to create a successful blog.

Content.Engage.Promote

In a nut shell these are the cornerstones of blogging in my opinion. These concepts are quite easy to understand but implementation is the hard part. This is where conferences come in handy. Nothing like being in a room with people making upwards of $50K blogging while your struggle over ditching reality television to blog is sooooo real. <<< *looking straight ahead*

The keynote speakers that were in attendance really had some true insight on where blogging is going and it was very inspiring. Martha Stewart even had something dynamic to say about valuing your work as a blogger and charging appropriately if paid opportunities is the route you are looking to take.

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/glossymimi/status/231429264434671616″]

Here are a few other invaluable key tips to take on your blog journey if you so choose:

• Find a network of bloggers that are blogging on your level and create an informal support network

• Don’t be afraid to lose followers if you decide to take your blog in a different direction. You’ll lose readers but you will also gain some

• Maintain a clean and professional appearance on your blog….even if you are just starting out. First impressions are lasting ones

• It will take time to build brand relationships. Be resilient and diligent

• When approaching brands spell out how you can benefit their brand and how their brand can benefit you. You are looking to create a partnership not a I want free stuff relationship

The sessions I attended were: The Brand Blogger Connection, Strategic Content Development Across Multiple Media: Onstage, Onscreen and Online, and Pro Tips: Branding and Blogging Professionally.

There was also a vlogging bootcamp but the session was too full and I wasn’t able to get in. If you want to hear these sessions first hand, BlogHer has been so kind as to link transcripts to the sessions. Please check out Virtual Conference if you would like to see details about the information that was exchanged during conference sessions.

If you are a blogger do you find these tips helpful in deciding what direction to take your blog in? If you aren’t a blogger did you have any idea the game was this serious?!!

Doooooo Yooooooou Know What Toooo.day is?

I’ll wait.

It’s my BLOGIVERSARY

Wow. It is hard to believe that I have been coming here and spewing around some thoughtful, meaningful insights sprinkled in with total randomness for two long years. At the end of the day I own it all and I am so thankful for all of you who take time out daily to stop by here.

You are appreciated.

Normally when one turns two it is prefaced with terrible. Since this is my blog and I write what I want, I am now entering my Turned Up Twos. Stay tuned as I take the next year to really turn up this blog, and just continue to enjoy life and hopefully inspire you to do the same through my life’s journeys and struggles brought to you through my words and photos via this little place on the interwebs.

I had planned on dancing for you but I didn’t get time so I’ll just recycle the birthday dance I did in 2011.

Oh, and if you are in the giving spirit my blog takes birthday gifts. I’ll take these in a 8.5. Message me for address!!

Thank you all for reading!! Have a great weekend.