Waking Up Like a Dog

July 22, 2011 by Cheryl · 3 Comments
Filed under: Blogging, Events 

Kara Mia taking a nap

Yeah, it’s been a while. I know. I’ve been in the process of re-invention for too long and it’s time to pull the trigger on a few things, even if they’re not perfect. Anyone relate?

The topic of this post seemed like an easy way to ease back into regularly blogging for the Breakfast Blogging Club. Although, I can tell you that future posts will likely NOT be about just blogging. It feels too narrow and there are SO many other blogs doing it better.

Besides, it still stings  when I recall telling some snobby Oakland blogger a couple of years ago about BBC, and he sniffed, “Oh, how refractive.” I think that was the word he used. Yet another Blog Snob encounter.

But I digress.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m still a HUGE  proponent of blogging for business, and it can work well when incorporated into an online and social media strategy. Happens all the time.

So as I peek out, one eye open, gearing up for full blog consciousness, I thought I’d start with this easy beginning step. I’ver already committed to going to WordCamp in August, and now I’ll throw my collar in with The Media Awards coming to San Francisco in October. (This Oakland girl thanks the organizers for not picking a south bay venue!)

Here’s the scoop.

The World Media Awards and Event

Learn how to use the latest technologies and techniques to boost your blog and publishing results. The purpose of the event is to gather people and knowledge to celebrate the best in blogging and media creation. If you get the importance of a content startegy – regardless of the size of your business – you’ll want to be there.

At this event, there will be a series of workshops and events hosted by some of the world’s leading publishing experts. The event takes place on Wendesday, October 26th at the PayPal building in San Francsico.

Tickets are $50, but you can blog about this event for a chance to go for free. Yes, I’m going this route myself.  But you need to be one of the first 100 bloggers to post about it.  Wish me luck.

Space is limited to 500 attendees and you can contact the organizer, Murray Newlands.  Murray is also the organizer of the San Francisco Blogging Club Meetup. Sorry to say I haven’t been to one of their meetings yet.

If you’re part of the Breakfast Blogging Club circle and either follow this blog (really, thanks for hanging in there), are a member of our Meetup, or get the weekly emails from our Quick Start Guide of juicy blogging topics (HUGE thank you), then this event is for you. I also think folks in PR, media marketing, authors, business bloggers and content creators will benefit from attending.

Here’s what Murray Newlands says about it:

“I love blogging and wanted to create an event to celebrate the best in blogging and media. I meet lots of publishers and want to be able to create an environment where they can exchange knowledge and creativity.

“We are pleased to have eBay as lead sponsors of the event. eBay is keen to support the publishing community.”

More to be said about the event includes:

The eBay partner network is increasingly reaching out to support bloggers. Other sponsors include Growmap, VigLink and Trancos.

World Media Award judges include Steve Hall, Sarah Austin, Chang Kim, Pierre Zarokian, Cheryl Contee, Krystyl Baldwin, Adrian Harris, Jeremy Wright, Rob Bloggeries, Dave Duarte, Tanya Alvarez and Dana Oshiro

Media partners include Adrants, The Affiliate Marketing Awards, Read Write Web, mediavisioninteractive.com and Bloggeries.

And just who is Murray Newlands? Seems like a busy guy, doesn’t he?

Murray Newlands is author of “How to Make a Blog Book” and “Online Marketing; a User Guide.” He is also founder of the Affiliate Marketing Awards. Born in the UK, he now spends his time in San Francisco and New York. Murray works for Audience Mindshare and consults for Trancos Ins as well as being an advisor for VigLink.

Would love to see some of our Breakfast Blogging peeps there. Let me know if you’re planning on going.

And I promise not to hit the snooze button.

P.S. That’s my dog Kara in the picture. She’s about 10 months old. Got her from the Oakland SPCA. They told us she was a border collie mix, but she looks a lot like a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She seems to like herding and loves water…well, mud anyway.

52 Blog Post Ideas for Business Blogging

February 2, 2011 by Cheryl · 4 Comments
Filed under: Blog Topics, blogging tips 

Blog Topic IdeasChances are, if you write a blog, coming up with good blog topic ideas might become a challenge from time to time.  That’s why I’ve created this list of 52 blog topic ideas to help inspire you with your blogging.

Since most of of the people who attend our monthly Breakfast Blogging Club meetings are interested in blogging for their business, this list provides topics that will help illustrate your competence and expertise, while also expressing your personality. Striking the right balance is key to attracting customers. Read more

Juicy Blog Topic No. 47: Blogging and Social Media

October 28, 2010 by Cheryl · 3 Comments
Filed under: Blog Topics, Writing Tips 

I can’t believe I’ve been sending out weekly blog topics for nearly 11 months and have never used one as a blog post here on the Breakfast Blogging Club!  So without further ado, here is Week 47 of your Juicy Blog Topics…

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Hi <put your name here>,

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?” – Seth Godin, Seth’s Blog

Ready for Week #47 of your juicy blog topics to spark your writing?

Today’s blogging topic: Your Blog’s Relationship with Social Media Read more

Can You Blog Like Google?

July 28, 2010 by Cheryl · 1 Comment
Filed under: Blogging Case Studies, blogging tips 
Marvel's Invisible Woman

Marvel's Invisible Woman

Think of it as blogging like the big boys…..or in this case, the big girl!

When it comes to corporate blogs, you probably don’t get much bigger than Google.  And one of my favorite websites in the entire solar system, Hubspot, published a post this week on 4 Business Blogging Lessons from Google’s Chief Blogger.  Gosh, I think I’d like a title like that some day….

And guess what!  Their Chief Blogger is a woman!  Suhweeeeet!

Our Super-Blog-Chick, also known as Karen Wickre, answered 4 questions about blogging for business and how to do it effectively.  While Karen provided good tips for corporate types, I’d like to add my insights on how they translate for the entrepreneur, the small business owner, the self-employed professional, and the DIY business blogger. Read more

Blogging, Branding and Building Your Business

July 26, 2010 by Cheryl · 2 Comments
Filed under: Blogging, Events, Marketing Tips 
photo courtesy of Carla Yashiro

photo courtesy of Carla Yashiro

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”  – Woody Allen

If this truly is the case, then there’s about 25 women in the south bay who are destined for greatness, not to mention the two exceptionally engaging and smart gals at Gather Your Crowd.

Last Thursday, Beth and I had the honor of sharing the stage with Cherie De Carlo and Carla Yashiro at the Women Entrepreneurs of the Bay Area meeting in San Mateo.  Cherie and Carla specialize in helping small and medium sized business use social media tools to build their brand, get found online and engage meaningfully with their prospects, customers, partners and vendors.

Far from being a whitewash of how useful blogging and social media is for business – duh! – Cherie and Carla shared specific tips and tools you can use to have a blog that serves your business goals, gets found by search engines and is consistent in it’s message. Read more

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