From Here To There: Lessons Learned In 6 Years of Blogging #BeginningOfME

This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal domains that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Momma Told Me: You've come a long way, baby.

I call myself the anti-blogger.

It sounds much more rebellious than it is- honestly, it's a lot less anarchy and angst, as it is a lack of concern for 'best practices' and consumer preferences. Yes, consumer. Because I am the publisher and you are consuming my content, whether it's of the most mundane incidental topics, or intended to help get you to buy a brand of butter used in my latest recipe. Even in the absence of physical advertising, I am selling myself to you, the reader, asking for your time viewing my content in exchange for my time creating it. And, let's face it, there are MILLIONS of competing 'advertisers' out there.

But that, my friends, is where I couldn't care less- I don't care whether I have 20 subscribers, or 20 million. Sure my sponsors do- but if I never got another sponsored opportunity to blog again, that would be fine with me. Just as long as my personal branding always remains genuine and in tact.

And, whether you intend to blog for profit, or fame, or simply to share with family across the country the progress of your growing family- it's the authenticity of your voice that truly sells your content. SEO, fancy photos, interactive widgets- they're all just tools to help market your voice to those who would naturally be drawn to it, but may not have otherwise had the tools to discover it.

With this in mind- let's step back in time for a brief moment.

On Monday, June 21, 2010 I sat down at my laptop with a kitten curled on my chest and a cup of coffee on my desk. I'd been married 8 months. A previously full time (3 jobs full time) working independent woman who'd been asked to leave her job and stay home in anticipation of the family she would never start. (But that is another story, a story strewn across the pages of this blog.)

I began writing my blog because I was lonely, lacking a challenge, and desperately wanted to be heard. For months I'd read others and found insight in their stories, recipes and general life anecdotes. I was fascinated by the sea of characters I'd come to know and love, characters as real in life as myself.

I began in 2010 as a review blog- yet another place in the Blogosphere dedicated to someone spouting their opinions and insight on a myriad of items they may or may not have ordinarily used, except for the fact it arrived on their doorstep. And in less than a month I registered my blog as a website, a domain, a 'dot com'.

At the time, paying my hosting fees and setting up a web address seemed like all I needed to do to feel 'legit'. I was proud of my accomplishment, which had taken a whopping 8 minutes, and felt I was just as entitled as any other to run my mouth on the most mundane of topics with really no expertise or qualifications. www.mommatoldmeblog.com- it was concise, it was to the point- this was a web address for a blog called Momma Told Me. Looking back, I wish I'd known to really focus on that instant, that moment, of defining my voice. A personal domain could have truly helped me stand out as the individual I was, and am.

Naturally, that's how Momma Told Me began- but that's not what Momma Told Me is today.

Where I started out as a bored housewife, in a failing marriage, with a point and shoot camera and a growing propensity for Crazy Cat Lady like behavior, my little space on the internet not only grew with skills and knowledge, but with me. When my marriage ended I re-focused my energy on myself, and who I was. I slowly stopped writing reviews and hosting giveaways, and soon began focusing on how I could share the parts of me that added value to my voice. (Want to learn a little more about me? Check out this post!)

My fellow bloggers would tell me how they'd taken this class, or invested in this new camera, and how it had elevated their content. I'd politely nod and listen, then return to my-point and shoot.

In fact, while my photography has come so very far in 6 years, and could without argument benefit from professional education or equipment,  I still, to this day, only shoot in natural light, with the same camera I've had going on 4 years now. Surely the first photos I took with that camera have come a long way to the photos I share on my site today- I have grown tremendously without buying in tot his or that. Why? Because I have always felt honing my voice, and sharing in my vision, and my style, is far more important that creating styled photos that look like a 5 million subscriber model-blogger.

At it's core, blogging is about growing with your audience, and giving them a bit of you that is real enough to bring your online character to life. While my very first post, to this day, has only 79 views, I have content with over 200k, and some social media with half a million shares. And yet, I still write an organic post here and there that only seems to reach a few hundred, or a thousand.

Do I spend time worrying about those posts? No- the people who click through on the less frilly, more raw, otherwise offering nothing but an opinion or story, content, those are my people. They're the people I really blog for. Those are the people who saw my last name change, Truffles the cat turn into #TrufflesTheTuxie, and the first photos when we brought Nora home.

Of course, I'm not saying the tens, or hundreds, of thousands of views on my recipe, hacks, or craft posts are any less important. I value each and every person who takes even a few moments of their busy day to see what I've created, or weigh in on my opinions. In an ideal would would my PINs for content I spend countless hours generating, hard earned money on supplies for, and painstaking time crammed in my little photo nook shooting be seen by every possible person who would find it of interest or use? Of course! But at the end of the day my blog is my voice, and I have a life outside my blog (gasp!) so it's all of the people who discover me, and keep returning, because they love the pieces of me I share, that really make blogging successful.

Of course, as excited as I was to register my blog as a domain, those 6 years back, defining your voice by registering a domain is nothing to balk it. It is a big deal. If you are going to stress over a technical aspect of your blog, it should be the physical address people use to view it. After all, it's the first 'face' they put to you, right?

That's why my second biggest tip is to give your voice the most memorable, and accurate, depiction of yourself as you possibly can. Domain.ME is a premium domain provider that helps, really anyone, do that. Whether you're a small business just starting out or an aspiring blogger with a big voice and a passion to share. .ME's receive all the same benefits as a .COM and are in no way penalized by SEO, so you can add a little flair to your place on the web and really stand out with personal branding.

In fact, I've been thinking of a few domains I might try to register with Domain.ME that might really sum up who I am and what Momma Told Me is all about- For example, how awesome would it be to log onto MommaTold.ME to check out my daily adventures? If you had a personal domain ending in .ME, what would it be, and how would it sum you and your online presence up? Why not head on over to Domain.ME and see if it's available? The internet can seem like a crowded place- but as long as you stay true to your voice with originality, and candor, you'll find your audience!

What Daughter Says: Don't lose sight of yourself- stay true to your voice and you'll always find true success.

Invest In #SoFabUOTR As A Blogger, And Grow As A Person

***I will receive complimentary admission to a #SoFabUOTR event in exchange for my honest thoughts here. Thanks to Heather Riccobono of Brie Brie Blooms for donating some photos to this post!

Momma Told Me: The best way to grow is to connect.

I've only been to 3 conferences, so far, in my 5 year blogging career. When I talk to my fellow bloggers I sometimes feel like a fish out of water as they discuss monetization and ambassadorships. I didn't start Momma Told Me to write sponsored posts, in fact it took Shelley, Still Blonde After All These Years a solid year of weekly nudges just to get me to apply to the online blogging community, Social Fabric. That's because the focus of her pushing was income- and I had no desire to 'sell space' on my blog. I write and create for fun, this website is my most satisfying outlet and I'd be just as thrilled with 20 subscribers as 20k. I'd looked at 'all the other suitors' and turned down ample invitations from marketing groups and blogging companies, and simply had no interest in joining SoFab.

"They'd love you- you tell such great stories," Shelley had said in that fateful plea, the very evening I applied to become a Social Fabric/ Collective Bias member. Stories. The true honest core of blogging, to share a bit of yourself, your life, your views, your experiences, your advice. Finally something I could connect with.

However, what I got was so much more- SoFab was a community, not a company. They understood that bloggers weren't websites but people, and that each of their voices had unique value not only to their clients, but to the bloggers they wove this community with. Yes, there were opportunities to make income through sponsored content, but even the sponsored content was carefully crafted with engaging prompts intended to excite and inspire bloggers through organic content. And whether you were looking for a fellow mother to swap teething advice with, or a rock star blogger to learn photography tips, Social Fabric provided a closely knit community to grow.

When we grow, in any capacity, as a human, we instantly become a better blogger, a better storyteller. And that is why #SoFabCon14 was the first blogging conference I chose to attend. And, after attending BlogHer later that year, there was no comparison, in my mind as to which held more value for me as a blogger. Social Fabric had taken the same community focus, and individual opportunity for growth and magnified it in a 3 day action-packed event. Attendees networked at community meals, connected and communicated through special conference activities, learned invaluable information across numerous lessons and topics, and partied through the night.

I wish every blogger could go to SoFabCon.

And, I am so delighted to tell you that now you can. Social Fabric/ Collective Bias has revolutionized the modern blog conference and created an event series that is truly unique. New for 2015, their one-day mini con, SoFab U On The Road will cover 11 unique cities nationwide, with an evolving schematic of activities and lessons. That's right, not one conference will be identical to another, speakers and topics will vary, and I find myself wishing I had a bus to attend them all in!

So what can you expect when you attend #SoFabUOTR? Each stop has a limited number of tickets (Los Angeles was 40) and will sell out quickly with the reasonable ticket price of just $99. Last week I attended the very first event on the tour and was blown away by the intimate, yet well rounded, experience. Keep in mind that my stop was the first run of the series, and schedules/planning is bound to change and fine tune as the company listens carefully to the feedback of attendees; but I'll be happy to share a general breakdown of our day.

With Johnny Rockets as the official host for #SoFabUOTR, bloggers and SoFab employees gathered at the City of Industry SpeedZone to kick their day of with a delicious complimentary breakfast featuring Muller yogurt. I don't usually do brand shout-outs but this yogurt changed my life, ya'll- I have been hunting the dairy case at my local Walmart for the delicious ice cream inspired flavors (hello Raspberry Chip) since! After we'd grabbed some grub we settled in at small tables designed to spark conversation and information sharing among bloggers with a similar interest. My table was Video, where I learned how to find public domain music from the Windows Video Maker 'free music archive,' and all about creating a personal filming space (even if it's in your master closet with a backdrop!)

After breakout sessions we were treated to a course on monetization in blogging by Alea Milham, Premeditated Leftovers, who had more tips and tricks to streamline traffic and get your content seen than anyone I'd ever had the pleasure of talking to. She was so full of knowledge our conference group begged for her to come back on at the end of the day to share some more, before we left. After Alea there was a Q&A with a well known area fashion blogger and sponsor VigLink- which proved to be a wonderful monetizing option for painlessly inserting affiliate links into existing and organic content. At this time it was then time for lunch with almost all the french fries, hand spun shakes, and hamburgers you could eat, thanks to Johnny Rockets. If you think there isn't something for you on their menu, think again, this conference spread had a wealth of healthy alternatives, including the Boca burger patty and all new Johnny Rockets grilled chicken salads!

While we ate we were treated to an interesting brand panel, where executives and PR representatives from 4 major brands answered some burning questions about their exposure needs and personal brand struggles in marketing. Afterwards we were treated to 2 very special adventures (each SoFabUOTR location will have adventures unique to them) in which we got to interview Miss California and pose for a photo with her, as well as get a hands on grilling experience with Johnny Rockets head creative chef! It's had to believe we packed so much into one day, but the networking, and just connecting on a real level with Social Fabric employees and fellow bloggers was a priceless value well worth admission alone. I will be attending the Phoenix stop, date pending, in March and would love to see you there- check out the SoFabU On The Road map and be sure to catch a stop near you.

What Daughter Says: Find time for a smaller, more intimate conference, and experience the value of connecting with brands and bloggers.

 

Sayonara! I'm off to #BlogHer2014! My Blogging Resolve

 

Momma Told Me: Happiness is being yourself.

I have been blogging for over 4 years now with near 2000 posts. Wow. Just typing that makes me relive the journey!

I didn't start Momma Told Me to make money or get products- I started it to have fun and get my voice heard. People outside the digital screen know, I like hearing the sound of my own voice and what better place to express myself and be heard than online on my very own website? Many of you may know that I now work with a wonderful company called #CollectiveBias where I have a contractor's job helping put together blog campaigns and coaching other bloggers. The lovely Shelley Zurek of Still Blonde After All These Years referred me and I reluctantly applied to the community after her 4th or 5th nudge. Outside of being a blogger I have long read and admired, Shelley is sort of a blogging mentor to me, and I have to send her major props.

But back to me and my story. I have to say, I never wanted to make money blogging or even get attention from it. *insert shocked gasps* Yes, yes, I know, blogging is very competitive and monetized these days. But, for me, blogging, photographing, writing, and story building is something I love with a passion. And doing something you love, for money, or for another person by proxy of their own needs (especially in advertising) generally sucks the fun out of it. That's why I've remained, and still am, committed to putting the same amount of rainbows, humor, and love into every post that goes up on Momma Told Me.

If you're a loyal reader you know that I will spend the same amount of time talking about toilet paper as I will a $400 vacuum cleaner, or the embarrassing public restroom incident last week. Every post is full of me, genuine 100%, and has the same amount of effort and heart as the next; paid, sponsored, or just mindless rambling. Why? Because I love to blog- I love meeting all of you online and off, and I love having my own space to just be me. It may be unconventional, I may turn down a gazillion sponsorships or ads because they just don't excite me in a way that I feel can be genuine- but you KNOW if it's on Momma Told Me, it's real.

And, having said that, this slightly nerdy blog introvert is about to head to the largest U.S. blogging conference for networking and business relationships. Why? Because I've been doing this for 4 years and it's about time. Whether I go and learn only a handful of things, make just one single partnership, connect with only a few new bloggers, it will have been worth it. Every moment, every connection, every door opened will be one I chose, and one that is right for me. And that, is why I am excited about #BlogHer2014!

What Daughter Says: While bills have to get paid, ultimately, doing what makes you happy is far more rewarding than any paycheck.

***Please note Momma Told Me will be on hiatus until Monday July 28th, when I return from BlogHer. #BloggerConfessions is scheduled to post regularly on Thursday July 24th.