10 Reasons you should attend I_Blog (Oh, and I’m GIVING AWAY one ticket!)

Posted On October 19, 2010

*** Congrats to Gregory Hauenstein for being chosen by Random.org as my I_Blog ticket winner! Thanks to everyone who entered to win. I hope some of you who didn’t win the ticket will still consider joining me! It’s going to be awesome! ***

I just took another look at the I_Blog Conference web site, and everytime I look there is something new to get excited about! (Right now it’s the Iowa Wine and Beer Social. Mmm…)

Really, friends, this is a conference with so much to offer that it will be worth the time and money you spend. And even better, I am giving away one conference pass! But first, you have to listen to my pitch. (smile)

Can you relate to these 10 descriptions?

If even one of these descriptions sounds like you, I encourage you to attend!

1. You own a business or manage a business. I am really looking forward to hearing Joseph Lundberg from LinkedIn speak. Heard of LinkedIn? I thought so. (If not, all the more reason you should come!) He’s going to talk about how businesses or individuals can use LinkedIn to make themselves more productive and successful. Who couldn’t use that? And on Sunday, blogger, author and public speaker Linsey Knerl will present “Collaboration vs. Competition: Boosting Your Business Through Rivalry.” This is a session that I’m sure everyone can apply to their own lives.
2. You are a writer. I’m so, so, so excited to rub elbows with some amazing writers over the weekend. (And I’m really hoping some of their talent will rub off on my elbows, too.) First, we have Heather King, writer and blogger at The Extraordinary Ordinary. Let’s see, she just won a 2010 BlogLuxe Award, was discovered by a literary agent from her blog and is one of Nielsen’s Top 50 Power Moms. Yeah, she’s good. Oh, and then there’s Beth Blair, a freelance travel writer and co-founder of TheVacationGals.com. She’s frequently quoted in the media (we’re talking FoxNews.com and RealSimple.com, just to name a few). Yeah, she’s good, too.
3. You own a camera. Okay, now that should include just about everybody. Seriously, does anyone NOT own a camera these days? You don’t have to have a blog or want to become a professional photographer to benefit from Darcy and Randy Milder’s sessions. They own His & Hers Photography, and Darcy blogs at Life with My 3 Boybarians and owns Graphically Designing. They are amazing photographers AND teachers. I got so much from them last year and can’t wait to learn more. My favorite thing was that Darcy showed photos that people took and then revealed that some of them were taken with cheap point-and-shoot cameras (or even camera phones). You don’t have to have expensive equipment to take beautiful photos. (I’m hoping to learn what some of the settings on my camera mean, since I’ve had it now for probably 5 years and still don’t know…)
4. You like to eat and drink. I’m raising my hand on this one! The Hotel Pattee, which is hosting the conference has the most wonderful food, and there will be plenty of good libations as well, especially at the Iowa Wine and Beer Social. You will not go away hungry (or parched!).
5. You want to make money. Again, another category in which most everyone can put themselves. There are several sessions related to making money specifically from blogging, such as “How to Win a Sponsor’s Attention–And Money” by Carol Schiller from Cozi.com. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again. We met in Ashville last year, and I was incredibly impressed with her and also Cozi as a company. Another session is “Ad Networks and Monetizing Your Blog” by Melanie Nelson of Blogging Basics 101 and Typepad for Dummies and Ang England of AngEngland.com and Making Money from Your Blogging, as well as Jody from FamilyRambling.com and the I_Blog Conference. These women have the experience, connections, and track record to tell what works and what doesn’t. I can’t wait to soak up their info and later pick their brains. (At an intimate conference like this, there is PLENTY of time for one-on-one chats!) And even if you’re not a blogger, many of the other sessions are directed at increasing your success in whatever field you’re in, which can directly correlate with monetary rewards.
6. You wonder how social media relates to your job or life. If you’re not sure about this whole “Facebook” phenomenon, or you think Tweets are for Twits, listen to what some of these speakers have to say. Claire Celsi, The Public Relations Princess and VP of the Des Moines Social Media Club, is going to present “Using Social Media to Build Your Online Presence.” Later, Lyz Lenz from YourTango.com will continue the conversation with “Look Who’s Talking: Using Social Media to Expand Your Audience and Your Influence.” Both are successful women who know the power of social media in all aspects of life and business, and they can help separate the wheat from the chaff in the cyberworld.
7. You own a computer or mobile phone, or use one at work. Dennis Dohrmann from Verizon will be speaking about Mobile Technology, and Bryan Assata from Threshold Communications will explain how to protect your hardware, software, passwords and more. We could all likely use these sessions!
8. You have a blog or website or want to start one. If you are even remotely interested in blogging, you should not miss this opportunity to be in the same place as so many successful blogging experts. Saturday morning Melanie Nelson will talk about Blogging Basics for beginners. She is AMAZING. Later, Brett Trout will talk about Intellectual Content and Trademarking Your Blog, and what it means to “own your content.” Ang England will speak again about SEO and Why It Matters. (If you don’t know what SEO is and you have a website, you NEED THIS SESSION.) Darcy Milder will present a session on WordPress, one of the most popular blogging platforms.
9. You are interested in video blogging (or being a YouTube sensation). I really, really need this session. I bought a Flip camera but have yet to do any video blogging. I guess I’m not sure anyone really wants or needs to see the “real” me. But I think this is a step I need to take, so I’m anxious to see what Dave Sniadak, video guy and PR pro at Axiom, has to say. I think this relates not only to bloggers and individuals, but businesses as well. Video is quickly becoming the preferred medium, it seems.
10. You like beautiful boutique hotels. Say no more…Hotel Pattee will not disappoint. I can’t believe I have lived in Iowa all my life, and it wasn’t until last year that I finally visited this incredible historic hotel. Honestly, it’s worth a trip to Perry, whether for the conference or for a weekend getaway some other time (or both!). The place is so unique, the food is incredible, and the people are all about customer service.

So, have I convinced you yet?

Tickets are still available! Order here!

If you’d like to WIN A CONFERENCE PASS ($199 value that does not include lodging–if you need a roomie, check out the Facebook page!), please leave a comment and tell me why you’d like to come. I will randomly choose one winner on Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. CST!

And if you have any questions about I_Blog, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments or Tweet me @pjmomof3boys or email me at paulareece@msn.com!