I spent this past weekend nestled away in the woods with some fabulous women. I won a full sleeper pass to a new blogging conference called Gleek Retreat, which was amazingly put together by JodiMichelle.com and StaceySays.com. It was at the most perfectly relaxing, non-pretentious, laid back, PERFECT spot called Into The Woods Retreat, in Olive, MI. By the way…I want to live there. That bed was so comfy. And the food? Nom. Nom. It’s got the most gorgeous Azalea bush at the front door. It’s peaceful. And I didn’t think of my kids, hardly.
It was fab.
I got to hang out with a few old friends PLUS make some new ones. Which…that’s my favorite thing about blogging. I didn’t worry about what I was going to wear. I learned some valuable information from the awesomeness that spoke. I didn’t check my make-up the entire time I was there!! I laughed until my sides split open.
You should be jealous because you weren’t there. Yeah. It was that good. BlogHer should be emulating these ladies. They nailed it. It flowed. There was no lull in the momentum. If there were glitches, they covered them up beautifully.
I gotta admit, I went into this conference with little to no expectations. It was small. I hadn’t heard of the bloggers who were throwing it together, not that it should matter because there are so many bloggers out there that I’ve never heard of. But, I’m just being honest so hold your judgements. I just truly didn’t expect much. I figured it would be, well…not very professional. No clue why I would even think that, but I did.
I was completely blown away by how wrong I was and how wonderful it ended up being. I didn’t want to go home.
It was a really nice mix of women and a couple of men(they didn’t stay the night). The bloggers were mostly foodies and frugal, coupon blogs. I was the only personal blog there, from what I could tell, aside from Barefoot Foodie and Suburban Bliss…both of whom spoke.
I realized how tiny my blog is. Everything about it. I have the lowest stats of anyone I know. It sort of upset me. Because, for the life of me, I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I tell it like it is. I think my voice is somewhat different than most blogs. *Shrugs* I dunno. And yes…I’m going to worry about it.
I’m going to be honest again. I want more readers for a couple of reasons. Ready? The obvious one is…I want to build my community…make more friends. There are millions of blogs out there. At least half of them should be hanging out with me, don’t ya think?
The other reason? Money. Sponsors. Is that bad? I don’t care. My blog should be making more money. I’m a pretty good writer AND because I need the cash. Yeah…I’m struggling financially. Also, it would be a really fricking good feeling to get paid because of my mad writing skills.
I’ll admit that I don’t visit as many blogs and leave comments as I should. I have about 100 or more blogs in my reader. So…I am reading. But, it’s just as important to comment. I’ll try harder.
I just don’t have the time like I used to when I first started blogging.
Anyways.
I’ve decided that this is going to be the last year I go to BlogHer. It’s too big and overwhelming, although…really fun. But I kind of realized that I like this type of conference WAY better. Smaller, more intimate. The sessions weren’t standing room only. It wasn’t sensory overload. It was wonderful!
So, as far as Gleek Retreat goes, watch out for when registration for 2011 begins. You don’t want to miss it.
I’ll meet ya there!
HMMM, this sounds awesome….
maybe I will try to go next year….
I’d love to meet ya and hang out…
.-= staciesmadness´s last blog ..Honestly… =-.
I am so glad that you were able to come – it was awesome to finally be able to meet in person! I agree with you – Stacey and Jodi did an incredible job that surpassed every expectation that I had too. BlogHer should totally take notes.
I am surprised that you don’t have higher stats and such – you are one of the best writers that I’ve seen. Not that stats are supposed to matter, but still… More people should know about and be reading your blog – they’re really missing out if they’re not. 🙂
.-= Deb – Mom of 3 Girls´s last blog ..I ♥ “Yellow” Faces =-.
Bet your stats are way better than mine. Is Brittney in person like she is on her blog? I bet she has to be one of the most fun people ever.
And being completely honest here, I read your blog because I like the way you write. I read some of the so called bigger bloggers and I just don’t feel it. I know everyone has their own opinion and likes different things, but I just don’t see the skill. But then, what do I know. I’m just an Auditor (professional) that likes to tell stories (unprofessional).
And fyi, I make NO money on my blog. Nada. Zilch.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Sticks and stones may break me, but words can wound forever. =-.
ha. um, that retreat is 2 hours from me…hmmmmmm….
so, is this get together a learning HOW to make money on your blog???
Cause I don’t know that I really care to earn from it, sure it’d be a bonus…but it’s not a necessity.
.-= staciesmadness´s last blog ..Honestly… =-.
Honey, if we’re pulling out our stats and showing them, I’m going to cry out loud.
Ah, well, I’m over it. Like you, I enjoy writing, the relationships built and perhaps meeting some of my online connections in person. Maybe next year I’ll go to GLEEK. It sounds like a wonderful weekend away.
In 2.5 years of blogging I have made exactly 94 cents. it’s sitting in an account somewhere because they won’t write a check for under 10 dollars. I used to want to build mad stats. But what would I do if I had 50 comments per post? It would take so much time to manage that big an audience I’d never get anything else done. I’m happy with my little bog right where it is.
.-= lceel´s last blog ..Monday Meanders 5-23 =-.
Sounds like a great retreat! Hopefully I can join in sometime in the future. Don’t knock yourself about your blog- I don’t make any money off my blog. In fact, I am losing money, if you want to look at it that way, since I pay my host monthly, and pay for Google something-or-other, and have no advertisers on my blog. Not that I wouldn’t like advertisers- I think it would make things interesting, but I don’t have near the traffic to justify ads. That said, my blog is new, I love writing, and I am thrilled whenever I see ANYONE is reading what I have to say.
.-= The Sweetest´s last blog ..Southwestern Succotash =-.
I checked your website/blog after finding out that you are a new follower on Twitter…thanks for your interest.
Your blog is very interesting, and you – as I – are struggling to make a living as a writer…though I am rather old and perhaps not so much in need of money as in recognition. Perhaps that is why I mainly write for pleasure and not for income…though I wouldn’t mind making some money too…that would give the recognition I seem to crave.
The blog that I have started is mainly to give me an opportunity to learn how to do it. Not very successful as also I have very disappointing stats, but I keep it up mainly because I realise I still have a lot to learn…and that I do from blogs like yours. For that I thank you!
All the best, take care and may all your life be happy and successful.
An old fool living in paradise – which for me is Koh Tao, a little island in the Gulf of Siam (Thailand)
Hm, sounds like something I’d be interested in next year. Glad you enjoyed it!
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Your Nature is Love =-.
Hey girl…24 comments ain’t too shabby! Maybe you have more readers than you think. 😉 It was a joy meeting you and fun to pop into Rock and Drool, too!
🙂 Katie