I'm just another working mom seeking a few moments of Zen and zinfandel between soccer practice and supper. My former beach bartender husband founded 
Photo courtesy of Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife
I’m still on my post-Blissdom high so I thought I’d share a few tips for post-blog conference etiquette. There are tons of great conference prep tips, but what happens when you get home?
I didn’t order blog business cards this year since Con Agra provided us with Pokens in our registration pack, but I have to admit that I still love to collect business cards. Some of them are like little works of art. Next year I’ll be sure to have both my Poken and a stack of shiny new cards since many people still prefer to exchange business cards and some Pokens were malfunctioning (do Pokens get SMTDs…Social Media Transmitted Disease?) I also kept forgetting about my Poken since they are so small. Maybe someone can invent a stylish Poken pouch?
Now that your suitcase is unpacked and the swag chocolate is almost gone, here are some tips as you wind down from the conference:
- Shout out. It takes months and months of planning to find fabulous speakers, book a gorgeous venue, plan luncheon menus, shop for swag, and find the perfect pink sequin cowboy hats and feather boas for the finale karaoke party. Don’t forget to thank and link up to conference sponsors and to other event sponsors (such as a specific break out party or event.)
- Follow-up. I am all about the networking. I love seeing familiar faces at conferences and meeting new friends. As you go through your business cards or Poken information be sure to reach out to bloggers you met via e-mail or Twitter or by stopping by their blogs. Speaking of Twitter, don’t forget to follow new folks you meet at conferences.
- Link and tag. Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife has a great linky post for everyone to list their Blissdom wrap-ups. Be sure to tag your Flickr photos blissdom10 and to join the Blissdom Flickr Pool. Don’t forget to favorite photos on Flickr and comment! If you use someone’s photo in a blog post, be sure to ask permission and to give them credit.
- Comment. Visit your fellow conference attendees’ blogs and leave a comment. As much as I pink puffy heart Twitter I’m afraid that it has caused a decline in good old fashioned blog commenting and “visitin’.” Or is it just me?
One last tip for those of us with younger children. Don’t ever come home from a conference empty handed! Luckily I had Sprout TV journals and card games to give to my girls when I came home Saturday night.
Do you have any tips to add? Leave them in the comments!
I always update my Google Reader within a few days of the conference. Every conference I walk a way with cards of a few new special people that I really connected with and I want that new relationship to continue.
PS. Really enjoyed hanging out with you Jamie. So glad to have you as a friend.
Thanks Shannan!
Shannan is a social media/PR guru in Cincinnati. I just thought ya’ll should know that.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Blog Conference Etiquette: I
Thanks for this post, Jamie! Really helpful, especially for us BlissDom newbies.
.-= Rebecca at Toothwhale´s last blog ..Project 365: Week 5 =-.
A Poken? I have never heard of this but now I have thanks to you. Also, the follow-up tips are an important reminder to all bloggers – thanks for sharing!
.-= Pippi´s last blog .."Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy…" =-.
Hi Jamie, this is my first time visiting your blog, headed over here for the poken coverage from Blissdom. Thank you for your thoughts and insights! Sad to hear about the SMTDs….
Great post and I have noticed a decline in commenting. Love twitter as well but it should not replace visiting a great blog like yours! Hug the girls.
.-= genma´s last blog ..The MCC Passed…Now What? =-.
Great tips! I left my poken at home so all I had was business cards! Was disappointed I didn’t get contact information for a few ppl i met in passing because they only had a poken!
I know this question is gonna show how not cool & outta the loop I am, but what the heck is a poken? All I can think of is Pokemon which I know it’s not! Hee hee
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Review of Ladybugs
I am still coming down from my extreme jealousy for those of you who got to go to Blissdom! Hopefully next year!
Katie, Pokens are small digital “business cards” that you plug into your USB port on your computer and register with all your contact info (Twitter acct, e-mail address, etc.) You “slap hands” with the Poken device to another person’s Poken and it exchanges the data. It’s quite magical actually. (ha ha)
Dalia, you SHOULD COME next year!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Blog Conference Etiquette: I
I think it’s great that you are introducing people to Poken. It is a definitely great little device to use when meeting people at networking events. I’m sure we will be seeing alot more people with Pokens by the end of year. It definitely needs to reach the masses. We are doing our best to spread the love of this cute device. If you or anyone wants to order Pokens please let me know.
.-= Lisa Santos´s last blog ..Poken, The Social Business Card =-.
I thought POKEN is some sort of eastern Martial Art. LOL.
Thanks for these great tips, and so nice to meet you at Blissdom. Glad the girls liked the Sprout stuff!
I think it