Hellllooooooo! I'm back from a bloggy rockstar weekend at Bloggy Boot Camp in Atlanta! I met so many rockstar bloggers this weekend and it was amazing to be among others who all have something in common: we love blogging.
While I'll share some of my personal thoughts about Bloggy Boot Camp on Adventuroo later today, I DID want to share my presentation on engagement with you. While you may not get all of the context just from reading the slides, you'll still get a lot out of it!
Engagement: How to Get Readers to Talk Back
Extra Stuff:
During my presentation, I referenced some posts and other things.
For the Twitter newbies, be sure to read How to Make Sense of Twitter: It's the Never-Ended Cocktail Party. After that, just sift through my Twitter categories to soak up some other Twitter goodness..
In my presentation, I mentioned taking risks. The post I was terrified to publish STILL gets traffic almost two years since it was originally published on Adventuroo. Here ya go: Comment Vomit: How Not to Leave Comments
At the end of presentation, I emphasized how important Facebook fan pages were for bloggers. I have two posts for you:
Comment Vomit: The Facebook Fan Page Edition
Six Non-Spammy Ways to Tag Other Facebook Fan Pages
During the Q & A afterwards, I got some questions regarding StumbleUpon. I didn't include StumbleUpon because it's really more about traffic than engagement. However, it's a VERY important tool for blogging so I recommended an eBook from Mama Dweeb called Using Blog Tools Wisely (affiliate link).
Thanks to everyone who listened to me speak! It was my first speaking engagement so you all made me feel comfortable and eased my nerves!
If you have any questions about any of my slides or bullets, ask me below!
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Hey- I'm Melissa! I'm a mom, side hustler, online course instructor, and brand marketer. I run a 6-figure blog helping online biz owners find their a-ha moments with can-do tips, tutorials, and online courses. I also work at Burt's Bees as the Social Media Strategist (yep, it's as cool as it sounds). Jump start your biz productivity with my free worksheet!
The presentation was so informative but seeing it like this I think I’ll get even more out of it! Thank you for all the information you provide on this blog. I have you to thank for my business cards. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
oxoxox
You’re so welcome! Glad we got to meet!
Of all the tweeting I saw about #BBCATL (and there was a lot to enjoy), your presentation was the most praised. Now I see why and I’m SO GRATEFUL you posted it here for every one of us who couldn’t be at the conference. There are so many great resources here. I’ll be back for sure!
Wow that’s so nice to hear! Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing this with us Sila.
Melissa – Am here via Sili of My Mamihood and I’m so glad she shared your link with us. Your presentation is so well-made and informative. I will certainly coming back and dipping in to your blog for more of your posts.
Thanks Corinne for the compliment! Sili is just great!
Just read your Powerpoint and Twitter pieces. I love FB, but can’t get into Twitter, even though everyone says it drives blog traffic. It’s just so…boring and time consuming. What do you think about Twitter as a “must-do” for bloggers (my blog is a super-niche blog).
Hey Christina! I think Twitter is a MUST for any blogger, even with a super-local niche! There are three things to consider:
1. Don’t just think about Twitter as talking with your readers. You can use it as a way to keep up with your industry. I’m sure there are publications or other bloggers who write about private schools (benefits of, rankings, etc). I use Twitter to stay in the know with marketing, which is my profession. You can do a search for keywords related to your blog and follow those streams easily with a column in Hootsuite (I have a HS tutorial if you’re interested: https://blogclarity.com/2011/02/the-basics-of-using-hootsuite/
2. Build relationships with other local bloggers. There are TONS of local bloggers in that area. And the more you put yourself out there on Twitter, the more people will associate you as the go-to person for private schools in the area. Even if they don’t need the info, they have friends, acquaintances and co-workers and you’ll be top of mind. This site will help you find local people to follow:
http://www.twellow.com/twellowhood/
3. Build relationships with others (bloggers outside your area, local businesses on Twitter, etc). You really never know the opportunities that can come from Twitter. My friend @allthingsfadra has been written up in a book about her relationship with McDonalds, has chatted with their SM Director on the phone and has done work with them… all because of a tweet that turned into a blog post. While that’s a “large” example, there’s definitely opps in your local market.
Read up on some of the articles I wrote and see if that helps!
Melissa, thank you so much for your super-helpful comment. I did Tweet yesterday and found a new blog in my niche. I’ll follow you on Twitter too. Again, thanks!
Love your blog and all the amazing info. I was totally looking for this today! Perfect timing. I have only been blogging for one month…tweeting for even less.
Where can I find info on said Blogging conferences? Would love to attend some. Thanks again!
Hi Suzanne- glad you liked the presentation! As for places to find conferences, the SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp ones are listed on their site here: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/bloggy-boot-camp-how-to-blog-for-women/
Also, this is a good site to watch too: http://blogconferencenewbie.com/
Hope that helps!
Thank you! You rock! 😉
Thank you for sharing this….interesting info..As always..XOXOXOXO
So glad to meet you, and hear your presentation “in the flesh”!.
To me, you are a bloggy rockstar 🙂
I have returned to my abandonned blog fb page, amd off to check out Formulists too!
That’s so sweet of you to say! I was so thrilled to meet you as well after talking on Twitter so much!
Thanks for the great tips! Wish I could have been there to see the presentation. The Facebook links were especially helpful.
No problem, Jacki! Glad it was helpful.
This is great, Melissa! You always drop a few new things just where I need to see them.
And yay on your first speaking engagement! Not so bad, is it? 🙂
Not bad at all! In fact, I think I got a little of a high from it. I hope that won’t be the last!
Thanks for sharing it. Much easier to read than my scribble! Thanks to you, I am now twitter obsessed and made a FB fan page. Let’s all blame Melissa for our social media addiction. 😛
Haha. But I have to say I’m glad you’re getting into it. It’ll really deepen you relationships with other blogs. Oh and sorry for the addiction. At least it’s cheaper than crack!
Cheaper than crack? Seriously? Domain names? Looking to go pro-video? Not to mention that I now need to hire a full time maid, nanny and cook so I can sit at the computer all day and scour twitter and other blogs. Crack would be cheap in comparison!
I agree! I have like $80 worth of domain names in my shopping cart AND I’m salivating over that Sony Bloggie!
Did I mention I totally want to go to Type A next year? Sheesh! I need a sugar daddy/sponsor! lol
Yes! Same here! And I want a bloggie. and i want to go to Type A. I have a hubby, but a sugar daddy might offer more monetary support… hmmm
You completely rocked your presentation! This was so helpful and really gave such great insights. Truly a must-review for bloggers.
Thanks girl! It was so awesome to see you again.
I LOVE your website. I am a brand new blogger and it can be quite overwhelming sometimes trying to figure out what and what not to do. I did figure out how to add a social media button, though, thanks to your free ebook. 🙂 Your blog is a great source of information. Thanks for sharing.
Hooray! Glad the eBook helped! Hang in there and remember we all were new bloggers at one time. Soak up all the info you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions… most bloggers are happy to help!
Awesome presentation, just sad I wasn’t there 🙁
This was SUCH a good presentation!
Thank you so much for laying it all out here again for us!
Thanks Susan! Glad we got to meet!
This is perfect because it’s one of the things that I’ve been trying to work on!
Thanks for all the great info!
I love when it’s good timing like that!
I learned a lot for this presentation! Thank you for posting it. I stumbled it.
Thanks so much for your presentation and very informative imformation about how to run a sucessful blog. I just created my blog tonight and I’m clueless as to how anything in the “blogging world” works. Your blog was the first one that I have visited and I must say Thank You for taking the time out to help newbies, like me, out! I see that you were at Bloggy Boot Camp in Atlanta. I have no idea what that is but I would love to learn more about it. I’m located in the Atlanta area. I’m off to continue exploring your blog…Thanks!
Honestly thank you so much for the presentation and your free mini-ebook! I cannot believe I was doing some of “do nots” like ending with “Happy Wednesday!” LoL I have been trying so hard to make my blog interesting and something readers can relate to. I just started mine up Sept. 14th this year so I know it takes time, and I give my blog every free minute I have (with some breaks to refresh of course!). I really appreciate all the info you have given. I will be back to re-watch the slide to make sure I am doing things correctly. 🙂
Slide 6 – 3rd astrid down really REALLY hit home for me. I do lots of postings but they are all about ME. People (face-to-face) tell me how motivational I am for them but NO ONE leaves a comment.
Hi! I first saw your link through Hollywood housewife and have in the past months been taking my blog to the next step. I want you to know that I have practiclally memorized this slide show and sticky noted the points all over the place. THank you. I can’t wait to start integrating your tips – and reading your Ebook.