Think of something you love. Or love to do. Your passion, let’s say. Now times that by 170 and you have the buzz of the Aussie Bloggers Conference. You see, it wasn’t just any conference. The Aussie Bloggers Conference saw a group of diverse, interesting and passionate people come together. It didn’t matter why they blogged or on what subject; it was more about the fact that blogging is about community, point of view, and most of all: passion.
But wait. There’s more. Think of something you love. Or love to do. Your passion, let’s say. Now times that by 170, and then again by 1000. As bloggers shared throughout the day, it because obvious to me that each blogger represented a community and, in an unearthly way, it was almost like the readers were there in the room adding to the buzz.
In this modern world we live in, as we wade through the busyness and commercialisation, we often live parallel lives. Living side by side without crossing paths or taking the time to share our lives with others. Yet what I experienced on the weekend, was community. And not just of bloggers. Of people. People connecting. People sharing. Learning. Growing. Helping. Giving. Teaching. Caring. Loving. Truly an overwhelmingly beautiful thing!
And that is why blogging, especially personal blogging, is powerful. It encourages community. It acknowledges the everyday normal. It celebrates knowledge and personal growth. It puts faces behind products. It’s reaching out. It’s connecting. It’s growing. It’s about bringing a human touch to every subject you can think of! And that, is why I love blogging.
I’m not going to go into all the ins and outs of the conference in this post. You can read about the content side of the conference by reading the various links listed on this page: Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011 Links
What I do want to share is five things that stuck with me, and set the tone of the conference.
Branding
@MarkPollard made a point regarding branding that stood out in my mind: Be aware of who you are and know what you’re about. I love this concept. In terms of blogging, I believe knowing who you are is paramount in producing and fine tuning a brand.
Using Social Media
@YvetteVignando was an utter delight! She said when projecting yourself in the social media channels to be authentically you.
SEO
@SassySEO I loved listening to Kristin from SassySEO speak. She has such an engaging manner and obviously enjoys her work. “Find your passion and be authentic,” she said.
Success of blog posts
@Woogsworld measures the success of a post, not by how many hits or comments she receives, but rather “if I enjoyed writing it”. I believe this comes through to readers: when the writer enjoys putting the post together. Plus Mrs Woog has great eyebrows. Just saying.
Life
@Edenland said one simple line that hit me: Keep on going; keep on growing. This is is very much in line with my saying: keep on keeping on. Her post reading was one of the highlights of the day for me. Read her entire post here. You won’t regret it.
Know who you are…
Be authentic…
Find your passion…
Enjoy what you do…
Keep going and growing.
When you bring these five things to blogging, you’re sure to spread joy to many.
Know who you are…
Be authentic…
Find your passion…
Enjoy what you do…
Keep going and growing.
This sums up the conference for me. This sums up blogging.
I want to leave you with some pictures of some of the wonderful people I met.
Photos taken with my iphone.
1. Law and Shoes 2. Michelle Farmers Wifey
3. Louisa Everything is Edible 4. Brenda Mummytime
5. Glowless Where’s My Glow? 6. Zoey Goodgoog
7. Lucy from Diminishing Lucy 8. Nic Planning with Kids
9. Colin SuperParents 10. Nikki Styling You
11. Mrs Woog Woogsworld 12. Cath SquiggleMum
* Names left out if not shown on their own website.
The best thing about going away? Coming home.
Links
Aussie Bloggers Conference: A Mum in a Strange Big City
Video Blogging: I didn’t get time to do many Vlogs! The few I did are on my YouTube Channel.
59 Comments
Glowless
March 22, 2011 at 11:40 amHahahaha Do you have our present?!?! LOVE IT!
Great photos and great recap. I need to print those words out and stick it above my desk!
Meeting and chatting with you was a definite highlight of the weekend for me.
And you rocked those pearls at dinner! x
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 7:17 pmBAHAHAHA! That made me laugh too. So classic. Whenever my husband or I are away, we get the kids a little present. It’s become a special thing for them to look forward to.
Lovely meeting your ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS self! You’re smashing. xx
Susan @ Reading Upside Down
March 22, 2011 at 11:40 amGreat post. I agree that the strongest messages from the conference were about the importance of being authentic and knowing who you are/what your passion is. It was also wonderful to feel part of a large, dynamic, diverse community.
So wonderful to meet you on the weekend. I’m disappointed we didn’t get a photo – maybe next year?
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 7:49 pmYES! Next year! Really enjoyed talking with you and Meredith about books! So nice to hear from 1. people who love books and 2. who have such a balanced view. Thanks for getting that list to me too. Printed it out to give to my daughter xx
Bernadette Morley
March 22, 2011 at 11:46 amHey! Totally bummed I didn’t get to chat to you at the ABC. Had a ball and you are completely gorgeous xx Love the collage, looks fantastic. x
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:24 pmI KNOW! It really needed to be over two days so we could have talked MORE!!! HA! We rocked the registration tables didn’t we? You’re a spunk.
Farmers Wifey
March 22, 2011 at 11:50 amThat video is awesome..I was so happy to meet you and you and I just clicked right away….thank you for being you xox
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:25 pmMichelle! We did click. It was amazing. The only problem is that now I MISS YOU so much!!! Hope I can visit soon xx
Mrs Woog
March 22, 2011 at 11:53 amWonderful recap Kel. And you are also gifted in the eyebrow area. I have not seen a bad photo of you yet!
Loved LOVED meeting you! xx
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:28 pmNawww, thanks Mrs Woog. You’re special. xx
Colin Wee
March 22, 2011 at 11:57 amKelly – Great highlight! And thanks for including me in your photos. How did you get them looking so good when they were taken off YOUR PHONE??!!!?!?!? See … you’ve got the magic touch!!! 🙂 LOL. Have a great rest of the week! And btw …. you don’t have to worry about showing anyone my toe socks. Colin
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:48 pmThanks Colin. Just had to make them small enough so they don’t pixelate!
Dorothy
March 22, 2011 at 11:59 amIt was so lovely to finally have met you. I found it so refreshing to learn that all my favourite bloggers are actually real people, just like me.
For me, that message about being authentic also struck a chord, I don’t want to fit into a mould, I want to make my own…
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:51 pmDorothy! You are amazing! I couldn’t find any photos of us… the ones we tried did work on my phone LOL. Yep. I’m as real as they come. And I found that too: Everyone was just so…normal…in an adnormal way — you know? HA! So nice to meet you face to face Dorothy. xx
Kellie
March 22, 2011 at 12:01 pmLoved reading what points stood out for you. They all really hit home for me!
Wonderful video too. Makes me laugh!! Ah, children…. 🙂
Can’t wait to meet you at next year’s AusBlogCon!! 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:54 pmThanks Kel. I really would have LOVED to meet you. Next time–hey?
The video is classic isn’t it? First thing: Do you have our present? Then kiss and cuddles. They have their priorities right LOL.
Lilian
March 22, 2011 at 12:07 pmWish I could’ve been there. Sounds like you had a ball and met all kinds of great people.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 8:54 pmI wish you were there too Lilian. I hope you can come next year!
Law and Shoes
March 22, 2011 at 12:13 pmHallloooooo there gorgeous.
I have to say that I noticed you as soon as I arrived, you have style in abundance. Not only that but you are as generous spirited, funny and fab in real life as you are in writing.
Can you imagine how much fun we’d have descending on the Louboutin store in Sydney? Do you think we’d be escorted from the premises for making too much noise ;)?
This is a terrific recap post – it’s nice to see everybody again
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:02 pmYou, my friend, are an absolute dynamite. I’m desperate to see your entire shoe collection!!!
Thank you for SUCH a kind, wonderful comment!
We should have totally made time to do some Louboutin (window or not so window) shopping.
I’m working on a guest post for you. 🙂
Renee
March 22, 2011 at 1:06 pmGreat post and wonderful photos…and a fantastic inspiration to get me blogging more enthusiastically asap. Just before I read this post I was vacumming – and realised I was writing blog posts in my head – and that I rarely actually get to the next step of writing them. So this gave me some great ideas to move forward with – THANKS! Looking forward to you sharing this knowledge at our next Professional Parents Business Brainstorming lunch, I’m sure myself-and everyone else-can benefit from your amazing blogging talent! x
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:04 pmI’m really looking forward to speaking at the Professional Parents Business Brainstorming lunch Renee! I’m so glad you feel inspired!! Talk soon x
Michelle Dennis Evans
March 22, 2011 at 1:26 pmWow what an amazing event!! EVERYONE is raving about it!!
Love the pics
Love to cute video
Glad you had a fab time
xx
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:05 pmThanks Michelle. Really did have a beaut time. But glad to be home too.
Kim
March 22, 2011 at 1:45 pmI am a blog reading addict (There I’ve said it) 🙂
Love this post and that you all had such a lovely time together…I think being a reader and avid follower that these points …
Know who you are…
Be authentic…
Find your passion…
Enjoy what you do…
Keep going and growing
are why I am addicted. It’s so good to know that other Mums/people generally have similar interests, parenting challenges and loads of fun in life. Woo Hoo!!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:06 pmKim. It’s absolutely wonderful to hear from a reader. I’m a blog addict too 😉 and for the same reasons. Thanks for your brilliant comment.
BookChook
March 22, 2011 at 2:17 pmI knew I would get to experience the conference vicariously through your blog and it was worth the wait! The pics are lovely. I am so impressed with how elegant everyone looks, but more importantly, how happy.
Only one thing I want to know: what present did you bring the kids?
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:13 pmThank you BC. I know you would have loved the conference. Maybe next year?
Presents: HA! Well, fortunately for me, the ABC swag bag was FILLED TO THE BRIM with all sorts of goodies for the kids.
Lucy
March 22, 2011 at 5:06 pmKelly, you ar egorgeous. We are gorgeous. So gorgeous you doubled up on #6 and missed me off! No matter.
It was really a delight spending time with you- could’ve chatted all weekend to you! xx
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 6:51 pmHA! Sorry Lovely Lucy. I put you at number 7 for a reason. All fixed now. And absolutley ditto to you: would have been very lovely to talk with you for HOURS and HOURS!! xxxxxxx
Tania McCartney
March 22, 2011 at 7:10 pmSigh. Wish I could have been there – have heard it was an amazing time and loved your rundown!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:15 pmThanks Tania. YOU, would have LOVED it! Next time? Will you come next time?
Naomi
March 22, 2011 at 7:27 pmYou were stunning! Wish we could have talked more!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 22, 2011 at 9:21 pmI know Naomi. Me too!
Kaycee
July 15, 2016 at 11:11 pmYMMD with that anwers! TX
Andrea
March 23, 2011 at 9:26 amHi Kelly,
Great summary & you look gorgeous in the photos!
Love the 5 points – I think that sums up life!
Andrea
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 23, 2011 at 10:57 amThanks Andrea. And I agree: you can take the same principals and apply them to so many areas of life as well, not just blogging.
lifeinapinkfibro
March 24, 2011 at 9:20 amAh, loved it. I love the idea of every blogger representing a community. And, yes, Mrs Woog did rock those brows.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 24, 2011 at 9:27 amAnd you rocked at moderating. Loved it!
Kirrily
March 24, 2011 at 9:29 amLoved this! You captured all the points that struck me as well. The filling-up points 🙂
Wish I had met you the night before and not when our heads were full of “which gate do I have to get to?” Ah well. At least we can say we met! xox
LOL – have you got our presents. Too cute. No hi mum, we missed you… ROFL.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 24, 2011 at 9:40 amI KNOW! I so wish that too.
And my kids…yep classic. HAVE YOU GOT OUR PRESENTS? First. Kisses later. LOL
Brenda
March 24, 2011 at 9:31 amWOW! Awesome post, Kel!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 24, 2011 at 9:41 amThanks Mrs Awesomeness…or is it Mrs Incredible?
Marthese
March 24, 2011 at 4:22 pmThank you for sharing Kelly…you gave a great insight of what happened…you always looks so good in photos very photogenic.. xxx You shared some really great points!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 24, 2011 at 9:19 pmThanks Marthese. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I think you would have really like the conference too.
Tracy
March 24, 2011 at 10:46 pmGreat summary, thank you so much for sharing so that sillies like me that decided not to go can get some insight! Sounds like it was an amazing day, I really wish I could have been there. You look gorgeous! Actually, everyone does! Must be the love in the room 🙂
See you at AusBlogCon12??
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 26, 2011 at 12:52 pmThere was a lot of love in the room. Def be there next time Tracy. I’ll be there with bells on.
edenland
March 24, 2011 at 11:39 pmWhat a wonderful post …. and I loved peeking into your homecoming! Makes you want to go away again, no? Heh.
You have beautiful eyes. That is all.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 26, 2011 at 12:54 pmThanks for coming by Eden. I like you. A lot. xx
Kakka
March 25, 2011 at 8:10 amHi Kelly, Wasn’t the conference so much fun, but so manic and with my nerves I didn’t get to meet as many people as I would have liked. And at the airport, I didn’t put two and two together and realise you were you until after you had left to get your flight because like you I get really focussed at airports about just getting to the plane. So next year, will make sure I get to say a proper hello. xxx
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 26, 2011 at 1:16 pmI’m so glad you didn’t think I was being rude at the conference but was feeling the same thing. I was manic….lol…but fun. Next year, we’ll make sure we do it properly. xx
Marita
March 25, 2011 at 4:07 pmWas great to meet you 🙂 You are one of my blogging idols so I was a little tongue tied 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 26, 2011 at 1:17 pmYou, my dear Marita, don’t look a day over 20! Loved meeting you…so wish we could have chatted for longer x
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Torkona
March 26, 2011 at 12:25 amWell, that’d be the first thing i’d ask too, where’s my present! hehehehe
– tork
Adelaide and South Australia blog
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
March 26, 2011 at 1:18 pmOf course…totally. HA! 😉
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