ProBlogger Event - Day Two

So day two and final day of the 2013 ProBlogger Event was a little bit more interesting for me.

Stand out highlight was "Video : Create, Edit, Publish On A Shoe String" by Hailey Bartholomew.

I've become a fan of Hailey's work recently so the opportunity to hear some of her tips was invaluable.

It was geared more towards iPhone and iPad filming and editing for the creative blogger. 

One guy I spoke to after said he didn't get as much value out of it as his blog was 

about finance and he wanted more professional straight forward information. 

I'm sure he could have got some tips from the session though.

But that just shows how varied the sessions were and that there was always something for everyone.

Hailey sharing some really simple tips - who needs a tripod, a table works just as well! (that's her iPhone jutting out on the edge of the table, sorry bit hard to see)

Well I loved it and wanted more but what I got is going to help me greatly.

Check out this gorgeous, gorgeous video that Hailey's daughter, Zali did all by herself! 

I kid you not.

There's still so much information to take in and notes to re-read from the two days.
 Fortunately I can go back to all the sessions, even those I couldn't attend at the online portal.

Amy Poerterfield and Trey Ratcliffe in the Sunset Lounge Q&A on "Growing Your Social Media Networks"

The above session was good, but I was annoyed I couldn't hear the questions (too many people for
those asking to reach the microphone) and majority of the conversation ended up being about
Google+  which in all honesty I struggle to embrace - strange for a blogger I know!

Darren thanking his team and speakers in the Closing Notes

Got to love a Russell Brand quote!

Oh and my random photo of the day ...

I'm not a real footy fan nor a Brisbane Lions fan but I thought this guy
(Johnathan Brown Co-Captain of the Brisbane Lions)
was quite funny in his AFL Film Festival film so I got a pic ...

So my overall ProBlogger experience was good. It wasn't as mind blowing as I perhaps anticipated.
But I know it was for many others and they gained a lot, which is fantastic.

Lots of good information was on offer over the two days and if you were new to blogging,
I'm sure you would have gained a bunch of new information.
I thought some of the speakers might have been a bit more experienced but it was
good to hear from some bloggers who are successful in their own right but not
perhaps the calibre that I wanted to hear from (oooh is that harsh? I so don't mean it to be).

The event was really well organised and fun, the team did a great job. Everything ran really smoothly
and on time which was good. And the location was great of course.

Will I go again. Sure, why not! But it will depend on the speakers for sure.
Oh and next year, I'm not going alone - it's just easier and a bit more fun when you go with someone.
But lucky for me this year I met some new friends which I probably wouldn't have had I not been solo!

All in all I give the ProBlogger Event a thumbs up!

Well done on putting together an great event.


#PBEVENT

all images myfirstlittleplace

ProBlogger Event 2013 - Day One

So I've done it, I went, heard, saw an conquered! 

Not really but you know what I mean. 

So I guess the first thing I want to talk about this two day event is me! 

Not trying to be selfish here but I spoke on Thursday about my ... 

hesitation in going as I was going solo. Well, you know what I survived!! Surprise.

In Darren's (Darren Rowse - the man behind the event and ProBlogger pictured below) 

opening keynotes he talked about fear, more about the fear of blogging but nonetheless
 it resonated with me and I'm sure a number of people in the room (all 400 of us)
 about attending such an event as a solo or you know what - even the fear in life itself!

The room was filled with some very enthusiastic bloggers! Such passion was felt. 

I love watching people who are just so passionate about what they do, it's great. 

One girl sitting in front of me did not get off her iPhone for the whole first session (that's one hour 

and 10 minutes) she would flick constantly back and forth with like a nervous energy 

between Facebook, twitter and instagram.This is when I realised these people mean business! 

Held at the beautiful QT hotel (remember I wrote about it here when it first opened) the 

two day event was full of sessions with varied topics covering blogging, marketing, SEO, 

ebooks, social media, selling stuff  - you name it, it was here.

Every hour there were three different sessions and topics so the challenge was which one to attend. 

But there was comfort in knowing they were all being recorded for the virtual portal 

so you don't miss a thing.

My favourite session for the day was the "Facebook Marketing Success" by Amy Porterfield. 

Amy is a social media strategist who used to work for Tony Robbins so her presentation 

skills were great, I could have listened to her all day.

Amy spoke about how to maximise the use of Facebook whether it be for your 

blog or your business and taught us a few tricks will come in very handy I'm sure. 

Another highlight was the session "The Step Changers" by three Australian bloggers 

Christina Butcher (Hair Romance), Caz Makepeace (Y Travel Blog) and Andrea Zanetich 

(Fox In Flats).  They shared some really good info on different steps and opportunities they 

have taken over the years that changed the way they blog and essentially changed their life. 

It was really interesting but I particularly liked Caz.You need to check out her blogs Mojito Mother and 

Y Travel Blog. I really liked what she had to say and inspired me to come home and read her blogs. 

Safe to say I am now a new avid reader. 

L-R : Andrea, Caz and Christina

So my verdict on day one ... well in all complete honesty for me, I didn't find it hugely informative. 

I got great information from Amy and inspiration from Caz but really that's about it! 

But that's ok, sometimes it's good to go to these things and validate what you do already know. 

And also what you know but haven't put into practice! 

I also captured this cute pic of this super gorgeous little car sitting out the front of the QT Hotel.

Had to share ...

I want it!

So much more to share, check in again tomorrow for my round up of day two.

(sorry the images are a bit dodge, it's as good as the old iPhone could give!)

#PBEVENT

all images via myfirstlittleplace

ProBlogger Event 2013

 

I'm a little bit excited. Tomorrow I'm heading to the ProBlogger Event. 

I won't lie I'm a little bit nervous too. I was originally going with a friend of mine
but she unfortunately can't make it now due to work commitments. 

So I seriously thought I'll just attend virtually and avoid a whole room full of 450 strangers. 

But then I thought how silly! 

Afterall ...

1. It's here in my hometown of the Gold Coast
2. I've been waiting for this since last year's event that I wasn't able to attend
3. I am excited to hear the speakers and learn some new things that will enhance my Blogging life
4. I get to meet some of the bloggers I have been following or got to know virtually over the years
5. I'm a big girl, I can do this by myself - right?!

Plus I'm sure there will be many bloggers in exactly the same boat!

So I've gone through and worked out what sessions I will attend, 

the essentials I need to take with me and of course ... what I'm going to wear!

I look forward to sharing it with you all.

Are you going? Or know anyone who is? 

Wish me luck!

 

#PBEVENT