Comments on: How BlogWorld Was Different From an SEO Conference

By: Chris Brogan...

Chris Brogan... — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:31:49 +0000

I joke all the time that SEO folks hate me. Social media is messy. The ROI is less direct. Things are always crazy and bendy. And yet, this stuff makes a difference that eventually trickles down to the desired impact. Along the way, the trickles pick up velocity and magnitude, so it all works out. But yes, I'm not usually an easy explanation away from impressing SEO guys.

All this to say, "Glad you said a nice thing about me, and good luck to you." : )

By: Alex Hillman

Alex Hillman — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:39:53 +0000

Bruce,
Sounds like putting yourself outside of your “comfort zone” just a bit proved to be really, really positive! I often wonder within circles like Podcamp and whatnot where the attendees move from one Podcamp to the next, always seeing the same people (the die hards, that is) at each event. That sounds like an echo chamber waiting to happen. Where do the new ideas come from?
New conferences, and ones that stay relatively low to the ground like BlogWorld, allow for the kind of interactions that you described, and they’re exactly the kinds of interactions I crave as well.
Wanna give back some of what you experienced? Maybe consider running an SEOCamp or something like that near you. Obviously invite your SEO friends, but personally extend invitations to folks not in your circle, the ones who would be putting themselves outside of their comfort zone like you just did. Being able to do for others what some of us were able to do for you would probably be a great experience for everyone!
Cheers, and I’m glad an impression was left!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:02:52 +0000

@Rachel: I totally agree. I’m so sorry we didn’t get a chance to chat during the show. To be honest, I didn’t know if you recognized me from WordCamp or not. Next time!

@Kim: I can’t express how much fun I had at the conference. It was so great to get to interact with people “like me” and sit in on sessions that were relevant to what I’m doing.

By: Kim Krause Berg

Kim Krause Berg — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:51:47 +0000

“It was like that moment in college when you finally started taking classes related to your major.”
That’s exactly how your blog posts sounded too. You were in your element and had found your people. I was very happy for you

By: Rachel Luxemburg

Rachel Luxemburg — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:44:54 +0000

"It was like that moment in college when you finally started taking classes related to your major. When all of a sudden you're in a room with people who are interested in all the same stuff you are." Well put.

Bloggers are social animals; getting out from behind our screens and actually meeting each other can be a very powerful experience.

By: pat

pat — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:41:29 +0000

Congrats on getting back to your own writing.
We forgive you for not loving SEO enough to throw yourself between it and a bullet.

By: SB

SB — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:20:11 +0000

Ohhh, I’m envious!

By: knupNET

knupNET — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:14:58 +0000

Seems like you all had a great time at Blogworld Expo. I plan on being there in 2008. See you there

By: Jason Lewin

Jason Lewin — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:43:38 +0000

I agree with you completely Lisa. While communicating via blogs, twitter, facebook or whatever it’s nice to meet people every now and then – especially at a conference environment.