It’s been a busy last two days, and now that I’m sort of caught up on my sleep, I’d like to share some quick notes on the first couple days at BlogWorld 2009. Some of what I’m going to share with you are new topics for Live Fix. And though I’m not focusing directly on live music these next three days, what I’m going to share with you is all about how blogging, social media tools and communities can impact our live music experiences.
I’m really excited to share this and now that I’m done with the intros and disclaimers, it’s time to get to the goods!
Welcome to Las Vegas!
My flight to Las Vegas was full of excitement. I was also a bit nervous about what my first BlogWorld experience would be like.
So I did what I usually do to cope with nervousness. I turned to my creativity and whipped out my moleskin since I couldn’t use my Blackberry during the flight.
I hope you enjoy my quickly sketched representation as I gazed out from my window seat and pondered what it would be like once I got to Las Vegas. I was also listening to Saul Williams’s Grippo which was a first for me on a plane. I suggest you do it to if you ever have the chance. The song is perfect for plane rides and listening to Grippo gave me some extra creative boost that I needed for my sketching.
What happens at BlogWorld Expo shouldn’t stay at BlogWorld Expo
If you’re new to Blog World, here’s a quick explaination as far as I’ve come to understand it during my first conference.
For me it’s been a mixture of reconfirming , connecting and building new ideas.
And for the most part, BlogWorld is designed for two audiences: bloggers/social media folk and brands/marketing managers. Bloggers are here to connect and learn with other bloggers and brands are here to learn how they can connect with consumers in social media. I fall into both categories since I’m a “music” blogger who also helps guide brands and clients in connecting with their audiences in the socialsphere.
I’ve learned a lot new ways to connect with live music fans . And many of the social media live concert experiments I’ve done have been affirmed as I hear the panelist and speakers talk about how to build communities. (Stay tuned for new experiments in future posts.)
Mommy bloggers, news ideas, new friends.
Who are mommy bloggers? If you’re new to mommy bloggers, they are a niche of bloggers who are moms ( and who don’t like that “mommy” title) who blogging about all their family experiences. Mommy bloggers have exploded in numbers and have also greatly increased their influence growing influence which has gained the attention of big brands who have courted several top mommy bloggers to blog about their brand and products.
At Blog World there is a Mind of Moms summit going on where top mommy bloggers are speaking on key topics such as the recent FTC ruling, ethics and value-exchange. I attended two sessions yesterday because for a while now I’ve been inspired and fascinated by their community and blogging styles. I’ve been working on social media projects involving mommy bloggers over the last several months and I hope to have some of them share some of their favorite live music experiences, too.
The mommy blogger sessions have been some the most inspiring sessions at Blogworld because these ladies are fully aware of the power and influence they have, and many of them are doing som pretty amazing things with that power and influence. Check out my tweet stream for some of my live tweets during these sessions. And visit TypeAmom, Rock and Roll Mama, Resourceful Mommy, Skepchick to see what else these ladies are up to.
Chris Brogan
On the plane I finished up read Trust Agents by Chris Brogan. It’s a great book to get learn how you can use social media to build trust and influence. It has a lot of helpful tips and profiles of others who are using social media tools to revolutionize their communities and business.
Brogan was the keynote speaker last night. And it was the first time I’ve heard him speak. And I have to say that I was very impressed and I’ll say it again: INSPIRED.
His Keynote speech was an excellent mix of humor and practical kick-in-the-ass motivation for social media folk who he says “need to get passed the playing stage”and start using social media to impact real change in the world and communities they’re a part of.
Brogan asked not to write a post about him. But as you can see I did anyway because his speech was right in line with what I hope and plan to do with our Live Fix community.
The most inspiring story he shared was about how Facebook is being used to stop gang wars and connect with inner city kids using regular updates. Now, those kind of stories pump me up because they get right at the heart of how social media can change the world on a real-world and everyday level.
Like I mentioned, I hope to take what Chris encouraged all the bloggers to and use the knowledge to do the same with our Live Fix community. Please hold me accountable and send me feedback because I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can make Live Fix better.
One of the great things about being at BlogWorld is meeting other bloggers and social media folk. It was great talking with and inviting them to the Live Fix community, too. And hopefully we’ll hear about some of their favorite live concert experiences.
Touring the Strip
Lastly, I took my first tour of the Las Vegas Strip last night as I ventured to the Blogworld party at the Bellagio.
As you know, Las Vegas teems with sensuality, sex and over stimulation. And naturally, I was amazed to see everything blinking, pulsing and surging around me. Everything I saw conjured up a bunch of ideas about connections to live music, so I’ll be exploring those stimulating ideas on a future post.
Coming up…
Once I get back to Chicago later today I’ll share with you what I learned at the Technorati State of the Blogosphere and Death and Rebirth of Journalism panels.
Just because you’re not here at Blogworld doesn’t me you can’t join in.
I invite you to join in at I live tweet during sessions @chriscatania
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