Seriously, it was really good, I learned a ton and the best part was meeting wonderful friends, who were all as amazing in person as they are on their blogs.
But here’s a quick recap of what I learned:
1. How to write a post title. Yes, there is a wrong way and a right way to do this. Who knew I wasn’t even doing this very basic thing right?
I understand SEO (Search Engine Optimization) about as much as I understand the table above. (Although that’s not a really great example because I’m decent at Chemistry.) SEO definitely seems like a big black hole that once I jump into, I’ll never come back out of. I know it’s important and I know I should jump into the black hole, but that just never feels like a good idea.Source: Pinterest2. I don’t know anything about SEO (and I’m not 100% sure that I want to).
Source: Pinterest
3. I actually understand ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Applying that knowledge is a completely different topic.
4. Mr. Goodwill Hunting is one of the funniest people that I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing speak.And he’s got mad thrifting skills (but we already knew that). I think a dream day would be spending a day thrifting with him. I think he should do a contest on his blog for that (can I get an Amen on that?)
5. I know there are things that I want my blog to be and things that I don’t want it to be. The problem is, I’m not sure what exactly yet. I should really figure that out.
6. I’m currently doing about 3% of what I should be for successful blogging.Seriously, on Saturday, the thought occurred to me that I should just never blog again. Kinda like sticking my head into the sand. Clearly, I decided against it.
7. There are people out there who are so much more talented, smart, and funny than me. I’m really ok with that.I don’t want to pretend to be something I’m not. I didn’t start this blog because I’m a designer or think I really know what I’m doing. I’m the first to admit that I don’t, which is why I share big and little mistakes with you. I think the biggest thing I learned is that being me is enough. In fact the most successful blogs are successful because their real. I don’t have to have all the answers about the blog today. I’m counting on God to lead me. In the meantime, it’s something I enjoy so I’ll keep doing it.
Overall, it was a great experience, mostly because of the people and I'm so glad I went. Can't wait to go back next year and get overwhelmed all over again!
Oh, and I need to send a big shout out to Kelly at View Along the Way for letting me stay with her! She was such a wonderful host and if you can believe it, her home is more beautiful in person. I promise, that’s not what you would think if you walked into my house.
For the other girls who were there, what did you learn?
Linking to: Southern Hospitality
I second the AMEN on thrifting with Mr. Goodwill Hunting!! It was SO awesome getting to hang out with you and we should seriously plan another weekend at Kelly's - provided she is willing to have us again :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like what got missed at the conference is that not everyone can make a living off of their blog. We would all love to but it's just not going to happen. There is so much more to blogging than just the cash! I'll keep posting nerdy titles and crappy pictures but I'm having fun doing it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! It's awesome to learn SEO and apply it, but even more importantly, you need to be true to yourself. If it's not you, it's not you! Nerdy titles for life ;)
DeleteIt was so wonderful to meet you! I wish we could have chatted more! I look forward to reading your blog :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! I second absolutely everything you said. Amazing how the whole experience does a lot to make us feel inadequate at blogging, yet we came out of it OK with just that fact. So fun to be figuring it all out with you. :)
ReplyDeleteI still can't get over that I didn't go and meet some fabulous ladies like yourself! And by the way, I think you're doing just fine with the whole blogging thing!
ReplyDeleteOhh, I'm so jealous of all of you Haven-goers. I would have loved to meet you in person. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's most important to just be yourself. I think if you are real and you enjoy what you are doing, the success will follow. But, what do I know? I have no idea about SEO or any of that stuff :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I would love to go to something like this so that I could meet amazing bloggers (like you!) But I would also want to crawl in a dark hole when I learn just how un-blog savvy I am :) It can be so stressful to try to keep up with all the ways to have the best blog! It's just not worth my sanity :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mars,
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were at the conference. I wish I could have met you because we're from SC, too. I enjoyed reading your recap of the conference. My husband put up a post about the conference from a male perspective.
yes, yes, yes and yes! i learned almost all the same things! and i am going to keep on keeping on because i like my blog just the way it is.... and i like your blog just the way it is.
ReplyDeletewhen you and skye go back to kelly's for your roomie reunion i am crashing. i want in on that fun!!!!
My mind is reeling from that SEO chart!! TMI - here's to learning the other 97% at our own rate!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you had a blast at Haven. And here's to Mr. Goodwill Hunting taking us out on one of his thrifting jaunts!
Kelly
Maury, I'm so glad you blog and so happy we had a chance to {briefly} meet! Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteMaury,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. You are right. There was just too much to retain. If I can keep 20% I'll be happy.
Hmm..so now you have me wondering the correct way to write a blog title. Can you offer any tips? Help, please! :) http://www.craftbaby.com
ReplyDeleteso glad I got meet you! Love your recap! I second many of your points - thrifting day with Mr. GW Hunting - YES, SO THERE!
ReplyDeleteAnd there are people that are more creative and doing a better job blogging than me - yes, just gotta realize it and deal with it.
and doing 3% of what I should be doing - yep, totally feel that way too! :( BUT I am one person and honestly they aren't doing it all either - they would tell you that. And they didn't when they were starting either.
And yes, SEO - can somebody help me come out if I venture into that big black hole?? :)
Anyways it was great - so glad I got to meet you! ;)
Christina (TheFrugalHomemaker.com)
Can we redo our sleepover when we have more time to hang out and chat? It went by so fast! But I'm so glad you stayed here!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - and I agree, while the information was overwhelming it really was helpful to see what we all want and what maybe we don't want. Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Laura
Thank you so much for being real! I totally agree with you...that's the most important part. The more blogs I read {and it's becoming an embarassing amount!} the more I learn about what I like and dislike when it comes to the blogdom, and people who say it like it is are at the top! :-)
ReplyDeleteUmmmm....1 - 7.....ditto. I loved that photography class and I ACTUALLY shot in manual today. And one picture actually turned out :)
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious and funny and wonderful and you have really, really great hair!
:) karianne
Maury,
ReplyDeleteI LOVED meeting you and talking with you the first night at dinner! You are even MORE funny and sweet in person, if that's possible!!
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you on #'s 1-7.
And yes ma'am, you can get an AMEN from me on #4!!! (LOVE him!)
Ditto on #6!!
I think so many of us came away thrilled with the experience, and the new information, but overwhelmed by it all at the same time!!
You are just awesome, and I am so glad I got to meet you!!
xo-Lisa
Hi Mars! Glad we got to meet briefly at Haven, I hope we can stay in touch :-)
ReplyDeleteI learned a ton, the list is long... Glad to hear you had fun!
So glad to meet you!!! Love reading your thoughts on Haven! I agree with so much!! SEO is just plain skeery and then I heard someone say it's always changing too, which makes it even more complicated, ha!
ReplyDeleteI thought Mr.GWH was so hilarious too! And I totally wasn't expecting him to be so funny. :) Are you close enough to go to the I Love Thrifting Day in Charlotte 7/7? I'm going to try to make it! :)
I needed to read this today--so thank you for it. I generally love blogging but it is easy to get bogged down by comparisons and what you're "supposed" to be doing. Glad I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am totally jealous of your Kelly crashing. I need to move south, I think.
I so wish I could have been there to hang out with you and meet all of these wonderful people! I think everyone has a reason to blog, and you just happen to be funny doing it! I love reading... so glad you are sticking around!
ReplyDelete