Meeting Other Bloggers Is Always Fun

 

On Wednesday, I ventured out to Adam’s Morgan for the monthly DC Blogger Meetup. This time I was a mentor for new bloggers.  I love teaching others everything that I have learned, so I was definitely excited.  It was a great meeting, and I plan on attending Google’s first DC Meetup, and I am hoping they give everyone a Google Wave account. 

Even if you are not the social type, you should still make an effort to attend an outing with people who are passionate about the same things as you.  It actually makes you even more passionate about what you are doing because their energy rubs off.   It’s been over ten years since I got into blogging, and I love it more each day.  I know that it’s something that I hope to continue doing and it helps to meet like-minded friends along the way.

Here are the people who were there that night:

1. Tracy T. — http://thispersonstinks.wordpress.com  
2. Kier Duros – http://Durosia.com
3. A Glenn – http://jenesaisrein.blogspot.com
4. Phil – http://www.feedbacksecrets.com
5. Mike – http://NotionsCapital.com
6. Nusrat – http://knightleyemma.wordpress.com
7. AmyinDC – http://www.freeindc.blogspot.com
8. DaveW – http://www.autumnrain2110.com
9. Joelogon — www.joelogon.com/blog
10. Frank — http://swordandthescript.blogspot.com/
11. Jadxia — http://jadxia.livejournal.com

My next stop is to join a writing group.  I created one a long time ago, but after the first couple of times, no one started showing up, so I cancelled it.  Maybe it’s time to join an already formed one or create one.  Maybe this time I will have better success. 

It doesn’t matter what you love, there are others who love it as well.  Join a group or create your own today.

Photo details: This Is A Funny Group, originally uploaded by Photo Twister.

How To Rock Your First Blogger Meetup

meetup.com meetup, originally uploaded by urzzz.

This past week, I went to my first Blogger Meetup.  I had never been to a meetup before, so I decided to check it out.  We mingled, networked, and discussed our expertise with one another.  On that day, I learned what it takes to be a Rockstar at your first Blogger Meetup.

1. Smile – If you read a self-help book, the first thing they always say is to smile even when you don’t want to.  It helps to relax you, and it helps to attract people to you.  Even if you are having a bad day, and you decide on going to a meetup, force a smile.
2. Make Your Name Tag Stand Out – Usually in meetups, you have to write your name on a name tag that you display on your shirt.  I noticed that the people who caught my eyes were the ones who decided to doodle a cute design on it, and/or wrote the URL of his/her blog. 
3. Introduce Yourself to a Group – You do not want to be staring at the floor while everyone around you is networking.  Swallow a huge gulp of air, and approach the group who seems to be having the most interesting conversation.
4. Have an Elevator Pitch – First impressions are extremely important, and usually in these meetups, you only have one chance.  Create an elevator pitch, memorize it, and use it.  However, learn to make it sound natural because nothing is worse than a robotic pitch.
5. Educate Yourself – If you are new to blogging, educate yourself on the basics (e.g. different blogging platforms, terms, and methods).  Nothing is worst than a bunch of people talking, and you are totally clueless as to what they are referring to.

My first Blogger’s Meetup was amazing, and I am excited to attend the next one.  I met some wonderful people who knew what they were talking about and had passion for blogging. Here are the blogs of the people who

• A Glenn – http://jenesaisrein.blogspot.com & http://aureliaglenn.wordpress.com
• Dave Newman – http://groovysoup.com
• Margie Newman – http://flackrabbit.com
• Kier Duros – http://www.durosia.com/
• Kathleen Canedo – http://brutalism.net
• Mike Licht – http://NotionsCapital.com
• Pat Thibodeau – http://DCBlogs.com
• Yali Friedman – http://biotechblog.com
• Joe Logon – www.joelogon.com/blog
• Shevonne – http://freeagentwriter.com (moi)
• Bill – http://clarendonnights.com
• Marie – http://blog.mermedia.com
• Leon – http://www.ListenToLeon.net
• Jade – http://jadxia.livejournal.com

Friendfeed is Home to the Coolest People You Will Ever Meet

When people think about the people lurking on the internet, they think introverted, crazy people who don’t know how to operate in public. They are seriously WRONG. Yes, there are some out there, but not everyone is like that.

When I was in LA, I headed to a Friendfeed Meetup to hang with some of the people I talk to every day when I am on Friendfeed. They were some of the coolest, genuine people you could ever meet.

If you are able to meet the people you talk to on a social networking site, do it. You might be surprised in a good way.

People who attended: 

1. Anika - http://friendfeed.com/faboomama
2. Adrian - http://friendfeed.com/adrianculici
3. Derrick - http://friendfeed.com/geekandahalf
4. Mark V - http://friendfeed.com/mvandenberg
5. Mark K - http://friendfeed.com/krynsky
6. Amani - http://friendfeed.com/mirthnadir
7. Me – http://friendfeed.com/dcfemella

Befriend them.  They don’t bite.  Believe me, I met them.