Before Barkworld 2013

In a few  days, we will be leaving for BarkWorld! This year we will be driving. The last two years we have flown but since sissy Sarah has her permit , she has to get driving experience hours to take her driving test in Oct. I do love to fly but I think the time driving will be fun. Us girls, loves to go on road trips. We go to Nashville every couple of months and we go to Louisville once a month so we are used to the driving.


What is BarkWorld ? It's a Pet Social Media conference for anyone who has blogs about petsor wants to blog about pets. They have a series of sessions which help you make the most of your blog, answers any questions you have or gives you ideas about things to better your blog.

For those who have never been to BarkWorld , here are some tips that I can think of. For those who have been and follow me , please add any tips you may have.

If you have been to Blogpaws or other social media conferences , this is close to the same.
    For those who have never been to a conference, I do recommend you bring lots and lots of business/blog cards. Bring a pad of paper and a few pens because you always (or my mother does) lose them. Wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking. Be prepared to get up early and go to bed late. Be prepared to take lots of photos and be in lots of photos. Do not do as my ma did and buy a new makeup before a conference only to find out you are allergic to it , it gives you raccoon eyes and settles in your wrinkles.
    There is a dog and human yoga in the mornings, its known as Doga.  We always wanted to go but couldn't get ma out of bed early enough. Maybe this year will be different. I won't hold my breath. The sessions are fun and exciting and you will meet the bloggers you follow. It is really exciting to meet them because they seem like rock stars in your eyes but they are all the most down to earth, loving people you ever met. The pro's and intermediate bloggers are always ready to answer questions but remember they are there to learn too.
     I recommend getting your photo taken with all that you follow.  That way when you are working on a blog post and get a writer's block, you can look at your photo of you and that person and be inspired.
Don't be nervous, everyone was a newbie once and some of us who have been there before still feel like one at times.
     I remember my first Barkworld. I was so nervous at first that,it seemed all I did was stand around doe-eyed. By the end of the conference I felt like a member of a big family. I left with so many ideas in my head and a feeling of "I can do this!" My second Barkworld, I felt like I was headed to a family reunion. I couldn't wait to get there and see all my friends and meet new ones. Over the years I followed much more and we learned from each other. Its a great experience and you will get those questions answered and feel the same "I can do this!" as I felt. Write down your questions you want to get answered now so you will be prepared when you get there. Be ready to ride an elevator down with other bloggers and some may be the ones you have followed for a very long time.
    Denise, the founder of Barkworld is a wonderful lady who knows social media. Last years BarkWorld was the best I have been to so I look forward to seeing how they are going to top it.
To see a list of the scheduled sessions, you can go here. BarkWorld Speaker sessions. Its best to sign up for sessions since some are limited. Now for the good part. Here is a list of bloggers who will be there. If you know a blogger who will be there but its not on here, please add them or you. The more compelled this list is the more you can know who you want to meet.
      Hopefully, I have done this right and you can click on the link to get the list. Then everyone who sent me their info , should be able to be found by clicking the links beside the name. Hope it gains you, new followers! See you in a few days. Safe travels to everypawdy!

16 comments:

  1. My instagram has another s in it. BOL! Great list! Thank you for posting it!
    http://instagram.com/pepperspaws
    Hugs,
    Pepper

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  2. Good tips and great list. Gizmo and I were working on putting a similar spreadsheet together but you went way above and beyond with the photos and instagram. I think there are a couple people on the list I don't follow on Twitter. I will use your list to close the gaps :)

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    1. I was trying to use only the photos we had taken at previous conferences. I did use Christie's and Emmy's profile pics because I didn't have any of them with their pets. I wish I would have had photos of everypawdy. I think that helps to remember who is who. Gizmo sent me a list already but I didn't want to add personal phone numbers without consent.

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  3. Carma, what a nice welcoming post. I love your tip about having my picture taken with bloggers I follow. I met so many people at BarkWorld last year I couldn't keep track. It helped to write notes on their business card right after I met them. My other advice for newbies is that if you don't know anyone, sit down at a table and introduce yourself. It feels awkward, I know, but 9 times out of 10 you'll make a new friend. Dozens of people come on their own and feel just as lost as you. Comfortable shoes--YES. The sessions with the online support people are great: sign up. Bring a BIG bag to take swag home. There's a great shopping mall next to the hotel. See you there!

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    1. Those are excellent tips Emmy. Wish I would have included them too. I love swag!

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  4. Carma this is awesome! Thank you so much - this is so helpful since this is our first time attending BarkWorld! And your list is great! Mom was thinking of making a list but you've done all the work for her!

    Garth

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    1. I am glad this helps you. that is what I wanted to do!

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  5. Um - the link for me you have under Instagram is a link to a twitter account of some bald dude named Garth Riley. I'm @garthriley on Instagram. Will send you a link tomorrow.

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    1. WHAT? Really? Oh MY DOG! I thought I checked them all. Well you definitely aren't a bald dude! Oh dear, I am soooo sorry!

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  6. Great job Carma! momz is going to update her phone list and share it privately...good tips on attending the conference..Comfy shoes are #1 on our list too...hoping we get a chance to try the Doga

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    1. Make sure you are following everypawdy on Twitter because we do a lot of tweeting from the conference.

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  7. Carma...thank you for this wonderful post. As you can imagine, Ma is nervous to meet everybody (even though "networking" used to be what she did for a living - BOL). I am not so nervous...but Ma does appreciate all your tips and tricks. I am sure all the pals we have from Twitter and Blogville will be super nice, so I just need to convince Ma so she has CONFIDENCE.
    *Cairn cuddles*
    Oz

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    1. I hope it helps you. I remember my 1st Barkworld and I was so scared. I made a list like this for the second one and it was much easier for me to keep up with everything.
      I look forward to seeing you there.

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  8. Wow Carma! Thanks for the list, it's going to be great to see you and everyone else at BarkWorld! Here the link for Prudence's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prudence-Pup/153409451394647?ref=hl and we're tildatoo on Instragram too!
    Prudence says "baroooo" buddy!

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    1. It's going to be great to see you all too. Thanks for adding your info!!

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