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BlogPaws 2015 Conference Review

June 3, 2015 by Talent Hounds 32 Comments

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My BlogPaws 2015 Conference Experience

I just spent 4 days in Nashville with 500 other pet bloggers, pet brands and pet experts at the BlogPaws 2015 Conference. What a great experience.

My Background

I am a content producer with a background in advertising and marketing. The content I produce includes traditional television, music, dance, live shows, web videos, games, books, photos and social media. Over the last year, it has also included my daily dog blog.

Four years ago, I became interested in the changing role I saw pets, especially dogs, playing in people’s lives and the growing pet care market. I produced an award-winning documentary series and a website to promote the series. I also held a few live events with local trainers, pet expos and influencers. About 18 months ago, I discovered BlogPaws. This year, I decided to attend their annual conference for the first time.

BlogPaws Conference Objectives

My objectives were as follows:

  • Meet with people (and pets) I talk to online each week in person and build relationships.
  • Meet new people and explore new collaborations and business opportunities.
  • Meet brands and see what they have to offer and what I could offer them.
  • Look at how to maximise and monetize Talent Hounds with experts.
  • Learn more about WordPress, SEO, Blogging best practises and Social Media best practises from experts in various areas.

I would say I achieved these objectives and had a very successful time, especially as a newbie.

My Experience at the Conference

It is always a little daunting to get out of your comfort zone. I confess, I do not enjoy being a newbie in a field, in a group or at a conference. New city, new people, new cliques, new protocols, new information. However, that is how you grow.

My trip down from Toronto to Nashville was a little stressful. Instead of 4 hours, it took 13 hours with bad weather and 2 emergency landings.

Once there, I got a warm welcome from the hotel, and more importantly from the delightful Diane Silver and Rocco of To Dog With Love, who happened to be in the reception area.

Susie and Dianne at BlogPaws

She introduced me to the lovely Jessica of MommasGoneCity. I have followed her since she started posting Theo and Beau- I was starstruck and off to a good start.  I was still able to register and pick up my large loot bag at 8.30pm and just caught the end of the exhibition hall activities. Then room service and bed.

Opening Keynote

The Friday keynote by Peter Shankman was outstanding and I will be contacting him next time I am in NYC. What an insightful, entertaining guy. I was inspired. “Don’t do things for LIKES, do likeable things” makes so much sense. Don’t beg for “friends”, produce great content that people are interested in and they will naturally want to be friends or followers.

Networking and Social

My experiences at the conference were very positive. I found the networking over meals, coffee and drinks quite relaxed and easy, and the sessions very informative, for the most part. One of my few issues was that it was a little stressful trying to find people to have dinner with on Friday night, as there were various prearranged VIP or other dinners going on. Luckily, I was able to see downtown (as well as some other areas of Nashville by mistake) and enjoy a fabulous, fun meal with Pepper Pom’s Mom and Robin from Playful Kitty. Thanks ladies.

FullSizeRender[2]

I loved seeing pals from #BlogPawsChat #PetChat #PugChat and the various Hops and Facebook Groups I go on every week. I also met some great new contacts. It is all a bit of a blur as it went so fast, but I really enjoyed all of it. I know I missed or didn’t get enough time with some people, but I made a great start.

I also loved celebrating all the passion and hard work at the Awards. Congratulations to all the wonderful winners!

I even had a chance to chat to the ever youthful, smart and fun Chloe DiVita at the after-party with Rachel and Kevin from My Dog Likes (so happy to find they do not live that far from me and definitely hope to see more of them).

My PetChat group

Key Learning

The best session by far for me was the Advanced SEO Techniques session. I could have spent a day with Jill Caren of 2DogsDesign. I sat with Amy from Pet Guide (I consider her an SEO expert, especially when I look at all her search traffic with envy). We both agreed it was an awesome presentation.  Bill Schroeder’s SEO 101 presentation was very good too, but I was already doing most things he recommended quite well (or so I thought). Turns out, things have changed since April, and Google has got even more sophisticated. In one hour, Jill took quite complex ideas and updates and made them simple, for example: key phrases, headlines, title tags, alt tags, anchor text, meta descriptions, SLI and the dreaded schema.  She allowed me to set achievable goals that could really improve my search traffic. Just that session was worth the trip.

I also enjoyed the Content Marketing Presentation by Karen Thackston and Maggie Marton. I have considerable experience and expertise in Marketing from my days with Unilever and Gillette/P & G. However, it is always good to remind ourselves to try harder, be more creative and write better. I like seeing what works and getting inspired.

Yoon, the editor from the Honest Kitchen blog, shared some insights from the Pinterest presentation by Susan Wenner Jackson over lunch. It sounded excellent. I was also sad to miss the Slim Doggy presentation on WordPress as Steve is brilliant on anything to do with technology and health/physical activity/diet and I have had a few issues with my site and PlugIns.

Susie and Steve at BlogPaws

He is featured in one of my documentary episodes “Fit Dogs Rock!” and I have huge respect for him. I was lucky enough to have a brief one-on-one catch up.

I went to the session that I thought was about defining or refining my mission and message and growing my business. While I am sure the presenter does a great job caring for animals, fundraising and making six figures, the presentation included shameless pitches for a book and retreat but not the tips from the book – my only big disappointment. I did hear that some of the people from not-for-profits really enjoyed it, so maybe it just was not right for me.

Susie, Preston and Laura Nativo at BlogPaws

It was great to hear entertaining and inspiring personal stories about how they broke into the Pet Media Business from lovely Laura Nativo, Sandy Robins, Harrison Forbes and Dr Katy Nelson. The common themes: be authentic, start local, be creative, be brave, always think of the benefits for your audience (whoever you are pitching or writing for), and be persistent.

I was also thrilled that we donated chunky cheques to various charities throughout the conference.

Susie and Dr Katy Nelson at BlogPaws

I peeked in on a legal session, but the presenter’s style and content did not grab me. I was looking for more dry factual slides on the updated rules around sweepstakes and contests. Legal is something that worries me, coming from corporate and TV.

Video and YouTube

One of the best new contacts I made was Robert Semrow (thanks for the intro Steve). He is a talented, creative and confident host, pawtographer and videographer. He produces Pet World Insider, which I love. He is a fellow YouTuber. He also seems really nice. I am hoping that we will find quite a few things to collaborate on over the next 12 months.

Susie and Rob Pet Insider at BlogPaws

I predict there will be more interest in Videos and YouTube next year, as more ad dollars and eyeballs move there. With audiences under 30 cord cutting and reading less, video will become more and more important in blogging and branding.

Audience Engagement on Different Platforms

I did not get into any one-on-ones as I did not see the sign ups in time. I would have liked to talk more to Jodi Stone about “engaging your readers” as she seems to do an awesome job. I need to improve.FullSizeRender[2]

I did get to chat to Jessica Rhae Williams from YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner, the biggest winner of the night at the Nose-to-Nose Awards, about Facebook and other business. We exchanged some smart, practical tips and insights. I know I tend to chase shiny objects and not focus enough. Trying to offer too many things to too many people can be an issue as you end up under-delivering to everyone. I also find it is easier to work on other people’s plans objectively than my own. I get too close. I think that can be a common problem.

Brands

I will do a separate post on the brands I met. I did find networking with brands a little rushed as I arrived late Friday night and I did not realise they would not be there Saturday morning. I will say Kilo the Pug is loving his PetSafe pogo plush. I was a little limited in other products I could bring back to Canada. He would have loved all the treats and food of course.

You

If you were there, what were your highlights? What did you learn? If you couldn’t make it, what would you like to know more about?

 

Riley from OhMyShihTzu the morning after
So stylish
Pooped pup after the party
Winning funny ladies
Police dog got a vest
Pepper Pom checking out Trendy Pet
New business pal
Our hosts
Pug Lovers
Canadians Eh
Pepper Pom fans
Pepper Pom
Gander Service Dog
2 little piggies
2 little chis- Polly Pocket
Sleepy face
All these treats and none for me Pug
Celebrity Panel
Laura’s cheque for charity
FullSizeRender[3]
Preston & Family
Flat Kilo & DogforDog
Golden Likes
Abby & Rat
Susie, Gina, Oz, Sugar, Kilo
Rocky
blog pal Catherine

Filed Under: WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea @ This Pug Life says

    June 3, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    So glad the photo of us came out good despite my excessive sweating, LOL. Loved meeting you, yay for pug friends!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 3, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      It came out so well (I never noticed LOL). Yay for Puggy Pals. Really fun chatting! Pug hugs S

      Reply
  2. The Daily Pip says

    June 3, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    The highlight for me was being surrounded by so many caring and like-minded folks who love and care about animals. I was also thrilled to finally meet some long time blog friends as well as some new contacts like you. It’s truly a great community!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 3, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      Agreed. It is a great community indeed.

      Reply
  3. Sharon says

    June 3, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    For those of us who missed BlogPaws 2015 thank you so much for sharing your experience. I hope to be in Phoenix for the next conference. I’m glad you learned a lot and met new contacts because after 2 emergency landings on your flight, you deserved to have a wonderful time.

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 3, 2015 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks so much Sharon. I hope I see you at the next one if not before. I believe a lot of people will be posting notes from presentations. So valuable XS

      Reply
  4. Oz the Terrier says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Woo! Your recap was almost as exhausting as the real thing! BOL I’m teasing of course. Great recap post and Ma was SO HAPPY to finally meet you in person! You are a delight!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 3, 2015 at 7:09 pm

      Hope I didn’t take myself too seriously LOL- but I like to keep a record so I thought I may as well share my notes and photos and give a bit of link love to people who shared great tips etc.
      So much fun hanging out with Ma (your Ma is a riot) and little Oz, but not as fun as the real thing I’m sure. Look forward to the next opportunity XS

      Reply
  5. Groovy Goldendoodles says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Nice review. I was looking for some breakdowns of the various sessions. You gave a great play by pay my friend. I truly regret not being there, would have loved to have met you. Crossing paws for 2016.

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 3:23 am

      I wish you had been. I love your blog, your doodles and the way you live your life. I would have liked to meet you and your Groovy boys. I’d like to do a feature on the therapy work and work with kids. The amazing powers of dogs to help kids with reading, learning and life fascinates me. Maybe we could set up a call? Or a Skype. XS

      Reply
  6. Emma says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    So glad you stopped us to say hi. As everyone does, we had so many people to find, brands to chat with, etc, it gets hard to squeeze it all in. Those Friday nights are always tough. Mom just hung out with some bloggers and had pizza for a bit and then came back to the room to hang out with her dead dog tired pups.

    Reply
  7. Jan K says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    I’m so glad we got to meet! It is crazy trying to catch up with everyone there, with so much going on. I would have liked to spend more time getting to talk to and know people better (including you). I got to all of the classes that I could because the education was a very important part to me.

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 1:10 am

      Me too! I know exactly what you mean. You have to juggle. Even harder when new people you are meeting. XS

      Reply
  8. Tenacious Little Terrier says

    June 4, 2015 at 12:22 am

    Great recap! I’d love to go sometime… next year, it is on the West side so maybe.

    Reply
  9. M. K. Clinton says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:40 am

    It was wonderful to put a face to Talent Hounds! I’m such a huge fan of your work and it was a pleasure to meet you in person.

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 2:10 am

      I felt the same way. I wish we had more time as I think you and I could have had some great conversations. We will have to book that next conference, or maybe a skype. XS

      Reply
  10. Christina says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:50 am

    After reading several posts about BlogPaws, I am very excited to go next year. I just started my blog in April, so by the time I found out about it, it was too late. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 2:11 am

      Wow you are doing so well. Can’t believe you have not been around longer- well done! Where are you based?

      Reply
  11. Abby Chesnut says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:54 am

    It was so nice meeting you! Thanks for the tips on YouTube as well 🙂 Love our photo!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 2:12 am

      I loved meeting you in person too. I always enjoy interacting with you online so lovely to see you and pets in person. XS

      Reply
  12. golden woofs: sugar says

    June 4, 2015 at 2:38 am

    Great recap. You met so many great blog friends. Sorry you we missed you and you did not have a chance to meet Sugar. Golden Woofs

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 3:14 am

      I know, I was so lucky- I love the photo with Gina and flat Sugar. We all missed you both!!!!!! Next event or maybe in California. XS

      Reply
  13. MyDogLikes says

    June 4, 2015 at 3:13 am

    YES! We hope to see more of you too! We just need a fun project idea and some passports, let make it happen!

    Reply
  14. Jill - 2 Dogs Design says

    June 4, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Susan thank you so much for the kind words! It was great meeting you at BlogPaws and I am so thrilled you got so much out of the session I presented – it means a lot as a first time speaker to get such great feedback! I hope to see you again next year – I had such a great time at the event and cannot wait to go back! Promise to followup soon with a blog post about Schema and LSI to try and make it easy to understand and implement – I know they can be confusing! Thanks again for the kind words….you made my day!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      A pleasure. Thank you! You made my conference (although you did cause me a bit of work LOL). LSI I do not have a problem with. However, I need to do some more research to understand how to use schema. I look forward to your post. Message me when up.

      Reply
      • Jill - 2 Dogs Design says

        June 4, 2015 at 12:19 pm

        Schema is tough! LOL! But can have such a great impact on click through rate! I am trying to write it in “english” as opposed to “programmer” which is a bit challenging, but hope to have it up in a couple of days. I will send out an email when it is up!

        Reply
  15. Travel Animal Doctor says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    I love the collection of photos that you have from the conference. I was only able to get a taste of the conference for the day but next year I am eager to go to the whole event. It was great meeting people and learning from the community!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Love to meet up next time. I arrived late so even the 2 days went by very fast. X Susie

      Reply
  16. Elaine says

    June 4, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Thanks for sharing your insights and pics from the weekend. I wish I could have gone this year and met so many wonderful bloggers and sponsors. The SEO presentation would have been helpful too. Maybe I’ll get to meet you next year in Phoenix!

    Reply
    • Talent Hounds says

      June 4, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      Wish you could have been there too. Jill has very kindly shared the SEO presentation. I’ll retweet it in a minute on @mytalenthounds or check her links above.

      Reply
  17. FiveSibesMom says

    June 6, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    Great photos! And thank you for the review of the conference. Looks like a wonderful and informative time was had by all!

    Reply
  18. Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says

    June 10, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    Wow, I so wish I could have been there!!! *sigh* sounds like a blast and so much info I missed out on!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    Reply

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ABOUT TALENT HOUNDS

Talent Hounds started as a TV series exploring the changing roles of dogs and how they enrich our lives. We have grown into a Content Hub and Community for Dog Lovers. Our mission: Inspire. Connect. Inform. Entertain. I am Susan Nation - I manage the community. Kilo the cute little Black Rescue Pug is my sidekick and inspiration. Please join our community. Contact us if you have content, tips or resources to share.

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