Well I’m back home after the second Bloggers Bash and it was a blast. Here I am sporting my tee-shirt. Loved the whole day and evening, it was so wonderful to see old faces (ha ha!) from last year: Esther Newton, Helen Jones at Journey To Ambeth, Graeme Cumming, Hughs Views and News, Geoff Le Pard, Ali Isaac, Sacha Black, Sherri Matthews Blog, Julie Lawford, Lucy at Blonde Write More, Suzie Speaks…
This year I had a very nice chat with Geoff Le Pard which was a treat, he really is in his own words:’a big softy marshmallow.’ I’d just like to add that his beard looks a bit like candyfloss! It was also great to be able to meet up with : Judy, Judy Edwina Martin, Ritu at But I Smile Anyway, and to discover some new blogging friends too: Emma Hello Emma Kay, Loretta Milan,at Literary Lightbox, Ursula at Confessions of a Broccoli Addict, Ruth, Image and Word, Mary Smith, Mary Smith, Amanda Lyle, at Inside the life of Moi…. If I’ve missed anyone that I managed to talk to many apologies. You were all awesome, so friendly and nice. Here’s Hugh and Sherri having a hug!
In the photo below from left to right: Christoph Fischer Books, Hello Emma Kay, Me! and Simon Farnell at Universe of Possibility. Photo credit to Christoph Fischer.
Shame I didn’t get a chance to talk to Christoph and only spoke to Simon briefly.. perhaps next time.
https://twitter.com/EmKRobertson/status/741731316601880577
I have a few regrets which are inevitable with these events:
- Not taking enough photos, I was too busy enjoying myself!
- I didn’t quite manage to talk to as many people as I would have liked to… sigh. Shall have to remedy this next time.
- There was a lot of cake but I only ate a few pieces…
- I forgot to sign the comments book.. oops. So here’s my on-line comment: It was brilliant, I enjoyed it so much, even more than last year if that’s possible! Thank you to the committee. Keep up the hard work, crack that whip Sacha! ! The idea of having a speaker was spot on, perhaps a little dancing next time?
We had a prebash at O’Neills which was arranged by Graeme, and then the bash itself and the post bash afterwards for those who were still there until the bitter end!
There were winners of Blogging awards in various categories: Sacha Black Winners of The Bloggers Bash 2016
It was great that a speaker came this year. Thanks to Luca, Growthketeer at @automattic for his interesting talk on all things blogging.. and for showing me his amazing photography later on, so inspiring. It makes me want to rush out and buy a professional camera!
The blogging tips from his talk that linger in my mind are:
‘Drive your numbers,’ rather than the other way round. ‘Numbers are sexy’ – we are obsessed with stats but be in control, show those numbers who’s boss.
‘Help other people and be positive.’ The value of the content that you share on your blog is key.
‘Water, shelter, food, and WordPress!’ These are the four things that you need as a blogger!!!! But test other platforms to see which might suit your goals. Different social media tend to attract different followers – Instagram and snap chat tend to be popular with young people. Facebook is for us oldies.
‘Connect to your goals/aims.’
‘Activate as many sharing options,’ as you can on your blog.
During the discussion Luca Sartoni was astonished to learn that people use the reblog option so much! Now he’s planning to convey this information to the powers that be so that they can make reblog even more snazzy… As well as this he touched upon the merits of the reblog option versus Press it… and his method of sharing others’ content via links, and twitter.
Keep a look out for Sacha’s detailed post about Luca’s talk soon. And keep the date in your diaries for next year’s bash June 10th 2017!
After all that excitement I hardly slept a wink last night, now I really need a coffee ….
Bye for now,
Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx
It was lovely to meet you!
And you! Thanks so much for following my blog will pop over to yours…
Oh Marje you’ve given away my secret!! Loved having the chance to talk to you too.
Oops sorry!! Most wicked of me.. 😉
Reblogged this on graemecummingdotnet and commented:
For those of you who didn’t make it to the Bloggers Bash, here’s the first of what are bound to be many posts on the subject. Obviously I couldn’t be bothered to write on, so I’ll just be sharing others…
You’re one of those rebloggers that Luca warned us about! Thanks for sharing Graeme.
True, but I was doing it ironically…
What a great day it was Marje. And now back to reality. 🍻here’s to next year😊
Yes definitely, cheers to next year. 🙂
Great post, Marje. I’m SO sorry I didn’t get to speak to you – it was a crazy day! Hopefully we can catch up properly next year 🙂
Thank you Shelley, that’s so kind of you. It’ll be lovely to catch up next year. Look forward to it. 🙂
Great post, and you captured the day perfectly. It was great to see you again too Marje, and I made the same mistake as you… I didn’t take ANY photos!! I think we can safely say, we were living in the moment, eh? Here’s to next year!
Thanks Julie. Yes it was too good not to! Cheers to next year too!
Wasn’t it just great I was so pleased to meet everyone even though I didn’t know anyone. Though I knew a few by name. Roll on next year I will be braver xxx
I was so nervous the first time round, it gets easier the next time.. xxx
I am really looking forward to it!!
Me too!
Marje! I saw you from the front of the room, and thought to myself, “Oh! I want to make sure I say high to Kyrosmagica” and never quite made it your way! Still, I was good to see the person behind the blogger’s curtain! I, too, should have taken more photos… Alas, I managed only to squeeze in some goodbye selfies. 😛 Looking forward to your posts!
Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes it is always nice to see the person… Shall be checking out your posts too. 🙂
Your comments and suggestions for the committee are noted, Marje. Thank you so much for coming along to the event and for also trying some of Geoff’s homemade cake. I agree, it was lovely, but I ate far too much of it.
Glad I got a chance to briefly talk to you. That TeeShirt certainly suits you.
See you on June 10th 2017.
Hugh
x
Yes see you June 10th next year Hugh. x
It was really lovely to meet you yesterday Marge 🙂
And you too Ruth. 🙂
Oh no, sorry I didn’t spell your name right 🙁
No worries Ruth.. 🙂
awesome write up Marje, I barely got to speak to you this year 🙁
Thanks Sacha. Yes shame we didn’t get an opportunity for a longer chat. Someone on FB suggested speed chatting, kind of like speed dating so that bloggers could get at least a few minutes with each blogger! Even that might not quite work if the BB gets too big!!
I’m soooo jealous I couldn’t be there! <3 Thanks for sharing about it. 🙂
Aww it’s such a shame Rachael would be awesome to meet you.
Ditto, Marje!
Nice post. Sounds like you defo had fun xxx
Thanks Shehanne, yes it was the best.xx
Looks like you had a lot of fun, Marje! So happy for you… I wish I was there… 🙂
It would have been lovely to meet you in person Heena. Getting back to normality now…. the excitement is settling down.
Same here!
Hope you’re having a great week start!
It was a great day out! And lovely to see you too – I’m glad we got to catch up before the actual bash as well. I’m with you, a little bit of dancing would be good at next year’s bash 🙂
Yes let Hugh know he’s collecting suggestions! See you at the next bash Helen, it’s too far away!
It is! Looking forward to it already 🙂
Thanks for sharing some of the Bash goings ons and photos Marje. What a great time it must have been. 🙂
It was fantastic Debby, so wonderful to get together with so many like-minded people. 🙂
I could just imagine Marje. 🙂
Great post about the Bash, Marje! So sad I couldn’t make it owing to family loss but this lovely summary goes a long way to filling me in on the day. It looked like you all had such fun meeting each other. I’m not surprised you were still bubbling with excitement come the evening…Thank you for sharing with us all, especially for those who couldn’t make it.
Really missed you being there Annika.. so sorry for your loss. Glad you enjoyed my little take on the event. 🙂
What a wonderful experience… thanks so much for sharing this spotlight, as It is great to learn more about the Bash and how things turned out for you all!—- By the way, I love your pic, with the t-shirt! <3 Sending best wishes. Aquileana 😉
Thankyou it was an amazing experience. Thanks so much for your kind words. Marje 🙂
Hi Marje! So sorry I didn’t get a chance to visit you as I said I would on Monday. I’ve had a turn around since Saturday, driving down to Lewes/Brighton to spend a few days with my boys and needed to get my Bloggers Bash post out which of course took me way longer than I hoped. I love your write up here, and yes, it was wonderful to at last get the chance to talk properly with you. I so enjoyed it. I still owe you that drink! I did look for you though! Next year, the first round is on me…and we are on the same wavelength as I just remembered at the very end to write in the guest book and suggested that music and dancing next year would be a great idea. We better start looking for our dancing shoes now! 😀
Yes let’s do that Sherri, can’t wait… for the dancing! Shall be popping over to your blog to say hi. Been busy too … job hunting is oh so time consuming!
Me too Marje, bring it on LOL!!! Job hunting…oh I wish you nothing but the best and really hope you find just the right job. Thinking of you…keep me posted! And got your lovely comment over at my pad…thank you!!! xx
It’s lovely to be able to pop over to yours Sherri. Have a lovely day. xx
Ahh, thanks Marje, likewise, and you too, although it’s now a day later. So I’ll wish you a lovely weekend…but I can’t believe it’s been a week almost since we were last in London… ! xx
Time really does rush by Sherri, have a lovely Sunday! 😄
Haha…found your Sunday on a Monday comment Marje!!! 😀 I’m so glad I’m not the only one…good to know in this case, it’s because you had such a wonderful weekend! 🙂 xx
Great post for a great day!! It was lovely hanging out with you – hope we meet again. Thank you for the link too 🙂
Thank you Emma sorry for taking so long to reply to your comment but I’ve been away sailing at the weekend! Yes I do hope we meet again. Have a lovely week. 🙂
It looked like so much fun, Marje 🙂 Watching the video was a blast. Perhaps someday….
Yes you must come! It really is a wonderful opportunity to meet face to face with bloggers.. Everyone is so friendly, and we all have so much in common!
I’m struck by how many UK bloggers I’ve connected with (beyond just liking each others blogs). It was fun hearing all the accents too, since WP is basically accent free. I’d love to go but probably will have to wait for retirement! 🙁
Oh that’s such a shame … I’m lucky I live in Cambridge which is pretty near to London. It’s a fair journey for you from the US.