TRANSFORMATIVE is the best word to describe my adventures at the WordPress Press Publish Conference held on March 27 and 28, 2015, in Portland, Oregon. It was so transformative I have decided to blog about it this week (Monday-Friday). So get ready for Press Publish highlights on #YogaMonday, #Internet Geek Tuesday, #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday, #CreativityThursday, and #FierceLiving Friday.
Until then, I invite you to check out my #PressPublish Storify blogs.
They feature social media highlights including tweets and photos that I hope will give you an idea as to why Press Publish was so transformative for me.
Did you attend the conference? What were your favorite moments and key takeaways?
Did you watch the conference on livestream? What did you like the most? What did you learn?
If you’ve been reading my blog and/or following me on social media, you know I’m heading to Press Publish, WordPress’ first-ever conference featuring WordPress bloggers and the people behind WordPress.com, on March 27 and 28 in Portland, Oregon. While I am at Press Publish, I’ll lead a session on “Blogging for Obama” that will give me an opportunity to share how I began blogging for personal reasons, evolved into a social media leader for the White House, and learned how to make the most of opportunities that have presented themselves as a result of my blogging adventures on March 28.
I’m also serving as a panelist for Michelle Langston’s session, “A Tale of Two Sites.” During this session, you’ll have a chance to look at my older web site and blog and learn how Michelle transformed them into a new and improved site that fully expresses my personality and online goals.
In addition to these sessions, you’ll be able to dive into a day of learning with presentations and tutorials led by an amazing group of speakers on blogging 101, blogging on the go, going pro as a blogger, storytelling, turning your blog into a book or business, writing, WordPress design and plugins, and so much more. Click here to see the schedule.
Oh yeah, you’ll get to attend a Friday evening mixer where you will meet your fellow bloggers (like moi), receive your attendee packet, and enjoy storytelling by Longreads, snacks, and libations.
Guess what? The generous and groovy Press Publish team is offering a special 40% discount to the conference! Click here and use the special coupon code SISTERHOOD40 to register. One last thing — your ticket purchase also gets you a 1-year subscription to the WordPress Premium upgrade, a $99 value, that you can use on any WordPress.com blog. A coupon code and instructions on how to redeem it will be included in your ticket confirmation email.
Ananda, Dwana, and Pauline — Photo Credit: BlogHer
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
While I was co-hosting the BlogHer Multi Culti party with my digital sisters Pauline Campos and Dwana De La Cerna on July 26 at the Sheraton Chicago, I had so many wonderful conversations with the dynamic members of the BlogHer community. The conversations reminded me how diverse we are as bloggers with different ethnic backgrounds, family histories, gifts, life experiences, opinions, perspectives, and talents. Check out some of the event photos below. All photos are from BlogHer.com. Click here to see the entire collection.
Did you attend the Multi Culti Party? If so, what were some of your favorite moments?
Walrond’s book celebrates the concept that what makes us different makes us beautiful — and may even be the source of our superpowers. Her book personifies how I feel about the BlogHer community.
Our differences make BlogHer more beautiful and powerful. Together, we are able to tap into our superpowers as bloggers and give voice to what so many others may not have the access, courage, or right to say online and offline. And for that I am truly grateful!
What makes the BlogHer community beautiful and powerful to you?
John Leeke volunteering at Obama Phone Bank in PG County, MD, 2012
Happy Internet Tuesday!
Today, I am paying a special tribute to my father, Dr. John F. Leeke, an entrepreneur, organizational development consultant, social justice activist, over 70 cyber-citizen, husband, and father. I call him “J” for short.
J joined Facebook on the evening of January 20, 2009, the day President Barack H. Obama was sworn into his first term in office. Since 2009, J has used his digital presence on Facebook and Twitter to support President Obama. He has attended several D.C. social media events including the Blogalicious Weekend Conference in 2011. He also started live tweeting and Facebook posting while watching many of the political news programs on MSNBC and any late breaking news programs.
Dr. John: Change Agent l Change Advocate l Change Influencer blog
Last year, he launched his blog, Dr. John: Change Agent l Change Advocate l Change Influencer. Initially, his blog was dedicated to supporting President Obama’s re-election campaign. Earlier this year, he decided to devote his blog to sharing thoughts, opinions, and information, and raising questions about issues of race, diversity, and differences. As a cyber-citizen blogger, “J” hopes to serve as a motivator, stimulator, agitator, questioner, and hopefully an advocate for improving the quality of life for all regardless of who they are. One of his most recent blog posts discussed the Trayvon Martin case. Click here to read it. This week, he wrote a blog post that offers tips on how to have discussions about race in your local community. I encourage you to check it out. J knows what he’s talking about (yeah I am bit biased …. he’s my father, but he is the real deal when it comes to race and diversity work)!
Are your parents active online? What tools do they use the most?
The List (and how to get on it): If there is one question we hear from bloggers covering this image- and access-conscious industry, it’s “How do I get on *the* list?”. We’re bringing publishing, PR and brand perspectives to the table to give you an inside look at how it works. BlogHer editor-in-chief (and longtime women’s magazine leader) Stacy Morrison moderates the insightful advice from Adrianna Guilliani from Devries Public Relations, Cristy Turner from Digital Brand Architects, and Genevieve Ascencio from Factory PR.
Photo Credit: JusticeFergie.com
Before I attend the Style Mini Conference sessions, I plan to participate in “Justice Fergie” Stacey Ferguson’s Summer Brand-O-Rama, a FREE four-week email workshop that will provide critical tips on how to cultivate brand partnerships that begins on July 5. Click here to sign up. My goal is to learn how to build brand partnerships that support my blogs and the Digital Sisterhood Network.
Stacey Ferguson a/k/a Justice Fergie and Ananda at BlogHer 12 Brunchalicious Event – Photo Credit ‘ BlogHer.com
Stacey is the queen of branding and empire building in my book! She is one of my virtual and IRL “Empirista” mentors.
BlogHer.com
If you are planning to attend BlogHer 13, check out the questions below.
What are your top three to five conference goals?
What sessions are you planning to attend? And why?
What are you doing to prepare for BlogHer 13?
BlogHer.comBlogHer.com
PS: I will be speaking about social media leadership on July 26 (10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) and July 27 (11:30 a.m. – 12 noon), and co-hosting the Multi-Culti party on July 26 with two amazing digital sisters, Pauline Campos and Dwana De La Cerna. I hope you will be able to join us at the conference and the Multi-Culti party. Click here to register.
Yesterday I learned that BlogHer published its 2012 study of women and social media. What timing! I was hoping the study would come out in time for me to include in my last chapter of my Digital Sisterhood book. The Internet geek in me is jumping for joy. Time to read the study and learn more about digital sisters!
Click here to see the BlogHer SlideShare presentation.
Click here to read more about the BlogHer 2012 Study.
Ananda Leeke 