Tag: Social Media Leadership

My #BlogHer13 Conference Recap #1 – My “Lean In” Moment

Posted by on in BlogHer13, Uncategorized2 Comments
Connecting with new friends Pauline Campos and Sherri Good at the BlogHer 13 Expo Hall on July 25 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL
Connecting with new friends Pauline Campos and Sherri Good at the BlogHer 13 Expo Hall on July 25 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL

Happy August! Happy Friday!

Last week, I attended the 9th Annual BlogHer Conference held at the McCormick Place and Sheraton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. What a time I had! It was intense, inspiring, and informative. That’s why I decided to write several blog recaps.

lean-in

Today’s blog recap is about my “Lean In Moment.” The theme is based on Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead and the impact of her BlogHer Conference interview with Lisa Stone, BlogHer Co-Founder and COO, on July 27. For more information, watch part one and part two of Tracy Baim’s video of the interview.

hotmommaauthorbadge

I read Sandberg’s book earlier this year. It took me a full weekend to inhale her words and wisdom. Her book was filled with many golden nuggets I have used in my life and shared with other women. It also inspired me to write and submit a case study entitled “Lean In and Listen to Yourself” for the Hot Mommas Project. As a result, I was recently named a 2012-2013 author for the Hot Mommas Project case study library.

Sheryl Sandberg and Lisa Stone
Sheryl Sandberg and Lisa Stone

When I learned Sandberg would be a BlogHer keynote, I was thrilled! Here are the key takeaways I received from her interview with Stone.

  • Believe in yourself.
  • I am unapologetically a feminist (inspired by Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments and one of my virtual mentors from the 1990s).
  • Reach for any ambition.
  • Ask yourself what would you do if you weren’t afraid, and then reach for those ambitions.

At the end of her interview, she challenged audience members to write what they would do if they weren’t afraid on paper signs her LeanIn.org provided, take photos with the signs, and tweet and post the photos on LeanIn.org Tumblr. I loved the challenge. Check out the statements I wrote below.

My "Lean In" Statement
My “Lean In” Statement

Writing these statements helped me get clearer on what I really want to do with my passion, gifts, energy, and time. My next step is to lean in and publish my Digital Sisterhood book (you know the one I have been writing since 2009 — what a journey!), create space in my life to write more books and create art, and plan when I will cut my locs and grow my Angela Davis afro (will probably happen during my 50th year on earth which is fast approaching in 2014 — maybe even 2015).

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

What are you leaning into?

UPDATE: BlogHer posted a full video of Sheryl Sandberg’s interview. Click here to watch it. Also, check out a video of BlogHer’s Lean In Circles session held at the 2013 conference. Enjoy!

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, BlogHer13, Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes, Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project, LeadershipLeave a comment
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

I am getting ready for my social media leadership talk on July 26 and July 27 at the 9th Annual BlogHer Conference in Chicago. Here’s a sneak peek!

bloghersocmedpage

“What Kind of Social Media Leader Are You?” is the official title of my talk. It’s based on a section of my upcoming book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.

Photo Credit: http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-yes-yes-yes/
Photo Credit: http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-yes-yes-yes/

If you answer yes to one or more of the six questions listed below, my talk will be of interest to you.

  • Do you have a blog with more than one blog reader?
  • Do you use social media and have more than one follower or friend?
  • Do you use social media to build community and connect with others?
  • Do you use social media to share information and resources?
  • Do you use social media to advocate for causes or social good campaigns?
  • Do you use social media to promote your business, personal brand, products, or services?

A “yes” answer to these questions opens the door to what my talk is all about: showing BlogHer attendees that they are social media leaders because they possess Digital Power and a Digital Platform of Influence.

Digital Power consists of your digital footprint (blog, online business, web site, and social media), communities, and efforts.

A Digital Platform of Influence is derived from the impact you have on your blog readers and social media followers and friends when you:

  • Advocate causes.
  • Build communities.
  • Create mobile applications, art, books, businesses, products, publications, services, tools, and webisodes.
  • Curate content.
  • Educate and inform.
  • Give voice to your thoughts as subject matter experts, thought leaders, and brand ambassadors.
  • Share information and experiences.
  • Explore and experiment with new technologies as early adopters and trendsetters.
  • Participate in social good campaigns.
  • Inspire and motivate.
  • Mentor.
  • Network.
  • Tell your personal stories.
  • Promote and celebrate the expertise, gifts, and talents of others.

As you engage in these activities, your blog readers and social media followers and friends are watching what you say and do online. They are learning from your example. Whether you know it or not, you are leading them. That makes you a social media leader. Yes, I said it. You are a social media leader!

bloghersocmediatalk

My BlogHer talk will help conference attendees define the type of leadership they want to bring to their readers and social media followers and friends. During the talk, I will introduce the 12 key leadership roles I have witnessed social media leaders play in my work with the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project. They include the roles of advocate, community builder, creator, curator, educator, influencer, mentor, motivator, promoter, social do gooder, storyteller, and thought leader. I will also share how I have used these roles to create the profiles of seven Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes that can be used to develop leadership styles in blogging and social media: Creativista, Empirista, Empowerista, Enchantista, Evangelista, Flowista, and Lifestylista. To learn more about these archetypes, click here to visit my #BlogHer13 Social Media Leadership Talk Pinterest Board. I have pinned photos and a short blog post for each archetype. Happy reading!

If you are seeking additional leadership resources, check out the links below.

Hope to see you at #BlogHer13 in Chicago!

BlogHer13 Social Media Leadership – Meet Lifestylista

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, BlogHer13, Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes, LeadershipLeave a comment
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com

Calling all BlogHer 13 attendees! Be sure to check out my 30 minute talk on “What Type of Social Media Leader Are You? on July 26 and 27. During my talk, I will introduce the seven Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetypes that have helped me understand the leadership roles women play in social media. Today, I would like to introduce you to the Lifestylista, one of the Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetypes.

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com
Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

A Lifestylista is a woman who lives her life as a work of art; expresses it through her passion for beauty, entertaining, fashion, food, home décor, personal style, and travel; and inspires others to live their lives as works of art.

DSoftheyear300

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012, the women listed below were named Digital Sisters of the Year – Lifestylistas. Recognize any familiar names?

Lifestylista Manifesto Collage by Ananda Leeke
Lifestylista Manifesto Collage by Ananda Leeke

While writing my upcoming Digital Sisterhood book, I created manifesto collages to better understand each leadership archetype. Check out the Lifestylista’s key phrases.

Do any of the words resonate with you?

Are you an Lifestylista?

#BlogHer13 Social Media Leadership – Meet Evangelista

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, BlogHer13, Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes, Digital Sisterhood: Fierce Living Online for 25 YearsLeave a comment
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com

Calling all BlogHer 13 attendees! Be sure to check out my 30 minute talk on “What Type of Social Media Leader Are You? on July 26 and 27. During my talk, I will introduce the seven Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetypes that have helped me understand the leadership roles women play in social media.

Meet Evangelista, a Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetype. Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com
Meet Evangelista, a Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetype. Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

Today, I would like to introduce you to the Evangelista, one of the Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetypes. An Evangelista is a woman who supports and advocates a philosophy, a values system, a lifestyle, a cause, or a campaign that improves her life and others’ lives.

DSoftheyear300

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012, the women listed below were named Digital Sisters of the Year – Evangelistas. Recognize any familiar names?

Evangelista Manifesto collage by Ananda Leeke
Evangelista Manifesto collage by Ananda Leeke

While writing my upcoming Digital Sisterhood book, I created manifesto collages to better understand each leadership archetype. Check out the Evangelista’s key phrases.

Do any of the words resonate with you?

Are you an Evangelista?

I’m Talking About Social Media Leadership at #BlogHer13 – Meet Empirista

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, archetypes, BlogHer13, Digital Sisterhood Leadership ArchetypesLeave a comment
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com

In a few weeks, I’ll be talking about social media leadership on July 26 and July 27 at the BlogHer 13 Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “What Type of Social Media Leader Are You? is the title of my 30 minute talk. During my talk, I will introduce the seven Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetypes that have helped me understand the leadership roles women play in social media.

Meet Empirista, a Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetype. Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com
Meet Empirista, a Digital Sisterhood Leadership archetype. Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

Today, I would like to introduce you to the Empirista, a woman who thinks of herself as CEO of her own corporation, ME, Inc.; maintains an entrepreneurial mindset; and gives birth to ideas and transforms them into businesses, economies, institutions, networks, and organizations that add value to people’s lives.

DSoftheyear300

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012, the women listed below were named Digital Sisters of the Year – Empiristas. Recognize any familiar names?

Empirista collage by Ananda Leeke
Empirista collage by Ananda Leeke

While writing my upcoming Digital Sisterhood book, I created manifesto collages to better understand each leadership archetype. Check out the Empirista’s key phrases.

Do any of the words resonate with you?

Are you an Empirista?

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Posted by on in BlogHer13, Internet Geek TuesdayLeave a comment

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Guess where I am going in a few weeks?

BlogHer 13, the world’s largest women’s blogging conference.

BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com

My focus for this year’s conference is to learn about lifestyle blogging and branding so  I can improve my Ananda@16thand U: Lifestylista in Love with DC blog and expand my new media business and the Digital Sisterhood Network. To that end, I am planning to attend the Style Mini-Conference track on July 26 (right after I complete my talk on social media leadership). Check out the Style Mini-Conference session descriptions below. They feature some of my favorite bloggers and virtual mentors like “Afrobella” Patrice Yursik, Christina Brown, and Stacy Morrison.

Photo Credit: Afrobella.com
Photo Credit: Afrobella.com
Photo Credit: Afrobella.com
Photo Credit: Afrobella.com
Photo Credit: Lpvebrownsugar.com
Photo Credit: Lpvebrownsugar.com
Photo Credit: Stacy Morrison
Photo Credit: Stacy Morrison
  • 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
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 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
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.com
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.com
BlogHer.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.

Ananda’s Talk on Social Media Leadership Coming to BlogHer 2013 in July!

Posted by on in Blogher Conference, BlogHer13, Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project, Leadership, Social Media LeadershipLeave a comment
Photo Credit: BlogHer.com
Photo Credit: BlogHer.com

Happy Digital Sisterhood Wednesday!

I am really excited to share that I will be giving a talk on social media leadership at the BlogHer conference on July 26. What Type of Social Media Leader Are You? is the title  of my presentation. The presentation will give me an opportunity to share my thoughts on social media women’s leadership and to introduce the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project to a larger audience. I am so grateful to the BlogHer team for giving me a platform to share my leadership thoughts and work.

The BlogHer 13′ conference will mark my fifth year of participation. BLOGHER-WOW! It’s gonna rock! So get ready Chicago!