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Presented at PodCamp Toronto: Are You a Playboy, First Time Dater, Romantic, or Social Media Lover?

February 25, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Last week I had a brilliant idea that I wanted to present at Pod Camp Toronto on relationship building but I so did not want to do it alone so I invited two great relationship builders to join me in presenting. I invited Cammi Pham and Christine Pantazis to present, and was grateful they said yes. So we started planning things Wednesday night.

We wanted to make it fun, and interactive but we also wanted people to walk away with skills they could use every day. Well, personally I think we accomplished that. Even though we only had a small crowd in the room we were also able to share via Twitter our presentation. I am very happy to say we even trended in Toronto at 10 am on a Saturday morning. For me more important then trending though was the engaement after all we were talking about relationship building.

As part of the presentation we shared tools that help you do research on who you want to follow, engage in conversation and track your CRM.

Here are the slides from the presentation

Make sure you check out the tools that can help you build the very best relationships.

One of my major goals in all of this was to remind people what I think we all know: it is key to be continually building relationships and a few things matter when you are doing so. Being transparent, doing your research and being able to get to the handshake whether it be virtual or in person.

I also did a storify of some of the best tweets of the day:

I do need to thank Christine and Cammi for coming along on presenting! The girls did a great job and I have to thank Annie and Rosanna who took care of our twitter stream for the hour, they truly were our twitter fairies. For those that joined in this interactive hour thank you as well.

Category: Social Media / Tags: podcamp toronto, relationship building, Social Media

Monetizing Mommyhood and a Soundbite from Me

January 4, 2012 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Back in October, some of you will remember I went to Blissdom Canada, thanks to Annie Urban offering me her ticket after she was asked to speak. I had the chance while I was there, to speak with CBC’s Ira Basen about my blog, sponsorships, and working with brands. It was a cool conversation that happened as I was with Mom Central Canada applying to be on the expanded Fisher Price Mom Panel. He even got my pitch to Fisher Price on tape. I did not get selected to be a Fisher Price Mom, after all I am not the mom of a small one, but I am a ECE of many years, and many young moms do ask me what brands I use.

Well to sum it up you can tune in this Sunday to CBC Radio’s The Sunday Edition to see how it all turned out. Here’s the aperçue from the Sunday Edition web site:

There are four million mommy bloggers in North America, women sharing with other women the trials and tribulations of bringing up babies and making more and more money at the same time.

In the past decade, social media for mommies has gone from a nurturing, supportive, chat-across-the-back-fence virtual village to a massive marketing vehicle for everyone from toy companies to the makers of minivans.

On the CBC site there is even a brief promo. Thanks to Judy Gombita on Google+, here’s a list of some of the others featured in the documentary:

Postcards from the Mothership – Danielle Donders http://danigirl.ca/blog/
PhD In Parenting – Annie Urban http://www.phdinparenting.com/
5 Minutes for Mom – Janice Croze http://www.5minutesformom.com/
Common Cents Mom – Hollie Pollard http://commoncentsmom.com/
Crib Chronicles – Bonnie Stewart http://cribchronicles.com/
Mom Central Canada – Cora Brady http://www.momcentralcanada.com/
Fisher Price play panel http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/moms/
Child’s Play Communications –Stephanie Azzarone http://childsplaypr.com/
Blissdom Canada http://blissdomcanada.com/

When I saw the list of bloggers that were interviewed I am the small blog in the mix, these other women are among the goddesses of blogging Canada and if you want a new blog to read I recommend any of them and all of them.

Now the show is scheduled to start at 9:13 all depending on what is going on in the news world. So tune in and see what is said about mom and blogging and advertising. You can even stream it online.

Category: Social Media / Tags: Blissdom Canada, blogging, monetizing

Lessons from She’s Connected

October 5, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

It has been almost a week now since I have been home from She’s Connected and I wanted to share some lessons that I learned while hanging out with some pretty connected women and a few connected men too.

The Red Carpet..we all like feeling like a star if even for a minute while playing dress up. When was the last time you helped someone feel like a star? It made me think what am I doing to encourage others.

While having fun racing with Ford Canada it got me thinking about the races we are in every day. Just like in real life, there were times when I ran this race that I crashed along the way, but the most important thing was to get back on course, mistakes are forgivable, what is important is getting back in the race.

Had a great conversation with the gang the Royal Canadian Mint about coins and well since I write about saving cents this was a brand I wanted to make sure to connect with. We talked about coins, collecting, and investing. Have you ever thought of your coin collection as an investment? What about investing in a gold or silver coin? Got me thinking more about the change in my wallet and what can be done with coin.

One of my favorite talks of the 2 days was from Elisa Camahort, founder of Blogher. She shared her story, and the story of Blogher. Elisa is a wonderful story-teller, it got me thinking do I tell stories or simply try to help, and how can I tell money stories in a way that is genuine and helpful. Story telling is an art, and well all have a story inside us that should be shared. Thanks Elisa for making your first trip to Toronto for us digital women.

So from basking in the red carpet fun, to realizing mistakes on the path are ok, to making connections with brands, to learning to become a better story-teller there were many lessons to take away from She’s Connected. Many connections were made both to brands and with fellow attendees and for that I am thankful. Hope I get to see many again soon.

Category: Social Media / Tags: blogging, conference, lessons, She's Connected

How To Participate in a Twitter Chat

October 4, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 2 comments

Twitter Tree © by pandemia

If you have been around twitter awhile you know what a hashtag is ( if not the # symbol followed by words or letters that link tweets from different individuals) it is pretty easy to get involved in twitter chats and twitter parties.

A Twitter Chat is when a group of people talk on Twitter using the same hashtag to link it all together.I recently started the #cdnmoney chat and to join the conversation, you Tweet what you want and add #cdnmoney to the end of it. It is a great way to network, learn and share what you know. My purpose with this chat is to have Canadians talking money. Now there are hundereds of other chats that do go on each week and the same rules basically apply.

To Follow the Chat – Please do not use the Twitter interface itself.Twitter chats can get very busy and generate hundreds if not thousands of tweets so use an interface such as Tweetchat . You can also use Hootsuite or Tweetdeck, just make a separate column to follow the conversation.

Get a feel for the conversation. You can do so by lurking just reading what others are tweeting and when you are ready just jump into the conversation.

Use Replies Generously – Things go quite quickly in a Twitter Chat, and if someone posts something you want to comment on, they may not notice your post. Hence, you need to use the @ symbol in spades. This puts your reply in the person’s mentions bar, making it easier for them to reply.

There are a few general rules you should follow when in a twitter chat or party. The biggest rule is Don’t spam your blog/website – Now if you have just written a post on topic to the conversation going on, or have a tool that could be useful please do share those links.

Otherwise, just use good old fashioned common sense. Be polite, share, and enjoy. Now I really do hope I see you as we talk money on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 pm EST on Twitter.

Category: Social Media / Tags: #cdnmoney, Twitter, twitter chat

Everyone Matters

September 17, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 3 comments

Everyone matters!

This week was the first Canadian #140 Conference, while I didn’t get to be in the room I was able to listen and take in the conference from the playroom while taking care of the boys.

You could feel the energy in the room even when you weren’t there. They had a great list of speakers, some are even friends of mine so I was looking forward to listening in.

There were a few that personally impacted me more.

When @CocktailDeeva shared about strangers in her stream, it got me thinking about online safety and how much information I put out for the world to see.

When @KarmicEvolution shared I was taken back in time. I know what it is to be homeless and to give birth with no home but a shelter. I know what it is to be a welfare mom, and to be lonely and to reach out online. I know what is not to have a decent pillow. I know what it is to be lonely, and then to have some wondeful online friends become real friends who give a hand up.

When @TJ shared about how the internet has changed his life in a short amount of time, I couldn’t help but think of all the ways the internet has changed mine.

When @tjzmommy shared about the loss of her son, and his love of Elmo, and the fierce fundrasing she has been able to do the room was inspired as was I. It also did bring back memories though of my own loss. Our children are forever with us.

When @JeffPulver spoke at the end of the day, I think that impacted me the most as he shared his job loss, and then what happened afterwards. When he shared about mattering and that every word typed matters, it really made me think. Everyone really does matter and so does what they type, the imprint of who we are is left online. What we type today matters, everyone matters and what we leave online is our legacy.

Category: Social Media / Tags: #140ConfONT, blogging, Social Media

When Social Media Leaves You in Tears

September 7, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

Have you ever had your words twisted online, so much that it left you in tears?

Have you ever felt under attack because of something you posted online, whether it be a Facebook update, a post, or a tweet?

I have.

Literally now more than once now, I sat at my computer in tears.

So many times words, inside jokes, something meant in jest can be taken and made into something it is not.

So how do you handle it, when your words get twisted?

Here is how I handle it:

1. First I breathe and let the tears flow. Sometimes I have even been known to go take a hot shower, a walk, or make a cup of tea.

2. I don’t get defensive, and if it came across and was misinterpreted I apologize quickly and get my real point across as quickly as I can. Words are easy to twist. The emotion and intent behind the words are not always at the surface, unless you know the writer very well.

3. Sometimes I realize it is okay to take a break away from Social Media, in fact on this blog I have taken long extended breaks when I needed to step back, look after stuff that really mattered to me and then was able to give back in the blogosphere.

4. Surround yourself with real people who know you both on and offline, so when you say something, they know how you meant it, and know your heart. They can be great friends and supports especially when you feel already bad enough.

5. Remind yourself to think twice about what you tweet, update, or post as how you say it, that joke, or tease, may seem hurtful to some and those harsh words of criticism they too can leave someone in tears.

These are the ways I get through those moments when people think I am rude, unkind or even worse, because if you know me well you know my heart and intent is never to be unkind, because in my opinion kindness, consideration, thoughtfullness all matter. Just sometimes it needs to be applied a little more. How do you get through them?

Category: Social Media / Tags: conversations, kindness, Social Media

The Road to Bliss and Blissdom Canada

September 2, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Me at Blissdom Canada 2010 with Catherine Connors

I had a dream that I actually got to Blissdom Canada and actually got on stage and sang during the final costume party…well that can’t happen if I don’t get a ticket.

My road to Blissdom Canada 2011 began last year before Blissdom Canada. I was on the wait list last year too, but I got lucky and got one of the very last tickets sold but then I had an employer who said NO.

So instead of using that ticket last year I sold it to another blogger who got to go and I know she had a blast.

Now I did get to go to the final event of Blissdom Canada last year.I got to the party and let me tell you those girls know how to throw a bash. It was party time central and I could tell the women there had an amazing time, and even with only a few hours with all these great women in the room, this mom did some networking. Because we know we want to meet the faces behind the blogs we read. I know for me I was thrilled to finally meet Erica, Catherine, Allyson, Laura, Tanis and so many other wonderful women that night.

So becaue I didnt get to go last year and really get the most out of it I planned for this year. I set a budget, I even got roommates, and even blogged how you could do Blissdom Canada frugally.

Then a speed bump happened…Blissdom Canada sold out in 90 minutes! Leaving the frugal planner without a ticket.

Then another thing happened I had been training to do a half marathon —guess when? Blissdom Weekend. So I thought since my good friend and blogger Wendy cant go Friday I will be her for the day (SH!–don’t tell), and then rest Sat and be prepared to do my best in the half..but then because of some medical stuff going on the doctor has said no half for me, so that leaves me really wanting to go and experience all of Blissdom.

I even helped some newbies out who are going for the first time with this post . You see I am a team player and I like to help, heck that is what this blog is all about.

So that leaves me at the mercy of the contesting Gods as I have also entered the Go Girlfriend contest for a ticket by writing this post about the great host city of Toronto.

Now for the hopefully last stop on the road before my arrival at Blissdom Canada –the wonderful One to One Network‘s contest for a ticket and even a night’s stay as I am a member of thier site. If you are not first of all let me give them a plug. JOIN now! If you are a blogger do check out thier great material in the Learning Resource area. It really is a wonderful resource for us bloggers.

They said to write about why you wanted to go..so I thought about it, even asked the same question on Twitter. What value comes from a blogging conference, especially this one.

So here are my reasons:

Last year I met my online friends, I really WANT to hang with this amazing network of wonderful women, I want to get to know them more and guess what this year there are others to meet for the very first time and I am excited about that.
I want to take my blog to the next level so I need to learn. I want to grow as a blogger.
I want to have fun while learning and networking.
I want to be a good hostess, after all this is my city.
I want time away from the day to day grind to be taken to the magical land that is bliss. That land for me is a room full of smart, sassy, fun women who I share the blogosphere with.

I can go on and on but let me just say this I want some BLISS! I need some bliss! and if I win this contest I will come with a bliss Tattoo…yes a BLISS TAT! so if you want to see that..tweet this post and say “Let’s send @commoncentsmom to #BlissdomCanada so she can have some bliss and an adventure to boot!”

Category: Social Media / Tags: #BlissdomCanada, Blissdon Canada, blogging, networking, One to One network

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