Digital Parents Unplugged: A Night For Bloggers, PR and Brand Relationships
I love love love blogging.
I love spending my days writing about things I love and living with the exquisite freedom that is born from that.
I love learning so much about blogging from others and having the opportunity to pass that knowledge along to others at the same time.
It’s funny, but when I talk to my mother about sharing what I know with other bloggers she always says to me,
“Do you really want to do that? They may steal your info and try to cut your grass.”
and to which I always reply,
“No mum. There is plenty of room at the top. we are all here to help one another. In helping others to learn what I know it can only help me in the long run as well.”
I’m a sharer and I believe in co-operation above competition (although I do love a healthy competitive sporting match).
The other thing I love about blogging is the community;it’s a community of like minded people who are fun and friendly.
Digital Parents Unplugged was an opportunity for me to share what I have learned about blogging from my own generous mentors, to learn from many other seasoned bloggers and PR reps, and a chance to meet so many wonderful bloggers.
Before I even arrived at the event, I met with Lina from Mothers Letters who I have been fan of for awhile and have chatted with over the phone and the online world. I was so happy for her to meet Craig and my two beautiful girls as well.
Digital Parents Unplugged was the first of its kind held in Kings Cross Kit and Kaboodle Supper Club on Friday night. Hosted by the lovely Brenda Gaddi from Digital Parents, it was an opportunity for PR reps to meet with bloggers to learn how we can develop better blogger brand relationships.
I was invited to speak on the panel which I as so excited about, along with Nic from Planning with Kids and Lizz from Frills in the Hills, both two seasoned bloggers whose opinions and thoughts I really respect.
I was incredibly nervous when I first walked in and saw all the chairs lined up. Brenda bounded up with a giant hug and a hug box of goodies that included champagne and chocolates provided by Nuffnang Australia. Hey! I could really get used to this.
Love this box of goodies
A glass of chardy soon calmed my nerves and we jumped straight into it with a speed dating session meeting the PR reps in the room. I found this to be a fantastic ice breaker and a powerful way to start building those relationships.
I will write a post on many of the ideas and points that were raised during the event. It was really worthwhile to hear questions and points made by the PR reps and by the other bloggers in the room. I am really excited as I think, no matter what side of the relationship we sit on, all of us want to really make these relationships valuable and worthwhile for all.
It is an exciting time in Australia for bloggers and brands and I think we are moving in the right direction. More talk like this has to happen between us all so that we can make it the best win win win situation.
I was so excited to be a part of it. It was a first time for me to be speaking at an event like that and I hope I was able to provide some valuable thoughts and ideas. I spent the whole day yesterday thinking of all the things I forgot to say and how I could have done better. I’m so happy I had the opportunity to learn from my fellow panelists. Its all a work in progress.
Once the event was over, it was party time. A few glasses of red wine helped make me feel a more relaxed Mumma than I have in awhile. Lucky I had expressed a whole evenings worth of milk so I could let my hair down all the way to 10pm.
I had the happy glow in the cab on the way home, driving past Woolloomooloo and the bustling streets of the city, chatting with my cab driver about what a fantastic city Sydney was.
About a block away from our hotel, I received a text from Craig
“Will you be much longer? Kalyra misses you.”
Lucky for him I was almost home otherwise I would have sent a message back
“Remember New Zealand. See you in a few hours.”
Comments
Christine
Love the community aspect…and love the text you almost sent to Craig! You definitely deserved a night out after the last few weeks! 🙂
Caz
Yes! Would have loved to have sent him that text. I told him it when I got home though! MEN!!!
kirri
Sounds like a lot of fun and valuable sharing…hope to catch up with you sometimes – maybe DPCON12? Loved the cheeky end to this post 🙂
Caz
If I am going to be in the country Kirri then I will be going to DPCON12. Would so love to meet you!
I think Craig realized how much he can’t live without me on Friday night 🙂 he he
Tahlia @ the parenting files
Congrats 🙂 what a great opportunity and a great evening. And what a night to spend out away from the kids and a little time out 🙂
Caz
It felt very weird to be walking out the door with just me. Very nice though!!
Brenda
Thank you Caz! I’m glad you had awesome time.x
Caz
thank you Brenda! It was a fab night. Can’t wait for more like it
katepickle
Yes! Blogging is about sharing and community! I love that you get this… and that you were able to share your knowledge with everyone. I only wish I was there to hear you speak!
Caz
The community aspect of blogging is just so amazing. I can’t believe how many incredible people I have met over the past year, and they all feel like old friends. Wouldn’t trade it for anything!!
Fee @Oh Gorgeous Baby
Sounds like a great night, sad I missed it but there has just been so much happening at the moment I couldn’t get to Sydney. Hopefully Brenda will host a night like this in Melbourne soon? I hope you enjoyed your night out!
Caz
Thanks Fee! I reckon she’ll have one in Melbourne. I think blogging is really picking up so much in Oz now that there will be plenty of events to come like this one
Andrea
Hahaha – you tell him =) I so miss Aussie word shortenings for food and bev, like “chardy”! But I digress…this sounds like a great event. I really miss and enjoy live digital get togethers. Look forward to hearing what brand-blog partnerships grow from it!
Caz
Hoepfully we can have a chardy together somewhere in the world one day!
MummyK
It was great to meet you, I kinda expected you to be like hippy mother for some reason 🙂 Great answers and views too!
Caz
My friends used to always refer to me as their hippy friend. She’s still buried down underneath me somewhere. I think I haven’t had time for her to come otu lately!