Nothing makes a blog reader feel less comfortable than when a blogger starts talking money, it’s a sure way to lose readers. It’s only taken me a few years to figure this out. So I figured I would talk money on the weekends when most readers are off busy with families, friends and fun.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing big but I am sure you have noticed the gradual changes around here, there is some advertising but it’s pretty limited. I do have the occasional sponsored post and thanks to making the Babble list of mom bloggers, my in-box has seen a dramatic increase in folks offering items, so I am toying with the idea of doing the occasional giveaway. By and large though this blog remains a labor of love, something I simply enjoy doing.
That said I have been toying with the idea of trying to attend a few conferences this year, rather one conference and one retreat. In the social media landscape there are so many conferences (how does anyone afford them all) that after much thought, it seems if I am only going to shoot for one, it may as well be the big one, Blog Her 12. For starters, it’s being held in New York City this year which is pretty accessible even from Maine. I can take a couple of cheap buses and in less than 7 hours be there.
The retreat, I am looking at is Squam, which I have heard nothing but good things about and since it’s being held in neighboring New Hampshire, it too is accessible.
Now many bloggers look at sponsors to cover their conference costs, but I just don’t see myself as being terribly attractive to such folks and after watching this movie, I fear I would be stuck at a conference in a suit laden with patches from my corporate pimp. Not a look I really dig on.
So dear reader, while I have kept the paypal link on the site, rather than using it as a general tip jar, it is now the conference fund. If you like what you read, and have a few spare coins, it would be much appreciated if you can make a donation to the conference fund. Blog Her is $598 for registration and $229 a night for the hotel, making the total cost close to $1300. Squam is $1200. While I am finally almost back on solid financial footing, I admit it would be hard for me to absorb the cost of both of these conferences, so that’s where your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
As always, there is never any pressure since I know all too well how tight dollars are in these tough times.
