There are big things happening with the BlogPaws Social Learning Community! In our latest blog post, we announced there’s a brand new platform coming that will enhance our private membership community with the ability to offer year-round educational courses. For those coming to the conference, we are pulling back the curtain to show you a firsthand sneak peek of the new community platform. Be one of the first to see the new community and get the chance to provide your feedback before we go live this summer!
Katie Myers, CEO of CR Conversations is an expert communication strategist. In this exclusive presentation she will provide you with the strategies you need to help make an impact at BlogPaws 2016!
In this presentation you can expect:
Each step of this strategy comes with immediate action items to implement that day! You will be fueled with the knowledge and empowered with the system to make impactful connections that turn in to lasting relationships.
OFFER*: To get you started you will also be given a $100 discount to CR Conversations’ Virtual Training class on their proven 8 Touch Follow-Up Strategy! This course is normally $197 and is accessible to participants for $97. Also included in your purchase will be a follow-up starter kit to be delivered post or day-of presentation depending on purchase.
Use coupon code: BLOGPAWS16
Want to get a leg up on the competition? Visit CR Conversations’ site to purchase your Virtual Training today: http://crconversations.com/preorder/
*There is no purchase necessary to attend the session. BlogPaws wants to offer each sponsor value information to help make the most of your time at the BlogPaws 2016 Conference! Plus, we will have a surprise give away or two for sponsors in attendance!
The workshop will include the following topics:
-what is crowdfunding and why you should get involved,
-4 types of crowdfunding projects,
-problems and opportunities,
-the industry landscape,
-crowdfunding for non-profits/pet organizations,
-how to succeed in crowdfunding.
All workshop attendees will receive a link to the free ebook "Crowdfunding for Animals".
This 3-hour workshop will take an in-depth look at the legal issues related to blogging and social media – particularly copyright, fair use, and the federal rules that apply to promotions and reviews. We will also discuss the First Amendment, privacy, trademark, and the rules of thumb the lawyer uses in regards to her online activities.
The goal of this workshop is to provide real-world explanations of legal issues with tips and practical tools in the realm of blogging, vlogging, and social media with significant time dedicated to discussing questions from the audience.
(Mainstream Publishing says…) CAT LOVERS DON’T READ BOOKS! presented by NYT bestselling author Gwen Cooper. The path from success in blogging or self-publishing to success in traditional publishing has become narrower in recent years, leaving the substantive cat writer with more hurdles to overcome in trying to write a book that Barnes & Noble might someday carry. We’ll explore various methods for overcoming objections and achieving publication in this session.
Well after the publication of New York Times bestselling titles including “Dewey the Small-Town Library Cat,” “A Street Cat Named Bob,” and “Homer’s Odyssey,” (my own book), there is a general perception within the mainstream publishing industry that, while dogs have richer emotional connections with humans and therefore warrant book-length consideration, cats belong strictly within the realm of viral videos, funny photos, calendars, and the occasional novelty or photo book. Dogs are friends and cats are comedians–or the companions of lonely “misfits”–the thinking goes, and are therefore less appropriate fare for the deeper, more thoughtful consideration routinely accorded dogs (and other companion animals) in print. No fewer than five articles have appeared in the last three years alone in outlets including Slate.com, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times online, arguing that no memoir or legitimate novel with a cat at its center could achieve mainstream success–despite the existence of several books (including those named above) that had already done just that well before these articles were written.
We’ll cover how to construct a compelling, “publisher-savvy” narrative; best practices for writing proposals that will engage literary agents and publishing-house editors; and utilizing social media and hands-on/in-person involvement in the larger cat community in order to establish the kind of compelling platform that will make publishers take notice.
Shout About It! Publicity, Marketing & PR Books, Blogs & Causes presented by veteran agency owner, Goodnewsforpets.com publisher and longtime CWA member Lea-Ann Germinder.
The mainstream publishing industry and journalism profession have changed dramatically -- and the public relations profession has changed right along with them. You need to work harder than ever to be heard, but there are so many more opportunities!
The news hook or “pitch” is the key to gaining publicity and through this session, you’ll learn ways to make your story interesting to other journalists, bloggers and writers.
We’ll cover the latest stats and facts on what works with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat – what will be next, and how to find the time to manage it all.
Finally, we’ll put it all together by discussing the latest techniques big brands are using to develop a complete campaign– how combining effective traditional media techniques with social media content gains the most attention – and what can work for writers who want to Shout About Their Work!
Click here to register
Lonnie Hull DuPont is Executive Editor for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This publisher publishes mostly Christian-based books, but Revell division also publishes books for the general market. Revell publishes at least once a year a new book that is pet-themed, and DuPont wants to hear pitches for such books. These books are for adults but are not unsuitable for younger readers. Note that Revell does not publish gift or art books. Would consider fiction -- cozy mysteries with cats or other adult novels with animals as a side character.
How Will You Spend Your 168? Time & Goal Management Tips For the Overwhelmed
In this goal management and procrastination-busting session we will uncover ways to squeeze the most of the 168 hours we have in a week. I believe that you cannot “manage” time because we all have the same amount of it. What you can manage is:
1. Your to-do list
2. Your approach to task management
3. The method by which you set goals
4. Management of the minutes/hours you spend on social media
5. Your blogging process
You’ll walk away from this session with:
1. A better way to approach your to-do list
2. Ways to plan your day to achieve the highest level of productivity
3. You’ll determine your procrastination style
4. An understanding of why multi-tasking kills your productivity
5. A way to tackle social media in 15-minutes or fewer a day
6. Tips that will help you blog more effectively and efficiently
7. Understanding the power of the timer
One lucky attendee will receive a 30-minute Conquering The Overwhelm Goal Management Strategy Session.
Dr. Marty Becker (moderator): Veterinary visits are down, particularly for cats. Luckily, there is not only an answer to declining veterinary visits but a way to ensure that pet owners think of veterinarians as the true pet health expert and, moreover, say yes to our professional recommendations: Fear Free veterinary visits. Simply put, you just have to take a pet’s emotional well-being in one hand and physical well-being in the other. Learn how to help YOUR cat, dog, ferret, bunny, significant “furry wonder” take the “fear” out of proper care.
Denise Fleck: Having taught 10,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills, Denise will help you rescue Rover or help Fluffy feel better BEFORE you can get to veterinary care, but will also provide tips, techniques and tools to help your pet become more comfortable around his second best friend...his veterinarian! Sunny-dog Ink and the Pet Safety Crusader (TM) help you keep it “fear free” for your pet's sake.
Dr. Elizabeth Colleran: Cats still have three out of four feet firmly planted in their wild origins. The New Cat Science explains who cats are, how they experience the world, how they think and why they act the way they do to bust common misunderstandings/misconceptions when it comes to cats and their health.
In Visibility, Reach, Revenues you'll learn one of the most powerful, yet most underutilized, strategies around. Not only will you position your expertise, you'll increase your list size with qualified leads and you'll set yourself up for higher conversion rates equating to great revenues and higher profit margins.
Regardless of whether you have a brick and mortar business or you are 100% online based, this session will be a game changer in your understanding of how quickly you can be viewed as an absolute thought leader while gaining greater market reach in front of your "sweet spot" clients.
Online business strategist, Kathleen Gage, has a proven track record for high return online marketing strategies. When you join in on Visibility, Reach, Revenues you'll have an experience like none other.
You're a knowledgeable, passionate individual with a powerful, important message. Now you just need to ensure your message reaches the right people. Learn the power behind narrowing your niche and how it strengthens your audience, establishes yourself as an expert, and helps you create viral posts. Join us for informative handouts, brainstorming, and tip to take your blog to the next level.
Helping pet entrepreneurs and bloggers learn language to diffuse disagreement, listen effectively and keep clients and followers as raving fans.... even if you disagree!!
What is your ecosystem? Leveraging networks, influencers and companies to get the word out about your blog
In today's world, there are so many people writing great content that some days it feels like you are a tiny squeak in a roaring crowd. How do you get the right people to pay attention to your message? How do you decide where to speak, where to hang out online, and where to affiliate in order to find readers, fans and customers? In this keynote, Pamela Slim will share her ecosystem model that will allow your powerful voice to be heard.
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Pamela Slim is an award-winning author, speaker and business consultant who has been an entrepreneur for eighteen years. Her passion for career and organizational development spans many different work modes and client engagements.
A former Director of Training and Development at Barclays Global Investors in San Francisco, she spent the first 10 years of her business as a consultant to large companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Charles Schwab and Cisco Systems, where she worked with thousands of executives, managers and employees.
In the last eleven years, she helped hundreds of people to start and grow successful businesses. She built a powerful online presence at Escape from Cubicle Nation, a site designed for corporate employees who wanted to make the shift to entrepreneur. At Escape, Pam developed and taught business building courses for thousands of entrepreneurs. She has worked with companies serving the small business market such as Infusionsoft, Office Depot and Citrix.
“Having worked with people in just about every work environment — from huge corporations to non-profits, to startups — the one thing I know for sure is that everyone wants to do meaningful work that brings out their very best contribution to the world, and fits their personal definition of success.”
Slim is frequently quoted as a business expert in press such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Information Week, Money Magazine and Psychology Today.
Pam has an ongoing partnership with bestselling author Susan Cain and Quiet Revolution LLC, where she is helping to build the Quiet Leadership Institute, which helps organizations empower introverts to draw on their natural strengths, for the benefit of us all.
Pam is a passionate martial artist who practiced the Afro-Brazilian Capoeira for 11 years in San Francisco, where she was Executive Director of Omulu Capoeira Group, a non-profit martial arts organization. She studied Mixed Martial Arts with Edward Kelly Fiori in Arizona, receiving her black belt in July, 2013.
She is a proud mom in Mesa, AZ. Her family is her anchor, her joy and her fuel for doing important work in the world.
Do you have a brand or an idea for a product that you're looking to market? Etsy is the perfect platform for entrepreneurs to connect with buyers. Learn basic shop set up, how to create listings that get noticed, optimal keyword strategies, product pricing, marketing, and even time management skills to allow you to add one more thing to your plate. Start out right and turn a profit faster!
SUSAN C. WILLETT (Blogger & Moderator): Create engaging content, break through the clutter, target your audience, and keep them coming back for more
Lisa Begin-Kruysman (Author of fiction/nonfiction): Writing the winning synopsis and proposal to attract the “query weary” agent and/or publisher
Lonnie Hull DuPont (Executive Editor of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
Patricia Fry (Author 54 books): Psychology of the book proposal
Lynn Thompson (Thompson Writing & Editing): The marketing jigsaw puzzle: fitting the pieces together into a picture of success
New to blogging? Want to start making money with your blog? Learn the inside scoop on how to get the cash flowing! We'll be covering information such as key concepts for creating a successful blog, how to start getting sponsored post opportunities, photography tips and income possibilities. Find out everything a blogger needs to know to go from starting out to cashing out!
Is your blog irresistible? Are you attracting the right audience? Content will always be king but looks matter online. Now, more than ever. You only have a few seconds to attract readers when they visit your blog. In this session, learn how to create an “irresistible” brand that keeps readers (and brands!) coming back for more!
NOTE: Lisa Illman, who was originally scheduled to present this session had to bow out due to medical issues. She is okay and we wish her a speedy recovery! Monique Rodriguez was very kind to step in and take this session over! You will still receive the learning and education you expected!
You’ve probably heard of Periscope and maybe even used Facebook Live stream by now. Are you curious about the business value of live-streaming apps? Live streaming is all the rage now and continues to pick up speed. They let users broadcast live video from their mobile phones directly to social media, which can be a great way to promote your personal or corporate brand to increase reach and exposure.
This session will give bloggers, business owners, and even the average pet parent insights into how to these live-streaming apps work and how they are changing the social media landscape.
This session is targeted at content creators and content marketers looking to leverage these apps for business and brand building.
Takeaways:
Don’t get caught in the “one and done” trap! Create powerful blog content that grows your traffic, and find ways to repurpose that content across social channels. Join us to learn hacks and tactics that increase your social presence by using your blog content as the foundation of your strategy.
A hands-on demonstration teaching shooting and editing techniques, followed-up by discussion on using a script and researching positive pet stories. Take aways will include how to broadcast video on your blog and build your audiences. How to pitch for local television news.
Join the Cat Writers' Association for a mix 'n mingle at 7:30. The banquet will begin at 8:15 (so those of you pawtying at Pawject Runway don't have to leave early).
Each year, the Cat Writers’ Association honors the best cat work of the year, recognizing the finalists and winners of the prestigious Muse Medallion™ and corporate awards (this year in excess of $11,000) at a gala Awards Banquet celebration traditionally held during our annual Writers Conference. Sponsors will be in attendance to present awards and meet-and-greet attendees.
Since cats are so concerned about their grooming and appearance, banquet attendees often dress to the nines (lives.) Black tie is in no way required, but as they used to say, “If you got ‘em, wear ‘em.” Bling is encouraged, and in the case of our officers, expected. The Friday night Cat Writers' Association Awards Banquet is ticketed separately.
UPDATE: Banquet tickets are FREE to all nominees and to other CWA & BlogPaws conference attendees on a first come, first serve basis! Once the free tickets run out, you can purchase a deeply discounted ticket at $45/ticket. Register for your free tickets here: http://catwriters.com/wp_meow/cwa-registration/
Curious (as a cat!) about Cat Writers' Association? Grab your breakfast and join the furry throng at our annual CWA Meeting. It's an informal gathering where our new slate of officers is elected, association business discussed, suggestions made and questions answered. Everyone's welcome!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
If you have indicated on your sched you would like to attend this session, you still need to register and pay, it's not automatic.
THIS SESSION WILL HAVE LIMITED SEATING AND A COST OF $25 PER PERSON
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Due to OVERWHELMING INTEREST in this WORKSHOP, we have opened it up to 10 more registrations. Once we achieve the final 10, registration will be closed!
Creating a blog and actually getting it read by your target audience are two different, very important things.
Do you ever wonder if your hard work is paying off? Understanding analytics and what makes your blog attractive and findable should be of high priority.
When you do reach people, what are you saying? Bill and Steve will talk content, how to develop ideas, and how to use credible sources. But what if you just don’t feel like writing, or you’re “blocked?” They have solutions that they are eager to share, along with a few laughs, during this workshop.
As a bonus, Bill and Steve will delve into how to expand your Blog using traditional media, as well as various social media platforms.
This session is bound to be packed and tons of fun!
Bio- Ryan Carter is the founder and CEO of the digital marketing agency, Parachute Media, and the internet famous, Camping With Dogs lifestyle brand. Ryan blends his passion for studying human behavior with practical strategies for building online communities. He lives in Nashville with his wife Stephanie and two dogs, Cooper and Bailey.
Understanding Human Behavior and How it Relates to Rescues -20min Understanding how social media has influenced human behavior and to use data to predict behavior and capitalize on influence.
Social Strategy for Rescues - 30min Learn how to make your social media platforms work together instead of independently of each other.
10 min break - Questions
Building a Rescue Brand in Social – 50 min Learn how to turn your passion into a revenue generating brand.
10 min break - Questions
Ad Buys for Rescues – 50 min - Learn how to optimize and maximize your ad spend on social media, even when you don't have $$ to spend.
Closing Remarks and Questions
After you labor over your blog posts crafting every word carefully would you like to add impactful photographs? You can! In Monique’s class you will learn simple yet effective tips and techniques for photographing with a phone, compact camera, or a DSLR. Want to know some secret ninja tips for working with pets, finding the right light, or creating a makeshift studio? How about easy apps for post processing? Have your notebooks ready, Monique is a fast talker and wants to share all of her expertise!
Monique will also discuss her heart-work photographing animals at shelters and rescues and how you can make a difference too.
Time permitting we will have a live photoshoot incorporating everything she taught and showcasing her easy portable DIY studio set-up.
Does content marketing feel like a never-ending slog? Maybe — just maybe — it's because you're overdoing it.
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In this presentation, Pamela Wilson from the Copyblogger blog will show you how to aim for one strong post every week.
She'll spell out a technique you can use to make this schedule easy to meet.
And she'll show you how to ensure you've created a high-quality, effective post like the kind Copyblogger produces every Monday through Friday.
PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION WILL OPEN FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION ON JUNE 8 AT NOON E.S.T.
Click here to register
Learning doesn't stop with the conference! BlogPaws is developing a new community platform that will enhance your BlogPaws member experience and offer year-round educational courses with content for bloggers and influencers.
Meet one on one with our Director of Education, Aimee Beltran, to learn more about the SLC. This is your chance to ask questions and to provide feedback on the type of educational content you’d like to see in the future.
PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION WILL OPEN FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION ON JUNE 8 AT NOON E.S.T.
Click here to register
ELLEN PRICE has worked for Pet Sitters International for 15+ years as editor of the Pet Sitters WORLD and as academic manager. PSI is the international membership association for more than 7,000 pet-sitting businesses. She previously worked in sports marketing for the San Antonio Express News and in the livestock publication industry. She will take pitches to write for Pet Sitters WORLD and guest blogs for PSI.
PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION WILL OPEN FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION ON JUNE 8 AT NOON E.S.T.
Click here to register
Bring your legal issues and questions related to blogging and social media for real-time answers. (Disclaimer: These are information meetings, no attorney-client relationship is created.)
PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION WILL OPEN FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION ON JUNE 8 AT NOON E.S.T.
Click here to register
This session is for those who are wanting to get expert advice on taking their blogging efforts from online to offline, getting the most out of attending BlogPaws by gaining an understanding of best follow-up practices and/or learning about the art of customer experience and customer retention.