WOW! Is how I was made to feel at #LetsGoRama at @CasinoRamaLive

They said "LetsGoRama"

I said "I'd love to!"

You're invited ...
I was lucky enough to received an invite from SJ Consulting to the #LetsGoRama Retreat held at the Casino Rama Resort in Orillia, Ontario. I had heard good things about both the resort and the shows hosted there, so I was excited for the opportunity check it out for myself. Located just under 2 hours from Toronto and 5 hours from Ottawa it's ideal for a getaway.

You know what they say about making assumptions ...
I'll admit not being much of a gamer I had never really considered a Casino as a vacation destination. I was wrong in making that assumption. Turns out it's a perfect destination for a retreat, couples getaway, girls weekend, family vacation or to hold an event. 

Bonding with my "Evil Offspring" ...
With two kids that are of legal age to drink and go into the casino or attend a show, it's a great destination for some Mother and Son bonding time! (I suppose Hubby can come too!). The free Wi-Fi and food options don't hurt one bit either. With Thing 2 headed off to university, and Thing 1 busy with college it would be a perfect reading week getaway to reconnect with my kids! 

Think, think, think ...
I'm trying to think if there was even one moment when I felt a staff member's service wasn't outstanding and welcoming. I can think of none. The surroundings and the rooms were beautiful. But in my opinion that should go without saying at a luxury resort. What is not guaranteed even at a luxury resort, is an experience and feeling that goes beyond just being polite and efficient. Everyone was just so darn nice, and appeared to not only enjoy their job, but actually care about my stay and experience. You could see the pride they took in their work and the resort, and they were happy to be there. 

A sweet Suite for me ...
All the rooms at Casino Rama are suites. My suite was beautiful and spacious and perfectly designed for "me time" with a flat screen TV, Cable, Movies on Demand and a cozy sitting area with fireplace. The bathroom was truly beautiful, but more important the bed was so comfortable. I felt like Goldilocks who had just found the bed that was just right. After long days of engaging, connecting and learning at #LetGoRama a good night's sleep left me refreshed and ready for the next day. 
I took advantage of the option of having a fridge delivered to my room, a feature I love, and was happy to see Casino Rama had free Wi-Fi. Since it's a must for a blogger, and mother of teens, it's something I specifically look for when booking a hotel or resort. 

What to do? What to do? ...
There is plenty to keep everyone well fed and entertained at Casino Rama.
Everyone's gotta eat ...
You have 8 Restaurants and Room Service to choose from. I'm stilling dreaming of the Tacos from St Germain's. Be sure to ask about how it got it's name when you're there. The buffet at the Couchiching Court Buffet was delicious with lots of variety and options. I was busy focusing on perogies but heard from several attendees that the Mac & Cheese was to die for! Lunch at the Simcoe Yard House was truly outstanding! And the catered meals were both delicious and beautifully presented works of art. 

Pool and Spa time: A-U-M ...
The Balance in Life Spa offers a full range of services, treatments and packages to relax the mind body and soul. I saw many beautiful post-spa toes, and truly regret not booking myself a pedicure or a relaxation massage. It will be top of my list on my next visit, because I'm Worth It! Next to the spa you'll find a pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym, and a truly lovely outdoor roof-top patio.

Not a bad seat in the house ...
Casino Rama's Entertainment Centre hosts a variety of events and live shows year round. I had the privilege of a behind the scenes tour of the Entertainment Centre, and was delighted to discover there really isn't a bad seat in the house. Back stage and in the dressing rooms the walls are covered with photos of iconic entertainers who've performed at Casino Rama. I was truly blown away by all those who have taken centre stage, I had no idea, and this year's line-up is impressive! 

Art here and there and everywhere ...
Everywhere you go in the resort you will encounter art that tells the story and proud heritage of the Rama First Nation. A walk-about to take in all the beauty is a must, and be sure to look up!

My sense of WOW ...

Each day my sense of WOW increased. I waited for something or someone to taint the experience. No matter where I went or who I interacted with, from the front desk to the cashier on the casino floor the service was outstanding. I look forward to my next visit, and I can assure you there will be a next time! Thanks so much for the invite Julie and Stacey and to Casino Rama for my fabulous accommodations! 

Yep just me Cathy thinking out loud about WOW. 

Note: I was invited by SJ Consulting to attend #LetsGORama Retreat at Casino Rama Resort free of cost. My sense of WOW and all opinions are my own. 

I had the chance to visit to @TwitterCanada Ain't that a sweet tweet treat!

First Things First: 

My street cred with my teens increases substantially when I casually dropped: "I'm going for a tour and Q & A session at Twitter Canada tomorrow, cause I'm cool like that".  

Recently I was lucky enough to be included in a small group to both tour Twitter Canada, and participate in a Q & A session with their Communication Lead. (thanks for the invite Julie!) This fabulous group was diverse in age, background, experience, interests, and domiciles. 

After a little pillow talk about the tweet swag at Twitter Canada, giving up on my "Free the Blue Birds" campaign to release a flock via my purse, and saying howdie to my pal Justin, Julie, Garrett, Christine, Chantel and I settled in for over an hour of talking twitter. The conversation was allowed to flow very organically resulting in shared insights about how we use twitter, what we love, what we would love, how twitter has evolved, issues we've experienced, and social media in general. Our discussion ranged from hashtags, hashtag hi-jacking, ease of following conversation threads, twitter parties and chats, engagement, reach, marketing, brands, speed of information sharing, trolls, twitter cards, twitter stickers, and video to name a few.

It's always interesting to see something from the other side and gain understanding why things are done certain ways, or the thought process behind changes or certain directions taken. This visit opened up an opportunity not only to share and hear others' experiences and perspectives, but also to have a voice to those at Twitter Canada. They certainly appeared to be receptive to hearing what we had to share, and in the spirit of twitter have a two-way dialogue. 

Although no secrets or specifics about the future of twitter were revealed, I did get a chance to see the people and faces behind Twitter Canada. Meeting IRL (in real life) always changes the dynamics of an on-line relationship and future interactions, and IMHO (in my humble opinion) that's a good thing.

Now if we could return to the topic of my swagger, Twitter Canada feel free to "swag her" (and by her I mean me) anytime! Thanks for the visit. Until we tweet again! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Twitter Canada.

Group Blog Hug: (GTONGE1, Sober Julie, Life on Manitoulin, it's_pinkie, Cathy Thinking Out Loud)

Note: I was not compensated for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers. All opinions are my own.

Bloggers, #Blogging, and Canadian #Taxes: #WorthTheRead #BloggerIssues

There are many challenges and learning curves when it comes to blogging. One such area is understanding the tax implications your blog and blogging may have.

I love reading interesting and informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing and blogging. My Worth the Read posts are my way of sharing my take on a given topic, and at the same time linking a few related posts or articles I think are worth taking the time to read and ponder.

This week's topic is Blogs, Bloggers, Blogging and Canadian Taxes.

Free isn't really free, or so says the tax man
Yes I know tax season just ended but I realized while doing my taxes there are many things to I need to learn. After almost 3 years into my blogging adventure I still feel like a newbie when it comes to so many aspects of blogging, including the related taxes. I don't generate much income from my blog, but what I do make has the potential to impact not only my taxes, but also my spouse's taxes. So no time like the present to start to understand what I can and cannot claim as an expenses, what it considered taxable income, the tax implications of accepting sponsored posts or product for review, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I'm guessing there are many atceteras involved.  

My journey for tax knowledge and enlightenment...
Where does a blogger start on their journey for knowledge and enlightenment? With other bloggers of course, especially bloggers with a background in Canadian finance and accounting. Turns out what I thought would be an hour or so of leisurely tax reading, turned into an entire day of reading, note taking, bookmarking and clinking through to related posts. Although I'm hardly an expert, I definitely feel I have a better handle on blogging, income, expenses, deductions, taxes and filing a Canadian tax return with blog income. 

8 things I have learned about blogging and taxes from the posts I've linked below:

• READ THE POSTS BELOW! Well finish reading my post first, but then go directly to the posts. Do Not Pass Go and Do Not Collect $200. And if you do, claim it as income!
• Get yourself a system ... Now! Don't wait and try to backtrack a year's worth of invoices and receipts at tax time. It doesn't need to be complicated, but it needs to be complete and consistent. Track, document, copy and organize everything as you go. 
• Read the posts below so you understand what is considered income AND report it all.
• Read the posts below so you understand what are expenses, what you can claim, and how they need to be claimed. There are categories people! 
• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for bloggers is 711513
• Get to know the Canada Revenue Agency - T4002  Business and Professional Income Guide & T2125 Statement of Business or Professional Activities.
• Don't assume you understand terms and classifications. If you're not sure check in the posts, guides or call CRA. (I'm working on putting together a basic glossary of terms I came across related to blogs and taxes ... stay tuned) 
• There are lots of tools and resources out there to help track and organize your bookkeeping, records, and understand the ins and outs of taxes and your blog. So you really have no excuse. 

Below are some excellent posts about Blogging and Canadian Taxes that are definitely worth the read:

• Tax Time: Book Keeping for the Canadian Blogger via Food Bloggers of Canada
• How to declare your income and expenses as a blogger (Canada) via Save, Spend, Splurge
• Accounting for Bloggers: Filing Your Taxes (Sole Proprietorship) via Cowgirl Run
• Hey Blogger, did you declare that free soup on your tax return? via Postcards from the Mothership
• Here A Blog, There a Blog, Everywhere a Blog-Blog via Shoebox Be Gone 
• Blogging as a Hobby or Business? Claiming Blog Income via Ottawa Mommy Club

Other Links: 

CRA - Canada Revenue Agency - T4002 Business and Professional Income Guide 2015

CRA - Canada Revenue Agency - T2125 Statement of Business or Professional Activities

Because in my world nothing can be said to be certain except, blogging, death and taxes.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what I think is worth the read. 

 Note: I have not been compensated for this post (yippy - no tax implications here!). All opinions are my own and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers posts and articles I find interesting. 

A Plan to Attend vs Planning to Attend: #Budgeting for a #Conference

A Plan to Attend vs Planning to Attend a Conference.

Making it a Reality Rather Than Wishful Thinking ...
Attending a conference is expensive. A last minute approach, or saying I'm planning to attend without an actual plan including a cost- benefits analysis and a budget is just wishful thinking. I plan to eat healthier and exercise more, but saying something doesn't make it happen. Does this sound familiar? You want to go to a conference and you're really planning on attending this time. You have loads of time to work out the details... until the cut off for purchasing tickets approaches and once again you take a pass because you can't justify a sudden large expenditure. BUT ... what if you started a year in advance with a specific plan to attend rather than a vague statement that you are planning to attend?

You need to know the total costs: Your costs are never just the ticket and hotel room. Each person's needs, conference expenses, income and ability to offset those expenses is different, and changes over time. If you've just started blogging or a business that does not yet generate an income, this may limit your ability to offset the conference expenses against income. It doesn't mean attending a conference isn't a worthwhile investment in your professional development, business or blog. There are non-tangible benefits to consider, but first you need to know what the actual costs are, and ways you might reduce and save for those costs. 

Saving for your next conference ...

The key is to actually make a plan to save. Don't leave it to chance. Figure out how much you need and a specific plan for how you're going to save that amount. Below are some ideas that might help.

Day-by-Day: 
Ever heard of the 365 Day Savings Challenge or the Penny Savings Challenge? It's simple and effective. Basically you start by putting a penny in a jar, and increase the amount you put in the jar by 1 cent each day. It's an easy and painless way to save for a conference. At the end of 365 days you'll have saved $667.95. Yes I'm aware we don't have pennies in Canada, but you can start with a nickel, and either round up, or keep a tally of cents until you reach 5 cent increments and then use a nickel. Another option is to calculate daily but put in jar weekly. My friend Tammi at My Organized Chaos has a great Penny Challenge Chart, as well as two weekly savings challenges perfect for saving for a conference. 

Pay-by-Pay:
Another easy and effective way to save. Take a set amount from each pay and set it aside in a conference fund. It can be in a separate account using auto-deposits, automatically transferring a set amount each pay. This option ensures it's done every pay (no excuses) and reduces temptation to use the funds for other things (out of sight and out of mind). Another option is to physically take the money each pay and put it in an envelope or jar. Just $20 every two weeks adds up to $520. in a year. 

Bit-by-Bit: 
We all make small purchases without realizing how much we are spending. A daily coffee, snack or lunch can quickly add up to hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the period of a year.  Instead of spending $2.50 on a coffee every morning, make coffee at home and put the $2. savings into your conference fund. A $2. savings x 250 work days adds up to $500. Being aware of where and how you spend is the first step. Prioritizing and finding ways to save is step two.

• Make coffee (and breakfast) at home and take it to go.
• Pack a lunch and snacks: Even brown bagging it 3 times a week will result in huge savings. Added bonus: it's easier to opt for healthier choices when you pack your own. 
• Make restaurant inspired dinners rather than eating at restaurants. Sites like Copykat Recipes and All Recipes are great places to look for inspiration. If time is an issue check out Appehtite Dinner-In-15 for ideas. Or try my Tex Mex Soup recipe for a quick meal.
• Use flyers, price matching, coupons and menu planning to save. There's an app for that ... it's called Flipp. My friend Hollie from CommonCents Mom is an expert on the apps features and ways it helps you save.

Gifts: Consider asking family to contribute towards the ticket or transportation as a birthday or Christmas gift. If they can't afford that maybe they can offer childcare while you're away as a gift and save you money and stress that way. I found when I explained I want to get away for a couple of days to connect with friends, meet new people, network, and learn my family has been happy to support me in those efforts. 

Saving At Your Next Conference ...

There are lots of ways to save and reduce your costs both getting to and while you are at a conference. Below are some ideas to help with cost cutting.

That's the Ticket: 
The first expense to consider is the cost of the conference ticket. 

• Early Bird Tickets: Most conferences have early bird pricing that can save you 25% or more off the ticket price. If committing early is a concern, many allow the resale of tickets if for some reason you are unable to use it. Be sure to check the policy on this for each individual conference before you purchase your ticket. 
• Employer or Brand Sponsorship:  Check to see if your employee benefits include paid time off for, and full or partial payment of costs for professional development conferences. If not why not pitch the idea of a sponsorship covering part or all of the conference costs to your employer or a brand you work with. They may be able to buy corporate passes, and you can attend as a corporate representative. Show them why investing in you makes good "cents". 
• Apply to be a speaker, or run a workshop at the conference in exchange for the ticket: Each conference will have their own process for applying to be a speaker, or lead a workshop. In this situation the time investment tends to be high relative to the financial savings, but the return both personally and professionally should more than balance the scales. Check with individual conference sites for specifics on their application process and deadlines. 

Getting 5 Star Value from Your Accommodations: 
The next thing to consider is accommodation and the conference venue.

• Roommates reduce the rate: One of the easiest ways to save on accommodation is to share a room with one or more roommates. 
• Family and Friends: If you have friends or family who live near the conference venue enquire about staying with them. You can return the favour next time they're in your neck of the woods. 
• Sponsorship: Enquire about employer or brand sponsorships to pay of part or all of the conference expenses. Also enquire about any corporate hotel discounts you may be entitled to. 
• Hotel Discounts, Deals, Packages and Promos: Be sure to check with the hotel directly and enquire about discounts, packages and promos. Sometimes they're lower than the conference rate. Check and compare what is included in the conference rate before you book. It may include wi-fi or parking making it a better option, but I've found it is not always the cheapest option. Do you actually need parking? Ask whether the hotel rooms have fridges or microwaves that can help reduce the cost of meals or snacks during your stay. Important: Ask about the hotel's cancellation policy! Sign up for email notification of deals and promos. Ask if there is a price guarantee policy should there be a promo, or cheaper price between the time you book and the dates of the conference.
• Third Party Booking: Check and see if you can save by booking your accommodations through a third party such as Expedia, Travelocity or Hotel.Com. Note: You may find additional savings by booking accommodations and transportation at the same time through these sites. Be sure to read the fine print and cancellation policy before you commit.
• Loyalty Points & Member Discounts: Some loyalty program members get preferred rates such as CAA/AAA, Military, Seniors, or Corporate rates through your employer. Many loyalty programs have points that can be used to pay for, or reduce the cost of accommodations, restaurants, and travel.  
• Live Locally? Consider the benefits of staying on-site vs commuting, both in terms or costs (hotel vs gas, parking), time and ability to fully experience and engage in the conference. 

Taking a Bite Out of the Cost of Meals:
The cost of food can quickly become a budget buster. Below are some ways to save and reduce costs.

• What meals are included: Find out what meals are included as part of the conference and be sure to take full advantage of them! 
• On the road to the conference: Brown bag it, and pack a lunch, snacks and beverages. It's a healthier and cheaper option. 
• At the Hotel: Is there a fridge and/or microwave in the room? If so pack meals and snacks that cover those not included in the cost of the conference. Bring your own beverages (water, pop, juice) and alcohol. If this is not possible see if there is a place close to the hotel to purchase them, or ask a friend who's driving in to purchase them for you, and reimburse the cost. At the hotel beverages ($2+) and alcoholic drinks ($9+) can add up to a small fortune. 
• Free coffee and tea in room: Most hotels offer free coffee and tea in the room. Many also offer complementary coffee and tea in the lobby.

Getting There: Planes, Trains and Automobiles:
The cost and convenience of getting to a conference impacts both the total costs and decision to attend. 

• Which mode of transportation makes sense? Do some research on the various modes of transportation available, including loyalty programs, seat sales, price guarantee and cancellation policies. Consider your time investment required for each mode of transportation as well as the cost, especially if you have to take time off work, or require additional childcare. Be sure to investigate and include in your budget other expenses associated with each transportation option (parking, taxi, shuttle, local transit). Sign up for email notification of deals and discounts. Check regularly to see if there are cheaper seats or promotions added between the time of booking and the conference.
• Carpooling: Carpooling to a conference and sharing the costs of gas and parking can be a great way to save. Added Bonus: you can start your conference experience on the drive, and you'll know at least one other person at the conference. 
• Don't forget to include: Expenses such as Luggage and Checked Baggage costs (this varies from airline to airline). Some airline loyalty programs entitle you to free or reduce checked baggage fees, access to airport lounges, or seat upgrades. 
• Shuttles to and fro: Check if the conference is providing any shuttle services from the airport, or train station. Does the hotel offer complementary shuttles to the airport or train station? Is sharing a taxi an option? Is it cheaper to take a shuttle vs taxi vs airport limousine? Is Uber an option? Can a friend give you a ride?

Other Stuff: 

• Other possible expenses: Remember other expenses such as childcare while you're away, business cards, tech or gadgets like cell phones, cell service or portable battery packs, and any new clothing required for the conference (IRL means getting out of the yoga pants) should be included in your budget. Maybe put these items on your wish list for your birthday or Christmas. If you are attending a conference outside of Canada, do you need to get or renew your passport? If so there will be expenses related to that to budget for. 
• Search for conferences held locally and take advantage of them and support them. By attending and supporting them you ensure they continue to be available. The cost of most conference tickets amortized over a year is cents a day, and surely my professional development is worth that investment. 
• Look to see if the conference has a community board or facebook group for those wanting to connect with others looking to share a room, needing or offering to shared rides, taxis, etc.
• Pitching to brands for conference sponsorship or product in exchange for posts, reviews, or social media sharing. This can take time so start planning this at the same time you make your Plan to Attend a Conference. (Product & Pitches could include: tech, gadgets, luggage, data or mobile service, stationary, fashion and clothing, transportation, or tourism)
• Childcare: Some conferences offer childcare or this may be an area family and friends can help. 

NOTE: Be sure to keep track of all your expenses, mileage, and receipts for tax purposes and future conference budgeting.

A Few Final Notes on Conferences:

• Meeting friends, acquaintances and colleagues IRL (in real life) completely changes the dynamics of a relationship. Hearing a person's voice, seeing their mannerism and engaging in real life impacts (in a good way) how you feel about every future on-line encounter.
• Embrace Yes: Say yes to meeting new people even if it is hard for you. I know ... I really do understand the urge to be a hermit, but overcome that urge, take a chance and say yes. Tactics for Embracing Yes in 2016. Participate: This Year's Word
• To get the most bang for your hard earned buck I suggest you take some time to understand how you personally can get the most from the conference experience, and a big part is managing expectations. I did not do this well prior to my first conference, and have learned much since then. Maybe some of my lessons and reflections will help to manage your expectations and make your conference experience exceptional. 
• Did I Find My Bliss? Reflections After My First Conference
• A Few Notes From Blissdom 2013 (My First Conference)
• Six Tools to Pack for a Conference
• Count Down to a Blogger Conference: Tips for Success

Sharing is Caring! If you have tips or suggestions regarding managing expectations, attending, or tips on saving for a conference, please share in the comments section.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about a plan vs planning to attend a conference. 

Note: I was not compensated for this post. Having attended 7 conferences this is something I have been meaning to write for some time. All opinions are my own.

Images 1 and 2 courtesy of Pixabay.

Ode to My @BesideU_Canada Backpack #RFIDguarded #TravelPlayWork

Ode to BESIDE-U Canada Minneapolis backpack ...

Comes in three different colours, 
and has pockets a many.
It combines style and function, 
and storage plenty.

It's both sturdy and strong, 
but still feather light.
Perfect to transport my stuff, 
on a road trip or flight.

Both a RFID guarded pocket and.
spots for a laptop and tablet.
To protect my personal information,
and all of my gadgets.

The features included have 
exceeded all expectations. 
Design that suits Mother and son, 
and appeals across generations.

In less than a month I will be attending my sixth conference, and the Beside U Canada Minneapolis Backpack is perfect to pack up all my conference essentials. It easily fits and keeps organized: my wallet, laptop, tablet, phone, notepads, and all the other gadgets and accessories. One Bag, fulfilling all my needs! The only way to improve on this would be to add the Alyssa Wallet and the Carli Crossover Bag which can be used in combination with the backpack or separately when only few essentials like a wallet, phone and room key are required. Together they create a mobile organizational system perfect for commutes to work, travel, a conference or daily life.

Mom's favourite features:

• I like the simple design that incorporates lots of compartments without looking busy.
• I like that this design of this backpack is great for either myself or the men in my family. No need for a closet full of backpacks.
• It's has a strong light-weight water-resistant nylon exterior.
• I love all the pockets and compartments, including two large exterior pockets each with a smaller zipped compartment on the pocket flaps, that make staying organized easy.
• Separate interior sleeves to protect a laptop (up to 15 inches) and a tablet. Finally somewhere to put my tablet!
• Interior RFID guarded zipped pocket large enough to fit a wallet, to protect against identity theft and blocks RFID signals from being unknowingly scanned. 
• Padded adjustable straps and top carrying handles.
• Logo keychain.

It took me a while to finally decide on a bag from the Beside U Canada website because there were so many great products and bags to choose from. Personally, I think combining this backpack with a small crossover bag allows for flexibility and mores it from an excellent accessory to a "system" perfect for travel, play or work. 

It's easy to see why this is the perfect backpack to organize all my conference essentials and gadgets, but it turns out the Minneapolis backpack is perfect not just for Mom, but also for son. No sooner had this backpack arrived before Thing 2 grabbed it for his trip to Spain. Take 2 from Thing 2 - Have Backpack Will Travel - to Spain. 

Take a minute to read my friend Aeryn Lynne at Geek with Style post. She does a great job of explaining RFID and why RFID guarded pockets are important to protect your private information.
Beside U Canada: on Twitter, on Facebook 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about #TravelPlayWork and my Beside U Canada backpack.

Note: I received a Beside U Canada Minneapolis backpack free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.  

Thought We Had A Thing?! #BrandsandBloggers Expectations & Disappointment

Brands and Blogger Relationships: Dealing With My Disappointment 

Hey! Over Here! Remember Me?! I thought we had a thing.

It's not often I question a brand's choices when it comes to who they pick as influencers, ambassadors or to work on a given campaign. Each brand has a vision for their overall branding, specific campaigns, and targets they want to reach. I understand that many factors go into each campaign, and there is no shortage of great bloggers who bring impressive skills to the table. But every now and then I feel disappointment in a brand which I find hard to brush off. 

This post is not about a single brand or campaign. I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt this way about a brand in relation to my blog and blogging. It is not a rant, but rather a personal reflection and a statement that "it's just business, and not personal" isn't true for me. It is personal for me with each post, or decision to share content. 

I find it hard not to feel snubbed, if after willingly supporting a brand, sharing their content, and working with them more than once on a specific campaign I discover by way of social media I have now been overlooked for that campaign. It could be that the brand is looking to a whole new group of bloggers, or influencers in a specific niche. But Nope, that was not the situation in these cases. It could be they didn't think I was a good fit, but I have had nothing but positive feedback about my participation in the past. It could be that a different PR team is handling the campaign, but it's the brand that hires the PR team., surely there is some conversation about who has participated in the past. So I can only assume they have simply failed to see me, or my value. While for the brand this choice may be for a single campaign, my feelings about being included or excluded last much longer. 

Realistically the bloggers participating in these campaigns or ambassadorships are successful, with a proven track record, and numbers I only aspire to have, but even so I think my long-term value makes it worth including me in select and specific campaigns. I don't begrudge those chosen to participate. I'm at the same time both happy for the bloggers' success, and disappointed in the brands short sightedness. I'm small but not invisible or insignificant, and besides I thought we had a thing.Wait! Did I just get the brand equivalent of being dumped by text message?! 

So I respond in the only way I can. I simply stop sharing or engaging with that brand. They won't notice, nor will the PR firm for the brand that has made the decision not to see me. It's unlikely that the brand or the PR firm will ever read this, or know I feel this way, and that's okay. The posts I write aren't about getting something or getting back. Writing it down helps me to take a critical look at what I'm feeling, and gives me a place to file those feelings, and move on. Plus it helps me to better manage expectations for future brand relationships, and these are all good things.

Blogging is similar to being a stay-at-home mom, in that it rarely comes with the clear and easy to interpret feedback regular performance appraisal provide. I do wonder if others feel this way, or am I just being too sensitive. I try not to think out loud about this type of thing because I don't want my expressing these feelings to be misinterpreted as whining or having entitlement issues. Although I'm quite capable of both of those it's not the case today. Well enough of that, time to file this under Blogger Issues and move on, because tomorrow is another day filled with possibility.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my #BloggerIssues

Five W's and How of Attending @BConnectedConf April 2016 #BConnectedConf

Everything You Need to Know About BConnected Conference 2016:

Five W's and the How:

What:
BConnected is a Digital Influencer Conference perfect for those wanting to learn how best to use social media to expand their digital influence and reach, market and showcase their blog, small business, or brand, and understand and keep up with social media trends.BConnected Conference 2016 itinerary includes:
4 Keynote Speakers,
9 Hands-On Learning Sessions,
Round Table Sessions,
and a Brand Exhibitor Hall
Wait! There's More: a 2-day conference pass also includes:
Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks each day,
a Friday night Tour, Sip and Socialize Event with Ottawa Tourism including a Haunted Walk,
a Saturday night BConnected Social BlowOut Party benefiting the Canadian Continence Foundation, hosted by Derick Fage, which will include a DJ, a Candy Bar, a Selfie Booth, a Silent Auction and more.
Free Head Shots by Barnyard Studio du Coin,
morning BodyGym Fitness classes with Fitness with Jules,

and a swag bag.

When:

The BConnected Conference takes place April 23-24th, 2016, which is a beautiful time of year in the Capital. You'll want to come in early for the Friday night Haunted Walk and maybe stick around for the Sunday night Bloggers Dinner.

Where:
The Marriott Courtyard - Ottawa, is the revue for BConnected 2016, and part of the unique mix of galleries, shops and restaurants that make up the historic Byward Market.

Why:

Investing in your professional development is a great reason to attend BConnected 2016, but the return you'll get from that investment will be so much more. A conference is a perfect way to network, meet contacts, interact with social media experts, learn how to improve your social media skills, and gain insight into the best ways to utilize social media and digital marketing to achieve your goals. A conference presents a unique type of environment and interactive learning experience.

Who:

Who is BConnected for? It's for Bloggers, Small Business Owners, Home-Based Business Owners, Digital Influencers, and anyone who wants to learn more about social media and digital engagement, influence and marketing.

How:

Register Now! and let the countdown begin. Get those packing lists ready starting with these 6 essential tools for a conference. 

Other Important Stuff:

The BConnected Hashtag: #BConnectedConf

Follow the hashtag and BConnected on twitter, facebook, and instagram.

Sunday 2 - 5 pm

Workshop on SEO and Social Engagement 

presented by Dan R Morris and Rachel Martin of Blogging Concentrated.

(Workshop Fee $20 with 1 or 2 day BConnected Pass, or $60 for Workshop only - includes a snack)

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win 

a 2-day pass to the upcoming BConnected Conference 

and the Sunday Workshop by Blogging Concentrated 

Saturday April 23rd and Sunday April 24th, 2016 

at the beautiful Marriott Courtyard Ottawa in the Byward Market.

Giveaway ends February 15th, 2015

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about BConnected Conference 2016.

Note: I am part of the BConnected Conference Team.