What I learnt from the Voices of 2013 Masterclass...

I wrote last week of my fears due to my social anxiety, and I'll tell you right now, when I walked in and saw everyone chatting and the wedding style round tables I almost turned tail and ran! I walked up to the emptiest table I could find (less chance of rejection) and asked Sara-May from Makeup Utopia if the seat next to her was taken. Phew. I had a seat...after chatting briefly, I was fixing up my name tag and praying that they'd hurry up and start, when the very friendly Amanda from A Cooker and a Looker came over and introduced herself. I can not describe that moment of relief, feeling I had a friend in the place (even though we had never met before)! I appreciated it so much - and replied like a moron 'oh, I wouldn't have recognised you, with your hair up'. I realised what I actually meant was, I wouldn't have recognised you unless you had your long hair out and were holding a baby, exactly like your cover photo, but we've already covered my lack of powers of observation, so I don't really need to dwell on that further.

I met quite a few more than my task of 3, but special mention needs to go to Maddie from Colour Me There who was there with her most darling little baby! The 4 week old didn't make a peep the whole afternoon - and was in the most fashionable baby bjorn I'd ever seen - that was how we started talking, I was staring at the material thinking it was nicer than what I was wearing...(baby 1: Me 0).

I'll be honest, I was relieved when my socialising in the next break was cut short by a number of left messages from a friends husband about taking my son to the footy that night. By the time I'd talked to both parties and made the relevant plans, the break was almost done...

There are lots of eloquent blog posts of the afternoon floating out there at the moment, so mine is of the short point variety - what spoke to me in particular, but I can recommend this post by Karen Jane Charlton of the Rhythm Method: She sums up the inspiring speech by Hailey Bartholomew perfectly.

Now the useful stuff that I learnt:
1. Even when someone says no, find someone else who'll say yes.
2. Just keep going, just keep writing
3. Remember the internet is forever - if you're in doubt, don't post it.
4. Don't let self doubt get the better of you (HA!) - question it, refine it and then just do it for yourself.

On more practical matters:
1. Have a logo, and nice fonts; have simple navigation and don't clutter it up.
2. Make use of the google image titles.
3. Know why you blog

On PR and Advertising agencies:
1.They don't just look at the blog reader numbers, they look at the other social media followers/presence as well
2.Get your face in their face
3.Remember the relationship is with the ad agency not the brand.
4.Every time you write for a brand, you lose a reader, so you need to weigh up if it's really something you want to do.

While I wouldn't say I mastered the masterclass, I did learn a lot and I'm really glad I went.  Lots of food for thought, and it's always good to step out of your comfort zone, just to see what's out there.

Torshlusspanik List:

1. Shooting (check)
2. Fencing (check)
3. Play croquet at Croquet Club
4. Laser skeet
5. Off road buggy driving
6. Play Assassins Creed
7. Jetpacking (check)
8. The Color Run (check)
9. Invent something
10. Cooking Masterclass (check)
11. Master a Masterclass (check)
I fled with a marvellous goodie bag (as if the information wasn't reward enough!) and would like to thank Kidspot and all those involved in the organisation of such a great event. For a little fish like me, it was such a great opportunity.

Lastly, while I don't know these people, I thought I'd put up the link as part of community spirit. A blogger and her partner were recently killed in a car accident, and their children were orphaned, so if anyone is interested in donating to a trust that's been set up, here is a link: http://meetmeatmikes.com/2013/05/please-help/

And linking up with some grace for FYBF...See who else swung by here