Geek Girl Camp
Leslie Fishlock is brilliant for several reasons:
1. She had a dream.
2. She made it happen.
3. She decided that women needed a good, supportive, informative, affordable place to get their geek on.
4. She made it happen. (Oops, did I mention that already?)
5. She enlisted the help of several very smart and wonderful people (Janel, Reiko, Chris and on and on)
How many brilliant women do you know that get flummoxed at the words: social media, Photoshop, blog, Facebook, excel? There is nothing wrong with you because you don’t have all of this mastered! You just need a good place to learn how to do it, use it or even realize that you want to hire someone else to do it for you so you can focus on your thang.
Geek Girl Camp – Zoolander from trb design on Vimeo.
Leslie’s answer? Geek Girl Camp. An affordable unconference for women where $135 gets you 6 workshops (out of 30+ to choose from) on a wide variety of tech/geek topics, discussion groups, help desks, Q&A’s, in other words – the works. Oh, and a cocktail party at the end. And great schwag.
The first Geek Girl Camp was this past Saturday on Cape Cod, and I was honored to teach 6 workshops on blogging and social media. It was SO much fun, that I’m going back for more this Thursday, March 12th for the Boston/South Shore edition.
I’ll be teaching the following workshops and would love to see you there (register here):
- The ABC’s of blogs. There are so many parts to a blog – and they all work together to make your internet space a success. So, if these words sound like Chinese: headers, tags, categories, widgets, plugins, links and more – then this workshop is for you! We’ll define them and discover how to use them on your blog.
- Blogging for business (without sounding like a used car salesman). How can a blog help your business authentically? We’ll explore ways to use a blog to build a mailing list and a subscriber list, create and grow real client relationships, sell products and services, advertise, promote yourself, connect with other business partners and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
- Blog writing. Yes! It is different than other writing! This workshop will cover voice, audience, purpose, strategy, content, length and formatting for blog writing. We’ll explore the ins and outs of different kinds of blogs – depending on who’s in the workshop.
- Twitter! And why it will change your world and your business. Twitter is one of the most influential social networks today – with over 5 million users and growing at a rate of 5-10,000 per day. This workshop will help you set up a profile and teach you how to use it effectively as a marketing tool.
Want to hear from Leslie and Janel? Amongst a lot of other great press, they were interviewed on NPR. Listen here!
Filed under How To | Tags: blog, Blogging, boston, business, Geek Girl Camp, leslie fishlock, Marketing, social media, social media conference, south shore, technology, technology conference, women and technology, women-owned business | Comment (1)You have the right NOT to remain silent about how cool you are.
You have the right not to remain silent about how cool you are. (Just wanted to make sure you really heard that.)
I was inspired to write this post by Bonnie Marcus, a business success coach who specializes in women’s executive coaching. She published a phenomenal post where she writes:
I ran a workshop yesterday for a group of professional women. There was an exercise in the session where I asked them to write about all their accomplishments. The group struggled with the assignment. Even though the assignment was to write down any success no matter how small, it was a difficult task. Now, when I followed that exercise with one that required them to write down their shortcomings, it was not only easier for the group to think of things, but they also recognized that they were more likely to think about their weaknesses and disappointments than their successes. They also acknowledged that they almost never acknowledge their accomplishments.
She goes on to suggest that this is part of conditioning for women – and I agree. Her solution is fantastic – It’s a Bragging Journal where you document all of your awesomeness. You can then look through the journal whenever you need a boost of confidence – it serves as absolute proof that you can do it.
The Blue Bracelet
Then, I found out that another one of my faves, Jessica Smith, wrote a post called, A Call to Ambitious Women Entrepreneurs…Stop Apologizing. Jessica not only takes on the fact that we are apologizing for our success, she also takes major action. Check out her manifesto:
I, Jessica Smith, hereby pledge to:
- Promote other women and celebrate their success with them.
- Not feel threatened when other women in my niche are reaching their goals…a success for one is a success for all.
- Collaborate with other ambitious women as much as I can, finding synergies and ways to work together.
- Respond with a simple “Thank You” when someone publicly compliments me rather than offering an apology, a retort, or a rationalization.
- Not consciously or subconsciously bring someone else down because they have something (success or otherwise) that they think I should have.
- Continue to embrace each day as a new opportunity with enthusiasm and a positive attitude (no matter what obstacles may stand in my way.)
- Surround myself with other like-minded entrepreneurs who wa nt to network with, support, and cross-promote one another.
- To reiterate. I will not apologize for my success, my celebration of it, or my determination to become even more successful. And I will applaud those women who do the same.
I could not love this more. And, she takes it a step further. She tied a blue bracelet around her wrist to remind herself of her pledge, and she’s inviting others to do the same. She’s started a photo wall where you can submit the picture of yourself with your bracelet, making your pledge public on her site.
I put my blue bracelet (wool knitting yarn) on immediately and took the pledge. And then I took action.
I created a Google Group. Then, I invited some women to join me. Why? Because I want to practice living my successes OUT LOUD. We’re emailing/posting our awesomeness to each other, full throttle, when it happens. No apologies, no comparisons, no jealousy. It’s celebratastic.
This isn’t just for women, though let’s not kid ourselves that social conditioning and a double standard don’t exist.
So, people – I ask you: what do you do with that feeling of triumph? When it’s yours? When it’s someone elses?
I think we should all be singing it from the rooftops…
Filed under How To, Networking, Social Media, The Business | Tags: bonnie marcus, bragging, confidence, Jessica Knows, Jessica Smith, Julie Roads, Networking, women entrepreneur, women-owned business, womens success, Writing Roads | Comments (18)Writing Roads Featured on Expert Panel
I am excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Panel of Experts for the Fresh Start after Divorce Community. A Community designed to be a 24/7 Resource Center and support system for women during and after divorce.
Writing Roads is featured as the Writing & Marketing Expert – I can’t wait to help these women blast off new business ventures. I believe wholeheartedly that anyone with courage, vision, tools and mentorship can achieve a new life and a different financial experience. I’m looking foward to sharing my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. I will be featured on the site via interviews, tele-seminars, product sales and articles.
The community was launched by Joanie Winberg, a coach, radio show host, author and speaker – she is dynamic and inspirational – for anyone…but specifically, I recommend this community to any woman who is dealing with divorce.
I’m honored to have been asked to join this eclectic panel – and hope that site is raging success. For more information about the community and how to join, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Filed under News | Tags: divorce, expert, Marketing, online community, start-up, women-owned business, Writing | Comment (0)
