BlogPaws2015: A Mecca For Pet Industry Bloggers!

Whew! I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since we loaded our dogs into the car and drove for 3 days from Phoenix to Nashville for my second BlogPaws conference!

I first discovered BlogPaws totally by accident in 2014. I was searching for pet related conferences on Google and found this thing called BlogPaws.  I thought hmmm, "Blog"..... "Paws", sounds like just what I'm looking for.  I learned they were having a conference in only 3 weeks in Las Vegas - perfect!  When I read about all the speakers I got really excited, especially since Susan Getgood was speaking.  I had just finished her wonderful book, Professional Blogging For Dummies!  I had to go to that conference!

BlogPaws2014, was a wonder.  I couldn't believe so many pet loving people (and their pets!) gathered in one place to network, learn, share information and ideas, and have fun!  I met so many great people, and I can't begin to tell you how much I learned about blogging!  I didn't know how much I didn't know.  I went alone and didn't know anyone or have any idea of what to expect.  I need not have worried, I instantly met people and made friends.  My only problem was wishing there was time to go to every session offered!  As soon as I got home I joined the BlogPaws community and have been learning and making friends ever since.  The connections I made and the things I learned did wonders for my blog; my numbers shot up and months later I got my first sponsored (paid) post!

Fast forward to 2015.  I couldn't wait for my second BlogPaws conference!  This time I brought along my husband and our two dogs!  It was so great having them with me. 


Standing in front of banners for Mars Petcare and DENTASTIX with my dogs Icy and Phoebe, in the conference exhibit hall.  They had lots of fun meeting our sponsors!

BlogPaws2015 was another great experience.  I got so much out of it, I couldn't even begin to put it all in one blog post, but here are a few highlights.

Although we all love to talk about the Swag - the free products you get from our wonderful sponsors - the BlogPaws conference is about so much more! 

Networking with the BlogPaws Team, fellow bloggers, and with our sponsors was so enjoyable and beneficial.  There is nothing like meeting everyone in person and spending some quality time together, even if only to say Hello, chat briefly, and exchange business cards.  It was great seeing so many blogger friends I've made in person!  There were hugs, squeals, selfies, lots of laughs, and a good deal of exchanging tips and ideas.  When talking with sponsors you learn a lot about the company and what might be coming down the pike for them in terms of new products or campaigns.  In addition, you can develop a rapport with sponsors you'd like to work with.  Here are a few fun photos I took with some of our sponsors.



Phoebe and I met Katherine from Iams



Be honest, who didn't love the Vita Bone guy?! 

Selfie with one of the Pedigree ladies; she's the one on the left who looks like a model.  I'm the one with the chubby cheeks, LOL!



At the Nose To Nose awards dinner with my good friend M.K. Clinton, author of the blog Barking From The Bayou, and our wonderful husbands! 

The educational value of the Sessions and Keynote speakers is huge!  I can't believe how much knowledge I've come away with. 

We had the opportunity to sign up for 10 minute 1 to 1 sessions with members of the BlogPaws Team.  I had two sessions; one with Chloe Divita, Director of Events and Programs for BlogPaws, and one with Gina Caballero, Blogger expert and Author of the blog Oz the Terrier. 10 minutes may not seem like a lot, but in that short timeframe I picked up a lot of great information and advice! 

Chloe explained how the number of "impressions" is more important than just the number of views on a blog.  Impressions incorporate the bigger picture, and include all the shares you've gotten. She was even able to look at reports for one of my sponsored campaigns and provide valuable insight into the numbers.

Gina showed me how to put Alt Text on my photos to help make them more descriptive when shared.  She also shared some great design tips to help improve the overall look of my blog.

Thanks so much for your time and your help, Chloe and Gina!

I picked up lots of tips on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest marketing from the sessions.  Did you know that the majority of Pinterest users own dogs, and that 80% of Pinterest engagement goes to 18% of Pins?  Interesting!

The keynote speakers were great.  I really enjoyed Entrepreneur and expert Marketer Peter Shankman, who was also the creator of HARO (Help A Reporter Out).  He was so engaging and informative, what a great speaker!  Two of the things he said that resonated with me were "Stop doing things for the Likes and start doing things that are Likable", and "You get the audience you want by being awesome to the audience you have".  Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

I could go on and on, but I'll just end here by saying THANK YOU to the amazing BlogPaws team, to Mars Petcare, and to all the other wonderful sponsors!  A special thank you to PetSafe for doing an amazing job offering daycare to conference attendees when our dogs needed a play break.  My girls loved playing with their new friends in PetSafe's pet park!



Our dogs loved the beautiful Sheraton Music City hotel as much as we did!

THIS IS THE BLOGPAWS2015 CONFERENCE BLOG POST LINKY PAWTY!