I'm playing hooky from the gym this morning.

What I really want to do right this *very* moment is run around town, leap through it's meadows and scream loud enough for the world to hear my voice. Having just arrived home from Mom 2.0 Summit "A Conversation Between Moms and Marketers" in New Orleans, my brain is deliciously fried to perfection after a weekend of amazing conversations. The conference which ran on Louisiana time, chronically late, was small enough to brush shoulders with incredible people several times a day. I shamelessly sat myself next to bloggers I adore during sessions, lingered in the courtyard with powerful marketers and even self-invited myself to a number of dinners. Attending a conference is a huge time/financial commitment so my plan was to take full advantage of it all.

What did I learn? I learned that if you want to be serious in the art of blogging you must attend conferences. No amount of online networking will provide you the same benefits as an honest face-to-face conversation. Further more, I learned that my blog post entitled "Blogging for free: all about networking" that I have started and deleted at least a dozen times now, is very much true. Marketers in this new social media age want to work with bloggers but we (bloggers) are all very delete-pitch happy. If you get a pitch that looks like some thought was put into it and a personal connection was made - respond to it. A simple "I can't commit to this campaign right now but keep me in your directory" is the beginning of a relationship. A relationship that in the future could be very rewarding. Here's a personal example. A company sent me a pair of shoes and although they didn't require me to post about them I fell in love and produced a fun video. The video was used by the marketer on the company's blog and a conversation between us bloomed. That was in 2008 and to this date, although the marketers have changed, I have a "working relationship" with the said company which results in many ongoing conversations. Conversations that this weekend led my resume to the desks of an incredible company and voila! I have a job interview set up for this week. I have countless other examples of how working with marketers for "free" pays off in the end when blogging campaigns with generous budgets are offered to those that network. Relationships require work on both sides.

One of the highlights of the conference was witnessing a panel of powerful women who have worked for Martha Stewart/Youtube/Oprah speak and offer their wisdom. It's exactly what I needed. To get myself pumped up in order to tackle the world I'm going to strap on a mustache and scream "I am a woman!" much like in this video that was shared at Mom2.0. It's a must watch. Enjoy:

Other incredible highlights of the conference were more personal:

Mama Kat finally meeting her after years of online friendship. She's even sweeter, nicer, and funnier in real life.

Wendi Aarons asking me "Are you laughing at your own tweets? Again?"

Marinka teaching me the correct pronunciation of US Weekly. People! It's not U.S. Weekly as in U.S.A. but as in us - you and me.

Kelcey who was the best room mate ever and didn't laugh at me when I said I was reading Sweet Valley Confidential.

Amy always thinking two meals ahead and planning our meals.

Stephanie who ran over my way, causing me to glance over my shoulder to see who she was running to, and it was me!

Brittany allowing me to follow her around at the cocktail party and make fun of Heather playing games.

Miss Britt who was open to the idea of me crashing her dinner party.

Jyl Pattee talk about international travel and our shared love for Antigua, Guatemala.

The Muskrat for hanging out on a rooftop deck with me. Second time in one year.

Allison Czarnecki talking about how her Polish husband immigrated to the US.

Rachel finally getting a whole lot of one-on-one time with, after a four year blogging relationship with me.

Danielle and Jennifer bumping into me on Bourbon street.

Alli for always saying "Of course you can sit with us!"

Jessi sharing a drink and a cab ride and providing guidance.

Stacy and Amy, both incredible authors from NYC, for taking the time for little people like me. Buy their books!

Marcus Thomas girls who always welcomed me with smiles.

and so so so many countless others I would love to mention but preschool pick-up is in ten minutes and I'm running late as it is and so I apologize for not including all the amazing people I met and connected with this weekend.

I feel so empowered today, I might not even need that mustache after all. I thank you all.