Best Post of the Week: Week 126

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Next Alabama Blogger Meet!

Our next Alabama Bloggers meet is being hosted by the fabulous Alison Lewis from Ingredients Inc!

Alison has been busy traveling to promote her new book, 400 Best Sandwich Recipes, but has generously made time in her crazy schedule to join us at lunch. Alison's blog always has a delicious recipe that is both healthy and kid-approved, so be sure to check it out!

The meet-up will be held on Friday, December 2 at Cantina Downtown. We will meet at 11:30, but feel free to come late if you need to - we're usually there for a while!

We always have a wonderful time at meet-ups, discussing everything related and unrelated to social media. And everyone is invited!! Help us spread the word on Twitter and Facebook - the hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet.

Please RSVP on this post by November 30 so that we can save you a seat!

Best Post of the Week: Week 125

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Best Post of the Week: Week 124

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Find Out What Motivates Your Social Media Audience!

Have you ever wondered why your social media audience does what it does? What motivates people to respond to your tweets, to comment on your blog posts, and to interact with you? Why do some people pay attention to everything you say, and others never bother to even check?

The next ALsocme meeting will address this subject. Jenny Schmitt from Cloudspark will be sharing a talk on “The Digital Divide: The Psychographics of Social Media,” where she will discuss how different generations use and integrate social media into their lives and what motivates their nearly every move online.

The luncheon is on November 9th from 11:15 am to noon at the Hill Event Center. The event is free, and lunch will be provided. If you haven't been to an ALsocme event yet, this is an excellent one to attend!! I highly recommend coming to network with others and learn from Jenny's talk.

For more information, click here.

Best Post of the Week: Week 123

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Shop Birmingham - and a Giveaway!

I truly adore the ever-increasing focus on shopping locally over the past few years. Alabama has an unbelievable wealth of local merchants, artisans, and restaurants, and the more we support these businesses, the more of our money stays in Alabama and, therefore, makes Alabama an even better place to live.

One organization that is making it easier to shop locally is ShopBirmingham.com. Shop Birmingham is an awesome resource featuring menus, gift certificates, products, services, and general contact information for businesses in the Birmingham metro area. Their site is a great resource to help Birminghamians know where they can go to shop local, and even to be able to shop locally from their computer!

Also, it's a win-win for local merchants. At no charge, you can list your business information and up to five items for sale. It's a great way to get recognized as a local business, and to be able to easily offer online ordering! They also offer more in depth services for a fee, so you can get as much as you want out of the site.

But if you're not in Birmingham, don't despair! Shop Birmingham is expanding rapidly. They currently have two more sister sites, Shop Mountain Brook and Shop Homewood, and are planning on expanding throughout the state! Keep your eyes out for a a site near you in the future.

Shop Birmingham gave me five awesome T-Shirts to give away - they are a great way to share the love of shopping locally! And they're pretty fashionable shirts, too. They sell on their site for $20 each, and they wear very nicely.


AND, as a bonus, the five winners will be put into a drawing to possibly win two tickets to a show at the Alys Stephens Center!

If you would like to win, hop on over to my other blog and enter!! But hurry - the contest only lasts until October 31st!!

Best Post of the Week: Week 122

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

#AlaBlogMeet MOVED Due to Strike

Tomorrow's Alabama Blogger's Meet has been relocated, due to Cantina being closed because of the strike. We will still be meeting in Hoover, though - at The Fish Market on Highway 31. We hope to still see you there at 11:30!

Reminder: #AlaBlogMeet This Friday!!

We will be meeting next on Friday, October 14 at 11:30 at Cantina in Patton Creek. If you need to be late, no problem - we're usually there for a while!

If you've never joined us at a meet-up before, you are absolutely welcome, whether you're already blogging or just thinking about it. We usually discuss a number of topics, both of the social media and non-social media nature. And no matter what we end up talking about, there's always plenty of laughter!

If you'd like to join us for lunch, please RSVP on this post or the original post by October 12. And help spread the word - the hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet !

Hope to see you there!

Best Post of the Week: Week 120

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Best Post of the Week: Week 119

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Best Post of the Week: Week 118

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

October Alabama Blogger's Meet-Up!

***UPDATE: This Alabama Blogger's Meet has been relocated, due to Cantina being closed because of the strike. We will still be meeting in Hoover, though - at The Fish Market on Highway 31. We hope to still see you there at 11:30, or when you can make it! *****


It's been a couple of months since we've had our traditional monthly meet-up, and I've missed you all!

We will be meeting next on Friday, October 14 at 11:30 at Cantina in Patton Creek. If you need to be late, no problem - we're usually there for a while!

If you've never joined us at a meet-up before, you are absolutely welcome, whether you're already blogging or just thinking about it. We usually discuss a number of topics, both of the social media and non-social media nature. And no matter what we end up talking about, there's always plenty of laughter!

If you'd like to join us for lunch, please RSVP on this post by October 12. And help spread the word - the hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet !

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Social Media Events!!

Just a reminder that two great opportunities to meet other bloggers in person are coming up toward the end of this month:

1. ALsocme's Tech Tweetup is September 21 from 5 - 8 pm. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to network with people you've already met via social media and meet new people, as well as learn more about social media as it relates to Birmingham.

Mayor William Bell will be presenting a short address on the state of technology in the city from 6 - 6:30, and there will be networking time before and after. Dinner is free, and will be provided by Ted's Restaurant.

Tickets are free, but attendees must register at alsocme.com.

2. See Jane Write's See Jane Write Blogger Bash is on Thursday, September 29 at The Wine Loft. It starts at 5:30, and there will be door prizes!!

If you would like to come hang out with a bunch of other area women bloggers, be sure to sign up for this free event!

The hashtag for the event is #sjwbhm.

Best Post of the Week: Week 116

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

See Jane Write Blogger Bash

See Jane Write is an awesome organization that is encouraging women writers of all kinds. They have held several educational meetings, and on top of the valuable information shared, everyone has just wanted to visit and get to know each other.

So, to give ample opportunity for that, they have put together a social event specifically for bloggers! The See Jane Write Blogger Bash is on Thursday, September 29 at The Wine Loft. It starts at 5:30, and there will be door prizes!!

If you would like to come hang out with a bunch of other area women bloggers, be sure to sign up for this free event!

The hashtag for the event is #sjwbhm.

Best Post of the Week: Week 115

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

ALsocme Tech Tweet-Up September 21!

One of the chief purposes of Alabama Bloggers is to encourage relationship building between area bloggers, and specifically to offer opportunities for bloggers to meet in person. Although the social media world is a fabulous place to make friends, those friendships grow exponentially when you actually speak face-to-face. It is for this reason that I am so excited about The Alabama Social Media Association (ALsocme). They offer excellent opportunities to meet other social media professionals and hobbyists within the state, as well as increasing knowledge and awareness of social media. If you haven't been to an ALsocme meeting yet, I highly encourage taking advantage of this next one!

It is scheduled for September 21 from 5 - 8 pm. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to network with people you've already met via social media and meet new people, as well as learn more about social media as it relates to Birmingham.

Mayor William Bell will be presenting a short address on the state of technology in the city from 6 - 6:30, and there will be networking time before and after.

This event is sponsored by Wesban Financial Consultants, and dinner will be provided (and free!) from the amazing Birmingham Landmark, Ted's Restaurant.

Tickets are free, but attendees must register at alsocme.com. I hope to see you there!

Best Post of the Week: Week 114

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!