Best Post of the Week: Week 201

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!

May Blogger Meet-Up Scheduled for 17th!

Our next Alabama Blogger Meet-Up will be May 17 at Shane's Rib Shack on Valleydale Road. We will meet from 11:45 - 1:30, and would love to have you join us! Rebecca Kinney is our host, and this is the perfect opportunity for bloggers in the southern part of town to more easily attend a meet-up.

To RSVP, please comment on this post or join the Facebook Event. If you cannot access the Facebook Event, then that means that you are not yet a member of our Alabama Bloggers Facebook Group - please join us! It's a great place to share posts, tips, and information about blogging in Alabama.

The hashtag for the event is #AlaBlogMeet - help us spread the word on Twitter.

I hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Y'all Connect Winner!

Congratulations to Leslie Wiggins, the winner of one ticket to Y'all Connect!

For the rest of you, you can still use the Promo Code ALABLOGSWEET for $30 off regular tickets!

Best Post of the Week: Week 200!

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!

Southern Fried Scribes Project - You Can Help!

Matt Jones and Jessica Masterton, two fiction candidates in the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Alabama, are trying to bring free creative writing workshops to Alabama’s Black Belt this summer. 

Greensboro, located about an hour and a half south of Birmingham, is a town of a little under 3,000 people.  Locals may know Greensboro as home to Pie Lab, a café offering hot coffee and delicious pastries in a salvaged and retrofitted space downtown, but it is also the site of HERO, Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization, who plans to help host the workshops for high school students this summer.

Southern Fried Scribes, a project born from a love of creative writing, a passion for teaching, and personal experiences with limited creative opportunities as children, will kick off this June and run through the first week of August.  Matt and Jess hope to not only offer students a different outlet and approach to writing, but also to help participants gain confidence in how they encounter and begin to explore their own voice.  Combining directed writing exercises with various artistic mediums, the workshops will introduce students to collaborations between photography, performance, and other fine arts through the works of local community artists.

In August, Southern Fried Scribes will conclude with a public student reading in which all of the participants will showcase the work they have produced over the summer.  Along with the reading, Matt and Jess will be printing, publishing, and providing an anthology of student writing and community work, a book of stories, pictures, and artwork that are all local to Greensboro and Hale County. 

To be able to offer the workshops for free to students, Matt and Jess have been fundraising on Kickstarter, a crowdsourcing website, and have until May 2^nd to reach their fundraising goal.  So far, they have received generous support from family, friends, Alabama artists, and the University of Alabama, but with their campaign deadline drawing near, they are trying to reach out to as many people in the community as possible. 

If you’d like to see how you can help, check out their fundraising campaign here and scroll through all of the neat perks that they are offering to people who donate to Southern Fried Scribes.  Receive everything from a flash fiction postcard to a copy of the printed anthology to creative writing mentorships for kids when you donate as little as $5. 

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Matt Jones is a Truman Capote Fellow and a fiction candidate in the University of Alabama MFA program. He is originally from Houston, TX and now lives in Tuscaloosa with his dog, Bagheera. Jessica Masterton is a Truman Capote Fellow and a fiction candidate in the University of Alabama MFA program. She is most recently from Minnesota, and while she does not own a dog, she is often covered in dog hair.

Giveaway - Y’all Connect Conference! {$129 Value}

On July 23, Birmingham will once again have a major social media conference: Y’all Connect. Focused on helping companies use social media tools wisely and efficiently, many experts will be teaching the basics of corporate storytelling.

The conference’s director, Wade Kwon, explains the value in this skill: “Many bloggers already know how to tell a good story about their kids or their lives, but businesses often stumble when talking about their own histories. We can help. Instead of selling and marketing, they will find ways to attract fans and customers through good stories and strong engagement.”

The speakers at Y’all Connect will include familiar Birmingham icons as well as national experts, all of whom utilize social media tools with great expertise. So far, this fantastic group includes James Spann, Ike Pigott, Andrea Weckerle, Nichole Kelly, Peter Shankman, Whitney Breaux, Shelly Kramer and Mack Collier.

"Y'all Connect is a conference aimed at CEOs and marketing managers who want to show how their companies stand out,” Kwon explains. “They may have used blogging and Facebook and Twitter, but aren't sure how to use them wisely and efficiently.”

This conference isn’t focused on theory and motivational speeches - there will be practical takeaways so that the attendees can leave and immediately put new ideas to use to expand their business’ social media platform.

"We expect 500 attendees, with half coming from all across Alabama and the rest coming from out of state. I can't wait to show off my hometown of Birmingham," Kwon states.

There will be a kickoff party on the evening of July 22, then on July 23, sessions and speakers will be scheduled from 8:30-6:00, followed by a closing night party. As such, there will be significant amounts of time for learning and networking.

The conference will be held at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, and lodging will be available at a discounted rate in the adjoining Sheraton Hotel.

If you would like to attend, I have one conference pass to give away! To enter, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter Widget below:


[CONTEST OVER]

But if you don’t win, I do have a Promo Code for the rest of you: Enter ALABLOGSWEET for $30 off regular tickets!

This giveaway is open until Monday, May 6 and the randomly chosen winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 7

Best of luck!

Best Post of the Week: Week 199

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 198

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 197

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 Postponed Due to Inclement Weather!

We have rescheduled today's Alabama Blogger's Meet-Up until Next Thursday, April 18.

We will meet one week from today at Jim N Nick's Bar-B-Que in 5 Points South. The time will be from 11:30-1:00, and the discussions are always fun!

This month's host is Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. The discussion topic will be: "What does is take to maintain a successful blog from beginning to reinventing or ending? And how do you know when it is time to end a blog?"

Everyone who tweets about the meetup using the hashtag #alablogmeet and @jimnnicksbbq will be entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate, and the winner will be announced during lunch. 

Feel free to use this tweet or create your own:

Join me at @jimnnicksbbq (5 Points) for #alablogmeet this Thursday 11:30!
http://www.alabamabloggers.com/2013/04/april-alablogmeet-this-thursday.html

Everyone is welcome to join us! RSVP here or on the event in the Alabama Bloggers Facebook Group.

April #AlaBlogMeet This Thursday!

We will be having our April meet-up this Thursday at Jim N Nick's Bar-B-Que in 5 Points South. The time will be from 11:30-1:00, and the discussions are always fun!

This month's host is Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. The discussion topic will be: "What does is take to maintain a successful blog from beginning to reinventing or ending? And how do you know when it is time to end a blog?"

Everyone who tweets about the meetup using the hashtag #alablogmeet and @jimnnicksbbq will be entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate, and the winner will be announced during lunch. 

Feel free to use this tweet or create your own:

Join me at @jimnnicksbbq (5 Points) for #alablogmeet this Thursday 11:30!
http://www.alabamabloggers.com/2013/04/april-alablogmeet-this-thursday.html

Everyone is welcome to join us! RSVP here or on the event in the Alabama Bloggers Facebook Group. 

Best Post of the Week: Week 196

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!

Strength Conference Coming in April!

Strength, a new kind of conference on Social Media, is coming to Birmingham starting next week. On each of the five Monday nights in April, MJM Media is bringing together Social Media experts to lead and guide businesses through the complex and changing field of Social Media.

"The Strength conference has been designed specifically around the greatest online needs of small businesses owners and professionals: social networking, understanding website metrics, and online productivity,"  explains Mitzi Eaker, the conference's founder. "We have brought together experts in the Birmingham area to guide participants weekly, and I will spend a month walking with them and investing in them through the process."

"Strength isn't just a conference that people come to and leave not really knowing what to do when they get back home. I'm looking at this as a month long investment of teaching, guiding, coaching and helping small business owners and professionals build relationships of support with one another so they can take what they learn and implement it and have an online community that will amplify it." 

Mitzi has a big heart for seeing small businesses thrive by sharing their stories, values, and products through online marketing. Just as every business is different, every online marketing strategy should be personalized to reflect your unique brand and connect with your target customers. 

Conference topics will step through both the basic and advanced subjects of social media, including:

• Basics of Social Media Tools
• Creating a Social Media Strategy 
• Creating Content Your Customers Want
• SEO and ROI
• Partnering with Social Media Experts
• Maximizing your Online Productivity  

The speakers include Karla Archer of Archer Creative; Julie Brannon, President of TELP Media and Contributing Editor of The Social Media Monthly; Teri Lynne Underwood, Author, Speaker, and Social Media Coach;

Jerry Brown, Digital Strategist at Infomedia; Emily Lowrey, Founder and Owner of Magic City Post; and myself.

Tickets can be purchased for each night individually ($39.99) or for the entire conference ($129.99.)

The Strength Conference will be beneficial to small business owners, social media managers or marketing executives, and to bloggers who are thinking about starting or already have their own business.

Best Post of the Week: Week 195

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!

Giveaway: Day out with Thomas coming to Calera!

Thomas the Train has always had a special place in our family - my daughter loved him (and still does, despite her aging state), and my son adores him. I'm pretty sure we've single-handedly funded the continuation of the Thomas Legacy with our train purchases.

So naturally, we look forward to seeing Thomas in real life as often as possible, and A Day out with Thomas at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum offers that opportunity!

A Day Out with Thomas is a fantastic train-centered carnival for kids. They have rides, putt-putt, souvenirs, a petting zoo, Sir Topham Hatt ready to pose for photos...and of course, a 25 minute ride on Thomas the Train himself.

A Day Out with Thomas will be in Calera on April 12, 13, 14, 20, and 21.  It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance to get a spot on a train ride.

If you would rather win tickets, I am giving away a family pack of four tickets that includes a train ride and all of the activities! This pack of tickets is specifically for the 11:15 am train ride on April 13. We will be there too, and would love to meet you!

If you would like to win, enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  The giveaway is open until midnight on April 3. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was given a four-pack of tickets for my family, but was not compensated to run this giveaway. My opinions are my own.

Best Post of the Week: Week 194

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!

Blogger Meet-Up Networking List

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Nabeel's Cafe today! Maria Gambino and John Krontiras hosted us and treated us with an extra dose of Greek/Italian hospitality. Carl won a gift certificate for dinner, Kathryn and Keith left with John's beautiful cookbook, and we all went home with a bottle of Nabeel's house dressing.

For those that came, here's a list of attendees so that you can all find each other:

Rachel Callahan - @ObjectivityRach; Grasping for Objectivity and Alabama Bloggers
Abby Hathorn - @Abbysauce_; Vintage Inspired Passionista
Chasidy Hathorn - @theLollyMolly; Sweet Sorghum Living
Mercedes Calcano
Courtney Lebedzinski - @HAttraction; Honest Attraction
Tom Brander - @dartdog; oswco and tombrander.com
Audrey Atkins - @audreymatkins; Folkways Nowadays
Edward T. Bowser - @etbowser; al.com and Soul in Stereo
Sherri Ross - @yougotrossed; You Got Rossed
Tanya Sylvan - @tlsylvan; All in Stride
Jennifer Howell - @ursulink; Soul Spark Seeker
Kathryn Lang - @kathrynclang; Kathryn C. Lang
Keith E. Lang - Living on Purpose
Richard Kirby - @DeluxeDelivers; Deluxe Delivers
Lucy Farmer - @lucysinspired; Lucy's Inspired
Gabriel Gadfly - @gabrielgadfly; Gabriel Gadfly
Carl Carter - @mediaguycarl; New Media Rules and Carl's Lost and Found

We discussed community, blogging relationships, and many other topics. If you blog about our conversations today, please link up in the comments so that we can all read your recap!

Also - if any of you haven't connected on our Facebook Page yet, please do so by clicking here and requesting to join - we have some great discussions there, and it is the easiest way to get information out about upcoming blogger events.

Best Post of the Week: Week 193

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!

Alabama Bloggers Meet-Up - March 15

By Rachel

I've decided to take you guys to my home away from home this month, Nabeel's. I spend so much time there that if we pass by, my two-year-old starts screaming to eat - because he assumes that it is the location where all food comes from.

On March 15, we will be congregating in their upper room from 11:30 - 1:00. Owner John Krontiras and Manager Maria Gambino are treating us with their fantastic Greek/Italian Hospitality (the only thing in the world that's better than Southern Hospitality) and will be sending every attendee home with a bottle of their house Greek Dressing.


 

Also, one person will be randomly chosen to receive a gift certificate for Dinner at Nabeel's!

To enter to win, follow NabeelsCafe on Twitter or like their page on Facebook, and tweet about the event, using the hashtag #AlaBlogMeet and @NabeelsCafe in your tweet.

If you'd like, you can use this tweet: 

Looking forward to #AlaBlogMeet at @NabeelsCafe on 3/15 - join us! Details here: http://www.alabamabloggers.com/2013/03/meet-up-on-march-15.html

RSVP on this post or on the Facebook Event Page by March 14 to attend - I look forward to seeing you there!

Best Post of the Week: Week 192

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!