Just the sound of the word Disney makes me smile. The fun, the imagination, the stories that just that single word evokes brings such joy to people worldwide. I was able to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in Austin this past week and came away feeling elated and inspired to keep doing what I am doing and finding ways to spread the love and cheer that are all things Disney.
We opened the day to a fabulous breakfast in the gorgeous Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin hotel on Congress St. in downtown Austin. We started with hearing Leanne J. O’Regan. We broke the “ice” as you will with a pin exchange so that we could get to know other bloggers around the room. Though none of us really have a problem with being social at a social media event 🙂 I was able to score this fab classic Mickey Mouse. My very first pin!
Jamie Langdon the person behind the @DisneyMoms twitter account gave us the updates on all things Disney Parks. It just made me want to start planning a trip seeing such amazing places that we have not been able to visit. Disneyland and Disney World is ever changing bringing new rides and attractions all the time. It means that you can have a different kind of experience every time you visit one of the parks.
Jennifer Baker then showed an amazing video of a series of photos that they had done where they took sparklers and created a beautiful free hand form Light Paintings. For someone to be so creative and to not have a canvas that they are “painting” on or following a drawing is beyond my comprehension. She showed us ways to bring creativity to our blogs and make them shine and be seen. My favorite tip I got from her is sometimes to overcome writers block is to go hang out with a friend and have a good laugh. It relaxes you, brings joy, and relieves stress.
Kathy Murillo and her daughter Maya were just so precious and showing how each generation can be int his crazy social media world. They each have their own takes and favorite platforms, but it was interesting to see how even though in each age bracket you can find a way to use all the platforms including Periscope and Vine. Her tips are ones that I need to keep reminding myself off daily:
- Embrace New
- Have a book proposal ready
- Make readers laugh, cry, or gasp
- Know you five year destination
- Know top search terms for your site
- Involve Your Kids!!
The last one really resonates with me. My kids are a huge part of my life and why I blog and who I blog about. As they get older, I like to find ways for them to really be a part of this blog on so many levels. Teach them the things I am doing. Let them really test the products I get in. Use video so they can voice their opinions and so their character shines through the blog.
Lisa Erspamer was so inspiring and I am so in love with her newest book A Letter to my Mom, the third in the series. It is a compilation of letters from celebrities to every day folks where they have written a letter to their moms. I can’t wait to really dig in to the book and most likely will need a tissue box nearby.
We were all crying by the end of the DSMMC when they showed us The Tenors sharing their letters to their mothers in a surprise video. I mean a whole room of women is bound to get crying at that one. So beautiful and moving. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out!
We were all blessed with a fabulous goodie bag filled with all things Disney, and ALL of us got a gift card from Alamo to spend in the parks!! I am going in about a month and can’t wait to see what I can bring back for the kids!! Oh and I was the lucky winner of an American Tourister luggage filled with even more Disney lovelies. My favorite is the Alex and Ani bangle which I think will be my new collecting item! So beautiful. The celebration only lasted a few hours, but was filled with amazing speakers, knowledge that I will cherish, and a new found love for Disney(as if I needed another reason).
Thank you to all of the Disney Moms team and for putting together a fabulous day. I will remember this one for a long time!!
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