February 10th, 2012

Happy Baby Food Review

Happy Baby Foods is a great brand that has been a part of our house since my first child was introduced to solid foods, and in about a year, I’ll be introducing baby number two to the same foods. Needless to say, we are huge fans. Not to say that we don’t have other products in our house, but, see for yourself….

Our Fridge

Happy Tot Squeeze Fruit

 

Happy Baby Food Pouches

Our Freezer

Happy Baby Frozen Food

Our Cabinet

Happy Baby Munchies and Melts

Then we have a stock pile in the basement where we store our supplies.

Why do we love it? Because it is what I would make for my baby or toddler if I had the time to do it. It is an organic brand of foods without artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. The containers don’t contain phthalates, PBB’s, PBDE’s or bisphenol-A (BPA) either. Just real food with great mixtures like orange and pumpkin or peas and pears.

My first foray into the brand was the Happy Squeezer. I used to squeeze the tot pouches into a spoon and it feed to my baby. It made it easy to take in the diaper bag and was one less container to clean! When my son was teething, I even put the packet in the freezer (1-2hrs) to get it to a slushy consistency to help soothe his gums, although now it is just a fun summer snack. Now I just give him the packet directly and he squeezes it himself, directly into his mouth. I have been known to eat them myself when I am on the run and need real food, real fast….and this is just one product in a huge line of what they have.

Honestly, I can’t say enough about how comfortable I am giving any Happy product to my child when I just don’t have the time to make it, and he has loved the food since he was a baby. I don’t want this blog post to turn into an advertisement though, so here is a link to the FAQ section of Happy Baby so you can learn more about it directly.

If you haven’t tried it (or if you have and love it as we do), leave a comment and enter to win 2 free HappyMelts, 2 free HappyBaby Puffs, and 2 free Happy Munchies. Yum! Congrats to Mary R. for winning!

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Disclosure: I received additional HappyBaby products, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

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January 14th, 2012

Football Game Dip Recipe

Shrimp Dip

It is time for football playoffs! and what could be better than an awesome dip recipe to serve during the game.
I love this cottage cheese dip recipe because it is low in fat and calories and high in protein and taste. Plus, you can whip it up in under 15 minutes max. I use Daisy Cottage Cheese because I think the flavor is top notch even with 2% milk fat. Plus, it is made only with four ingredients: cultured skim milk, cream, salt, and Vitamin A Palmitate. Nothing fru-fru or fake. Total touchdown.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked peeled small shrimp, thawed if frozen and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

Directions

Mix the cottage cheese and garlic together. Spread the cottage cheese mixture onto a 9-inch serving platter. Top with the green onion, cayenne pepper, avocado, shrimp, and cilantro. Serve with your favorite dippers, such as crackers, pita chips, or bagel chips. Serves about 10 people (or 5 really hungry ones).

Calories 64 cals
Total Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 39 mg
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sodium 270 mg
Protein 8 g
Total Carbohydrate 3 g

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January 3rd, 2012

Video Success in 2012

In the 1980s, “video killed the radio star“. According to a lot of posts in the Blogosphere this week about how to be a successful Blogger, video may propel you to being a blogging star in 2012.

Great posts came from Blogger Jennifer James of Mom Blogger Magazine where she shared her 15 Mom Blogging Predictions for 2012. Another fabulous post came from Hormone Colored Days where the post focused on how social media Moms will fare in 2012. Social Media companies also jumped on the bandwagon with blogging tips to incorporate in the new year, like the 12 Tips for Revitalising your Blog, by ProBlogger.

While everyone has different takeaways from these various posts, the one theme I consistently saw was that web videos, vlogging and otherwise non-static blog content is “IT” for 2012. In other words, get those cameras rolling people.

Now, I am biased because it is something that I use frequently on my blog, and even started a live show last spring that I just reformatted for a relaunch later this month. But many bloggers seem to have a fear about going in front of the camera after being behind the computer for so long.

I am not going to say it is easy. It is not. People can be even more cruel on YouTube or on your video posts than on your written content, but when should that stop you? You also don’t need fancy equipment, subscriptions and gadgets to start. So no excuses there. You probably have the tools you need to record, upload and share a video right now. And it is not to replace blogging, just supplement it. Having a video in a blog post enables your readers a choice on how they want to absorb the content. Plus, if folks are at work, many can’t watch video because of various corporate restrictions. But having video does expand your reach if you also have it on YouTube and your blog. It also helps with Google search-ability since Google seems to like videos.

For those of you going to Blissdom this year, I will be one of the Community Leaders in Vlogging. So find me and let’s connect. Consider going to the SheStreams conference in March, which is all about video work. (Fingers crossed that you will see me as a speaker there too.)

All in all, let get started. Let’s support each other. Don’t let fear deter you. The only thing that is, may be some knowledge, and that is what I am here for. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to see the video content I’ll be sharing in the weeks ahead. Let’s get rolling!

P.S. Here is one fast video post I did a couple of months ago. No makeup, no fancy equipment, but it shows how video in this case tells a better story than words ever could tell.

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August 16th, 2011

Bloggers and Brands

For some reason, I found myself overhearing a variety of Brand-to-Brand conversations during BlogHer. As I waited for a cab, I heard two Brand representatives chatting with each other about what they thought of Bloggers at BlogHer. At another point, I was on the otherside of an expo booth where I heard two Brand employees chatting about the Bloggers they had met during the two day event.

What were they saying? Let’s just say “Not Flattering” would be the appropriate response. Everything from swag<bleep>, hoochies, and snobbers were the adjectives to describe the group as a whole; whether it be Mom, Tech, Food, or DIY Bloggers.

<Awkward>

Frankly, though, I cannot wholly blame them.

I met those same individuals. The folks that were cutting people off in line so they could get the swag bag. Women who dressed to the nines to drink themselves into a stupor. As I mentioned in a previous post (see links below), I have no problem with that, but the brands that were watching? They do, and they walked away with an unflattering picture based on a variety of conversations I heard directly and indirectly.

However, if I could have, I would have asked the Brand, “Why were you there?”

For example, what would you think of a booth, at a conference geared towards women, that had a couple of guys dressed as stripper-like construction workers giving out chocolate granola bars from well-placed tool belts? Is it good PR or is it stereotypical? What was the point of that strategy? Being nice and just giving free granola bars? Did you want us to tweet about them? Blog about them? Buy them as consumers? Did you achieve that? On the flip side, while I appreciate free stuff, it doesn’t cover the cost of my ticket, room or airline flight. I can get a granola bar, an ice cream bar or a toy without shelling out $1000 for them. What I am there for is a connection. Information. Data I can take home. A contact card for future work. I would think that would be a goal for the Brand too.

However, my take was that most of the BlogHer Brands just wanted to get their product name in the social media space, which is a valid marketing strategy. However, I have two concerns with that. First, it shouldn’t be your only strategy. You should also use it as an opportunity to connect with Bloggers to determine if any may be a good partner in future campaigns or initiative. Second, I didn’t like the manner in which it was asked of me to help with said marketing strategy. For example, the “”tweet to win an entry for X” aspect didn’t appeal to me on most occasions. Especially when the representatives did not know how the winner would be selected or how I would learn of the winner. It often seemed like I needed to jump through hoops with only an option of winning something that I wasn’t sure was legitimate in the first place. Yet, I was expected to engage in their marketing campaign. Be clear and provide that information. Same with video. If you are going to have me sign a form so you can have me on camera, be nice and send me a copy of it or at least a link. I’d like to know where I am “floating around”. It is also a good marketing venue as well, as I probably will share a link to the video in my channels. Duo exposure for you.

There were many Brands that did get it right. HTC, LG, and Sallie Mae, for example, invited select Bloggers to focus groups and insight meetings; using the time to gather information and thanking the Bloggers for their time. Other Brands, like Daisy Cottage Cheese or Hershey had suites where you could sit and engage in a conversation to learn a bit about each other. Other Brands, like Tropicana and Gatorade brought big name celebrities. Granted, Brand budgets vary, but you could see the thought went into the event and engagement with Bloggers.

Overall, Bloggers and Brands need to ask themselves, what is their goal from BlogHer and is it the right venue for those goals. Brands need to ask themselves, what is your overall perception of Bloggers and how does (and did) that shape your sponsor strategy; whether for blogger campaigns, individual sponsorships, or conference sponsorships like BlogHer or Blissdom?

Blog conferences are growing. More and more of them are added to the schedule every year, with sponsorships and money for the taking and giving. It is even more important than ever before to make sure Brands do their homework to determine the right venue and the right group with whom to work. The same is true for Bloggers. Each side only has a set amount of money to spend. We each need to spend it wisely. With due respect too.

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July 25th, 2011

BlogHer Sponsors

How Brands and Bloggers can work together at Blogging Conferences

The Expo Booth

For anyone going to BlogHer this year, there are great posts about what to expect, what to wear and what to do. This post contains none of that.

I am unfashionable, don’t get invited to private parties, and I wander around in awe at the sheer size of the conference space. So I wouldn’t follow me to a particular spot, unless you are up for walking in circles.

The point of the post is about the sponsors at the expo. They are numerious at BlogHer. The vast expo hall will blow your mind when you enter it, and the number of brand representatives that value your time and input is even greater.

While the sponsors significantly cover the cost of the conference pass, as well as the food, they are not doing it out of goodwill. (Though it is good.) They are doing it because they want to be there and connect with a large audience of fantastic Bloggers. A brilliant marketing strategy that many companies are catching onto.

You’ll find most of the BlogHer sponsors are promoting a new product, a new launch, or a new brand. They do so at BlogHer because there is measurable ROI (Return on Investment). The number of sponsors appears to grow every year because the connections Brands make with Bloggers attending BlogHer spreads to the social media channels rapidly, and numerously, in the weeks and months following BlogHer.

Yet, there are some tips, for Brands and Bloggers alike, to maximize and enhance the rapid fire relationship formed in the conference booths, which can extend beyond the conference.

Bloggers:

  • Have GOOD business cards. At a minimum, the card should have your name, blog name, blog url, twitter handle, email address and what the blog is about. Bonus for additional contact information and a headshot on your card. This way the brand can actually know who you are, what you do and how to contact you. I’m still amazed many people don’t have this vital information on their blogging business cards.
  • Drop your business card. There are going to be a lot of people, but at least leaving your business card at a booth will show the Brand that you are interested and they have the opportunity to follow up with you after BlogHer if they have your business card, (see point number one).
  • Engage in the person and not the swag. Trust me, I get it. I am always wondering what free product I can walk away with to review or giveaway, but try to not look ‘swagreedy’ and chat with the rep. Ask them why there are there and what you can do to help.
  • Be respectful of time and space. Be respectful of the brand representative’s time, as they do want to meet many Bloggers just as you want to meet with many brands. On a side note, if you are chatting with your best new Blogger buddy, try to have conversations outside and away from the booth so that there is space for other Bloggers to enter.
  • Balance social media with socialization. I love to tweet and post in my social media channels about what I am doing, what is going on, who I am meeting, and what I have learned throughout the conference. Yet, the other benefit of BlogHer is meeting people – be it Bloggers or Brands. So put down the smartphone on occasion and look around. There is cool stuff to see.
Brands
  • Don’t judge. There are some big name Bloggers at BlogHer, and there are Blogger newbies. Each are valuable as part of your marketing and social media strategy. Trust me, I will remember if you snub me in favor of a big name. While I may respect them too, I won’t respect you as a consumer or as a Blogger. As we have seen, negative publicity can be a lot worse.
  • Send the right people. I remember meeting a diaper company at a conference. They had college interns representing the brand and they had no idea what parents face. They may be social media rising stars, but no one wanted to talk to them because of the perception that they could not know anything about real life use of diapers. It also felt like the brand did not value Bloggers.
  • Have good giveaways. BlogHer is not about pens, but you don’t have to be handing out $100 gift cards either. One company had large, nice quality bags with their logo on it. Everyone wanted one (big bag to carry around all of the swag) and the company got on-the-floor advertising. Another brand had blinking rings (definitely noticeable) and, of course, everyone wanted one so there was great traffic at the booth.
  • Followup and Followback. If I am tweeting about you during the conference, follow me back. Obviously, I’m a fan you should engage. Also followup up after the conference with me if I left you my business card. I may be a key blogger in your upcoming campaign. It also establishes a better connection that could even influence my role as a consumer and not just as a Blogger.

All in all, have a fun. Enjoy the people you meet and remember that, whether you are a Blogger or Brand, be professional; it reflects on all of us outside of the Blogosphere.

{Stay tuned for the next post for BlogHer Bloggers and Brands about the Do’s & Don’ts of Swag}

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Charlene is also the Founder of The Social Toast – a website and UStream show about all things in the realm of social media. 

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May 23rd, 2011

Brands, Bloggers and Conferences

Brands and BloggersThe SheCon Conference was the reason for my first trip to Miami, and the Shelbourne South Beach Hotel was the home base during my brief stay.  I say brief because within 24 hours of my arrival, I was booking my departure. While I met some amazing bloggers and brands, the overall impact of my trip showed there are lessons to be learned.

In this three-part post, the first focus will be on brand engagement at social media conferences. The second post topic will be on how hotels can be better prepared to host Bloggers. The third and last post will offer suggestions to better enhance a positive blogging conference.

While experiences can vary from Blogger to Blogger, there was much expressed dissatisfaction during the two days in Miami. From brands that were extremely disappointed in the outcome of the conference return on investment (ROI), to fellow bloggers who were disappointed in information; the common response was that they would not be back.

Despite my own personal frustrations, I found myself having to justify Blogging conferences. Explaining to brands that not all Blogging conferences are alike and encouraging Bloggers to consider Blogging Conferences as a whole. Yet, the overall theme is research. Brands should do due diligence for conference participation and sponsorships, and Bloggers should consider factors such as cost and opportunities.

First, is the mission of the conference clear, and does it meet your brands’ mission? What do you want to get out of the conference? Is it just name recognition? Is it one-on-one engagement with Bloggers/Brands? Is it establishment of a long-term partnership? Is it to pass along written materials? Allow hands on interaction with the product?

Second, where is the conference being held? What are the space options? Does it allow for brand/Blogger mingling? Does it showcase your product in the way you want it to be showcased? Does it showcase you in the way you want to be showcased?

Third, who is hosting the conference? Do they have conference experience? Have they planned a conference before or assisted with a conference before? Do they have conference planning references? If the answer is no, what is the level of risk your brand wants to take on an unknown factor. It could be a big splash or a big flop, so clear understanding of the risk factor is key. The greater the risk, and/or the less tolerance for it, may determine ultimate participation or overall investment.

One brand I spoke with offline was very disappointed in the outcome of their investment at the SheCon conference. Furthermore, their entire social media budget was riding on this conference. According to the brand representative, the total traffic to the booth was 50 people, which for them, did not justify the cost. I ended spending time in the booth, not talking about the product, but about conferences, the value of bloggers, and urging them to considering giving both another chance. (In the conference space, I had a similar conversation with a couple of Bloggers too.) I managed to change their minds. However, for the brand, a blown budget and a now ‘gun-shy’ CEO who will need to be convinced to invest in us again, their re-engagement won’t be until 2012. Thus, 2011 will be a year of lost opportunity, for both them and us.

So the point is, even if you did not attend SheCon or if you did and had a wonderful experience, if you have been to other conferences or not, we should all be concerned with this feedback. We want brands to be engaged with the Blogging Community, and to spread the word about the power and pizzazz of women bloggers. Conferences are a great start and starting point. We all need to rally behind Blogging conferences to urge their success as it can reflect on us as a whole. Yet, quantity is not as important as quality. So if you are considering hosting a conference, think about whether your conference is value added, whether you can do it justice and the overall impact it could have on the brand/blogger community.

We have all heard the phrase; it is not just the journey, but also the destination. In this instance, it is not about tenacity, but the final perception and the lessons learned, for all of us.

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Image Credit: by svilen001 via stock.xchng

 

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