50 Things To Write About At BlogPaws
You have the ticket booked, the reservations are made, and you are about
to attend one of the most powerful social media conferences in the
nation for pet bloggers, writers, brands, microbloggers, and more. You
want to be able to bring something back to your readers, but not sure
what, where to start, and what would be interesting to your readers. As
any good blogger/reporter knows, preparation is key (even if you aren't
attending, these are handy writing prompts).
"What can I write about when I come to BlogPaws?" might be running through your mind right about now. As a repeat attender (someone who has been to every single BlogPaws conference, with her dog by her side), I can attest to the sheer abundance of material you will have when the conference draws to a close.
The fifth annual BlogPaws conference is
taking place May 16 – May 18, 2013 in Tysons Corner, Virginia. About
500 pet bloggers, brands, journalists, writers, industry experts, (and
many of them bringing their pets) will be present, many for
a week or more. While you are listening to seminars, learning, talking
to brands, and networking, keep a tablet handy and jot down ideas for
blog posts.
This list is printable, so if you are like me and think “I have to
remember to write this once I get home,” but then can’t recall that
“a-ha” moment, here are 50 ideas for blog posts:
1. Take a picture of an educational slide that interests you and form a blog post around it.
2. Give your readers a behind-the-scenes look at a brand after meeting them in the exhibit hall. Turn the tables and interview the brand: Personally I love to read about what brands have cooking and on tap.
3. Interview a fellow blogger for a Q&A series; there will be no shortage of them on site.
4. Make a video slideshow blog post of the BlogPaws experience or even better, Tout about it before, during, and after the conference. Not familiar with Tout? It's like Twitter video. Here's the BlogPaws Tout channel.
5. Summarize what you learned in an educational session. If you know someone who wants to attend BlogPaws in person but can't make it, do a "top 10 things I learned at this session" post. This is a very shareable type of post as well.
6. Talk to a brand about supporting your favorite shelter and blog about it.
7. Make a list of useful resources and links gained at BlogPaws. Readers love resources and references when they apply to their needs.
8. Write a tutorial (step by step) based on something you learned.
9. Make a Top 10 list of favorite moments.
10. Write about a product(s) from your swag bag.
11. Interview a variety of pets that attend the event.
12. Pay it Forward and share links about pet rescue groups you met.
13. Ask a fellow blogger if they’d like to guest post on your blog.
14. Share a video “how to” from BlogPaws on a hot topic.
15. Have a contest and give a favorite product away.
16. Ask readers to submit questions and answer them thoughtfully in a new blog post.
17. Write a tutorial from the something learned at BlogPaws, pass it on.
18. Do a series of posts on a related topic (ex: 5 favorite products
found at BlogPaws, 5 ways to help dogs learned at BlogPaws, 10 things
overheard at BlogPaws, etc).
19. Do a pet-friendly post about Tysons Corner: Share the Tysons Corner and DC experience and where you went, what you saw. Did you know the Fairfax County Tourism Bureau put together a fab page of things to do and see with (or without) a pet while visiting the area?
20. Follow the #BlogPaws hashtag and post about some of the best tweets of the weekend. You'll want to keep track of the #BlogPaws hashtag throughout the conference anways 😉
21. Impart Facebook and Twitter tips to your readers (we’re all on social media these days).
22. Share your favorite Facebook, blog, or twitter pages from the experience.
23. Write a do’s and don’t list based on something learned (ex: do’s for visiting the vets versus don’ts). We have an entire Thursday panel called "Bloggers vs. Veterinarians"
24. Trends and products to watch for based on things discovered at BlogPaws.
25. Ask your readers (pre-BlogPaws) what they most want to know from brands, find out, and write about it.
26. Approach people whose online presence you presently enjoy and interview them. You can even email or DM the person ahead of time to set some time aside.
27. Create an infographic from stats learned at the conference.
28. Find out what new products the brands have coming out and write the scoop.
29. Do an inspirational post from BlogPaws – everyone loves feel good stories.
30. Share an exclusive with your readers from something learned at BlogPaws.
31. Make a video based on what you learn in the Thursday video class with Animal Planet’s "Hero Dogs of 9/11,” producer, Kenn Bell.
32. Blog about the Nose-to-Nose Pet Blogger Award winners and how you met David Frei of Angel on a Leash and the "Voice of Westminster."
33. Bringing a pet? Have them review a product AT BlogPaws. (or ask
someone if you can “borrow” their pet for a review in person.)
34. Review a book you found out about at BlogPaws (and get inspired to write your own).We have plenty of published authors on site and teaching the sessions. One such example includes "E-books" and promotions with Amy Shojai and Sandra Beckwith.
35. Show don’t tell: Do a wordless post complete with pictures and/or video from BlogPaws.
36. Highlight a favorite speaker’s session and tell readers what you learned.
37. Give a face to a company: Interview a favorite brand, get their permission, and post about it.
38. Take readers with you on the journey: From airport to hotel to sessions and back home.
39. Celbri-dogs you met at BlogPaws. Did you know Ron Trotta and Schmitty the Weather Dog will be in attendance and part of the opening ceremony on Thursday evening? Sony Presents Ron Trotta & Schmitty the Weather Dog with a Sony Action Cam! You can also watch and meet Norman the Scooter Dog and Charles the Monarch Dog. There are plenty of other surprise guests in store. You never know who you will meet at BlogPaws; this much I know is true.
40. Go through the dog park and check out some hot new items for dogs there and then cruise on over to The Cat Lounge at BlogPaws with main sponsor Hauspanther – the infamous Kate Benjamin.
40. Create a beginners guide to something you learned at BlogPaws.
41. Compile a list of resources for your readers from info gained at BlogPaws.
42. Write about how NOT to do something based on a session or seminar info.
43. Do an FAQ (frequently asked questions) about a topic and get
them answered at BlogPaws; then write about it (FAQ about how to rescue a
pet, FAQ about Facebook, FAQ about dog treats).
44. How readers can take actionable steps to help rescues from info gained at BlogPaws.
45. Think of questions you have now, get them answered at BlogPaws
sessions, then share that info in a blog post (or series of) with your
readers.
46. Do a product synopsis post: Categories of products discovered at BlogPaws.
47. Leave your comfort zone: Do a podcast, a youtube video, a video
interview, or anything you’ve always wanted to do but never have.
48. Create a list of freebies for your readers (ebooks, links, offers, etc).
49. What is one of the biggest problems/concerns your readers face? Get it answered at BlogPaws.
50. Visit The Pet360 Media Pavilion where we will have professionals to help with all of your blogging and business questions: Lena
West’s business coaching advice, plus Tom Collins’ monetization and direct Pet
Blogger Network information, plus blog design advice & technical help with
your blog. The team will be set up and ready to assist following Thursday’s
evening’s opening remarks.
There will be a sign up sheet for Friday and Saturday so be sure to stop by and
reserve your slot.
The BlogPaws Program has been updated and you can check it out in its entirety. Ready to register? Here's the link: BlogPaws Conference 2013 Registration.
Don’t forget that there are great networking opportunities at the DIY night! Learn about the Pet Postcard Project, then blog about it! Talk to the folks who are making Honor Flags and learn why they are showing their love. It is amazing how much love is expressed through this simple act.
Absolutely and great point, Wanda. I can’t wait!