life lessons learned: babies, bloggers, and brands

On Sunday, I had the incredible opportunity to spend the day with some of the coolest, most talented gals I know--my DC Metro Mom friends.

And with a handful of super-cute, sweeter-than sweet babies and several local and national brands in the mix, I learned a few important lessons.

At the totally swanky Ritz-Carlton, at the DC Metro Moms Brand & Blogger Symposium, I learned:

• that Parentopia Devra and Goon Squad Sarah can really put together an incredible event. Thanks, friends!

• that the brunch and service at The Ritz totally rocks. The people there waited on us hand and foot, from insisting on plugging in my pathetic, low-battery cell phone to providing us with the best eats I've ever had-- it was a total treat to be there . . .
  

• that babies just make any afternoon that much more fun, especially when they are all about the same age and they're uber-cute and are totally communicating with each other throughout the event. . .
  

• that many of us aren't comfortable with the term 'mommy bloggers' and would prefer: intelligent, creative, strong, passionate (insert any relevant noun or nouns--writer/photographer/ teacher/ attorney/ doctor/ mother) who writes a blog or, if you must, a 'mom who blogs. . .
  

• the importance of relationships. Between each other and between bloggers and brands they work with or represent. Consider approaching brands 'the same way you'd like to be approached' (from one of my new favorite people ever, Lindsay Lebresco). You never know how relationships can grow and change down the road. . .
  

• to continue emphasizing to the world that there is so, so, so much more to a blog than just numbers. A blogger's reach often extends far beyond the scope of her blog, and her influence in her church, moms group, school, and community can be a force to be reckoned with. . .
  

• that every blog, especially our hyper-local or niche-oriented blogs, often carry major clout with readers. And even though a blog might seem like it only reaches a certain audience, often readers are incredibly loyal and put a ton of trust into what the writer says about products, events, ideas, or companies. . .

• to just be nice. To everyone. To every blog. To every PR person who accidentally messes up your name in a really crummy pitch. Be nice. Right? We know this. We learned it back when we were like five years old, but it never hurts to be reminded. You never know who knows whom or who's reading what blog or what blogger is bff with what person, so just be nice. That's it. (Seriously, this is just a good rule of thumb in every aspect of our lives, and even as adults, we need to be reminded.). . .
  

• that I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of this diverse and talented group of women and that these gals rank among my most dear friends. As my pal, Jessica so succinctly put it, Blogging. I recommend it. To do it daily, I feel very blessed.

Blessed I am to have the opportunity to write this blog for the last year and a half, with the support of my family, and to have connected with the Silicon Valley Moms Group and DC Metro Moms. It's awesome, and I'm truly grateful.

Several companies helped to make this event happen, and in the next few weeks (okay, let's be honest) and months, I'll share what I received and what I think others may find useful. Until then. . .

Big thanks to Bit Moms and Bit Defender for hosting the brunch, being a sponsor for the event, and talking seriously to me about partnering with we teach. Exciting!

Also many thanks to:

• K12 Education whom I had the opportunity to meet in the fall and whom I was thrilled to see again;
• TLC (I do see visions of a blogger show somewhere, some how...) and Georgetown Cupcakes (get ready for a schweet new summer show!);
• Lawrys, Cinnabon, Stonyfield, and Tassimo;
  
• Cultural Care Au Pair;
• Lice Happens;
• Safety 1st;
• Organically Grown;
  
• Wolf Trap;
  
• 23 and me;
  
• iGo;
• Easy Print Design;
  
• Love/ Avon Army of Women (one of my personal fave's!);
  
• and several other brands for making this day memorable!

Like I said, I'll share more about the new products, events, and services given to us by these companies in the next few weeks/ months. Looking forward to it!

disclosure: All of the brands mentioned above provided us with free products, services, or tickets to upcoming events. Their sponsorship made this event possible, but the opinions reflected in this post are entirely my own, influenced in no way, shape, or form by anything other than me.