Meet The Blogger Amsterdam-SF Girl By Bay

2 October 2013

meetthebloggeramsterdam(image taken with my iPhone)

 

Attending the Meet the Blogger Amsterdam conference was like getting “baptized” into the world of blogging from the perspective of interior, design and lifestyle bloggers. There’s something magical that happens when you surround yourself with creative types. There’s also a bit of comedic play happening when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, naked and exposed. Raw.

 

I went to the conference with my heart on my sleeve, feeling like “the little blogger that could”. I was eager to learn more about photography, be inspired and make genuine connections with other bloggers. I also came to listen to Victoria Smith, SF Girl By Bay, one of my favorite bloggers of all time. I wanted to listen to her story.

 

She shared words of wisdom with all of us, each blogger attentively listening to her, each one with her (or his) own unique dreams, aspirations, goals and insecurities.

 

While she spoke and I hungrily ate up her words, I finally understood why Victoria Smith has such a devoted cult following. Aside from being a creative genius, she’s a teacher. Artistic souls gravitate to her and she harnesses that energy for the whole world to delight in, a true celebration of life.

 

(image taken with my iPhone)

“Be a social media butterfly.” Victoria Smith, SF Girl by Bay

 

Here are inspirational soundbites from Victoria Smith:

 

What do you want to share with your readers? What is special about your brand?

You gravitate towards people that share a common goal.

The more you are authentic and genuine, like minded people will find you. If you are not true to yourself, it is not going to feel authentic. If it is not going to feel authentic, people will feel that it’s disingenuous. Just be yourself. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.

Share a personal story. It doesn’t mean spilling your guts.

Visually share your influences, skills and inspiration.

Become part of the blogging community.

Be a social media butterfly.

You make your own luck.

 

 

Victoria Smith set the stage for all of us to be more open to each other, to find other kindred spirits with similar aspirations as well as the eagerness to branch out of our comfort zone and see what we could offer each other.

 

I left the conference exhausted, but grateful to have met other bloggers, to commiserate over shared experiences and to gain a renewed sense of purpose. I’m an aspiring writer/blogger trying to find my voice. I’m the expat-mommy blogger that could. Thank-you for joining me on this journey of self-discovery.