In the beginning.
It all started nearly a year ago. No, no, no. I’m not going to take you through a flashback scene where I begin a 5 page history on how I started with the North Carolina Blogger Network. Let’s just say it was something I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone to do.
I saw a request for Regional Ambassadors for a Brand New Blogger Networking Community. It was in North Carolina! Coinkidink – so was I. They wanted Bloggers – Ding! Ding! That was me too. I was so nervous as I typed in my name and information. I was still in the Newbie status as a Blogger – less than a year old – but I wanted this. The community, the Founders…they seemed familiar. Like I already knew them. This was only reinforced during my phone interview with Found Allison Carter. She was so down to earth – shouting orders at her kids in that oh so motherly way we all know, apologizing for the interruptions we were like Twinsies!. When I received the call back saying I had been accepted I was over the moon…with panic, fear and anxiety. This meant I had to plan and wait HOST events. On my own. What in the world was I thinking…?
Still everything was okay. I attended my first NCBN Event in Raleigh. That’s right folks I drove out to Raleigh On. My. Own. It was amazing. The women there made no judgements on my Blogger Age but instead embraced my strengths and offered help and information wherever I needed it. This was perfect. I felt at home and knew this Community had great things ahead. I was definitely proud to be an NCBN Member.
It’s my first one.
My 1st NCBN MeetUp as Regional Ambassador. Doesn’t that just sound a bit intimidating? Yet it wasn’t! I had a blast planning everything out and trying to incorporate as much of NCBN as I could whether it be color schemes, fonts you name it and I was trying to figure how to work everything in there.
I found the perfect location nearly 4 months ago when I partnered up with my Blogging Buddy, Krystel from ArmyWife101 – it was a local Coffee Shop named Village Coffee and the intimate yet trendy interior was perfect for a gathering of some of the best Social Media Influencers in North Carolina. How did I know? We had a test run with an event we hosted called #OverCoffee. Everyone loved the coffee and the atmosphere and hey when you find something that works … well ya know!
Speaking of something that works, I felt the same way about Ms. Krystel. Her Blog, ArmyWife101 is nearly 6 years old and is a mega-success on any Blogging scale. So of course who would make a better speaker to share her tips, ideas and secrets to getting there?
That was it. I had a location, a speaker and plenty of ideas that all came to reality June 20th at Village Coffee in Spring Lake, NC. I know, what about Fayetteville? Well Spring Lake is actually right on the edge so we were definitely still supporting our MYFayetteville!
Speaking of which.
My Fayetteville. I wanted to showcase my awesome city as much as possible. What better way than to offer the MeetUp Attendees chances to experience it for themselves? Places, adventures and even foods they may not have found on their own. Thanks to an amazing Tour of MYFayetteville I took less than 4 months ago and the amazing PR Rep from the Fayetteville Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) I was able to score some pretty awesome prizes for each of the bags I planned of giving to those who came.
Among our Sponsors for each TakeAway Bag were:
Fayetteville Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) who gave us phone holders, flashlights, reporter notebooks, screen cleaners and destination guides.
Collectible Pewter Spoons from the Airborne & Special Operations Museum
The Triangle Rock Club who gave each Attendee a $5 Off Climbing Pass
Each Attendee will be able to experience an on stage performance from the Cape Fear Regional Theater thanks to the 2 Free Passes they sent over.
We were even able to think of our Blogger’s families with the Family Admissions given to us by Fascinate-U Children’s Museum.
Our Bloggers will not be in the need for pens for a while thanks to the Doubletree Hotel and Towne Place Suites
Fairfield Inn North sent over pens, body lotion and business card holders
We also received Whistle Keychains from the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Document Clips from FTCC, magnets postcards and flyers from Averasboro Battlefield, plus First Aid Kits, TShirts and Pens from Southern Regional AHEC
On to the day.
I was up super early. Like crack-o-dawn early because my mind didn’t believe my body when it said it needed sleep. So instead I was making lists and double check TakeAway Bags for the #NCBNFay MeetUp. Oh! Did I forget to mention? That was our hashtag. Our very own hashtag! Whew! This was really real!
Anyway, back to my lists and checking and stuff. Did that. TakeAway Bags designed (yup…I DIYed that!) and packed. Check. Agenda, Sponsor Lists and NCBN Flyers printed. Done. Only thing left was to get there and do the thang. Oh and that we did. As people arrived, my excitement built and luckily so did theirs. Everyone was excited to meet new Bloggers, connect with a few favorites and simply have a great day of Social Networking fun and I was determined to make sure it happened.
We’re here and ready to meet and connect at the #NCBNFay #MeetUp
A photo posted by TheMrsTee (@mrsteeh) on
I think it was a success.
Those were my words as I got in my truck after my very first NCBlogger Network MeetUp. People were laughing, connecting and most of all – happy. Don’t take my word for it though…check out a few of their pics from the day…
A photo posted by Krystel Spell (@officialarmywife101) on
Oh and of course I made a Vlog!
http://youtu.be/iNauSBWPDSc&w=520&h=440
So yes, I think it was a success and I am already excited for #NCBNFay2!
You can be a part.
Would you like to attend my next Fayetteville Regional Event or even the next one in the North Carolina Region near you? Do you want to connect with NC Bloggers just like you who want to share their knowledge, experience and know how in one of the fastest growing Social Media Influence outlets? Then The North Carolina Blogger Network is definitely something you want to look into.
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62 thoughts on “NCBlogger Network MeetUp Fayetteville | Recap #NCBNFay”
Love this!!
Thanks!!
Oh wow congratulations on hosting a successful meet-up, you must be proud and sounds like it was so much fun for everyone who attendend
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Thanks so much Miranda!! It was a lot of fun for sure…
It certainly sounds like everyone had a good time!! Loving the generosity is some brands with the goody bags too 🙂 x
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We truly did. Yes, the sponsors we had were very generous indeed. So grateful!
Wow! What a truly awesome event! For sure you guys had a blast! 🙂
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Yes Ron! It was so much fun and I loved the opportunity to meet and connect with a few local Bloggers and soon-to-be Blogger 😀
The Blogger meet with fellow bloggers sounds super fun! I wish we do that here as well.
It was and such a great way to connect. It only takes one person to start it 😉 *hint-hint*
Your NC Blogger Meet up sounds like a lot of fun and you've got a fabulous swag bag happening! I have a friend that is starting up a blog in NC I'll pass along the info (she hasn't started yet, she just has an idea and I know the support would be fantastic!:) )
It really was a great day Stephanie! Thanks..the sponsors really blessed us! LOL..oh yes please do and feel free to give her my info as well…I\’d love to help!
That sounds like such a fantastic time. I would love to organize something like that here. Maybe I should.
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It was so much fun April! I think you should!! I know you would have a great event 🙂
That looks like so much fun! I signed up for my first blogger meetup a few weeks ago. It's next month and I've been super nervous about it. Hopefully it turns out as fun as yours did!
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So much Erin! Yay! Don’t be nervous just be YOU! I know you’re going to have a blast! I’m sure it will and I can’t wait to hear about it 😀
What a great experience! I can't wait for the day I can find something close enough to me that I could feel I could get time away from the toddler to go to!
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Yes Nichole!! Amazing day… I hope you find something. Try doing an FB search for blog Communities…what state are you in?
Looks like a lot of fun! I always love going to blogger meet ups 🙂
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It was! I do too Beth, such great connections with great people.
That sounds like a lot of fun! It is so great to meet up with other bloggers! I am so glad that you enjoyed it so much!
It was so much fun Dawn…Thanks so much!
That sounds awesome. Looks like you all had a blast. I would love to be able to attend an event like this.
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Thanks Elizabeth! It was such a great day and I had so much fun meeting a few new Bloggers. I hope you get the chance to attend one.
These meet up is a great way to know new people and learn from other bloggers as well. It's great that you were able to be an ambassadress to them and they got a lot of treat from your city and sponsors.
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They really are! Thank you so much I had a blast and can\’t wait \’til the next one!
That looks like such a fun meetup! It's always great to meet other bloggers since we're mostly behind our computers most of the time.
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It really was Jacob! Yes, I love IRL meetings because it helps put a face to the words on the screen.
That is so awesome you got accepted into the group – Congratulations! It looks like you had a blast too. I would love to get in a group like that.
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Thanks Amanda! I really did and I can\’t wait for our next event… what State are you in? Try an FB search for a group…
Wow!! Awesome! Congrats on your success with this. I would be just as afraid and intimidated as you were. It just goes to show what can happen when you step outside of your comfort zone.
Thanks so much Joyce…I truly appreciate it. I was definitely nervous but thankfully everything went great. I think I may even step out a bit further 😀
I just recently attended my first blog conference and learned so much. Conferences are such a great way for bloggers to connect and learn from one another.
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That’s awesome April!! Which one was it? They really are and these small local metopes help get your feet wet for bigger conferences.
It's such a nice thing that you can connect with bloggers in your area. I have met some fun ladies who also write about kid friendly activities in Chicagoland, as well as have a "real life" friend who is new to blogging. All relationships are so fun and good for all of us!
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Yes Amanda. I love meeting new people and meeting new Bloggers is always so much fun. Getting to connect faces and voices to media handles…love it!
The only blogging conference I went to was extremely lame. There were only two people…and one didn't even have a blog yet. Needless to say, I looked elsewhere for networking!
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Oh NO! So sorry about that Amanda. Haha! What State are you in?
I wish we could have a meetup where I live too!
If you know any Bloggers in your area you can start out by just connecting for coffee…
Looks like the Fayetteville meetup was a great success, congratulations! I am based in NYC but if I lived closer I would definitely attend the next one! 🙂
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It really was!! Thank you so much…Aaah my hometown! LOL…well if you\’re ever visiting please feel free to reach out and perhaps we could do something.
Looks like you had a great time! I hope to hear about a blogger network meetup near me. I'd love to go!
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We Did Stephanie! So much fun and laughter mixed in with some really great knowledge being shared. Where is ‘near you’? Are you in North Carolina? You can head over to NCBloggerNetwork.com and check out the calendar to see what’s scheduled near you 😀
It looked like such a great time! I was disappointed that I couldn't make my schedule work to attend. Hopefully I can catch you at a future NCBN meet up. Great job hosting!
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So much fun Sarah!! I’m sorry you couldn’t make it too. We will definitely be having more events soon so hopefully you will be able to make it. Thanks so much 😀
I'm glad it turned out to be such a great experience for everyone! It's always nice meeting new people with similar interests at these meetups!
Thanks Liz! I am too…I was totally stressing over nothing. It turned out great and I\’m just glad everyone had a great time. Meeting new people is definitely the up side to being a Blogger.
Omg how fun!!!! When I lived in FL groups existed all over the place like this! Here in WNY ughhh… Not so much. They are all in MYC which is 6hrs away -_-
It Was! Oh No! That\’s why Allison and Nikol started NCBN because there was a need for a community network in the area. Perhaps you can help start one up there in WNY? *hint-hint* 🙂
That sounds exciting and fun. Meeting up other bloggers is something really want to do.
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So Fun! It really is a great experience and good way to find connections with people who understand this BlogLife we live…LOL I hope you find a network and community near you!
Looks like you all had a fun meet up. Some local bloggers here in Baton Rouge meet up for dinner or playdates. It's a great way to make friends.
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We did Tiffany! It was so much fun and we had a blast getting to know each other. That sound like fun! Maybe our next one will have to be dinner…I love chatting over a great meal 🙂
You pulled it together so darn well! What a super fun meet-up and go NC! I live here too. 🙂
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Thanks so much Liz! Do you really?? How far are you from Fayetteville? I would love the chance to meet and connect…
wow…looks like you all had an amazing experience and time!!! Love the pics!!!!
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It was definitely a good day Karen. Thanks so much…we had a bunch of selfie fun for sure! 😀
It looks like everyone attending had a blast! I am so glad it went so well for you. I don't live in NC I live in NY so I won't be able to attnd any of those fun get togethers–too bad!
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I hope they did Michele. That was my goal…well if you ever travel down here to visit be sure to reach out we\’ll be happy to have you 🙂
Sounds like you had such a great time! I've always wanted to attend a blogger metope but the timing has never been right <3
We Did! Hopefully you will be able to attend one sooner rather than later. They are an amazing way to meet and connect with other Bloggers…