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!
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.
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique – build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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- Cape Fear Regional Theatre – Best In The House – May 1, 2021
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