We are back
at home and my head is still spinning from all of the information
that got crammed in there at the Food Blogger Forum in Nashville
yesterday. I left there with 9 pages of notes and a full brain, now
I just have to sort it out and apply it.
It wasn't
just learning valuable insider information from a combination of
successful bloggers, public relations firms, and food companies. The
seminar and sessions were also inspirational, which is something I didn't expect.
Jaden of Steamy Kitchen and Diane and Todd of White on Rice Couple opening the conference. These people aren't top notch food bloggers by accident, they are dynamic and motivated.
First was a panel discussion of Public Relations 101 with Steamy Kitchen (blogger), The Andrews Agency (PR firm), and OXO (food tool company). Very insightful.
I got some great tips and tools for cleaning up my recipe writing from "the published" and a publisher.
There were giveaways about every 30 seconds throughout the day....or so it seems. They were serious prizes too, KitchenAid, Calphalon and more. Jaden said, "I feel like Oprah! You get a blender! You get a toaster!"
Lunch was provided by three Nashville food trucks. It was my first time eating at a food truck and I loved my lunch from the @Happy_Eating truck. Knoxville so needs food trucks. We're years behind every trend here.
After lunch, Todd and Diane delivered a hilarious and informative presentation and demo on food photography and styling. See my crappy picture of my mongolian taco below. They did the same ingredients and came away with a magazine quality shot of the same product.
There was the ubiquitous socializing and networking between breaks.
The day ended with your 4 choices of 10 available mini-sessions with topic experts. These were nice because the small size let you have more direct discussions with the expert. Jaden took her "Blogging As A Business" session outside because it was so gorgeous (and not freezing) outside.
I also opted for
Food Styling - Diane Cu
Working With Brands - Arianna Bastianini of OXO
SEO for Food Blogging - Geoff Allen of ZipList
It was an exceptional event but I am glad to be home this morning. I haven't cooked in two days and I'm ready to fire up the grills.
