Ten Things I Learnt at Cybermummy 2011

For those of you who don't know Cybermummy is the UK's biggest blogging conference aimed primarily at parenting bloggers. Various brands exhibit and there is a variety of speakers to hear  talking on different aspects of blogging. This year I was exceptionally lucky to be sponsored by Lego Duplo, who are a fab brand and whose values I completely 'get'. Since I still play with the Duplo I had as a child (it's now 30 odd years old) I think it's really one of the best value toys out there.

Anyway, I'm not going to write a long gushing post about Cybermummy, for me it actually took a lot of bravery to go as I really do not like being in large crowds of women. I find it unsettling and I'm very introverted and shy in real life, my confidence is all an act! In this blog I have written some of my deepest and darkest thoughts and the idea that others who have read it might talk to me scares the life out of me. So, was it worth it? I think so...

• Based on those present I personally know about a quarter of mummy bloggers (the old skool I suspect)
• If you want to optimise your blog for SEO then repeat your keywords 3- 8 % of the time in your posts
• The technicalities of Wordpress are incredibly dull
• Sarah Brown is an exceptionally charismatic speaker
• Facebook is a lot easier than intuition tells you
• Don't spam people with your Facebook page updates, 3 times a week is enough!
• Make sure your Twitter handle is relevant to your topic and DON'T engage in confrontation with people
• It is possible to provide a mashed potato meal in a Chinese takeaway noodle box
• Make sure you optimise the labelling of your images (Google doesn't see them but it does see the tags etc)
• Don't allow spam comments you'll be penalised by Google
• Setting up a wine company with 12 mates seems like a good laugh

Products I liked

• The Leapfrog Leappad- move over the Ipod this is what any self respecting under ten year old will want
• YourShape updated coming out soon. I love a bit of YourShape, I does...
• Johnson's Baby Wipe packaging recycling. Wipe Out Waste Campaign, a really fab idea.
• Disneys Cars 2 computer game. More fun than Mario Karts
• Lego Duplo Disney Cars Cuteness, durability and recognisable characters all rolled into one!

I spent the day in the shadow of my husband who was stopped every five seconds by someone, but to spend a day without a child hanging off my leg was a joy, even if I didn't see much of my other half. Thanks to Jen, Susanna  and Sian for doing a sterling job organising it all (they deserve medals) and their team of helpers.

Ten Things I Learnt at Cybermummy 2011