Hamas War

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Blogging Professionally, Tachlis

Blogging is my business, my only business.

It may sound "good" but it's not entirely true. But yesterday I went to the Tachlis event, where I was exposed to more ideas about the internet and how to promote my blogs.

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Some of the attendees were the same as were at the International Jewish Bloggers Convention, but it was very different.

It was more geared to people who utilize the internet, or should utilize the internet, for promoting their npo's or businesses or causes. We bloggers were there more to fill the chairs. I discovered that David Abitbol of Jewlicious is actually some sort of marketing consultant, not just a more successful blogger and community organizer than I am. Ahuva Berger is also a consultant. And Aharon Horwitz of Presetense is also a consultant, since all of them get paid to give advice, marketing their knowledge. In actuality, you can say that these professional consultants were giving us advice for a rock bottom price and some kosher nosh in an exotic venue.

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I was hoping for more "details," instructions, but even though all sorts of other internet "social networking" were mentioned, clear definitions and "how-to's" were ignored, especially since most participants were part of that virtual world.

For me, some of the enthusiasm for hundreds and thousands of "friends" on twitter, facebook etc seemed naive or peculiar. Even though I've established relationships and friendships via my blogs, f2f is still a more import part of my life. I just can't imagine schlepping around a laptop, constantly searching for the best air-born wireless internet to check in.


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A good thing was hearing of a new profession, very tempting if I can find a job in it, professional commercial blogging to promote buzz for a company.

Honestly, it was an interesting evening, and I was happy to meet Rivkah again. And again I got a ride home with Hadassa Levy, who lives nearby whose parents I knew when we were teens. Yes, small world. My mother is a friend of her grandmother, too.

The organizers called it a "panel," but it was just a series of speakers with question/answer time. Each speaker used that PowerPoint on screen technique, but most used it badly, basically having their presentation on the screen and reading from the laptop or notes. Actually, David used it best, in that he had a few pictures illustrating his themes, rather than displaying his words. He apologized for not being as prepared as he would like, saying that an organizer of an event should never double as speaker. I'm glad that he did speak, since he was most interesting for my needs. I do understand his point, since when I led the NCSY Israel Folk Dance group, 1969-70, I also found it better not to be one of the dancers. That saved the day, when I had a dancer sick the day of the performance and was able to fill-in, miraculously, though I had never danced the dance before I was on stage.

The Tachlis 2 Point Oh! was held in the Old City, davka, at an Armenian pub's outdoor area, but kosher food was brought in.


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Yes, I did learn things, and I'm not sorry I attended. And stay tuned for the pictures I took of our old neighborhood in the Old City of Jerusalem.

13 comments:

RivkA with a capital A said...

Batya, you captured the essense of the conference so well!!

RivkA

I'm going to link to your post, if that's ok with you.

YMedad said...

Now I hope my wife will teach my a few things.

Leora said...

Nice summary! Twitter is easy, if you care to learn to tweet.

Great job of linking your photos. I'm proud!

Batya said...

rivka,
Thanks
I also feel better knowing that you reacted like I did. We'll have to help each other.

wink, no techniques at tachlis

leora, I guess I'll have to try. I don't even have a link to start from.

Cosmic X said...

Nice report, Batya. Thanks from one who wasn't there.

Leora said...

Twitter:
Go to
http://twitter.com/home

Click Get Started - Join.

Once you have an account, you can Follow me by typing leoraw in the search box and clicking on follow.

I can email you other jbloggers to follow, if you are interested.

It's not hard. But it is addicting.

Batya said...

leora, thanks
I opened the link and then got "cold feet." though I just signed myself into facebook. Now, how does that work effectively?

Batya said...

cos' thanks
I told my husband not to bother coming, when he called. You didn't miss all that much.

Unknown said...

Thanks for mentioning me in your post! And welcome to Facebook, great to see you on board. If you do decide to try twitter, you can follow me too at Hadassah_Levy.

I did get some practical points at the Tachlis 2.0 event, and enjoyed meeting people. I hope these type of events continue to be organized, especially if each one is an improvement over the previous one!

Batya said...

Hadassah, thanks for the ride home!

I'm sure that everyone gained by being there, but we all had different needs and expectations. I find it so important to meet a broader range of people.

It's so strange to remember that many people have yet to have computers, email etc. Sometimes we forget that a hefty portion of the population think that "blog" is a log with a stutter.

Unknown said...

Obviously a certain type of person is going to show up to something called Tachlis 2.0 and held in Jerusalem.

Who doesn't have a computer? Even my grandmother has e-mail!

If bloggers were just "regular people" there would be no point in getting together to talk about it...

Anonymous said...

batya - unfortunately we were limited by time and i couldnt go through every different type of social media in full details. if any specific aspect of social media interested you and you want to learn more - let me know.

Batya said...

Hadassah, you'd be amazed at how many people either don't have computers or don't use them on a regular basis, yes even people younger than you.

For me blogging has replaced letters to the editor, since I'd rather have my own "publication." I can post whatever I want, unlike the uncertainty when yo send in a letter.

Ahuva, thank you. I may take you up on your kind and generous offer.