Making connections with people all over the world has been one of the best side effects of blogging on The Educators’ Spin On It. Through various opportunities and adventures I’ve been able to actually meet many of my blogging friends in real life. I’m going to go off our typical topic of education and parenting and share an unforgettable experience.
Making Connections with Social Media Examiner
Last month I took a leap of faith and committed to volunteering at Social Media Marketing World in San Diego. I featured my Connections through Pinterest at #SMMW14 last week. This week I’m sharing about the super star teams at Social Media Examiner and My Kids’ Adventures!
Mike Stelzner, founder of Social Media Examiner, created My Kids’ Adventures an online magazine designed to make it easy for busy parents to create adventures with their children anywhere. They launched the site last year at this same conference. This year they are launching a My Kids’ Adventures Podcast… be on the Look Out!
This winter Cynthia Sanchez introduced me to their team after working with them as their Pinterest Consultant. After submitting a few quotes for their articles like 11 Unusual Christmas Toys and 5 Daddy and Mommy Date Ideas I’ve now been asked to write for them. Now you’ll see articles from me on My Kids’ Adventures once a month! Here’s a few so far.
My Kids’ Adventures Articles
- 10 Tens Ways to Tempt your Kids Outdoors
- Tips for Encouraging Acts of Kindness with Kids
- Volunteer Opportunities for Kids at School
- Creating Adventures with Books
My Kids’ Adventures Team
My Kids’ Adventures has two super star talented ladies Jennifer Ballard and Kristin Ammermann who are the editorial and marketing duo behind Mike. Each are so much fun to get to know and work with. In this picture is Debbie Eckerling too who’s part of both editorial & writing teams at Social Media Examiner and an amazing writing coach! Here’s a peek at us having lunch at SMMW14 on our day of training.
*update My Kids’ Adventures is no longer adding additional articles
From the moment I arrived, I could not have asked for a more welcoming crew to work alongside. Phil Mershon, Director of Events for Social Media Examiner, held top notch training for the volunteers.
Volunteering at Social Media Marketing World
A BIG shoutout to the rockstar team from Right Hand Events organized by Elise and Jaci Feinstein & her crew who orchestrated the event. Michael Stelzner and his team at Social Media Examiner thought of all the small details within this event. I had the opportunity to work alongside so many fun people at registration as we checked nearly 1800 attendees.
Plus I was a Room Host for 2 days {More to come next week about that in Part 3!}>
After two busy days I had the opportunity to have delicious seafood dinner at with the My Kids’ Adventures team of Jen, Kristin and Debbie and get the chance to meet to incredibly talented women Alison and Steph. Matt Cherry founder of iBlog Magazine was a wealth of information during the cruise, can’t wait to follow up.
Let me introduce you to Alison Prince the talent behind Pick Your Plum & How Does She and Steph Flies the creator of City Moms Blog. Go take a peek at their websites and I promise you’ll be just as excited as I was with these mom friendly platforms and what they can do for you. >
Social Media Examiner TEAM ROCKS
Each opportunity with the Team from Social Media Examiner was a true gift!
- Chat with Mike Stelzner about Pinterest and a potential project together
- Volunteer Dinner with Lisa Jenkins and Melanie Nelson
- Lunch with Juan Felix Social Media Expert and Eugen Oprea SEO Expert
- Breakfast hosted by My Kids Adventures Crew where I got to finally meet Steve Spangler and Susan Wells from Steve Spangler Science
- big thank you to Irene O’Leary to her amazing hospitality all week long!
Each opportunity left me with helpful tidbits of information and social media friendships that I will treasure. I can’t thank Mike and Phil enough for the opportunity to join the Staff at Social Media Marketing World!
Everyone I got to work with was kind, thoughtful, insightful, and empowering with each engagement made during my time with you. THANK YOU!!!!
Thanks, Kim. Would love to! Will keep you posted.
You're welcome Mike, thank you so much for bringing attention to our children and the adventures the need with their parents. I love your mission that you're own with My Kids' Adventures, can't wait to start listening to the podcasts!
Thanks Jen! Looking forward to what's planned for the year on My Kids' Adventures, so excited that we just finalized our editorial calendar for the year! Time to start our adventures so I can write about them!
Thank you so much Kristin for suggesting I even consider coming out there and asking Mike about it. You have no idea how grateful I am to you. I'm still listening to the presenters, so many to choose from with great content.
Thanks Kim for all you do!
Great memories, great new friends, great working with you, Kim… Many more fun times ahead!
I'm so glad you took the leap of faith and came out, Kim! What a great series you've put together about the conference. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the presenters. The presenters I heard were a-mazing!
It was such a please meeting you as well Debra. Can't wait to see that book launch and have you on one of our Hangouts on Air!
So great meeting you at #SMMW14, Kim! Thanks for the shoutouts and all your support for SMW and MKA!