Unique Works

I am writing this as I sit in a ballroom at the San Diego Convention Center, on Day 2 of BlogHer11, one of the largest gatherings of online women in the world.  There are more than 3,000 women here, armed with laptops and lots of ideas.  At this particular session, I am the only man in the place (even though about 5% of the participants are men and there have been a handful of us present at most places).  I have been listening, learning, blogging, tweeting and posting with some exciting new friends.

I am taking away with me one important message from the women of BlogHer:  Unique is what works.  This community embraces what makes them, their words, and their blogs distinct from other information floating around the blogosphere.  From politics, to parenthood, current events to cupcakes, it is the ability to be specific, targeted and focused that powers some of the most successful and impactful blogs I’ve met.

Instead of catering to all audiences, I heard from women who understand the beauty of serving a niche audience, and amplifying a niche voice.  They are not going to be swayed by an advertiser or a product to change their focus.  They got started because they had something to say, and their online communities responded.  The success of these women proves that blogging works when it is interesting, and when it matters to the person driving it.  This theme, heard over and over again here in San Diego, underscores some of the best lessons I’ve learned from social media mentors about engaging authenticity and transparency when talking to your online network.

While it may not be the BlogHer anthem, it is definitely music to my ears.  I came to San Diego hoping to learn more about how online women think, operate and express.  I am leaving San Diego with a greater understanding about how I do it…and how to do it better.