SOBCon08 Devoured; SOBCon09 in the Oven

Thank you, thank you, thank you for attending and supporting the SOBCon08 business school for bloggers.

SOBCon09 is already being planned. Send us your feedback and your ideas or leave a comment right here.

7 Precious Responses by SOBCon08 Participants:

“The subtitle of the conference should have been ‘Hugfest 2008′. [...] This will be one of my enduring take aways and I am deadly serious. [...] One thing is for sure. You have to make SOBCon09.” - Chris Garrett

“It’s been quite a weekend, by any measure of meaningfulness. [...] So, what am I going to do with this information? I’m going to concentrate on my readers more and stop trying to drive traffic as a primary goal. If I take care of them, they will take care of the rest.” - Jesse Petersen

“People, if you’re not here, you are missing out big. I’m so, so serious about this. SOBCon is one of the least expensive and most valuable conferences I have attended to date.” - Kristen King

“One of the big themes I picked up from the event is the importance of community. I used to think it was conversation that was important, but there’s a difference between the two. Trust develops among a community.” - Matthew Murphy

“The session Saturday was so packed full of ideas that inspired me and lightbulb moments that my brain was numb by the close of the session.” - Chris Brown

“My head is so overstuffed with ideas that I couldn’t possibly write them all down.” - Sonia Simone

“After all, in the blogosphere, it really does boil down to people.” - Timothy L. Johnson

And on that note …

SOBCon08 Photos - Business is About People

More SOCon08 images here.

Once again, thanks to all who helped make SOBCon08 an unforgettable professional and personal experience!

What did you think of SOBCon08? What lessons did you take home?

SOBCon08 Day 2: Gems from the SOBCon Treasure Chest, Afternoon Edition

SOBCon08 Day 2 rolls on. The afternoon sessions were as wonderful as the AM sessions.

I took 5,613 words of notes. Here are 50 of the most precious.

Let your content be an ambassador for what you do. - Chris Garrett

Own a space, not just a channel. - David Bullock

Businesses are full of people. - Chris Brogan

Don’t sell people what they need - sell them what they want, because if they want it, they’ll need it. - Liz Strauss

You get what you give. Give more of you. - Wendy Piersall

What was your favorite quote or thought from SOBCon08 today? What did you think of the speakers? What will you do differently because of what you learned here?

SOBCon08 Day 2: Gems from the SOBCon Treasure Chest, Morning Edition

We’re just finishing lunch and SOBCon08 has already been overwhelmingly successful. Some gems so far (thoughts from my memory, not exact quotes):

Write down your personal mission statement - something you could say in 12 words or less if somebody held a gun to your head. - Anita Bruzzese

A subscriber who is not interested in buying something is not good for your business. - Brian Clark

What’s your promise? Who’s going to love what you do? - Lorelle VanFossen

More to come.

SOBCon08 Day 1 Recap: Nature Smiled, Bloggers Rocked the Boat

Today was awesome.

SOBCon08 kicked off in grand style tonight as dozens of bloggers and entrepreneurs enjoyed a cruise on the “Summer of George,” which floated us all through a brief downpour on the Chicago River and into the clear, windy night on Lake Michigan.

Christine Kane sang beautifully (while playing the guitar … and keeping her balance!).

Liz Strauss moved us with her masterful words.

The food, drink and conversation warmed our hearts.

Open Comment Night was never flashier, funner or more unforgettable.

Follow the SOBCon08 Flickr pool to see photos and videos from the conference.

Thank you to all our sponsors and organizers for putting together a night to remember.

On to a great day of learning and masterminding tomorrow!

What did you think of SOBCon Day 1? Who did you meet? How did you like the atmosphere?

SOBCon 2007 Remembered and Why SOBCon 08 Will Be Even Better

Here is what 10 people who attended SOBCon 07 last year said about the blogging conference:

1. Tony Clark - “I’ve been to lots of conferences, conventions, seminars, and meetings over the years. Too many to remember. I can honestly say this was by far one of the best.”

2. Wendy Piersall - “The presentations were just amazing - they far exceeded my expectations.”

3. Vernon Lun - “This wasn’t a conference, it was a life experience. I felt I could really walk up to anyone in the room and talk to anyone as if I had known them forever.”

4. Tammy Lenski - “Picture 110 people in a hotel ballroom, all generously sharing business ideas and secrets, building on each other’s creativity, and offering their experience as a gift. I can’t remember the last time I was in a space where that kind of spirit abounded on such a large scale.”

5. Easton Ellsworth (me) - “It was superlative and life-confirming in every sense.”

6. Joe Hauckes - “There was so much interaction between the speakers and participants (more than just attendees) it felt more like a neighborhood get together of friends and not a conference.”

7. Chris Cree - “A classic example where the total is far greater than the sum of the parts.”

8. Peter Flaschner - “It was a wonderful event. Very inspiring, with tons of actionable advice and tips.”

9. Hannah Steen - “WOW. What an experience.”

10. Liz Strauss and many others - You’ve just gotta read the post and comments.

I could go on, but you’re probably getting too excited.

Register now or take a deep breath and read on.

Here are 3 key reasons SOBCon08 is going to be even better than SOBCon07:

1. Bigger. More attendees. More planning. More to talk about. More to do. More, more, more, more.

2. BAP. “The SOBCon08 program guarantees to send each attendee home with a Business Action Plan that can be immediately executed for measurable success.”

3. Biz. School, that is. An even stronger focus on business blogging and how to use blogs to boost your business.

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably salivating. It’s okay.

Here’s what you have to do.

Register for SOBCon08 now.

Sell your fridge if you have to. Sell your doors and windows. This conference will more than make up for them in food for thought and portals of opportunity.

Please, please come to SOBCon this year. You will not regret it.

I promise.

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