5 Things I’m Going To DO Because of WBC10
No doubt hundreds of posts will be written about WBC10. Some will be critical of the timing and lack of Washington industry leader involvement but most stories will be glowing praises of the coordinators efforts (well done). There will be various opinions on the quality of the wine that was tasted but everyone will agree on the amazing hospitality of the city and wineries of Walla Walla (thank you). Posts will debate the effectiveness of the panel presentations but none will decry the power of networking and meeting people face to face. In the midst of all the drinking, tweeting, talking, learning, napping, eating and…did I say drinking…what are you going to DO as a result of the conference? What action are you going to take? This new media is hitting a tipping point. I, for one, want to be a part of the wave that pushes wine blogging to be wine media, wine professional, wine writer, and wine influencer.
Regardless of if anyone reads them, I want to chronicle my experiences from WBC10 (Wine Bloggers Conference) so that I have a record of events, opinions and actions steps to make this blog better. Like a vine I want to prune the shoots, thin the canopy, and provide the proper nutrients to produce the best yield of fruit. What about you? What actions are you inspired to take? Let’s go there together. Let’s succeed as a team! Let’s leverage each other’s strengths to be better together. If you want to share, please leave your thoughts in the comments!
5 Actions Items from WBC10
- SEO – Search Engine Optimization: I know it’s important but it’s an area that I need further help with. If you know of good tools, classes, sites, please share.
- Improve the quality of my video: Starting with video 100 I’ll be moving to HD, investing in better editing software, paying attention to audio quality and planning shots / scripts in a more thoughtful way.
- Improve the quality of my writing: I like to write. I feel I write good engaging pieces. I understand my voice, but I don’t pay enough attention to the mechanics of the writing. I need to start waiting to post and reading out loud. Just because this post is done now, I’m not going to post it until later.
- Reorganize content: I’ve written 200 pieces that include sexual wine 101 courses, social media tips, wine business opinions and wine reviews. Now that I have established a more clear direction I need to better organize the content so it makes sense to the reader and is easy to find.
- Improve wine reviews: Some say wine reviews are dry and boring and don’t get read. Many disagree with the practice of scoring wines. I disagree. Scores help educate consumers and make better informed decisions. It’s my blog, so I’ll do what I want. I’m going to modify my scoring format a hair and create a more reproducible graphic / summary that more succinctly wraps up the review.
I would love your thoughts. Let’s work toward our goals together. Share and we’ll help each other see them through for WBC11 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
COMING TOMORROW: 10 Things Overheard in Walla Walla
Love it!
It seems like a simple list, but as most bloggers will tell you, its a TON of work! I will be interested to see how video 100 differs and your opinions on the new software.
Cheers!
I can do it! Anything new up your sleeve Tim?
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It is a ton of work. I would start at http://www.SearchEngineLand.com and http://www.SearchEngineJournal.com for some great SEO articles, and thinking about going to an SMX or Search Engine Strategies conference, they are happening all year!
Thanks for the tips Kristi!
Really great list. I came away with some of the very same things regarding improving the quality of my posts. Looking forward to seeing how our blogs improve over the coming months. I am expecting the overall quality of some the blogs to improve, and I am so excited to see what the blog landscape looks like in 12 months.
Great thoughts Josh. I would also recommend my good friend Matt McGee’s site http://smallbusinesssem.com He is a local speaking on a national stage and can give you the best first steps to take to get started with good quality SEO.
Rock it!
Thanks, Craig! I’ll check it out.
if anyone will follow through on all this, it’s you man! Looking forward to what you’ve got up your sleeve.
Thanks man! I hope to take a “ride in to the danger zone” my friend.
Great action items Josh! …and it was nice to finally meet you at #WBC10
Thanks, Pamela – I really with there was more break out time to talk with people and really sit down and get to know them and pick their brain. Congrats on your nomination, sorry you didn’t win.
Josh
Great post, Josh–and it was nice meeting you at the WBC. While there, we met a remarkable person, Tom Lynch, who is bringing fair trade South African wines with his “Worthwhile Wine” (www.worthwhilewine.com) importing company. He said that there’s a saying among Zulus – your gift to yourself is giving to others. Also, one of the panelists on the forum, Ken Payton, urged participants to think in terms of “social values,” rather than just reviewing wine. Specifically, he mentioned microfinancing of small vineyards, which we knew nothing about. We see a bigger picture reflected in the small actions of individuals.
Sunshine, that sounds very inspiring. I missed the session with Ken Payton on it but I love that concept. It was great to meet you too.
All worthy goals – best of luck as they all involve time, time and more time!
Cheers,
Brent
I think I need to invent a way to add a few hours to my day 😉
Brent – I hope you can make it to the 2011 WBC.
Wine Reviews: Great if they could be with your logo and POS summary.
Have you heard of hubspot? I am looking at their services for my winery and outbound / inbound communications efforts and maybe that’s more than you want to bite off – but I have to say – for a winery looking to draw more to their website / blog / social media efforts – this org. out of Boston is great. I have done the research and should mention that I first heard of them through Vin Tank. But anyway – they take a very SMART low cost (it all costs something) approach. They are best suited to help drive commerce – so I pass this on not so much for you but to your readers. Cheers! And it was SO great to see you in Walla Walla! – Denise
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