AHRD 2007 is the first conference I ever blogged.

Before I went to the conference, I asked my new colleague Lee LeFever about what he would suggest for blogging a conference. He made some helpful suggestions for me, and now that I have attended a conference as a presenter and participant and blogger, I have learned a few things:

1. Bring the laptop with me EVERYWHERE and to every session.
• Do not leave the laptop in the room and then blog later. Too much running back and forth. This should be easier once I get a new (and smaller) laptop.
2. Bring the camera everywhere as well.
• Same as the laptop. Now at least I have a Flickr account all set up and have nearly figured out how to use it and upload the photos quickly. Of course, don't forget to pack the camera cord!
3. Tell people what I am doing.
• I attend some very academic conferences, and many of my colleagues there do not seem to know much about blogging or social media. I decided to bring the same blog business cards I created for Northern Voice 2007, where it was a bit more understood. 
  

  I also learned something very interesting about using a card like this. After being asked several times what my website is, I realized that many (very bright) people do not immediately recognize a website address without seeing the www at the beginning. I have since added that to my card above. A number of people got interested in what I was doing when they either heard more about it or visited my blog themselves to have a look. This also allows my colleagues to see more about what I do! 

4. Use tags for everything
• How else will people eventually stumble upon my work?

I am sure there is more learning, but this is enough for now to help me prepare for the next conference I am attending and presenting at, AERC, which is coming up in June.