She really is Gorgeous, isn’t she? As much from her heart as from her outer beauty.

I loved spending time with both of you, too. I’m sure we’ll get to play sometime. And who knows, I may pack up the kids one of these days and head to Georgia.

Thanks for everything you both did in pulling off SOBCon. I’ll keep you updated on the coming changes up here.

Jesse,

Iowa’s fine, but the winters aren’t any better than Michigan. If I’m moving, I’m moving to a more agreeable climate.

It’d be great to talk sometime. Conversation and relationship is why I’m blogging in the first place. And it’s amazing that I could meet so many incredible people from a little website.

That’s a great write-up of the conference. I really liked our couple of minutes to chat. I’d love to spend hours with you if we made it into a whole weekend. I’ve always been more of the computer geek than the publisher, so I really connect with the core designers and techies like you and Mike Rhode.

I think we should all start a bloggy-hippie colony. I suppose it should be in Iowa to save half of the people who attended from moving too far. Then again, there’s always Tampa…come on in, the water’s fine.

I agree Kent.

I have a little secret about offering up my blog for critique…I’m going through both a change in business direction and I’m in the process of beginning a redesign of my site. So it wasn’t as hard as it might seem.

Also, having been a designer for 10 years, I’m used to people not liking the work I do. Clients can sometimes be down right nasty in telling you what they think of proposed designs. That’s part of the reason I was chosen.

Next time we really must find time to talk! Can’t believe your courage offering your blog up for open critique. Wow!

Kent

Thanks. Takeaways. Boy there’s a bunch.

Speakers: Read my post on David Armano’s talk.

Folks in the room: The biggest thing I took away is how much bloggers really want to help each other. It’s genuine, sincere and oft-practiced.

Site Critique: Two major things…First, be really clear on who you are, what you’re doing and who you do it for. In other words, branding. Second, Pay very close attention to what’s “above the fold.” Your most important content should be above the fold. There’s much more, but these are two major ones.

I’m meeting a friend next Tuesday for breakfast (Deborah Brown of Bizinformer.com) and going to try to give her my takeaways. Can you give me 3: one about the speakers, one about the folks in the room and one about having your website critqued? Thanks!!
Chris

Sooner the better.

So we’ll just have to organize another online.

NY is still a jaunt from Michigan, but, let me know. You never can tell where I might show up.

David,

Thanks David – either way on the contest. I’m just happy you think of me as a host. I’d like to think that dmiracle.com is developing into a large number of conversations that I simply host.

I actually thought about getting involved in the Blogger’s Choice Awards but felt it was a bit premature for me. Besides, it might have taken me away from the conversation.

If/when you go to the Friday morning meetup, let me know how it goes.

Regardless, you’re a great personal publishing host.

There’s also the fact that it’s at 8am but I think there are around 10 or so bloggers who go there for breakfast.

That’s nice to know you feel I belonged there. Shucks.

I’ve just nominated you for Best Blog Host:

http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/15091

Funny thing, I was looking for you there. I know you weren’t coming, but it felt like you belonged there. You came to my mind many times. Odd, huh?

Campaign away on SOBCon Scotland. I’ll help you get the word out and I’ll try to come.

Do you do a blog meetup with the folks near you? That’s how SOBCon got started. I’m considering organizing a small meetup around me.

Terry,

Really, the pleasure in meeting was all mine. I loved learning a bit about who you are. Thanks for everything you brought to the event.

And I’m in full agreement. We only begun to tap into the knowledge, talent and skills of the people in room. Perhaps a bunch of us should brainstorm how to bring more of that out next year.

Your singing…it was pretty good. Question is, was it recorded???

Right back atcha…really. I loved not only meeting you, but watching you with others. It was like looking in a mirror to some degree.

Seems like we’re cut from the same cloth. And I’m honored to call you my friend.

Kammie,

What can I say…you are such a delight. I’m certainly happy Adam dragged you along to dinner. Thanks for great talks. And now that we’re blogging buddies, we can have more of them. I will be calling you sometime soon…

Mark,

When I saw you name tag on Friday night I perked up. It was cool that I could recognize you from the comments you’ve made on my blog personal publishing system.

I loved your stories – especially the one about why you have a photo of yourself with your kids on your blog. I’m still chuckling. (for those reading this who were not at SOBCon, Mark said that copy editors are hated by writers so he chose to put the photo of him with is kids so that he’s seem more human and perhaps not take such abuse. Trust me, it was much funnier in the delivery.)

We need to do some work-at-home/daddy talk one of these days.

All the best.