May 4 – 6, 2012 ~ Session Descriptions

 

Join us for a jam-packed weekend of insights, education, workshops, networking, good eats and great fun. All presentations are General Session (no tracks). Sponsor Education Workshops, breakout sessions, a little free time are included.  The final itinerary is provided on-site.   

ADDED:  How the Blogger Thanksgiving LA Times Food Section Feature Came to Be >> Rene Lynch, with Camp Blogaway Fearless Leader, Patti Londre ~ On November 17, 2011, the LA Times food section proclaimed, “The Best Thanksgiving Ever.” A photo of toasting bloggers enjoying a feast was accompanied by an in-depth feature penned by Rene Lynch, documenting the occasion, the recipes, and the bloggers!  It ran in the paper. It ran online. It was picked up by affiliate papers across the country. And it was featured in the Times’ weekly e-newsletter.  And since then, project manager of the gig, Patti Londre has been fielding the question, “How did you get that story???”  So… she and Lynch will lay it all out exclusively in this ADDED session. Want to learn how to get noticed by the LA Times and other media outlets? This is definitely a don’t-miss opportunity.  Rene Lynch is a Staff Writer and editor at the Los Angeles Times, where she works across several departments, including News, Calendar and Food.  

The Seven Deadly Sins of Food Blogging, and What to Do About Them >> Amy Sherman of Cooking with Amy – Greed, Vanity, Gluttony, Lust, Envy, Wrath and Sloth. Studying the “sins of life” can certainly keep us on the straight and narrow. But do they relate to blogging, too? “You better believe it,” says Amy, an early adopter, recognized throughout the food community for her award winning site. Amy has earned some of the highest acclaims in blogging, putting her in the front row of observing this fast-moving communications platform, and behaviors behind it. What she sees isn’t always pretty. In fact, it can be downright SINFUL. Learn from Amy’s experiences and watchful eye how committing these Seven Deadly Sins hinders success – AND what she believes bloggers can (or rather, SHOULD) do to avoid them. Hallelujah!

Doin’ The Revamp Thing to Take Your Blog to the Next Level >>  Rachael Hutchings of La Fuji Mama and Dara Michalski of Cookin’ Canuck have been through a remodel, and both survived! WHEW. Remodeling an existing blog is fast becoming a method to leapfrog to the next level, but it rarely comes together pain-free. Is the pain worth the gain?  This session will present the steps they took to take their sites down to the studs and build it back up. From the why’s and how’s, to the aftermath… does traffic improve? Do more PR gigs show up? Do better ad networks take notice?  Bring your questions and learn from their hands-on experiences before you launch into overhauling your own site.

Blogging Can Alter Your Life’s Course – How to Follow Its Path >> Some bloggers launch their sites because it’s good for business. Others choose this as a creative outlet far from the daily grind. You know your motives for publishing your blog, but are you tapping its power to literally change your future? Blogging has proven to possess the power to lay a fresh path for those who are open to it.  Hear Benjamin Rhau of You Fed A Baby Chili? and Kalyn Denny of Kalyn’s Kitchen tell the surprising turns, options and fresh directions that “showed up” when they put effort into it. 

Beating Blogger Blues ‘N Burnout >> Maybe something happened in life that took your attention away from blogging. Or perhaps inspiration eludes you. Maybe your reader comments feel like nobody is listening these days. But your income and fresh opportunities are depending on you. Hitting the wall will most likely happen to every blogger, so let’s get it out in the open with our guides, Nicole Hamaker of Pinch My Salt and Kelly Jaggers of Evil Shenanigans. Each has built an enviable community, thanks to their personal styles and quality content. Nicole and Kelly will discuss blogging malaise and how they deal with it to stay on their steady courses.

Five Ways to Torpedo Grandma’s Treasured Recipe & Ten Tips to Make it Bullet-Proof >>  Barbara Gibbs Ostmann is co-author of the practical guide, The Recipe Writer’s Handbook, one of the most widely recommended resources for food writers. Barbara has worked for decades in newspaper, magazine and cookbooks, and has edited literally thousands of recipes. Traditionally, published recipes first went through rigorous multiple testings and layers of editing and proofing.  Today? No way. Bloggers love to cook and write about it for the entire world to read online. Bloggers publish recipes having passed muster with one set of eyes – THEIR OWN.  Are you tripping up readers with editorial mistakes that ensure Grandma’s Strudel sucks?  Are you frustrating followers with flim-flam measurements or corn-fusing procedures?  Barbara will present typical food writing landmines, and her most important tips to ensure you never sink Grandma’s Gravy Boat.

“What’s Wrong With My Shot?” – Food Porn Rejection Part Deux >>  Now a Camp Blogaway Classic, our 2012 photo showcase will be analyzed by award-winning food stylist, Denise Vivaldo of Food Fanatics.  Chef, caterer, author of seven books, journalist and blogger, Denise’s tome, The Food Stylist’s Handbook was named World’s Best at the 2011 Paris Cookbook Awards. She conducts food styling courses in such faraway places as Singapore and Spain and has styled food with top photographers around the globe. Denise possessess THE critical eye to review food porn rejections and deliver an honest analysis of What’s Wrong.  Lighting, camera angle, props, styling touches, Denise will hold no punches, delivering valuable insights and tips to succeed on your very next shoot.  Registered campers, submit your rejections when requested to be included in this constructive showcase.

Breakout Sessions >> Erika Kerekes of In Erika’s Kitchen orchestrates. Consider it “personal therapy” for your blog. Suggest topics/choose a topic on-site, gather in a peaceful camp location, and discuss with fellow campers your nitty gritty issues. There are NO bad ideas here!

Parade of Bloggers >> Camp Blogaway is an intimate conference where important connections come through.  Our first evening together, every attendee is introduced to the group, lead by Camp Blogaway Fearless Leader, Patti Londre of Worth The Whisk. The goal: no missed meetups at Camp!

Sponsors’ Activities >> A handful of relevant sponsors attend Camp to help you better your blogging with sessions that cover Farm to Fridge insights, sensory tastings, and hands-on activities. Free Time/Face Time with sponsors provides more opps to closely mix, mingle and network. Have a seat, start a chat, make a great professional friend!

And don’t forget to appreciate your serene surroundings here at Camp. Take a Refreshing Hike, chat with newfound friends by the Roaring Fireplace, soak up some California rays on a Quiet Deck, stay up late with peers in our Mountain Lodge, stargaze while soaking in the Bubbly Hot Jacuzzi, socialize during Wine Tasting, and more.