I couldn’t resist! Haven is just around the corner. If you are not familiar with it, it’s a blogging conference held in Atlanta. It really is a few days for celebrating the spirit of DIY, learning hands-on skills and tips for growing a successful blog. For some crazy reason, the wonderful team running the event invited me to be a part of a panel speaking about social media. Still thinking they have me mixed up with another Courtney. I will be joining Cassie, Carmel, and Megan to share our thoughts on social media and how best to use social media to enhance your blog. 
Megan, author of Honey We’re Home, is a design lover and mama to a delightful 3-year old son. She appreciates a bit of glamour, a bargain find, and an occasional splurge. A well-organized space makes her giddy and washi tape has taken over her life. Megan also has a health and fitness blog too, Honey We’re Healthy. …………. .. And I am pinching myself as I will finally get to meet some pretty impressive people that I may or may not stalk online. Just saying. These talented bloggers are quite the doers and taste makers of our time. … 
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… You can see a full list of the speakers here. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Don’t we all. I think at times it’s the best thing since sliced bread, and at other times I feel I need to cut the cord. So I am coming to you, my readers, with some very important questions. I so value all that you think and feel and would love to incorporate your thoughts into our talk. Please feel free to answer any of these questions in the comment section below. If you are not comfortable doing so, you can shoot me an email. And if you have never commented before, please don’t be shy. I love hearing from readers that have been quietly following along! 
1. Do you prefer Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter 2. Do you follow blogs on social media 3. Do you enjoy seeing personal photos of bloggers on any of these social media outlets. 4. Do you have a love/hate relationship with social media. Why? 5. If you could only use one outlet, what would it be? 6. Do you discover new blogs via social media? 7. Do you tend to be loyal followers of a few blogs on social media or do you like to follow a large number? 8. Is there something you wish bloggers would do more of on social media? 9. Do you ever enter giveaways via social media? 10. Do you feel connected to the bloggers you follow? Like you know them? Or do you enjoy their ideas and move on? If you take a moment to answer any of those via the comments or by emailing me, I would be so grateful. There are no right or wrong answer! Your feedback means the world. If you haven’t already noticed, you can access my social media channels via the new buttons on my side bar. You can also email me that way. Email: athoughtfulplaceblog@gmail.com 
And lastly, Google reader has shut it’s operation down. If you used Google reader to find my blog you can find me through bloglovin’. It’s actually a really cool way to follow your favorite blogs and you get them all in one handy spot with their latest posts. Kinda cool. If you have no idea what I am talking about . . . ignore me. If you do, here is the button you can use to locate my blog! 
Hope you all have had a really great week so far. And thank you very much for the sweet comments about Riley’s room as well as the gold vases. I will be back tomorrow with some fun Friday Eye Candy!
Courtney, so excited to meet. And, starting to get a little nervous about my own class…
Hey Courtney , we need a "haven" conference in California!!!!!
The list of speakers looks amazing. I admit to following some of those myself. Or check in from time to time.
As for your questions, I personally avoid most social media, so I guess I have more of a hate relationship, than love. I *almost* wish I was on facebook or instagram, but probably instagram more (photo-nut here). I don't feel I have the time to devote to social media. I generally follow a few blogs via email, and they are the ones that I truly love to read (yours being on that short list). I will check out the other blogs linked in posts, possibly get sucked down the rabbit hole of various posts of theirs, but I stick to my top 6-7.
Since I have such a short list of blogs I really follow, I do feel connected to the blogger. I find that when they "sell out" (I don't mean that badly, just when there are a lot of sponsored posts or they stop including more of those homey touches I come to enjoy), it makes me feel disconnected. I find their writing style changes for those types of posts, and I don't enjoy that post as much.
I am excited to hear about your experience at Have, and hope that you will include a what I wore to Haven post as part of your recap. I really enjoy your style.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Courtney! I'll answer some of your questions.
1. I use Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram a little. I don't do Twitter. It scares me.
2. I follow blogs on all of those social media platforms, but mostly Facebook.
3. Yes, I do enjoy seeing personal photos. It connects you with the writer and makes you feel like you know them by more than just their recipe or DIY project.
4. Yes for sure. I'm a newer blogger who's trying to grow my blog. I've had a bit of a hard time getting the word out there b/c I've never been very good at self promoting. But I'm trying to embrace it.
5. Facebook, for sure.
6. Not so much via social media, mostly from reading others' blogs (like yours, Cassie's and Megan's) and blog hops.
7. I'm more of a loyal follower to a few, but since I'm still trying to grow my audience I'm following more blogs right now to try to get exposure.
8. Nothing I can think of off the top of my head.
9. I use don't do giveaways via social media. I just use my email.
10. I totally feel connected to some of the bloggers I follow! Whether they know me or not. I talk about a few by their first name. My husband knows them now as well (you included) 🙂
Hope this helps you! Have fun at Haven! I wish I could make it this year!
While I love blogging, and the friendships/connections I have made, I am NOT a fan of social media. I have an Instagram account, but only so I can check in with others (mainly my kiddo away at college). I do on occasion get on Pinterest, mainly for teaching ideas, but do not have my own personal boards. As for Twitter, just don't get it (why people feel the need to tell everyone what they are doing and where they are at all times is just weird to me). And, as I have mentioned to Megan, I have lost many a friendships to Facebook. Seems no one can simply pick up a phone anymore to call a friend. Personally, I think all is taking its toll on families to be honest. Everyone is now connected ALL the time. Sad. I have always been curious how the "bigger" blogs manage it all. I raised two girls who were extremely busy with school and extra curricular activities, I did at times work outside the home, and have always cleaned my own home. I have time now to get online, because I am an empty nester. That would have never happened when they were home. I had a hard enough time keeping up with emails. Different day and age I guess, not sure I like it however. I guess all that to say, I found my favorite blogs/bloggers through BLOGGER, read them on my daily feed, and have no ties to social media.
You are so lucky to be going, oh how I wish I was!! Also, I am pretty much obsessed with following bloggers on Instagram, I get that peek inside of their lives that you don't normally see.
Are you going to give a little wrap-up of your class after? Would love that!
Hi Courtney. I'm really looking forward to meeting you at Haven!
1. FB
2. Yes.
3. Yes, but not a lot. I like getting to know the people behind the blogs a bit.
4. Not really. It's just so time consuming trying to hit them all!
5. FB, because it's so easy. I don't use G+ like I do FB because I find it more cumbersome.
6. Once in a while.
7. I follow a large number, but only actually see a few of them.
8. No – I can't think of anything, but I'm just now drinking my first cup of coffee!
9. Only when I can gain more entries to something that I really want to win.
10. A little of both. I only begin to feel connected to a blogger when they respond to my comments (whether on their blog or their social media) in a meaningful manner. In other words, replying with something other than just "thank you". It does help though, if they share a little of their personal lives.
I definitely have a love/hate relationship with social media! I have made some great connections with people because of it, and I love that, but it also can be a time suck and SUPER overwhelming. I think I probably use Facebook the most, mostly because I am "old" (at age 29!) and have been using it since college whereas Twitter is newer and it's hard to keep up with these "young kids," lol. I love following my fav bloggers (like you!) on Instagram because I feel like I get to see more of their real self and day to day life, rather than just picture perfect blog moments. Have fun at Haven, Miss Courtney! What a great panel of ladies for the social media discussion. Wish I could be there…next year!
~Abby =)
I am so bummed I won't be at Haven to see y'all speak. I'll save up my loonies and hopefully I'll see you there next year! To answer your questions:
1. Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, in that order.
2. I read through BlogLovin and then for some favourite bloggers, I also follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
3. I like lots of personal photos on Instagram and only a few on the blog. Strange!
4. Absolutely. I love those times when I come across interesting, educational, insightful things I otherwise would not have encountered. But on the flip side, I feel burdened by social media. One, for the pressure to keep up – tweet daily, add new pins and instagrams. And two, by feeling that I'm missing "the moment" when I'm busy social medializing (I just made up that word!)
5. Aside from the blog, Instagram. I feel its more personal and closest to the truth.
6. Yes, but blog comments and blog rolls are still mostly where I find new blogs.
7. I read a lot of blogs but I'm loyal to a few and only follow a handful on social media.
8. Is there something you wish bloggers would do more of
9. Not really.
10. The ones I follow I feel I am most alike – we share similar tastes, are at similar stages of life.
Good luck on your seminar!
1. Facebook
2. YES
3. yes. I guess we are all stalkers in a way 🙂
4. totally. I have left facebook "forever" about 8 times.
Because it sucks up my time!
6. not really. usually through other blogs.
7. a few blogs. only my favorites.
8. pictures and using their experiences as examples.
9. sometimes…it is harder for me because I don't live in the US.
10. I enjoy their ideas and try to move on. I know I don't really mean anything to them. But a few of them I wish I knew in person!
Good luck, I am sure you will do great.
The idea of social media is really great.Amazing it has connected all those people far away. Just like going to a stranger fancy party in your green prom dress.
The idea of social media is really great.Amazing it has connected all those people far away. Just like going to a stranger fancy party in your green prom dress. http://www.wegodress.com/natural-waist-zipper-strapless-ball-gown-sleeveless-chapel-train-flowers-wedding-dress-pd-7055.html
My heart just did somersaults! 😀 So excited to meet your beautiful self in person! And so honored for the incredibly kind shout-out here.
xo!
Jen
So funny,and thanks for your share