How Can I Help?

When is the last time you asked how can I help? Earlier this month, I heard this more times than I can count during BlogHer 2011 and I’m left more encouraged than ever that the business of social media is growing up as planned.

Audrey and Colleen ask how and answer all in one. Their new book, Digital Mom Handbook, was written with this sole purpose in mind. To demystify the business of blogging, to talk facts about money making strategy and career development, and to create a community to serve as a resource to educate, support, and promote collectively the desirable work of a digital mom. I read it cover to cover on the plane and couldn’t wait to thank them in person (and yes, I had them autograph my copy too!).

Tara, Megan, and Tara knew exactly how to help giving me a detailed outline for how to tackle eProducts, eBooks and so much more. A core foundation of our product opportunities, I have tons to learn and limited time to master. The clock is always ticking in my world of organization and time management with seasonal content opportunities I don’t want to miss. I welcomed the honest discussion that a profitable business involves making money and it’s not only okay but imperative that you do so to thrive. This dialogue is needed in the space and just the kind of nudge I needed to hear. This session was full of wisdom and left me with a to-do list that is results driven and the clearest path between two points. Their answers will drive revenue and you can’t place a value on that kind of help.

Rebecca, Amy, and the Blogging Angels along with Zebra Partners crafted a wonderful breakfast workshop titled Enough About Us, What About You. Designed to teach branding basics sprinkled with brand awareness for key Zebra accounts, it was a great business booster in the midst of of Blogher’s shiny, bringing your feet back to the ground reminding you that if you want to grow your business you have to work at it from within.

Niri, Stacie, and Amy gave a standing room only session on reviews blogging. Not afraid to disagree and laying everything out on the table for discussion, they are each a model for success carrying forward this base to build community, blog for social good, and create brand interface channels that provide opportunity for countless other social media moms like themselved.

Amy, Linda, Janine, and Jessica and took the stage to lay down the law about professionalism. A topic I am passionate about, I hope that laying down the line will create an ongoing standard for ethical behavior, business 101, and simple civility that can unleash the negativity that can too often overshadow the brilliance that abounds.

And then there are the women who selflessly asked each at just the right time how can I help? Amy, Emily, Fadra, Whitney, Jodi, and Jen. Timing is everything and each one was placed right where I needed their voice and I am so glad to call them friends.

Last week a busy blogging Mom just like you and me lost her husband.  A massive and fatal heart attack on a seemingly normal Sunday afternoon.  A day like any other, everyone doing Sunday things without any thought that in an instant, lives would be altered in a way that cannot be changed.  No amount of prayer, desperation, pleading, tears, anger or love will bring her husband back.  A heartbreaking finality to life as she knew it.  When asked “How can I help?” by her circle of friends and community at large others, her reply was simple.   See Jennifer is a foodie, that wonderful, exotic mix of creativity, flavor, playfulness and awesome.  She lives her life through the beautiful expression of nourishing, loving, celebrating, and comforting using her talents to make amazing food.  She answered by asking everyone and anyone to simply make a peanut butter pie for Mikey on Friday, August 12^th So that’s what people did.  Hundreds of people all over the blogosphere, Moms just like you and me, Moms just like Jennie, Dads just like Mikey.  And the waves of love rippled through communities far and wide, the nourishing of souls Jennie will never meet, the gentle beginnings of healing for hurting families who were touched by this tender story, and hopefully for Jennie and her precious children, a blanket of unity wrapping loving arms around them so they can get up each day and simply breath and know that they are cared for.

Four words that can touch a soul and change everything in just the right way.  How can I help?  Tell me….

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