BlogHer10: The Swag

by Fadra Nally on August 11, 2010 · 49 comments

in Blogging + Social Media,Writing

Note: I attended BlogHer’10 in New York City, August 5-8. While I realize some of you are sick to death of hearing about the conference and can’t possibly bear to read one more post, I promise you…I’m writing three. Today: the swag. Tomorrow: the venue. Friday: the people. Stick with me. Please?

One of the most important things I learned at BlogHer this year is this: swag is an abbreviation. I didn’t know that.

S.W.A.G. = stuff we all get (sometimes the word “stuff” is substituted with something a little more colorful).

I’m hear to tell you that is it not stuff we all get. It’s stuff that some of us get depending on which parties you are invited to and what you are willing to ask for. But there is a lot of stuff.

BlogHer10 Swag

Swag sampling (*cat not included)

And since you all know that I am nothing short of a fashion maven, I thought I would bring some of the more fashionable pieces of the swag to life.

Please enjoy Blogher10: Fashion Show

Yes, you will actually see me wearing some of those things in real life. Because the t-shirts were really big and non-clingy. But now, let’s get serious. Let’s see the real swag. I show you some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. And more importantly, I’ll tell you what I thought about getting all this stuff.

I know that those videos were a lot of Fadra today but thanks for watching. I do like working with really cool products. That’s part of why I started Lives Less Ordinary with my friend, Sue. Behind every mother is an extraordinary woman. And fortunately, I made some connections with companies that feel the same way. Stay tuned…

Tomorrow: BlogHer10: The Venue

Related Posts with Thumbnails

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention BlogHer10: The Swag - all.things.fadra -- Topsy.com

  • http://twitter.com/snarkymomma Tiffany

    I want a Firefox shirt. :-|

  • glidinglara

    Fun videos! I was really jealous about the firefox shirt that I never saw until I realized it wouldn't have fit me ;) I flew to BlogHer and only had one suitcase so had to leave a ton of stuff behind. It was interesting though and I plan to do a sort of similar post about some of the sponsors and some of the stuff I got but I'm not the kind of blogger who would regularly talk about products on her blog.
    Thanks!

  • Elizabeth

    You were supposed to visit me!

  • http://twitter.com/carrieactually Carrie

    what's amazing me most is that all the swag pics i've seen other people posting have totally different swag than i got so it's really not stuff we all get.

  • DiPaola Momma

    You KILL me. .that thing is an LED light up candle holder.. I think we got it at BarHer which might explain why we don't remember it all that well.. haha

  • http://www.tonyastaab.com/ Tonya Staab

    OMG I want that Sprout mug ha ha. It's cute.

    I see you went to the Mom Select suite :) . Some of that looks very familiar. Did you get the little bug in the bug world. My son is OBSESSED with it, it's been running around it's little world now ever since my plane landed. Good grief.

    That hand really needs to find a new home … kinda like the swiffer ad – you know the mop. Seriously, think about it.

    However the fashion show, hmmm, I can honestly say I didn't see a single one of those t-shirts ha ha. I also barely made it around the Expo Hall. I really flitted in and out a couple of times when I had some down-time.

    I do have to say that some of the swag I brought home was OMG fabulous (there was also a bunch that I left behind) – let's just say I even threw out my curling wand while I was there when I got a new one that actually worked from Getting Gorgeous and those miracle body jeans are truly a freaking miracle – spanx not required :) .

    And heck woman, wasn't I supposed to see you at some point during the conference. 4 days and I didn't even spot you out of the corner of my eye.

  • http://twitter.com/AndreaUpdyke Andrea(LilKidThings)

    I love your videos Fadra! Too funny. I kept the clock too :-)

  • @misstejota

    It's nice seeing all the different type of swag that folks got at BlogHer '10 because I get to see all the companies that I didn't get to talk or vendor booths I didn't see at the Expo or see all the company products I didn't receive because they were given out at private parties.

    It was quite difficult talking to PR reps for vendors because it was so crowded. I do want to at some point recommend products on a blog, so this was my first venture into trying to make a connection for that format, but alas it was an unsuccessful one.

    Thanks for this post.

  • FadraN

    Really? Firefox means that much to you? I have some Firefox stickers you can have. Seriously.

  • FadraN

    I really wanted a Firefox mug and asked in the suite and they told me flat out no :( The shirt is cute but looks like it will probably fit my 5T son after I wash and dry it. Send me a link when you do your post!

  • FadraN

    Lizzy B!!! I thought about that WHEN I was there and this conference keeps your schedule totally crammed. This is the first time I've ever stayed in the city. I'm in love and sooo jealous. To be young and single and living in NYC…

  • FadraN

    Exactly. Apparently the place to be was Getting Gorgeous. I just kept telling everyone I didn't get invited because I was gorgeous enough already ;)

  • http://mommythisandthat.com Melisa

    I have to wonder…do spend all the money going to these conference for the swag or for the actual experience? I mean we all love free “stuff” but it's not really free…

    Since you were a conference newbie I am curious to see you thoughts on everything else. I remember being excited about the prospect of going back in 2008 and then I read all sorts of posts about how people FOUGHT over the swag and how the parties were pretty cliquish. This brought back nightmares of high school and I put it out of my mind. I'm naturally quiet and it can be taken as being snobby or bitchy and the last thing I could take was going to an even meant to empower and feeling left out!

  • FadraN

    Well, at least now I can use a Sharpie and put a logo on it :)

  • FadraN

    I LOVE that mug. I don't beg for swag but I politely asked “can I have a mug?” and then returned with “I can! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you.” I will actually use that.

    So I missed all the cool stuff at Getting Gorgeous. I had to make up for it by visiting the brand suites and expo hall. My Blog Spark (General Mills) is where I got 3 of the t-shirts. I didn't get skinny jeans but I came home with Handy Helper. Maybe he can help me look skinner somehow :)

    Seriously, though, I'm trying to plow through all the chocolate and goodies so I can get them out of the house and start clean with my diet books!

    I was specifically hiding from you so it sounds like I did a good job. Actually, I really like this blogging stuff so maybe I'll catch you at the next event ;)

  • FadraN

    Sometimes I miss those really loud and annoying bell alarms clocks with no snooze button. Don't you?

  • lastminutemandy

    Fadra! I'm so happy I got to meet you – if only for a bit! Love these video's. I totally felt what you were saying about the swag. I enjoyed (some of) it, but I left only wanting to devote my precious time and blog space to one or two companies. One being a “cause” not a company. But, I can say, my kids really did enjoy the toys!

  • FadraN

    I have to tell you that the best experiences I had were in the suites (Ecco, General Mills) where you actually had time and quiet for one on one conversations. I did have some success in the Expo Hall mainly talking to the women's charities. I think because they weren't giving out tons of free stuff.

    I know there are PR-type sites out there like The Product Review Place and My BlogSpark. Just a few PR connections can get you started. Maybe you got some cards and can make some email connections.

  • http://www.comagirl.net/ Coma Girl

    Wow, people weren't kidding when they advised attendees to bring an extra bag for the swag! Amazing!

    And I had no idea swag stood for something. Learn something new…

  • http://retroparenting.com/ Dr. Daisy aka Dr. Mommy

    OMGoodness!!! You are too funny:)

    So glad I got to meet you while you were getting your little piggies done at the Ecco Shoes Suite:)

  • http://www.adventuroo.com Adventuroo

    Okay, that FF shirt is great! Love the swag re-cap– I can't believe how much full-sized stuff you all got.

  • Pingback: BlogHer10: The Venue - all.things.fadra

  • http://www.bestoffates.com Megan (Best of Fates)

    First, I feel stupid as I never realized swag was an acronym. Second – holy frick that's a ton of swag!

  • TheProfessionalFamilyManager

    I'm with Melisa- I'm more of an introvert, I prefer having one-on-one meaningful conversations with people, and I feel overwhelmed by the crowds. The number-one reason I didn't go to BlogHer was all the stories I heard of it being a free-for-all of people fighting for swag and trying to get into the parties. So, for those of us contemplating the reason to possibly go in the future, what was it like? Do you feel like the conversations you did have in the suites were good ones? Did you meet people you will work with in the future? Did you attend sessions that gave information on how to improve your blog? Would you recommend going?

  • http://twitter.com/bkeepsushonest TheBKeepsUsHonest

    Love the videos!~
    I can totally relate to wanting to build relationships and talk one-on-one to PR reps and company reps. I mean I like free stuff as much as the next gal but I value relationships much more that stuff. And that's coming from a product review blogger.

  • TheNextMartha

    That flower pot mug is really cool. I think all of the stuff was a bit overwhelming. I tried *not* to take a lot and still ended up with a ton. Loved the videos.

  • Victoria Winters

    Man, you got a TON more tshirts than me. Can't wait til my SWAG boxes come in the mail so I can sport my ROCK THE FIREFOX shirt too.

  • FadraN

    And yes, forgot to mention the Hexbug. My son was fascinated for about a half hour and hasn't looked at it since. He's rediscovered the Kung Zhu now :(

  • FadraN

    I'm GLAD you asked. I've saved the best for last and with all the superficial stuff out of the way, I plan to give the lowdown on what I really got out of the conference. Post coming on Friday.

  • FadraN

    Good for you! I found 2 causes that got me really excited. It made me think – wow, we can use our blogs to be heard for important issues and not just “the stuff.” Although I am a girl. I do like stuff ;)

  • FadraN

    Thank God I drove. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to take half of that stuff home.

  • FadraN

    Can I call you Dr. Daisy Mommy? I hope to cross paths again soon. I promise, I'm not just about the free pedicures and swag :)

  • FadraN

    It was off the hook. Or off the chain. Or off the shizzle. Whatever the slang is. I got a lot of stuff. Need some crayons?

  • FadraN

    Umm, hello. I *just* found out about s.w.a.g. from my darling roommate, Lauren. She's in the know.

  • FadraN

    I promise, promise that it is not all parties and swag, kittens and unicorns. There is some substance to it. Is it for everyone? I'll let you decide. Doing my down and dirty BlogHer recap tomorrow.

  • FadraN

    I know you do a lot of reviews. I wonder if you really feel a connection to the products. From a personal standpoint, it was great to try things for me and my family. As for my readers? I'd rather go for cool and innovative. And there wasn't a lot of that there.

  • FadraN

    I only took things I thought I would genuinely use. Apparently I use a lot of stuff. Some of the stuff was just grouped in a bad. I swear. I did NOT go out of my way for the Handy Helper.

  • FadraN

    Truth is that I rarely wear t-shirts. I don't think I look the greatest in them. But some of them were really cute. Me personally? I'd rather have a Google Chrome shirt.

  • http://www.kellyology.net/ Kellyology

    The shot glass came from BarHer, but I don't know who donated it. Mine worked. And I agree with you…all of that swag, but very little time spent talking to the bloggers themselves. I know for me if I didn't have an actual conversation with a company, I'm not pimping out their stuff on my blog. I rarely do it anyway, but when I do it's only because I've developed a relationship with a company. Aw well…my two cents.

    Loved meeting you and so glad I read this post!

  • Pingback: BlogHer10: The People - all.things.fadra

  • Elizabeth

    Fab post. I agree about preferring the opportunities to actually speak with brand reps rather than have to deal with another piece of swag. BTW, I hate to be a bummer, but swag isn't an abbreviation, it's a real word and a very old one. Signed your last friend from BlogHer ;)

  • Anonymous

    So I like to be mostly true on my blog. And I had to do my due diligence. Here is the official Wikipedia definition. Because if it’s in Wikipedia, you know it’s true ;)

    Swag is underworld slang for the loot (money) that is stolen in a heist (robbery)

    Swag may also refer to:

    Slang for free promotional items, referring to a thief or pirate’s treasure, should not be pronounced as schwag. It is a popular backronym for Software and Giveaways, Stuff We All Get, or Souvenirs, Wearables, and Gifts

    Swag (album), a 2002 rock album

    Swag (bedroll), an Australian waterproof bedroll

    SWAG (military unit), an elite unit of the Philippine Navy

    Swag (motif), an architectural element

    Swag (novel), a 1976 crime novel

    SWAG (TV series), a United Kingdom reality television series

    “Swag” (Ugly Betty episode), the eleventh episode of the television series Ugly Betty

    Swag, slang for cocaine

    Swag, a California-based rapper signed to Warner Music Group[citation needed]
    A type of decorative trim over a window, often in combination with a full curtain underneath

    SWAG, “speculative, wild-ass guess”, “scientific, wild-ass guess”, or “stupid, wild-ass guess”

  • Anonymous

    So you’re the second person to tell me about the shot glass. Now I feel like a heel for trashing it in my video. I would have felt better if it came from some lame company. I love trying the stuff. I told people I know about the stuff I love. But using my “internet power” for free marketing? No thanks. Unless it’s diamonds.

  • TeJota Peluquera

    Thanks for the advice.

  • http://alguires.blogspot.com Elaine A.

    I could have totally used all those crayons when my son went to school two weeks ago. Oh and the chocolate too. Coulda TOTALLY used that… ;-)

  • Anonymous

    Was fun to watch your videos Fadra! If I ever go to Blogher, or actually if I ever fly to any conference,I will have to make sure to only pack HALF a suitcase on the way there, so I have room for all the STUFF i will be bringing back! :-)
    Bernice

  • Pingback: Hey, You, Get Off of My Cloud | all.things.fadra

  • Pingback: A BlogHer Veteran Weighs In | all.things.fadra

Previous post:

Next post: