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Getting Ready for the next Blogging Conference

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I’m really happy that blogging is beginning to look more and more positive for me. I am enjoying the process, I am meeting new people and making friends, and financially it is beginning to look up too!

In May this year, I attended my first blogging conference in Manchester. My Blogon experience was great and I had no reason to be nervous at all, as it turns out.

This time, I am excited to see what the Blogon Christmas conference is going to be like. I know there will be a lot of familiar faces and also some new ones too.

So I am doing this post to link with other bloggers as a sort of way of introducing myself. I will also make a special effort to read some others’ introductions and then see how many new friends I can spot on the day in September.

Thanks to longstanding blogger Katy for putting these ‘introduce yourself’ questions. Hopefully, it will help to break the ice and make for a really nice experience.

The Icebreaker questions for Blogon attendees and my answers

What do you do to prepare for a blogging conference? A lot. But before you go, it's a good idea to introduce yourself and get to know some others too. This helps to break the ice. Here's my introduction.

Ok, why are there two people? This might come as a surprise to you if you are checking out this little frugal blog for the first time. Joleisa.com is really operated by me (Jo) and my identical twin sister Leisa. This photograph was taken on the site recently as we filmed for the channel 5 program Shop Smart, Save Money. Did you see us?

The pretty one who is slightly fatter is me. Ok, you still don’t see any difference? Sorry. It doesn’t matter anyway. We look exactly the same to most people.

Sadly, you will only see one of us at Blogon conference. Leisa still has school-aged kids at home. My son will be off to University in a bit so I have a bit more freedom and flexibility.

  • What is the best thing about blogging? My blogging experience started as a result of a really depressing phase I was going through as a teacher at work. I started researching online jobs on Pinterest and stumbled upon this thing called blogging. I started a free WordPress version right away and it has been such a fun experience. Whenever I feel down nowadays, I just get on to my little space on the Internet where I share my knowledge and experience in money saving and living a frugal lifestyle. What I like most is that people are actually helped by the tips we share.
  • What was your dream job when you were growing up? We grew up in Jamaica at a time when it was fashionable as little girls to say that we want to become air hostesses when we grow up! In my heart though, I always wanted to be a teacher.
  • What is your lucky number? I’ve never followed those sort of things! But now that I think about it, I will choose 22. That’s because there are 2 of us and we were born December 22.
  • What is your favourite season? It is most definitely Summer! I don’t cope well with cold weather and in fact, I find it quite depressing. I only go out of the house in the Winter if it is really important. So bring me all the sunshine and I’m happy.
  • If you had to choose one what would your favourite dish from the Chinese be? Well, I like chicken or egg fried rice, and I also love sweet and sour chicken. We make our own fake away style meals a lot.
  • What is your useless talent? This one will need some serious thinking about.
  • If you could keep any animal as a pet what would you choose? A few years ago I would have said an ant, as I didn’t really like the idea of pets. But 2 years ago my son asked for a kitten. My instinct said no, but because he’s a cool dude (quiet, respectful and hardworking), I gave in and got him a kitten called Marley. Taking care of her though, fell to me, so I gave her up after almost a year. I did shed a few tears but I wanted him to learn a lesson. Now I would have a cat again.
  • Which one meal would you eat forever? (If you had to choose one!) I love food! But I really can’t think of one that I would have forever. I just can’t choose! I also love cooking.
  • What is the last thing you check before you lock your front door? I always check if I have my phone.
  • If you won £50,000 what would be the first thing you would buy? I’m never one for extravagant living. I can’t think of one thing I would want to buy either. But I am always eager to pay off debt. So that would go straight to pay down on my mortgage. That would make me feel lighter and freer.
  • What is your favorite social media channel? Hands down, it’s Pinterest. It keeps changing though, and I keep trying to get used to Twitter and Instagram. I hope to make new friends and followers. I love just sitting and scrolling through Instagram and interacting with the stories and photos.
  • Tell us more about your best ever holiday. Destination: Jamaica. I love the little island so much with its warm weather all year,
  • Name one cake you rock at baking. I like baking. I do make some money on the side from that too. I do an awesome red velvet cake but also simple cakes like easy rock buns, I need to up my game with decorating though.
  • Which session are you most looking forward to? I am most looking forward to meeting some of the reps but I also love the buzz of the winnings at the end.
  • What is your favourite book ever? Although we have written our own book, Living Life While Squeezing Lemons, my favourite has to be a Caribbean one like A Year in San Fernando or Green Days by the River. I always read my Literature books over the summer before school started. No wonder I got one of the highest grades for Literature that year. It’s sad that I don’t find much time for reading nowadays though.
  • Which special event is your favourite? (Halloween, Christmas etc). Hear me sing: Christmas is my favourite time of the year! And it doesn’t matter that I only get one set of gifts (as my birthday is so close to Christmas. I share my Christmas story here.
  • If the internet vanished right now how would you share your message or life story without a blog? I think I would quite like public speaking. So perhaps I could start off by speaking to parents at school open evenings or similar events. I would also like to share the money saving and frugal living agenda with students in small groups. I do believe we have a responsibility to teach children to start saving early.

 

What do you do to prepare for a blogging conference? A lot. But before you go, it's a good idea to introduce yourself and get to know some others too. This helps to break the ice. Here's my introduction.

Related Posts

Introducing twin bloggers Jo and Leisa

Here’s how to tell us apart

Well, that was fun to complete and I can’t wait to read the others. Do look out for me and I will look out for you. You can’t miss me, I bet. I’ll be there ready to collect my goodies in a big light green suitcase with some vintage Volks Wagen vehicles on.

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Comments

  1. Tia Lawrence says

    August 27, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    I always love your ideas and I share them with others too. I’m looking forward for what is to come in September. Great job guys, loving it.

    Reply
  2. Pamela Lorimer says

    August 27, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    Great answers you sound like such a glass half full character I will def look out for you in Manchester! Pam x

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:13 am

      See you in Manchester soon, Pam.

      Reply
  3. Bec Jones says

    August 30, 2018 at 3:14 pm

    Hi i’ll come and say hello too, I’ve nipped over from the linky – I thought the conference was really useful. What was it like to be on TV? and what were your key tips. Love Bec

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      August 30, 2018 at 3:43 pm

      Hi Bec
      It’s nice to ‘meet’ you and looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks time. Have you done your answers for the linky questions? I’ll go check.
      Yes, it was a strange feeling to see myself on TV, lol. But it was also good as we got comments from so many people who were helped by the tips we gave.
      We love shopping and love finding ways to spend even less than we have to, so sharing our ideas were easy. You can Look for Shop Smart Save Money on Twitter. Lots of our tips (including videos) are there.
      Catch up soon (make sure your name badge is on!)

      Reply
  4. Ingrid says

    September 1, 2018 at 7:08 am

    I am glad that blogging gave you a sense of well being and got you out of a bad place. I did not now there was a blogger’s conference.

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 6, 2018 at 7:16 pm

      If you do a search, you will find out about a blogging conference in your area some time in the year!

      Reply
  5. Jenny @thebrickcastle says

    September 4, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    Hiya! I’ll be on check in when you arrive and it’s great to hear you enjoyed your first one so much. My.kids are busy leaving for uni – I’ll have 3 there for the next few years, but I’ve also got 2 smaller boys and one of them keeps ants! Your ideal pet 😀
    Jenny @thebrickcastle recently posted…BlogOnToys Get-To-Know-You Linky PostMy Profile

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 6, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      Ha Ha on the ants front.
      All the very best with the young people and uni. Exciting times ahead. Looking forward to Blogon now.

      Reply
  6. ClearlyBex says

    September 5, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Lovely to hear from you Jo, I am right with you on not liking winter, its just too cold! Jealous of your TV time, although I don’t think I could do the public speaking part of being on TV. See you at Blog On!

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      See you soon, Bex. I bet you could become a public speaking pro!

      Reply
  7. Tim says

    September 8, 2018 at 11:39 pm

    Ah, I think I spotted you in May but never had the chance to say hi. Will hopefully rectify that next weekend!

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 9, 2018 at 10:04 am

      Looking forward to seeing you, Tim.

      Reply
  8. Sehrry says

    September 9, 2018 at 8:44 pm

    If I see you at the weekend I’ll say hi – it’s my second conference! I’ve loved this summer, but I’m an autumn girl through and through – with you on the not wanting to leave the house part in winter though!

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 10, 2018 at 8:27 pm

      whohoo! One more friend for me! See you soon.

      Reply
  9. Sadie Quinton says

    September 12, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    Like you I am favouring the Summer season, for I love the heat.
    I will look out for you at BlogOnToys and come and say Hello.
    I hope you enjoy the day and good luck in the raffle
    Sadie

    Reply
    • Joleisa says

      September 14, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      Hey Sadie
      Great of you to stop by my little blog. I look forward to seeing you at BlogonToys on Sunday. I hope I hear your name for some of the fabulous prizes too!

      Reply
  10. picksie says

    June 10, 2023 at 1:17 pm

    I loved your idea, and waiting for the upcoming events, very excited.

    Reply

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Hi, we're Jo and Leisa, twin sisters and authors of Joleisa.com. Originally from the sandy beaches of Jamaica we now reside in England where we followed our calling to teach. But sometimes that call changes and our new passion is writing. We're here to give the ups and downs of it all with our lifestyle tips and tricks to help you avoid the sour lemons that can get in our way of frugal budgeting, intentional living and happiness. Join us and learn more about how we found the simplest ways to achieve easy living. Read More…

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