Going to South by Southwest 2009, Hopefully

For the past year, I’ve heard so much about SXSW, especially about the all awesome people who attend and recommend it.  Now, through a contest sponsored by Blog World and New Media Expo, I have a chance to attend and spend some time learning, sharing and networking with some of the most creative minds in our great industry.

I’ve been a photographer all my life, and for the last fourteen years I’ve specialized in travel photography.  Working with my writer wife, Jeannine, our articles and photos have appeared in almost every large newspaper in the US, including the Boston Globe, Detroit Free Press, and the New York Times.

But I saw the handwriting on the wall, as newspaper travel budgets were slashed annually – everything was moving online.  So I did too, learning about blogging, SEO, and everything else to combine our talents with the changes in the industry.

I’ve learned to use articles and photos as linkbait by trading stories to newspapers for backlinks.  Slowly, but steadily, my idea is catching on, and it’s been fun to watch it grow.  Now I know it’s something that can be shared with other creative folks who want to expand their presence online and make money doing it.

So, after going to everything from Wordcamp to Affiliate Summit to Blog World Expo, I now hope to go to SXSW.  I’ll bring a lot of experience, knowledge, and my camera of course!  My photos of BWE, ASW and Wordcamp are on Flickr; check them out and enjoy.  I’m even using this opportunity to christen our newest blog with it’s first post.

Thanks for sponsoring this great contest!