I’m a schmoozer, baby.

If you saw me at BlogHer two weeks ago (it’s been two weeks? I still have a bag I haven’t even unpacked), you would probably agree with my friend Landismom that I have the Power of Schmooze, right? I have never had a problem talking to people, whether I know them or not. At BlogHer I talked to people in the elevator, people waiting for the shuttle bus, people standing in line getting their breakfast, I talked to everybody, I think.But schmoozing is about more than just talking to people, it’s about making connections. The definition of the word according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is “to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connection”. Now, I’m not saying that my intention with every person I spoke to was to only see what they could do for me, but I did meet several people just by striking up casual conversation who turned out to be P.R. reps for various companies. They took my card and asked if I would be interested in receiving free products for review, and I’ve already lined up my first job, reviewing a new DVD series from Discovery Kids and ReadySetLearn!.

So yes, I did do some schmoozing at BlogHer, and yes, it did gain me some business connections. It also helped me meet a lot of terrific people! Friday morning at breakfast, we stood in two giant circles facing each other, for “speed dating”. I chatted and passed out business cards as fast as I could, and met Jennifer Lawson a/k/a Mama Drama, who I probably would have looked for all weekend and never found! I also got to chat for a moment with Christine Kane, who came as our musical guest for Friday night’s cocktail reception, and gave everyone a copy of her CD in our swag bag. She is so pretty, and so talented! I loved hearing her play live, and I love the CD too.

So, thanks for the award, Landismom! I now have to bestow it upon five other people.

MammaLoves, because she not only worked it at BlogHer, she worked it with an undiagnosed BROKEN FOOT. I’m so glad we met, I’m reading her blog every day now!

Chirky, who used her ability to schmooze people to get the “Speaker Wrangler” job for BlogHer. She had to get all of us our information about where and when to be, organized conference calls, and was available at the conference for help. She did a great job!

Mommy Needs Coffee, who decided the Monday before BlogHer to go, and was on a plane by Wednesday. She might not think of herself as a schmoozer, but she so is. She met authors! She’s writing a book! She rocks.

IzzyMom, who seemed to be everywhere at BlogHer, and looked like a gorgeous Rock Star the whole time. Thanks for throwing that kick-ass party at the Whiskey Sky with Jessica, and for getting us free drinks and free swag! You really worked it at BlogHer, Izzy!

Moosh in Indy, my newest blog crush. I’ll admit I didn’t know her until she found my profile on Peopleized and contacted me about interviewing me (we still need to do your interview, Casey!), but once I met her at BlogHer, I wanted to put her in my pocket and bring her home. If you look at my Flickr page, there’s photos of her eating cotton candy on Saturday, with her tongue all blue. She’s pretty hot! :p

I’ll be leaving a comment with each of them letting them know they have won a “Major Award”, and they will pass it to five people, and so on, and so on, and so on. Thanks again, Landismom!

The Power of Schmooze award was created and designed by Pink Reviews, and Things by Mike.