genealogy-made-easier.com

by Margaret Emerson
(Youngstown, NY)

Hi all:

I am definitely a tortoise as I move forward with my site. I started in 2006, but I "got stuck". I had considerable trouble figuring out Brainstorm It -- at a least understanding the concept of using keywords that it gave me back as potential good ones. So, I took BI's figures, changed the keyword to something I would normally use in talking about genealogy, and used that! Needless to say, it was not very successful. Missed the whole point of what others search for, not what I call it!

So, last spring and summer I took the SBI elearning course, and I learned how to do it better, and finished it with great support from the instructor and classmates. In October, I went to the Cincinnati OH conference. What a great thing it was.

I got so much from my experience - not the least of which was the networking with other SBIers at all different stages in their site development. We had some awesome presenters and presentations. We did wonderful work sessions. We had time for sitting and talking with everyone about areas of concern for each of us. There is nothing like getting some first-hand critique and suggestions from those who have been there and done that before you.

What I find so great about the SBI conference is the willingness of everyone to share with anyone looking for help. It is like having the forums in person!

So, I am off to Dallas in April to do it all over again. This is no small thing for me as I do not fly, and it is 1500 miles from where I live to Dallas, so three days of driving each way makes for a long trip, but it also gives me time going there to plan what I need to find out, and how I can contribute to the conference, and on the way home, time to mull over all the ideas, suggestions, presentations, and knowledge that I gained while I was there.

Hope to see you there!