Google invited us to their super-cool offices. We had a wonderful time and learned some new things that we want to share with you.
Yesterday the meetup.it team flew to Chicago for the day. If you were one of the lucky 15 publishers there, then you really had a great experience. After spending all day together at Google’s office, we created a tight-knit community where we could chat about other creators, share best practices and insights with our peers, and leave inspired with how necessary our voice is to shaping the future of the internet.
The event was hosted in partnership with Internet for Growth, an independent group led by the IAB to help small businesses succeed. The IAB “empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy.” It has more than 700 members.
Internet for Growth supports the transformative power of the advertisement-supported Internet, which empowers America’s small businesses and helps entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.
I am grateful to Google for investing in the future of content publishers like me. The IAB has also done a great job shining a light on sites like mine and supporting our growth.
One way we’re investing in the sustainability of our industry is by hosting a day for publishers to come together in an engaging and positive environment. We learned about storytelling at our workshops and reader engagement from Google, as well as how to improve our website offerings.
Part of the awesome experience at GeekGirlCon is getting to hang out with Googlers and publishers, who are just as passionate about this community as you are. I loved visiting the Google employee cafeteria, taking in the Chicago skyline from Google’s rooftop deck, enjoying a break in an old Chicago train car – which they’ve turned into a lounge – and having head shots taken.
The conference ends with giveaways and an open bar. I got a Google tote bag, along with a custom hat from 30 Seconds. I think our sites look great together!
In 2021, many digital tools were helping business owners in the United States to better connect with their customers. The data from a poll taken by The Data Catalyst Institute (DCI), in partnership with the Connected Commerce Council, showed that 92% of U.S.-based small business owners found digital tools helpful for engaging with their customers. And 87% were using these tools to find new customers.
We are proud to have been chosen by Google to represent the State of Illinois in their 13th annual Economic Impact Report. We’re honored that 30Seconds was included in this exhilarating experience, and we’re thrilled and grateful to be a part of this thriving publisher community. I left with even more determination than before to continue growing 30Seconds using digital tools so that we can make life better for even more people globally.
Google and the IAB have done a wonderful job bringing us all together to grow our businesses and relationships. With trustworthy partners like you, we can’t wait to continue to grow and thrive!
I have an author website and a book, and you can learn more about them at ElisaSchmitz.com and BecomeTheFire.com.