Tax Issues of Blogging Session by BJ Weber at I_Blog Conference 2009
One of the most useful speakers at I_Blog was BJ Weber (@BJ_Weber) from Ankeny Tax and Accounting. He gave lots of great info about what “counts” as income and how to really figure out if your blog is a hobby (which you don’t claim) or a business (which you do claim). This is a long video (57 minutes) but it’s full of great info. If you have questions I invite you to contact BJ at either of the above links.
Do download the entire video CLICK HERE. It is 57 minutes and may take a while to load, depending on your connection.
I’ve also broken the video into 7 parts to more easily digest:
Keynote Speaker: Jennic Law from KangarooBoo
Just A Girl. That may be how Jennic Law was seen as a second child in China, or by those that don’t know her. After you hear Jennic’s inspirational story I’m sure you’ll see her as I do: strong as steel and a shining example of the American Dream.
Despite a rough start in life in extremely poor rural China and against all odds, Jennic’s life story is one of triumph and human resilience. Her struggles began even before she was born – Jennic is the second child in the family – and was almost aborted at 5 months gestation because of the One Child Policy that just started few months prior. Thanks to her parents’ determination to keep their second child, they flee their meager home (and leaving their toddler son to an elder family member) and went into hiding until she was born.
The hardship didn’t end there. Indoor plumbing, water, and electricity were just some of the things that were lacking. Her parents had to work very long hours, every single day of the week just to put enough food on the table for the family of 5 — Great-Grandmother was living under the same roof and took care of Jennic and her brother in her parents absence. She was very much loved and wanted even though she was a girl born into a society where boys are typically much more valued than girls. Lacking materialistically is not to be mistaken with lack of love and happiness.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. And other times, no so much.
For all her years she had been a healthy person, and everyone in her family lived healthy lives (or maybe it was because they didn’t have access to doctors and didn’t know any better). Until she turned 24. That year, everything changed again drastically. Jennic went through many major life changing situations in the span of 6 short months: college graduation, first professional job, marriage, first home, and also experienced her first major health problem. Ten weeks after their wedding, Jennic was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and endured long months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Thankfully the toxic treatments put the cancer in remission and she was able to have two healthy children.
So how does a poverty stricken Chinese girl go from living in rural China to starting/running a successful toy company and living in Des Moines, Iowa? Come to the conference and learn some heart warming and sometimes heart wrenching stories of a simple girl.
Jennic Law lives in West Des Moines, Iowa with her husband Justin, a web developer, and their two children. All four of them work – actually play is a better word – at KangarooBoo (the kids have important jobs as Toy Testers!). KangarooBoo is an online shopping destination as well as a storefront for unique toys and gifts. The flagship store is in North Valley Junction, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Speaker Bio: Claire Celsi the PR Princess
I received an email the other night. Due to unforeseen circumstances Becky Mollenkamp is unable to speak at the I_Blog Conference. She did, however, line up a replacement- and a princess, at that. I’m please to introduce:
Claire Celsi
Owner, The Public Relations Project
Claire Celsi is a public relations professional and Des Moines native. Her consulting firm, The Public Relations Project, assists businesses, government agencies and educational institutions in developing and implementing social media and public relations programs.
A Drake University alum, she is an lecturer and adjunct professor at her alma mater, and has taught Internet Marketing in the business school at Drake and PR Writing in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s also teaching a graduate seminar class this spring on social media.
Claire has spoken to groups of communicators all over the country who are learning to implement social media strategies and helps them weave social media strategies with traditional marketing.
Claire’s consulting services include Twitter and blog coaching, educational presentations and helping businesses integrate social media into their strategic communication plans. An avid blogger, she’s been writing about public relations and social media for four years on her publicrelationsprincess.com blog. Claire also hosts a weekly radio show by the same name, and features guests from all over Iowa.
During the 2008 Iowa Caucuses, she was the author of a political blog and in the past she’s worked for presidential candidate Al Gore and the Iowa Democratic Party.
Claire is married to Jim Walczyk, a computer programmer at Farm Bureau, is the mother of two college-aged daughters, two step children, and has a dog named Trixie who hangs on her every word.
Speaker Video: Deb Brown on Community
Jennic Law- Keynote Speaker
I am so pleased to introduce Jennic Law who, with her husband Justin, owns of Kangaroo Boo.
Jennic has an amazing story, some of which can be read here, and she is truly an inspiration. I can’t wait for you all to meet her. She is incredible and, honestly, one of the nicest people I have ever met. Her story will inspire you!
I want to take you on a tour of what Jennic and Justin have built in Valley Junction. They have been mentioned in both local and national media, most recently recognized in In Style magazine as one of the Best of the Web.
Also… Jennic has promised to bring some of Kangaroo Boo’s funnest toys and games along for us to play with. I’m sure you’ll love them! I walk through her store saying the same thing over & over… “You have the cutest stuff!”
A few of my favorite things at Kangaroo Boo:
- I adore all the kitchen toys
- The girls loved Froggie Boogie
- French Toast bread stamper
- Goodbyn Lunch box (pink, orange, blue & green)
Speaker Bio: Deb Brown from DebWorks.com
Deb began as an attendee to I_Blog and, after talking to her, I asked her to speak! Her knowledge of becoming the “voice” of your community will help raise your blog’s identity and make you the “go to” in your area!
Deb & Chris Brogan
Deb Brown was born and raised in Franklin County Iowa, lived in Chicago for many years, and returned home to care for elderly parents. Much to her surprise, the Iowa she remembered was so much more than just a place to raise pigs! Franklin County has a rich prairie heritage, is loaded with historical sites and treasures, welcoming neighbors and good old fashioned entrepreneurial spirit! Deb will focus on being involved in your community, utilizing the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism resources, and Historical Society. It’s all really just a conversation – and who doesn’t like to talk?
Deb blogs at www.readhampton.com – a local online newspaper she created (it’s also in print).. You can also find her at www.debworks.com where Deb talks about network marketing, blogging, interviews with local businesses – and more! Follow her at www.twitter.com/debworks and www.facebook.com/debworks
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Tips & Advice for Attending a Blog Conference
Melanie Nelson, esteemed I_Blog Conference speaker and all around blogging goddess has published a great post at Blogging Basics 101 about attending a blog conference.
Just because I_Blog is small doesn’t mean the butterflies aren’t still there. I have them- many of the speakers are people I haven’t met and have admired from afar!
Check out Melanie’s great post and utilize your new skills at I_Blog!
Speaker Bio: Melanie Nelson from Blogging Basics 101
I’ve read Melanie’s Blogging Basics 101 for years. I can’t begin to list what I have learned- and continue to learn- from her. If it has to do with blogging Melanie can answer it- or she’ll figure it out so she can! I met Melanie at Blissdom 09 and was a bit giddy that she knew my blog. Then again, Melanie is an Iowa girl at heart and I am so happy she is coming to join us!
We had originally planned to have Melanie discuss media kits but with the FTC news she will branch out to include the new guidelines and disclosure. Of course there will be a Q&A after she speaks so be sure to have your questions ready!
Melanie Nelson
Melanie Nelson has a master’s degree in technical writing and has been working with online media since 1995. She managed web-development projects for local clients such as Dollar/Thrifty Rental Cars and PennWell Publishing, including building and promoting the million-dollar web site for the Oil & Gas Journal. Her blog, BloggingBasics101.com, is a top resource for beginning and intermediate bloggers and is listed as one of the 100 Top Freelance Blogs. She is a technology contributing editor at BlogHer, and she has taught beginning blogging classes at conferences such as BlogHer and BlissDom. Melanie has also taught hands-on classes for video game making and web development through Oklahoma State University’s Extension program. Melanie provides consulting advice to bloggers and businesses who want to leverage social media to its fullest potential. She is currently co-authoring the book TypePad for Dummies, due in stores in February, 2010.
Speaker Bio: Becky Mollenkamp, Creative Services
As an independent marketing consultant, Becky Mollenkamp helps small- to medium-sized businesses tell their stories using traditional and new media. Before striking out on her own, Becky worked as a magazine editor at Meredith Corporation, a marketing coordinator for a non-profit group, and a reporter for a daily newspaper. An obsessive Twitter and Facebook user, Becky firmly believes in the power of social media to advance a message and build a community.
Becky will be sharing her tips for Twitter: how to network and what NOT to do on Twitter. What’s more important: the number of followers or the quality of your followers? Come learn from Becky.
You can follow Becky on Twitter @beckymollenkamp and visit her website Becky Mollenkamp Creative Services.
Speaker Bio: Jody Halsted from Have Kid Will Travel, Iowa Geek & I_Blog Conference
Jody began blogging in 2004- just before the birth of her eldest daughter. In fact, Iowa Geek began as her husband’s blog… As he quit writing she took over and made Iowa Geek the winner of Parent’s Connect best local blog in Des Moines.
Soon her love of writing and travel merged to create Have Kid Will Travel, a website filled with travel tips, destination information and great advice.
Being a stay at home mom with two preschoolers is a full time job in itself- so how does Jody manage to give her children the attention they demand, keep her house somewhat clean, write on two websites (and contribute to two others), cook dinner practically every night and put together a blog conference- all without the aid of caffeine or working past 11pm?
It’s not easy. But it is do-able if you know your priorities. Join Jody as she discusses what should really come first (it’s not your kids) and what should come last (it’s not you) on your list of priorities.
You can try to keep up with Jody at her sites Have Kid Will Travel and Iowa Geek. She can also be found on Twitter- usually when watching her girls at gymnastics (thank goodness for wi-fi!)
