Ilene Haddad Guest Blog! Learn about the first SXSWedu Blogger Lounge at the Hilton Austin Downtown, March 6-8. The Networking Power of Blogging & Social Media Hi folks! My name’s Ilene Haddad, better known in the social media world by my Twitter handle, @IleenieWeenie. I began using social media in 2008 for networking and promoting my graphic design business. To help alleviate the isolation of working from home, I started a casual coworking group with the friends I met through social media. My attraction to the collaborative nature of coworking led to the creation of a day-long mini-conference, #BlogthonATX. Entrepreneurs, educators, personal bloggers and professionals throughout Texas gather twice a year to learn about social media, blogging, technical trends, P.R., marketing, and much more. Recharge Your Batteries and Your Brains This year at SXSWedu, my team and I have been tasked with hosting a new feature called the Bloggers’ Lounge. A pared down version of #BlogathonATX, the lounge is a place where attendees can stop by to catch up on a little work, write, relax and network. You don’t have to be a blogger to enjoy some downtime during a busy day. Lounge representatives will be on hand for those…