Earlier this year when on a press junket, one of my blogging friends asked me why I attend so many blogging conferences.
“Isn’t there value in being inaccessible?” she asked.
It was a good question and one that I thought about for a long time.
Later this week I’ll head to my fourth BlogHer since I started my blogging hobby. As my regular readers know, it’s only one of the many conferences that I’m attending this year. Mom 2.0, SheCon, and Type A are in my past while BlogHer and Blogalicious are in my future.
So why so many conferences?
- I’m a lifelong learner. I love to learn new things and blogging conferences are my way of growing professionally. I find that whether I attend sessions or stand in the hallway, meeting new people or reconnecting with those I usually only interact with online, I’m learning. And there’s always something new to learn.
- I love to teach others about what I’ve learned about the blogging and social media world. Perhaps it’s the teacher in me but I like to help others figure out how to achieve their goals and realize success in blogging through my panels.
- I also love to get sneak peeks of new products and interact with brands and PR.
- I hate think I might be missing out on an opportunity by not going.
Earlier this week I thought I might be getting a little jaded about blogging conferences when, for the first time in the past 4 years, I realized I haven’t been monitoring the #BlogHer11 hashtag 24/7. I thought that the fact that I wasn’t stressing about what to wear and what parties to go to was a sign that maybe I was over BlogHer.
The truth is I’m not. Instead I think I’ve just found my place and am comfortable with it. I know my professional goals. I know what I want from BlogHer.
And the other stuff? Well it’s just that. Stuff.
Instead of spending the rest of the week caught up in the pre-BlogHer frenzy, take a step back. Get some sleep and figure out why you’re going to the conference. Maybe it’s to attend sessions and soak up as much knowledge as possible. Maybe it’s to connect with brands. Maybe it’s to escape the family and enjoy a weekend away. Maybe it’s all about the swag. Maybe it’s the chance to see friends from near and far.
Whatever your reasons for attending are yours and yours alone. Don’t worry about the parties that the others are talking about that you aren’t going to or are waitlisted for. Don’t stress about your wardrobe and feel like you need to go shopping and add to your BlogHer costs by buying a new wardrobe. Don’t worry if you find yourself standing in the hall talking to everyone who happens to come by and abandon your plan for attending sessions.
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| You can learn in sessions or by just talking to others in the hallway |
Be comfortable with who you are, your personal goals, and have a good time. And if you find that the conference is overwhelming and you need to escape, take a break and abandon your goals. Because that’s fine too.
So I don’t have a BlogHer must haves list like in the past.
If you really need a BlogHer guide, my personal favorite is by Kristy Sammis, former BlogHer conference organizer and founder of Clever Girls Collective. With three years of experience working for BlogHer, her post How to Make BlogHer Not Suck: A Guide Nobody Else Will Give You (From Somebody Who Knows*) is a must-read!
I am attending BlogHer as the official Techno Source 20Q brand ambassador. Images courtesy of Photos.com.
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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
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I’m not stressing out either and I was starting to worry that my schedule is not overwhelming. I’m looking forward to going, seeing friends, having fun and learning.
I totally agree with you, Leticia. I have a completely different, laid back attitude this year about going. I think it’s more because I know what to expect, so it’ll be easier to go with the flow.
See you soon!!!!