Last year around this time I was participating in my very first blogging event and was quickly becoming aware of the enormity of blogging and the world that supports it. I knew little about BlogHer or Type A or what I was really getting myself into.
I very quickly though, became entranced in the community, in the interaction, in the hype of it all. I started noticing the tweets about BlogHer10 and thought longingly about how I wished I could go. I had no idea that two months later I would end up with the opportunity to go and training my way to NYC thanks to Leticia and TMobile.
The truth is that I was entirely unprepared for the experience that awaited me. I had business cards, two private party invites, and roommates that I did not know, but that was about it. Oh and I had a gallon size ziploc bag full of nutrition bars. So I was fine in the nutrition department, but clueless when it came to the rests.
One year later, I sit perched on the eve of summer to travel to not just one, but TWO conferences: Type A Parent in Asheville and then BlogHer in San Diego. Although not a blog conference veteran by any stretch of the imagination, I do feel better…less clueless, and quite possibly more capable of making the most out of these events.
How exactly do I feel this way? Simple really. One motto. Connect, connect, connect. It is all about the relationships. Nothing else really matters. Not the parties, not the swag. It is the one thing that I would suggest to anyone attending their first conference. Find a way. Make it happen.
Now I say this after admittedly spending my lunch time looking for any BlogHer party buzz (would love, love, love to go to the SocialLuxe Lounge party this year!)….but it is true. Last year I only at the last minute made the most out of BlogHer and cultivated relationships. I wallowed in self doubt, in my insecurities, and got caught up in the wishing I could go to this party or that event. As a result, I felt sad and alone.
Seriously, feeling sad and alone when surrounded by who knows how many hundreds of others? That is simply ridiculous and unacceptable.
So now I will travel to Asheville and then San Diego with a focus. Connecting with people from twitter that I can’t wait to hug. Connecting with people I don’t know by sitting down at lunch at a table where I don’t know people and striking up a conversation. Connecting, connecting, connecting.
This at a time when my self esteem is at an all time low because of my weight. This at a time that I am trying to reclaim myself on the inside and out. I am not setting myself up to fail. I am realistic about who I am, what I am good at, and what I have no business doing.
My goal is to meet….and really talk to at least five new people each day. I will connect at lunch, I will connect at the hotel gym while working out, I will connect while dancing or lounging or sharing a beverage.
Not connecting is not an option. It would be like closing up shop and I am not prepared to do that. So for me on my second season of conferences, and for anyone that is new to blogging conferences….I say “connect.” In real and authentic ways. Sure, there will be surface level conversations. Not everyone will want to talk to you. But I am gambling on the fact that there are other people out there just like me, that want to get into the deep end together and connect.
If nothing else, I want to connect with people just to show off my beautiful new Tiny Prints business cards! I am so excited about the “new” me that is both bloggy and professional.
From blogger to writer to teacher...bringing all my personas together!
That is just my two cents….what about you? What advice do you have for attending a blogging conference?
xo
C.Mom
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Tiny Prints. All opinions are my own.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree, sometimes , we just have to push ourselves.
Sometimes, people will not be interested in us, and we have to accept that.
As hard as it is..sometimes, they’re just thinking they’re out of our league.
And that has to be OK with us.
I am nodding my head knowingly.
I suppose that it goes back to remembering why you are blogging…your priorities… and of course, mentally preparing yourself for the highs and lows.
Looking forward to seeing you AGAIN at BlogHer!!! And no one – NO ONE – notices your weight but you. We are all too worried about our own!
The Zadge recently posted..Random Ruminations
yeah!!! The power of a lunch with “strangers”…and then coming back the next year to a lunch with friends.
Last year I was totally caught up in the private party mania. I felt sad that I didn’t get invited to any except the Seedpower one which I wasn’t able to attend because of volunteer training. But I ended up having an amazing time bouncing from thing to thing.
So this year when I got caught up in it again I had to step back and remind myself that my whole purpose in going this year was to connect and develop deeper relationships with online friends. That doesn’t happen at brand events, it happens over a meal or a drink or dancing at Sparklecorn.
Now I can’t say that I still am not a bit envious when people tweet about their blogher party invites “rolling in” when my box remains empty. But I am so excited about really getting to know people like you! See you in two weeks at #typea!
Kate, aka guavalicious recently posted..Hall Closet Makeover
I am with you on the envy…but in the end, I think (or am trying to convince myself) it all works out. Literally, the most fun I had at BlogHer last year was the last night when a bunch of us sat outside Sparklecorn talking and decided to make a frozen yogurt run. Looking forward to seeing you….so hard to believe that TypeA is finally here!
#ButtingIn, and I’ve only been to one conference before heading to Type A soon, but I heartily agree about going for a meal or drink! That was where I bonded with the ladies I hung out with at Blissdom.
From the schedule, it looks like there is a lot of time built in for networking and meals as the evening events don’t start until 8 pm.
I’m SO excited!
liz recently posted..Kiddies in the Kitchen
I agree about the way that the schedule is set up at #typea…. Everything about the conference makes it sound focused on meeting people, relationships, and making the most out of the more intimate setting.
BlogHer 11 will be my first blogging conference ever. I’m super excited because I wanted this since last year. But, I was pretty new to blogging and by the time I found out BlogHer even existed, it was too late.
I’m glad I found your post. I have the roommates, luckily 1 of them is someone I’ve been talking to for awhile, I have the business cards and sponsor to help cover costs. Past that, I have nothing. I’m really glad the official BlogHer parties are no invites this years bc I have a feeling that those will be the only parties I’ll be attending which I’m totally ok with.
I am pretty nervous meeting people. I can be pretty social, but it’s hard for me to take that first step. So, if you see me around, please come say hi.
I’m also a little nervous to come home and try to figure out who is who in the pics. Any tips on that? 
Great post.
New To Mom recently posted..Review & Giveaway- Kohl’s Cares Cookbooks
Love it lady! I, for one, can’t wait to hug *you*!
Galit Breen recently posted..The Red Dress Club- Happy Endings
Hmm, I still don’t know blogher, or the other one you named. I doubt there are conferences here in New Zealand. So I will think of you and hope you are connecting. Have fun.
Rhonda recently posted..My Funny Friends- Meet Blonde Bomb Shelter
I love your idea of 5 new people each day. And I’ll make it easy on you – I’ll attack you with a bear hug? How does that sound?!
liz recently posted..Kiddies in the Kitchen
A bear hug sounds fab!!
What!!??? There’s Parties?
I just got involved with Twitter and blogging less than a year ago and attended my first and only Conference last year, BlogWorld. I can see where these things get a little like High School. Hard to believe I can even remember that far back. Anyway, point being that it’s easy to get caught up in all the flashy lights and loud music. I think it might help putting things in perspective. I’ll be introducing myself to as many people as possible and if someone chooses not to talk to me or shows a lack on interest, guess what? NEXT!
Obviously, it’s nice to get an invitation to a private party/event as it helps us to feel accepted and validated in some way. After all, that’s all we really want isn’t it?
I’ll say this, I haven’t been invited to one “private party” at Type A this year (are there even any?) and you know what? That’s fine…I’ll be the one sitting on the couch in the lobby by myself thinking of how lucky I am to even be writing about fatherhood. I almost never became one and now I get to write about it.
Now, who’s got an invite?? LOL
I’ve gone to Blogher twice, and found it for me to be very overwhelming (I don’t like huge crowded social situations where you have to fight for space), but a great place to people watch. As a person who envied the private parties the first year, and then was invited to many the second I found they were only OK. For me there were just too many people doing that “let me show you how brilliant I am dance” that really hinders the forming of relationships. Ultimately I ended up enjoying my time more during my meet ups with friends that I’ve been wanting to meet from Twitter or blogging over the years for drinks in the bar, or waffles on the street, or a walk around at 2 am in Times Square.
This year, having been asked to attend and write about on smaller SM conference, I decided that smaller, more intimate conferences were for me the way to go. And in looking at who I loved and respected the most in my little blogging corner, I decided that Kelby’s Type-A Con was a perfect fit for one of my choices. I’ve been told by previous attendees that it’s more content driven, super inclusive of everyone who attends the conference (in other words…no private parties!), and big into building relationships. I like the idea of a more intimate conference where learning and networking with all attendees is its emphasis, and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone there in a couple of weeks.
Kellyology recently posted..National Rose Month- Knock Out Roses
Like you I am excited about the intimate setting at type a! I look forward to connecting with you there!!
You are so right about keeping things in perspective while acknowledging that we want to feel accepted! Looking forward to meeting you and joining forces on the just dance floor, leg warmers and all!
Sounds like you have a good plan. I’m trying to decide whether I’ll I’ll drive down from LA for BlogHer.
Got a couple of invites for parties, but more interested in meeting people.
Most of the people I have met in social media venues have been great. Not too different from their blogs or Twitter streams.
Hope you do make the drive, would love to meet you!
This is such great advice! It really is ALL about the relationships. As much as blogging and tweeting is about connecting online, there is nothing like IRL interaction. My advice is always to come up with a plan beforehand – either of sessions you want to attend, people you want to meet or brands you want to talk to (or all of the above) and do you best to stick to it. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype of being in the mix and then get back home and realize all you did was hang out and drink cocktails in a suite (but hey, if THAT’S your goal, then by all means, do it!)
Looking forward to my VERY FIRST Type A con! Can’t wait to see ya.