Spring is finally here and aside from itchy, watery eyes and a mean case of post nasal drip that means one thing in Blog Land: conference season!
That’s right peeps, for those of us bloggers who love any excuse we can get to enjoy a week away with our bloggy buddies travel to various locations for working/learning weekends of networking, connecting, and boosting our editorial calendars with quality ideas for building content, conference season (which usually last from about March through October) is upon us.
Just contemplating the idea?
Let me make a recommendation for you: go to Bloggy Boot Camp!
Seriously, for the intro level blogger who does this as a hobby and is maybe, possibly, sorta, kinda thinking about trying to make a go of taking her blog to the next level, but isn’t really even entirely sure she should, Bloggy Boot Camp is for you!
Pretty much every female blogger in the blogging game today can say that either now or at some point in the past they spent time as a SITStah.
Because The SITS girls are just THAT big.
And THAT integral in helping new female (they are with the Dudes too, but the pretty pinkness sorta makes their events primarily woman centered) bloggers build their brand, make a name for themselves, an up their blog awesome!
And, no. I don’t work for them.
But.
I will be attending (and speaking at, and brand repping too) the Boston leg of the Bloggy Boot Camp tour this weekend and I think you should too (go to a future event if you’re not already going to BBCB because they are sold out!).
And, now that you are completely and totally convinced that you should attend a conference in the near to very near future, let me just give you a few tips.
You know to ensure your general success and stave off your complete and utter humiliation.
Nobody wants to witness your humiliation.
Dumb Mom’s Guide to Being a Blog Conference Supastar
1. Know your shiz. Do you need to know which platform is the most functional, or where to find the most inexpensive hosting site, or even what the what SEO stands for? Nope, they will tell you all you need to know about the technical side of blogging, and even some general tips about how to make your blog sparkle like a Vegas streetwalker (or something more savory perhaps). But, what you should know is a little bit about the hosts, a little bit about what the SITStahood does and, knowing a little bit about some of the other bloggers in attendance might help too. Because seriously, when you stand in front of a group of bloggers you don’t recognize, even after they tell you their names and smile at you pretty, and bat their eyes, and maybe even jump up and down a little they will NEVER. NEVER. Let you live it down. And, you kinda won’t be able to blame them. (Sorry Shell, I love you girl!)
2. Stay sober. Unless you actually look better in pictures when you are drunk, and then, by all means, drink up. I can tell you, from close personal experience, that one thing every blog conference has is a ton of faux-t0graphers. And every one of them has a blog. A blog that they are just dying to plaster ugly drunk face pictures of you all over. You know, so they can laugh and stuff.
3. Prepare your mind. To be blown! Because blog conferences are concentrated awesomeness. So many inspiring women doing so many inspiring things in one so totally inspiring room. You may be tempted to slink off into a corner and hide your low traffic having face. Or, puke on your feet. I know. I feel it too. I just want to sit in the back and stuff my chubby little cheeks with cute, catered cupcakes and try not to let my eyes well up with tears when I drop a dollop of chocolate icing on my white blouse, right around the nipple area. Yeah, you’re not alone. I’m right there too with my chocolate covered girly bits, wondering why brands don’t think I’m pretty. But the key is to not let it get you down, but to instead let it bring you up! The ladies are not all just there to brag. They are there to share what they know. To give you some tips into how to make the magic happen on your blog. And to prove that it can be done!
4. Smile a lot. It makes people think you are friendly and approachable. If you aren’t friendly or interested in being approached I say blog conferences are maybe not your bag and you should instead seek something more fitting to your personality like a job at the DMV that lets you spend time working solo and/or being mean and scary. My pal Mama Kat shared an excellent tutorial about how to make a blog conference friendly face. Watch it before you buy a blog conference ticket. Or go out again in public. It will change your life.
- 5. Dress the part. Could I even think about putting together a blog post about going to a conference and not tell you what to wear? Blasphemy. Blog conferences are as much about looking Mom Awesome as they are about learning to build your brand, improve your SEO, and figure out how to get a blogging sponsorship. So, to make sure you don’t show up looking like me pre-WNTW a hot mess, here are my conferences comfy and cute picks for you…
10 GBP – debenhams.com
loved reading your tips! thanks :) i guess i’ll be meeting you this weekend!
thanks for the great tips and hope to meet you at bbcbos! my bostonian friend told me that no one is wearing open toe shoes up there yet, ’cause you know it is freezing until july, but understood those of us “tourists” probably would be as it’s, y’know, MAY.
Have a great, great, great time!! You will to fabulously. :) Can’t wait to see you the next week.
See you in Boston – very excited & glad to see one of my local blogger friend gals will be in attendance!
Liza
PS: Thanks for the wardrobe guidance. :)
OMG, awesome post. Laughed so hard and then read it out loud to my hubby. Can’t wait for my first conference this weekend at #BBCBOS!
You mean we get to meet a real-life TV star?? See you at BBC!
Too funny! Great post and I look forward to meeting you in Boston!! Of course I have nothing to wear – LOL!
I needed this post. Bloggy Boot Camp Boston will be my first blogging conference and I have to say I’m nervous, excited and intimidated. I love that you addressed clothing because it has been weighing on me;)
Hi Kristin,
I’m in the same boat regarding the nervous, excited, and intimidated feeling! I thought that I was the only one. I too was wondering how to dress for one of these events! Good for you, enjoy BBC Boston. You will blog about your experience, right? I am looking forward to a first-timer’s account. I am trying to build up the funds (and the nerve) to attend Blogher in San Diego.
Cynthia
this is great info. I was just wondering about confrences… they seem a little intimidating at times but I def. wanna start going, just didnt know where to start! Im trying to be a better blogger over here, once I get my life in order and my sanity back…lol. Love ur blog btw
But, you aren’t coming to the ATL? The one I’ll be attending? Please!
BTW, guess I should find out who is going, shouldn’t I?
BTW, how did I totally miss “shake it like a Polaroid picture? LMAO!
Love this. I would LOVE to attend a blog conference BUT living in Alaska makes Air Fare a little out of price range. Blah. Hoping to make a move back to the “states” sooner rather than later…and I’ll definitely be at a conference then!
I’ll be at the Boston BBC, and do hope to meet you. (I’ll be the Amazonian Albino who doesn’t know how to speak to grown ups without shouting “I SAID SHUSH PLEASE” over her shoulder every 3 minutes.)
Cynthia- I made the choice to go to BlogHer after seeing the great tweets coming out of BBCSD (I learned just from them!) and feeling like it’s jumping in the deep end, but I think it will be great!
Dumb Mom- it’s not even funny how my style that outfit is.
Mrs. Wonder – If I can come up with the fees I am there :) Deep end, here I come?
Cynthia
I’m going to buy this outfit so we can be twinsies at BlogHer. Just kidding. ;)
I’m going to BlogHer in August and then I’m going to try to go to Blissdom next January. BBC is great and if there were one closer to me this year I would be going again.
Shoot girl, you nailed it! LOVE the faux outfit and LOVE the link to my video. :) MUAH! I just wish I were going!!
Good luck…you’re going to do great!
I really wanna go to a blogging conference. I wanted to go to BBC when it was in Baltimore but alas, I’m flat broke. I’m hoping that I’ll have the opportunity some day.
I think you should come to the Chicago BBC…because I’m going to be there!! So work your magic and make it happen, okay??
Atlanta…if I can get the wardrobe. I am not up on all the conferences out there and wonder if there is anything happening on Nashville this year. Or next;-)
Drat! Hate it tha I’m missing out on hearing you speak.
I’m heading to BBC Hot-lanta in the fall, y’all! Gotta get my Southern on.
Thank you for sharing this post. I missed out on the San Diego BBC. I’ve never attended a blog conference but REALLY, REALLY want to check one out! I’ve been hesitant prior to reading your post. I did not know what to expect, how to act, or what to wear. It’s silly maybe but I get the same feeling as if attending freshman year in high school! Wanting to fit in but not quite as cool as the popular girls.
I have been contemplating Blogher 2011 in San Diego…
I see how you make fun of my flip flops. Hrmph.
I’m so upset not to be going to Boston BBC! Have a blast!