Looking through my timeline in the last few weeks in the world of blogging and one thing is very apparent – Blog Conference season is upon us.
I have been lucky enough to attend CybHer and Britmums in the last few years and although I will be missing Britmum this year as it is Sebby’s birthday, I am going to Blog Camp in September and am helping set up and run BlogOn in Winchester with Laura in October.
By their very nature, blog conferences are busy and can be overwhelming but they are fab for getting to meet those like minded bloggers, who’s posts you read every week and learning how to hone your blogging skills.
My tips for getting the most out of whichever conference you attend are:
- Wear a name badge, like the one pictured above from Simoney. You are normally given a lanyard or a badge, but this has my logo which makes it stand out and it’s easier to recognise my name / blog. It will feel like you are spending the whole day looking at people’s boobs to try and see their name.
- Have an idea of what you want to get out of the conference, highlight the talks you don’t want to miss and be on time for them
- Make sure you get the wifi code, although it can be a bit hit and miss with hundreds of others trying to use it at the same time
- Take a charger / battery pack for your phone
- Take a note book / iPad for jotting down notes
- Don’t forget your camera………the one on your phone is just fine
- If you want to chat to the brands the quietest time is when the sessions are running, so if there isn’t one you want to attend it is the best time to approach them then
- That huddle of bloggers you think are being cliquey……….they are really not! They are feeling as overwhelmed as you and are speaking to other bloggers they know. Take a deep breath, go over and say Hello – you will be welcomed to the conversation!
- Have fun!!
Do you have any tips on attending a blog conference?
I think your advice about wearing a badge is a good one. You can sometimes put a business card (if you have one) into the badge holder.
Great tips. I never remember to but taking a few snacks would be a good idea – as I always seem to have a sugar drop before chance to get to food. Some conferences are better than others for food too.
Have a fab time. I had mu logo as a necklace and it always helped
I’m a bit shy in big crowds so I normally avoid things like this but it does mean I don’t get to meet as many other bloggers – maybe next year….
the badge is good,
I think I will order myself one for another year
LOL thats the thing with badges, it does feel as though to spend most of the day on boob watch x
i have never ever been to a blogging conference, in fact never a meet up either x
I was so pleased to read this as I am going to my first blog conference this Friday and I wouldn’t have thought of half these ideas! Thank you for sharing!
I have never been to a blog conference and I have only ever met a couple of other bloggers! So bad! I would love to one day though. x
Excellent tips – mine would be go with a very loose program and change it as you go
It’s that time of year, I just posted on this very subject last night. Mich x
These are some really great tips…I’ve yet to attend my first conference but feeling like I should get to one. Which is your favourite?
I am missing BritMums this year too – but looking forward to Blog On Win! Great tips!