fOne of my favourite things about being a blogger is attending blogger conferences. I love the chance to chat to other bloggers, learn new things and speak to brands. Just being in the company of others who ‘get it,’ is pretty cool; as sometimes blogging can feel like a solitary pursuit.
Before every conference I hear people who haven’t attended a conference before talking about ‘building up the courage’ to attend and worrying about their ‘first time’! So, I thought I’d put together a post covering the main aspects of blogging conferences; giving you all the inside information! Hopefully this will help you feel more confident and encourage you to take the leap. I just know you won’t regret it.
What are blogging conferences?
Conferences can take many forms; some one day, while others are set over multiple days. The formats can vary a great deal too – workshops, panels, speakers, activities or a mixture. In addition to educational aspects, some conferences also offer activities like photowalks and evening get togethers. Blog conferences are a great way to learn about your industry and network with other bloggers. I’ve attended so many conferences over the years and have met some wonderful people.
Today, I’m sharing some tips that will help you prepare for a blog conference. Hopefully it will help you prepare so you can get the most out of your experience.
Benefits of attending
- Networking is vital. Meeting people in the flesh is so different to meeting online. Conferences give you the chance not only to meet other bloggers and take friendships to the next level but also to meet brands face to face.
- Gaining a different perspective. Often you’re mixing with a range of bloggers from different niches. This means you can gain useful perspectives from people that you might not usually connect with.
- Socialising. Most conferences offer some time for socialising. Whether that is between sessions or in the evenings, it’s great to get the opportunity to chat and let your hair down.
- Worthwhile training. The level of training varies from conference to conference, but you get the opportunity to learn from the experience of others. Making it quite a cost-effective way of learning.
What should I wear?
Anything goes really and you will see all sorts! It’s really important to dress so you feel comfortable and confident. If you’re representing a brand, it’s a good idea to be smart casual. Some people rock their jeans and casual wear. Others have dresses and outfits gifted to them to wear at the event.
What will I need?
- Charging case/battery pack for your phone or tablet.
- Normal charger – there are always sockets you can use to top up your phone’s juice.
- Pen/paper or tablet/ipad – whatever works for you to take notes. I prefer old fashioned pen and paper.
- Business cards – useful to give to both brands and bloggers.
- Camera or camera phone.
- Ticket!
- List of anyone you specifically want to meet, as it may be a little hectic and you might well forget.
- The # of the event. If you want to live tweet then knowing the # will be important. Your tweets will be found by people following the event.
Approaching other bloggers/companies
If there’s a blogger that you want to meet/chat to and you don’t know them, just tweet them and see if they have time to meet you. Remember bloggers will be attached to their phones, so even at the event you can make contact with them. Approaching brands is really easy at most conferences. Remember brands are there to meet bloggers, so they want to talk to you. Just pop along to their stand and say hi. Ask them how they work with bloggers and if they could consider working with your blog. Don’t forget to tell them why you want to collaborate with their brand and have your business cards ready.
What can I expect to learn?
The specific details depend on which sessions you attend, but regardless, you will learn a lot to help you develop your skills as a blogger. Quite often I find that I learn so much from my peers outside of the sessions. It’s so useful to talk to other bloggers about what they do, how they work and swap tips. You’re sure to come away from any conference feeling inspired with lots of ideas bubbling away.
How do I “book” the talks/sessions?
At most conferences you are given a timetable and are free to attend whichever sessions you want. Occasionally, you are asked in advance to pick or perhaps on arrival. This will all be made very clear by the organisers, so you needn’t worry. There’s the odd conference where the programme is the same for everyone, just check the agenda in advance.
Do you have to queue early to get into the workshops that you want to attend?
The sessions often run back to back, with the exception of coffee breaks and lunch time. So there isn’t really time to get to a session particularly early. I’ve only ever been unable to attend one session at all the events I’ve been to, so it’s not usually a problem.
How structured are the sessions and is there time to meet people?
The sessions are laid out in a timetable, but it’s up to you whether you wish to miss a session in favour of networking. Remember it’s not school and you can do as you wish. However, there’s time to attend all sessions and network, if you’re organised.
How do people take notes?
You will see people taking notes on tablets, phones and good old fashioned pen and paper. Do whatever works for you, there’s no right or wrong. I often take photos of the slides.
Can I go alone?
Of course you can! However, it might help you to have some moral support, especially if it’s your first event. Many events have their own Facebook groups or twitter chats, which is a good way to get talking to others, who may also be going alone. Arrange to meet at the station/coffee shop and all walk there together. It will be much more fun in a group. I’ve reached out to numerous people who mentioned they were worried about going to certain conference and they ended up coming as part of my group.
What do I need to do prior to the event?
I’m going to sound like a teacher now, but you get out of it what you put in. By this I mean, if you do nothing and just rock up, that’s fine, but you may find yourself wishing you had done X, Y or Z on the way home.
- Make a note of the relevant # so you can join in on social media. This will enable you to connect with other bloggers who are attending, but also the brands too.
- See if any brands you work with or admire, will sponsor you to attend (usually this means they will cover the cost if your ticket, travel and accommodation). I secured sponsors via an initial DM on Twitter and through pitching to brands I have recently worked with. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
- Research the brands that will be there to see if any are a good fit for your blog. Make time to go and introduce yourself and leave your card. Then make sure you follow up with them after the event to see if there are any opportunities.
- Be prepared for the goodie bag! Obviously this is a great problem to have and the volume of ‘stuff’ you will take home varies from conference to conference, but sometimes it’s advisable to take a small empty suitcase with you!
- If you are being sponsored make sure you know what your brand expect of you and tweet regularly including their details.
- Make a note of the people you meet. Then reach out to them before the conference to see if you can fix up a time to chat. It’s always nice to tweet people on the train on the way home too. This is a great way to build relationships with other bloggers.
- Work on your elevator pitch – Introducing yourself can feel a little bit awkward. One way to be able to do this in confidence is to create your elevator pitch and learn it so that it trips off your tongue. Your elevator pitch could follow this this format ‘I’m (your name) and I help (your target audience) to do (what you help them with) so they can (the root reason they need what you offer).
- Make sure you enter any competitions that brands are running. Previously at BritMums a few bloggers won a holiday with Mark Warner! It’s worth a little look around to see if there’s anything you wish to enter.
- Prepare your blog – now is the time to finish off those bits and bobs on your blog and get it looking the best it can. After the conference, you’ll have plenty of new visitors checking out your blog, and you’ll want them to see your site looking it’s best. Pay particular focus to your About page and your Work with me page. Check all of your links too and make sure they all work.
- Order business cards – Business cards are really handy to have with you when you’re networking at events. Make sure your picture is on your card, as it will help people remember you.
- Get to know the schedule. Conference days move fast so you need to have a plan or you might feel as if you wasted some time. Print off the schedule and highlight what you want to attend, then write on the details of anything else you’ve organised. Make sure you note any pre-registration requirements if there are any. This means you will feel in control of your day, rather than feeling as if it’s running away from you.
Have you been to a blogging conference? What are your top tips? Which is your favourite?
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