How To Avoid a Big Let Down At A Blogging Conference (and I’m not talking about nursing!)
Here are my top 6 ways on how to avoid a big let down at a blogging conference:
- Be gracious if someone doesn’t recognize you right off the bat…or at all.
- Don’t expect someone to recognize you right off the bat…or at all.
- Know that you will most likely go in with tons of excitement, but while there may experience a range of emotions that are unexplainable. Go in knowing that your expectations may be wildly and wonderfully met or that they may fall way short. Determine to enjoy your time either way.
- Plan to meet someone on the first day that you “know.” Literally plan it – get cell numbers and make a date. It will help greatly if you are new to the conference scene, otherwise you feel like you’re standing around all awkward and confused.
- Hitch a ride with a fellow blogger. It is especially great on the way home as you compress, relate, and bounce new found ideas off one another (that’s how Relevant came to be!).
- Be thankful for the food. Hotels charge big bucks if meals are included, and sometimes alternatives to the “best” have to be made to keep prices reasonable for attendees. Just praise the Lord you can fill your tummy and enjoy the fellowship!
Anything I missed?
I would add that you listed SIX items, so one shouldn't always take the lead speaker (blogger?) at face value. There may be deeper, underlying meanings or messages, or perhaps the lead speaker (blogger?) just hasn't remembered to count correctly! LOL
Who loves ya, Babe?!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
I changed it!
I would say that's a pretty good list! I haven't ever been to a blog conference, but would love to go one day! Relevant sounds pretty neat, but PA is a long way from KY. :) I'm trying not to get my hopes too high and leave it to God. I can't wait to hear more about it!
.-= Hannah Braboy´s last blog post … How To: Sourdough Bread =-.
Great list. I am not attending this conference, but how could I not read the post with the title you had! It's been a long time since I thought about let-down, in the nursing sense.
tee hee
.-= Cathy Davis´s last blog post … The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck =-.
I went to Blissdom last year. I didn't know anyone. I was feeling very alone and awkward when some sweet blogger gals included me in their group. I still have contact with them today.
So, if you are a newbie, be friendly and who knows what kind of friendships can start up. If you're familiar with the conference scene, then be sure to help the wallflowers to bloom.
.-= Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home´s last blog post … Blissdom 2010 =-.
Oh and the other advice I would have …
Wear a name tag and if you use a screen name, maybe have that on the name tag.
.-= Cathy Davis´s last blog post … The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck =-.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sarah Mae, TheWorkatHomeWoman. TheWorkatHomeWoman said: RT @sarahmaeblogs How To Avoid a Big Let Down At A Blogging Conference (and I'm not talking about nursing!) – http://bit.ly/4xkvPS [...]
Make sure you have business cards printed up with all info you want to share. Maybe have a little gift item to give away to some of the more meaningful contacts, something relevant to your state or your blog. Keep a prayer journal, write down prayer requests from people you meet.
Introduce yourself…
introduce yourself….
introduce yourself…..
.-= Momma Mindy´s last blog post … FOOD for Thought =-.
I would add that if you don't actually attend the conference, you can still stay at the same hotel and stalk your favorite bloggers and not look totally insane. Wait, maybe I did look totally insane….Hmm….
:D
.-= Heathahlee´s last blog post … My favorite post of 2009 =-.
Sarah Mae, I hope you are going to Blissdom & I hope to finally get to meet you this time. I had so much fun last year & just can't wait to do it again. It's going to be even better this year & I'm determined to make the rounds and meet a lot more folks this go-round.
Rhoda – not this year…we'll just have to meet in October… ;)
Don't let anyone douse your flames. If you get inspired to try something for your blog, don't let anyone discourage you from trying. What may not have worked for others, just might really work for you.
.-= Sisterlisa´s last blog post … Help Find Susan Powell =-.
That is so funny…"and I'm not talking about nursing". LOL
Thanks for the suggestions. :) I'm really hoping to get to Relevant this year. I guess we'll see!
.-= Mary Jo´s last blog post … Freezing sweet potatoes =-.
Wonderful advice! I've yet to meet a group of bloggers I didn't fall in love with. They are some of the easiest people in the world to get to know.
.-= Bonita´s last blog post … Relevant Blogging Conference =-.
It's so great to read the comments and realize that I met half of these ladies this year at conferences. :) It's amazing to have the virtual and real life come together but there are ALWAYS unmet expectations…and typically many. That's why we have Jesus. :)
So sad you won't be there in Feb, but can't wait for Relevant…now that will be an amazing experience. :) How many attendees can sign up?
.-= Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog post … Grocery Guru’s #1 Money Saving Tip =-.
Jen, we are capping it at 200 so we can create a more intimate, relationship oriented environment. :)
Such good STUFF here. Love RELEVANT stuff. =)
.-= Debbie´s last blog post … 2009 Highlights =-.
Good advice – thank you for responding to my 'tweet'.
Awesome tips, Sarah Mae! I hope to be the one to include the newbies this year, and make them feel welcome!
Real Life Sarah´s last [type] ..Prayer for Christian Bloggers at BlogHer Conference
Real Life Sarah´s last [type] ..Prayer for Christian Bloggers at BlogHer Conference
Excellent post! I'm heading to BlogHer tomorrow and I"m a newbie, so I've been devouring all advice I can get. I've done a loose schedule for myself, making sure I have breaks to catch my breath. I'm not even taking my laptop to the sessions or events because I wnat it to be about the people. Can't wait! Thanks for the wonderful advice!
Jen L.´s last [type] ..Countdown to BlogHer- A Weekend of Preparation
Jen L.´s last [type] ..Countdown to BlogHer- A Weekend of Preparation
Love the post, short and useful. I'm also a BlogHer newbie, but an old hand at conferences, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out for me, really looking forward to it. Much warmer feet and no altitude sickness (vs. the last conference I attended – Sundance in 2002 & preggers w/ twins, to boot.)
Varda (SquashedMom)´s last [type] ..Look- Ma- Im going to BlogHer
Varda (SquashedMom)´s last [type] ..Look- Ma- Im going to BlogHer
Such great tips – Also don't be offended when someone, who you've already introduced yourself to asks yoru name, again and again and again…. I'm terrible with names and I always feel terrible when I forget! One tip that really helped me from last year was to sit at a different table at each meal. I met so many great friends this way and it really helped me to connect with more people than if I had just sat with the same group each meal.
I would add that you can meet amazing people and have challenging conversations even at the sponsor tables. I asked several of the sponsor table staffers last year how they got involved in their particular organization (when the table wasn't busy) and learned a lot! I think they want to tell their story just as much as the bloggers attending the conference. Also, if you tend to be an introvert, or just need the down time, TAKE it! You can go nonstop the whole time but it is okay to go back to your room during a break and just process everything you are learning for a few minutes. Love the earlier suggestion to ask others for prayer requests. I wrote things on the back of cards I received that would help remind me of the individual and how I could pray for her, but didn't specifically let them know I was doing it. They probably would have appreciated it.
Great info to have! Thanks for sharing!