Last year, I left BlogHer ’13 feeling like a loser.
In fact, I wrote a blog post about it. But I must admit that
after that post was featured on BlogHer.com and was one of the site’s most
popular posts, I certainly felt I was #winning.
In a couple weeks I’m heading to San Jose for BlogHer ’14.
I’m determined to leave this year’s conference feeling on top of the
world. To make that happen I must
do some things differently and I think any BlogHer newbies should consider
following my lead.
Don’t compare yourself to others. I left BlogHer ’13 feeling
like a loser because I was surrounded by women bloggers who had landed major
sponsorships and book deals through their blogs and women who complained about
having "a paltry 5,000 Twitter followers." I spent my 48 hours at BlogHer comparing myself to these
women instead of focusing on my own mission, plans, and goals.
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| Check out the Writeous Babe logo I designed for my new business cards. |
Don’t forget your business cards. Last year I ordered new
business cards just for the conference and I left all 50 of them sitting right
on my nightstand. So if you are heading to BlogHer ’14, go put your business
cards in your suitcase right now. They will especially come in handy during
Friday morning’s BlogHer Style Speed Dating.
Don’t forget to party. Last year I didn’t wholeheartedly
participate in conference activities. I was in Chicago not only for BlogHer but
also to visit a friend. I often
skipped the parties so that I could head back to my friend's place. While I don’t
regret this because my friend and I had a blast, this year I’m staying in one
of the official hotels and I plan to hit every party. Sure, this conference is about advancing my writing career, but
it’s also about having fun!
Don’t arrive without a plan. Before heading to the Silicon Valley, figure out what you
want to get out of this conference and use this to determine what sessions you
will attend. Knowing your overall objective for the conference can also keep
you from getting caught up in the comparison game. With a solid conference plan,
you will know your path and you can stay in your lane. My goal is to figure out what’s the next
step for my blog and who I want to be in the blogosphere.
Don’t leave without a plan, either. I am a teacher and I am a
nerd so when I attend a conference I leave with pages and pages of notes. Then
I come home, put my journal on my bookshelf and leave it there to collect dust.
Not this year. In addition to taking notes, I plan to draft an action plan, too.
I will compile a list of steps I will take based on what I learn on each session and
give myself deadlines by which to complete them.
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| Kavitha and I reunited two months ago in Birmingham! |
Don’t be shy. Whether you’re going to BlogHer alone, with
your best friend, or with a group of blogging buddies from your hometown, be
sure to use this conference as a chance to meet someone new. This is the one
thing I did right last year. I met the wonderful woman behind the blog Kavi360
and we still keep in touch today. At BlogHer don’t look at the women around you simply as
potential followers, see them as potential friends.
My tip? Go with a buddy! Hey-ooo! :-) <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I remembered your post from last year about BlogHer and came to your blog to read it as I prep for next week. Glad I also found this gem. I'm definitely nervous to attend for the first time by myself, but I think it will be a great experience!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! This is my first year and I've started flipping out a bit with a little more than a week to go. Hope to see you there.:)
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