15 Ways to Get the Most Out of BlogHer11
Jul 18, 2011 Author: Megan | Filed under: BlogHer
BlogHer is really special to me. The first conference I attended in 2006 when I was invited to co-present on blog improvement. It was an amazing time. Not only did I meet a ton of great people and have some excellent conversations, I left BlogHer06 inspired to blog about what I was passionate about (shopping!) and try to make a go at it.
It was that blog that helped me shift my career into overdrive. I had always wanted to work on the web – designing, managing, writing – but I was stuck in a job where I was pigeon-holed as a marketing writer when I wanted to (and could) do so much more. My blog added to my resume an entrepreneurial spirit and the proof that I can build a successful web site from the ground up.
After BlogHer06 I attended BlogHer Business 07 and then BlogHer Boston 08. I missed BlogHer09, but I came back at BlogHer10 and boy did things change! I will be the first to admit that I got more than a little swag-happy and completely distracted from the conference as a whole. I was invited to a party or two and did my thing, but like many attendees I caught party-envy. I came home disappointed that i didn’t really let myself enjoy the conference.
This year, things will change.
- I will NOT be one of the first to hit the exhibit halls and I will limit my time there and my swag hoarding.
- I will NOT be a swag-a-holic and stalk the swag exchange for the best swag available.
- I will attend sessions.
- I will make new friends.
- I will have great conversations.
- I will attend those parties to which I am invited and will not pout when I’m not included in others.
- I will seek out other uninvited peeps and start our own public party! Everyone is welcome!
- I will seek out deer-in-headlights first-conference-goers and make them feel comfortable.
- I will seek to remind myself why I am there and enjoy every minute.
- I will not be overly concerned about the number of business cards I give and receive.
- I will not go broke on a new wardrobe to impress the other girls.
- I will dress simply and comfortably
- I will compliment all my beautiful BlogHer sisters as much as I can.
- I will not get overwhelmed.
- I will live in the moment.
What’s your plan for BlogHer11 in San Diego?
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14 Responses for "15 Ways to Get the Most Out of BlogHer11"
First time attending BlogHer, and while I am really excited and nervous, I am trying to remind myself why I am going. I want to meet those I have met through my blog, learn some and connect with those that get what it is I am pouring my time, money and heart into each morning with my coffee. I will not be able to accomplish this if I get to wrapped up in all the swag, madness and all that. Thanks for this post.
Wow! Meeting you alone will be worth the ticket to BlogHer! Loved the post, it is making me breathe a lot more easily and look forward a lot more to BlogHer!
Wow! I had a very similar experience at last year’s event: got too swag-happy and missed the sessions completely. I got a chance to visit with some friends but never really got into Blogher. As a result, I was totally charged but didn’t leave feeling like I had learned much. As the old saying goes: You get what you put in.
This year I decided that I wanted to change my focus. I have enough “stuff.” What I am missing is substance. I want to learn how to be a BETTER communicator and blogger. And while I hope to reconnect with some good friends and introduce myself to my blogging heroines, I am also hoping to spend more time focusing on my content and presentation and less on the expo floor.
As for whether or not I am invited to the more “private” parties. Well, I went to a few last year and discovered that many of the same people attended the same parties. Most of the parties were fun but it was even more fun meeting new people and discovering their interests. I am not sure you need a private party to accomplish that goal.
Megan, I hope to get a chance to meet up with you!
Thanks for this. I’m attending BlogHer11 as my first BlogHer, and due to last minute travel writing assignments, I now can’t go the whole time. I’m worried that I’ll be disconnected and not get the most I can out of it. I’ve been to other conferences, and I know how important the party scene is (to which I’ve been invited to zero). I’m starting to wonder whether it’s worth my time (if I’ll get anything out of it except worry that I’m not in the ‘right place at the right time’). Sigh…
This list is fantastic. It really, really is. I’m kinda in love with it. I actually turned down a few invitations to off-site things this year because I didn’t want the go-go-go aspect that I engaged in last year.
Hope you have a great time! I’ll be having one as well!
This year I am definitely wanting to scale back on the big parties (and swag) and concentrate on having face-time with small groups of friends. I’m going on my own dime, so I don’t feel any obligation to *accomplish* anything in particular, so I’ll be free to do what I want throughout the conference. Ahhh!
Look forward to seeing you!
@AverageJane: Yay! Can’t wait to see you, too!
Thanks @FireMom! Good for you! I think that this year’s BlogHer11 conference will be a return to BlogHer roots and we will really focus on meeting people just like us (blogging ladies are a unique bunch!), sharing ideas, experiences and positive girlfriend-vibes! Let’s ditch the drama, cut the cliques and share the LOVE!
@Amy: The (private) party scene? So NOT important. It’s brands showing off their stuff, lavishing bloggers with swag and hoping that they’ll get some free press from it. They focus on well-known bloggers with the most traffic. I know it’s hard, but try not to feel left out. Try not to feel like your blog isn’t big enough or important enough. Your blog is important to your readers and THEY should be your number one priority. The public parties and all BlogHer events ARE the place to be. Don’t worry about anything else. Just have fun and spread the love.
@Mellisa: A-men, sister!
@ Marie: Can’t wait to meet you, roomie!
@Renee: Good for you! Hope to meet you as well!
Oh please find me so we can hang out at BlogHer! I’ll be one of those deer-in-headlights newbies.
Nice post, Megan. Good to hear from a veteran. This is my first time to BlogHer. I can only imagine the swag frenzy ahead of us.
Your post helps us be mindful of why we’re there in the first place. Thanks.