I was chatting with a local friend of mine after returning from speaking at Blog Paws (the social media and blogging conference for pet bloggers) last week. Since she knows that I don’t have a pet right now (shh!), she was curious why I would have been chosen to speak at the conference.
This particular friend also knew that I traveled down to Asheville, North Carolina for 4 days at Type-A Parent Conference in June. Unfamiliar with blog conferences (or the blogging world in general) she commented, “I figured you just needed to get away from your kids a lot…”
Our conversation got me thinking. Why do I attend blogging conferences?
Why I attend blogging conferences
- To socialize – Yes, I do enjoy the social aspect of blog conferences but I could do that at a restaurant 10 minutes from home if all I needed was some social time. Blogging conferences are so much more than social events.
- To learn – I have gone to conferences before thinking that there wasn’t anything I really needed to learn. Boy, was I wrong. The blogging world is an ever-changing and evolving place, and there is always something to learn.
- To be inspired – seeing and hearing what other bloggers do inspires me to do bigger and better things in my own space.
- To network – I love the connections I make online, but there is nothing like meeting in person to solidify a relationship. Blogging conferences have become critical for me in developing personal connections with both other bloggers and, sometimes more importantly, brands.
- To find my “tribe” – there is nothing like finding a support system for anything that we are involved in, be it blogging or parenting or local issues. By attending conferences, I have been able to find those people that have been my biggest support and resource.
- To find more work! – Yes, my blog is my business and I need to constantly work on finding new gigs, developing new relationships, and discovering new methods for earning money. I have found that conferences are a huge boost in the right direction for me.
What are your top reasons for attending blogging conferences?
I am excited to announce that I was chosen to be Blogalicious Ambassador to spread the word about this upcoming amazing conference opportunity. To prepare for Blogalicious Weekend on October 21-23, I will be sharing weekly blogging and conference-related tips. I would love to hear your questions and suggestions of topics that you would love to have covered!
About Blogalicious Weekend:
Eighty percent of major business deals are said to be made on the golf course… Consider Blogalicious your green! Jam-packed with opportunities to make unique connections and valuable contacts in a sociable setting, this conference will arm you with the relationships you need and want.
Whether your social media focus is business, storytelling, technology, politics, parenting, lifestyle or social change, the networking and educational aspects of Blogalicious will motivate and inspire. The Countdown to October is on!
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Great article. I will be attending Blogalicious for the same reasons who listed above. It’s my first blogging conference so I am really excited about it!
I had so much fun with you last weekend! It was nice to go to a conference NOT in our niche and network and talk. Much more relaxing, and I definitely learned a lot.
I heart blog conferences and my blog friends. Honestly, I wish I could go to more of them.
Honestly, at home, I’m so busy with work, and my son, I rarely have time to get together with girlfriends sans kids. My husband completely understands this. He told me that the other day, you should call Kelly or something and see if she wants to do something. I said, it is 3pm, and she has 3 kids…
I use blog conferences as a weekend with girlfriends, like minded friends, and business of course. I ALWAYS learn something whether it be for my blog, or for life experience.
It’s hard b/c there is a fine line between business and fun when you’re a blogger. And originally, when I went to conferences, it WAS purely for fun – to meet people in real life that I was chatting with online.
Now? Purely business – I’m there to network to get sponsors for events I’m planning, and also to learn how to grow my various sites and make them profitable.
And yet, I STILL giggle when I say “business trip” or that I’m “working” – I am just getting over that. I think I devalue what I do b/c it seems so frivolous, but my husband has been extremely supportive and every time I mention doing something else to make money, he assures me that it is not that easy to get a job and what I’m doing is worthwhile and there is a future in it for me as a career. And I have to say, I have friends who have also given me the talk – about not devaluing what I’m doing. I am so appreciative for both!! Cause there ARE people I’m sure who think it is all a joke. And it is irritating to know that, but not everyone will get it, I guess.
Sadly, her comment made me wonder if a lot of my local friends wonder the same thing – that my conferences are vacations. While it IS nice to get away, I am looking at them more as business trips now. Luckily, I have a VERY supportive husband who calls my conferences business trips. (It’s always helpful to have validation and support from your husband!)
“I figured you just needed to get away from your kids a lot…”
Seriously? NICE. lol.
There are many great reasons to attend blogging conferences! You listed them well. I absolutely am a huge fan of bloggers attending conferences – whether they are hobbyists (meeting your community in real life cannot be undervalued) or pro bloggers (networking is huge – you have to show up to be noticed) – it’s such a huge part of being in the space.
Thanks for sharing this!
I love blog conferences! They’re a great way to connect with other bloggers, meet friends in person, get inspired, and – best of all – have some fun. I hadn’t heard of Blogalicious, but since it’s right here in DC I may have to go.