Can you feel the tension and anxiety building in the blog world? Nearly one thousand (mostly) female bloggers are a week and a half away from traveling to San Francisco for BlogHer 08. The posts about what do I wear? and will anyone talk to me? are already in full swing as some newcomers start to panic and wonder if they’ll be mocked if they don’t have a laptop with them or don’t say the right things.
Relax. Seriously…relax.
This will be my third year of BlogHer, and so far the part of the trip causing me the most anxiety is the flight. (Hate. flying.) I’m ready to see old friends, meet new friends, and party until I drop. However, I was a member of the nervous newbie club once, too, so I know how some of you are feeling. Allow yet one more person to give you a little advice on surviving your first BlogHer:
Hit the parties: There are a lot of parties planned the first night. I lost count somewhere after five. Some are invite-only, but most are open to anyone attending BlogHer. If you can, get to at least one of these parties! This is your first chance to mingle and socialize in a low-stress environment. Even if you have a hard time making the first move to introduce yourself to another person, I promise that someone will ask you who you are and will want to get to know you.
Prepare for short attention spans: At the same time, expect most people at these parties to behave as if they have some kind of attention-deficit disorder. It’s only natural – for those who have been to BlogHer before, they’ll be bumping into lots of people they haven’t seen since last year. And others will suddenly turn and see one of their blog friends standing right in front of them for the first time. So don’t be surprised if you’re talking with a group and someone disappears or squeals and run away. It’s not you – she was probably overcome with happiness to see another friend. It’ll happen all night, and as one person disappears, others will appear to join in on the conversation.
Expect happy surprises: Don’t be surprised if others come running to you, too. At my first BlogHer, I felt so lost when I was checking into the hotel. There were women everywhere – many were clustered in groups, and I was far too shy to approach one of these groups to find out if they were bloggers I read. I remember walking past everyone, dragging my suitcase behind me, anxious and feeling like I wanted to hide in my room for the next three days, when suddenly I heard, “Is that Christina? Hey, woman!” It was Izzy, and she was the first shout out of many I got that night. I was also invited to dinner with Mayberry Mom that night, too, which further helped to calm my nerves.
Hand out your card: If you don’t suffer from debilitating shyness, be sure to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Have business cards if you can. They don’t have to be anything fancy: name, blog name, URL and e-mail address are plenty. You might think you don’t matter enough to have a business card, but you’re wrong. That card will help people remember you, and will help them find your blog afterwards. Without cards, I never would have remembered the blog names of everyone I met at BlogHer, many of whom I now read.
Be unstructured: Once the conference begins, you’ll meet even more people at the panels you attend. These panels are wonderful, with lots of information for beginners as well as advanced bloggers. But you may occasionally find you need a break, or find a session that doesn’t have any panels you want to attend. That’s totally OK. There’s no rule that you must attend every session – hanging out in the hallways chatting with others is sometimes just as valuable or more valuable than the sessions themselves.
Expect to be photographed: There are cameras everywhere. You’re probably bringing one, too. Remember that everything said or done at BlogHer is on the record, so be prepared to end up on Flickr. This especially goes for those who like to drink, but can’t hold their liquor. (However, if you do want drunken antics to show up on the internet, drink away!)
Branch out: You’re going to find bloggers in your niche, but you’ll also encounter bloggers on nearly any topic. Take some time to get to know bloggers outside of your niche, too. Surely you have interests beyond being a mom, right? Mommy bloggers are lovely, but there are some awesome craft bloggers, too. And pet bloggers. And life bloggers. And food bloggers. And shopping bloggers. If you can’t find someone who blogs about one of your secondary interests, maybe you need to start a new blog, eh?
So what I’m trying to say is don’t stress out about coming to BlogHer, because you’re going to have a good time. It’s a crazy, chaotic, and fun few days, where you’ll meet new friends, rub elbows with blog “stars” and maybe even find out that someone admires you.
Dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable, and don’t worry so much about your hair and makeup. After all, it can’t be as bad as my hair disaster from 06.
And if you need someone to give you that initial boost of confidence and support, come find me. I love meeting new people and I’m always available for a hug. At my first BlogHer several friends held my hand and made me feel comfortable, and I’m happy to return the favor for others.
Now tell me, who’s going to BlogHer?
Was just checking in before heading to bed. Thanks for this post. I’m not going to BlogHer08 (wish I were but not possible this year). But I’ve been asking myself all kinds of questions about how to get my blog more out there and how to get involved more with other bloggers. This post answered some questions I had. I’ll be re-reading your ‘how to be a good blogger” post too.
I’ll be there! I hope I get a chance to run into you. And this post is AWESOME for first time BlogHers. I think you got everything spot on. I wish I’d read this three years ago!
Oh I wish I was going to San Fran! But I am planning to be at the mini-BlogHer at Atlanta. I’m so ready to get even a glimpse at what the rest of the blogger world looks like in person. I know I’d be a lot more comfortable if they had a “come dressed as you normally blog at home”, that way I could come in my husband’s ratty old boxers and a tank top.
I hope that you’ll be there to hold my hand at 09!
Anissa
http://www.hope4peyton.org
Looking forward to seeing you once again!
I’m going, I’m a Newbie, I’m TERRIFIED and EXCITED all wrapped into one. Thanks for the sound advice.
Ooh great post — and glad to see that Lady M is coming!
But yes — it’s a little crazy and a whole lot of fun. Just be prepared to take breaks. It’s definitely overstimulation central.
More great BlogHer advice. I’m feeling more prepared by the minute. I’m going, first year, crazy excited. See you all soon!
This was so needed. I’m going and everyone around me is about ready to KILL me if it isn’t all over soon! (Excited much? YUP.)
Phhhbbbtttt. I just wrote a post for Chicago Moms Blog about missing BlogHer. Am jealous.
I’ll be there again! Can’t wait!
i feel like i’m the only person who is NOT nervous about going for the first time…is that bad??
i’m really only nervous about not getting to meet/see all the people i really want to meet!
*sniff* I wish I was going. I’ll have a beer in your honor while you’re all out there having fun. Maybe next year, especially if they have it somewhere closer.
Sounds like fun, but I’m not quite there this year…
We’ll be in San Fran this weekend instead! Hahahaha…
I can’t make it…though I SO want to be there. WAAAHHHHH! Have fun for me, will ya?
Thanks so much for this. I have been starting to get a little anxious and not really knowing what to expect as this will be my first BlogHer experience.
This is enough to make me wish I’d just gone ahead and registered! Maybe next year. Hope you’ll post about it so I can live vicariously through you.
I remember when I saw you at Blogher. You were the first person I ran into! This is a great primer. You covered all the important stuff. I so wish I was going but taking a year off will make me look forward to Atlanta in October and Blogher09 all the more. And maybe they’ll have it on the east coast next year (hint hint!)
Great advice woman, and see you there!
I am, I am! Can’t wait. Not nervous, just super-psyched. Wish I had your tips last year before I went. They’re right on.
Thanks for the wrap up. I just decided to go at the last minute, so I will see you there!
I will be happy to see you there!
Carmen, whose google sign in takes you to somewhere else, but whose site is
http://www.momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com
Of course I’ll be there… my fourth!
I’ll be there! This will be my second BlogHer. I’m excited to see some old friends and make many new ones. Still a little jittery too, though. Great post!
Great post, Christina! Your point about everyone behaving as those they have some sort of attention deficit disorder is so on the money!
It will be fun to go this year knowing more what to expect, and having learned from last year, how to do things differently.
See you there!
I so want to go, but money is a little tight, with your husband losing his job how do you do it? Have fun, can’t wait to hear about your trip!!
Anonymous – Had I not paid for it all long before he lost his job, I wouldn’t go. But the ticket has been purchased, the non-refundable plane ticket is paid for, and I’m sharing my room with two others and set money that I received for Christmas aside to cover my share of the room.
Seeing how it’s already paid for, and some of it can’t be refunded, might as well go anyway, right? 🙂
Since BlogHer provides most meals for the conference, I won’t need to worry about buying food, too. I also received some gift cards for my birthday to cover any incidental expenses that might crop up.
It’ll be a frugal BlogHer this year (no city souvenirs!) but I’ll still be there.
this is awesome and SO true!!!!!!! i’ll be there and see you soon!
I’ll be there, but seeing as we will be sharing a room, you already knew that.
So well said, C, ESPECIALLY the stuff about BlogHer ADD.
Excited to see you!
I’m not going to BlogHer and I’m bummed. As a newbie blogger I’m sure that there are a lot of things that I could learn about time management, networking for readership, and how to make a miiiiiiillllllion dollars with my blog (just kidding. I’m going to make a miiiiiiillllllion dollars selling Beanie Babies on eBay, heh, heh!:))
I heard that you can attend BlogHer on Second Life is that true?
I
I am going and I hope to get a chance to see you. I am speaking on the childless blogger panel AND I just found out, doing the community keynote WOO hoo!
For the record, you looked perfectly cute in 06.
My hair is long and half-colored, half natural, I have nothing to wear and top 200 lbs. I can hardly wait to see my double chins all over the internets. But I WILL HAVE FUN!
I’ll be there – I’m very excited to meet everyone.://
I’ll be there. I’ll be the one with the beard and moustache who is not Antonia .
Wonderful summary! I second the part about taking a break when you need it. BlogHer is exhausting, but it’s tons of fun too!
I’m so excited and now even more so to have you as my roommate! I was just wondering all this stuff but keeping it bottled up.
Whoosh! I feel better now. Thanks!
I feel much more relaxed about the whole thing.
I hate flying too.
Thanks. Many great pointers…. I have to re-read this twice!
Hey Christina!
I am a BlogHer Rookie this year, and I can’t tell you how many of those same questions and anxieties that you talked about in this post have been running through my head in the past weeks. Thanks for the wonderful words of wisdom, and reminding us that we all start from the same place.
Looking forward to seeing you!
~SallieB
http://www.twitter.com/SallieB
I can’t wait for my chance to head to BlogHer next year. I will make sure you bookmark this post so that I can read your tips for next year.
Excellent post! Thanks. Hope to see you there. (I’m glad I’m not the only one hyperventilating about the flight.)
How fabulously kind & gracious of you! 🙂
I’m very excited about going and meeting people. Since I teach high school, I imagine the ADD scenario will be easy to deal with…
I am I am!
Thanks for the great tips – look forward to meeting you!
Well I guess I’ll see you again next week: it was a pleasure to get to snuggle Mira last year while you practiced having both arms free 🙂
Woo!
you know i’m goin! See you there!
So excited to see you again!!!!
See you soon. This time, I’ll be wearing comfortable shoes tho, as I make a public ass of myself.
Thanks for writing this up! This was exactly what I needed to know.
I’m getting super excited about meeting everyone in person.
Debbie
DeliciousBaby.com
Super tips!! Wish I was going this year. Have fun!
Seriously should have read this before I went to BlogHer. Will keep it all in mind for next year though.