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Thursday, January 10

My Tips for Attending a Blogging Conference

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If one of your goals is to grow or improve your blog, I highly recommend attending a blog conference.

Why? First of all, they are so fun! Secondly, a conference will really help you to "up your game".

Here are my tips for a good experience.

1 - Do your homework
The conference you are attending undoubtedly has a website {SNAP! has a great one HERE} where you can find information about the conference & guest speakers.  It's so much more fun to be prepared when you meet them in person.
2 - Go shopping
If you can, buy yourself something spiffy to wear. You're about to be surrounded by hoards of creative women who dress with a really great sense of style. The last thing you want is to feel frumpy. If you can't afford to buy, maybe borrow something from a sister or friend or just buy a great accessory to doll up something you already have. {Last time I had something new to wear one day & not the next - 
guess which day I felt more confident?}
3 - Gadgets don't hurt
Be prepared with your smart phone or laptop because you're going to need it! The speakers will refer to things on the internet & you'll want to explore the blogs of people you meet. Just trust me on this one. 
4 - Check your shyness at the door
I went to SNAP last year all by my lonesome. It was a little scary, but I just decided to be as outgoing as I could. The point is to meet new people & NETWORK like crazy. At lunchtime, there were no empty tables so I went up to a group with some unoccupied seats, told them I was alone & asked if I could join them. They were SO nice. Some of them turned out to be speakers {I didn't know it until later! SEE TIP #1!} Because I decided to "put myself out there, I met so many great people.
5 - Bring business cards
Everybody has them! Be prepared with your own. Some people say it's a bonus if your card has your photo on it, so others can remember who you are. Another suggestion is to give people a little somethin' with your card - last year I taped a chocolate mint to the back of mine. BTW,  I've still never paid for my cards. I got my first set free from Vistaprint while listening to Pandora radio. I won my current cards on a blog give-away {Thanks Kristie!}. 
Be ready to collect a lot of cards too! When you go home, visit the blogs & leave a comment or follow. Here are the cards from
my last conference. {We were given a hole punch & a ring
which were so helpful in keeping track of the cards.}
6 - Be ready to take notes, take pictures 
& have fun!
If you're like me, you are going to learn a lot from the classes, so take notes! You can always study them & understand more when you get home. Also, the women you meet are bloggers who love photos & photography, so there's no false modesty. If you want to take a picture of someone you just met, she'll probably say "Sure!", fluff her hair, & be ready to go. It's so refreshing! And the people are so great to get to know. I love to ask why they blog or what their blog is about. And in addition to the great people, there is likely to be good food, giveaways, & festivities. You'll love it!

Have you ever attended a blogging conference?

24 comments:

  1. Hi, Michelle

    So happy you wrote this post. I really needed to hear this today. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to make it to SNAP. Thanks again.

    Hugs,
    Vanessa

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    1. Hello Vanessa, So glad the post was of some help to you. If you do get to SNAP, please let me know - I'd love to see you there! Happy new year.

      Warmly, Michelle

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  2. Happy New Year Michelle! I haven't ever been to a conference, I'll check out the websites! Btw, you have the most beautiful smile! :)

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    1. Thank you, Pam. That's a compliment coming from you. Let me know if you go to a conference - I would like to know what your experiences are like.

      Warmly, Michelle

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  3. Great advice! PS...you look adorable in both of your outfits! :)

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    1. Thank you, sweet Nat. Hope to see you again in person this year!

      Warmly, Michelle

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  4. I must say, Michelle, that every outfit you wore in those pictures is uber-cool! I think I need to go shopping this weekend, haha!!!

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    1. That's SO nice of you because you have such an awesome sense of style AND you're so gorgeous. I'm such a Kristie fan!

      Warmly, Michelle
      PS - If you do go shopping, please do blog about it & show us what you got!

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  5. Great tips Michelle. I am going to my first conference this August and I'll be sure to follow your tips.

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    1. You'll love it Mary. Be sure to blog about it & send me the link - I want to enjoy your experiences vicariously! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment

      Warmly, Michelle

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  6. Hi Michelle,
    Your photos of Snap really capture the event. I remember you so well. We sat together at one of the sessions and you were exactly as you suggest...friendly and lovely!
    The one thing about Snap that made the biggest impression on me was the color; tulips, fabric flowers and awesome outfits.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your sweet comment, Patty. I also remember you very well. For one thing, you are one of the prettiest women I've ever met! AND so great to talk to. I love your blog too. Would love to use your great art inspiration sometime in the future when I have kids in my life to teach.

      Warmly, Michelle
      PS - SNAP this year?

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  7. Wow! I've never even thought of going to a blogging conference. Now you've got me thinking... I know you wouldn't know this; but I'm such an introvert; the thought of walking up to a group of women TERRIFIES me. Perhaps it is time to stretch myself a bit? Hmmmmm. xoxo jules

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    Replies
    1. You're right - I didn't know that about you Jules. I think most of us do have that "shy side" to us though. You should know that you have an open invitation to stay with me if there is ever a blog conference that you would like to attend in the Salt Lake City area!I have a guest room waiting for you.

      Warmly, Michelle

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  8. Hi Michelle, Thanks so much for adding our Build Your Blog Conference on your post! We are so excited for our conference and it's coming fast. Build Your Blog Conference will be a great opportunity for bloggers to meet and also learn some great ways to grow their blog! TONS of information available! We are excited to see you next month! Have a great week! -The Six Sisters

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  9. I saw your post on Craft-O-Maniac Monday. Thanks for the ideas. I hope to attend a conference one day. My post is #389.

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    1. Hi Reecea, Thank you for dropping by & for taking the time to leave a comment. I popped over to visit your great blog as well!

      Warmly, Michelle

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  10. Oh, Michelle... Thanks for this post. I too enjoyed meetin you at Snap! last year. I sure wish I could have gotten a ticket for this year. We shall see if any pop up for sell a bit closer to the date. I would also love to go to BYB2013. Maybe I can pull that one off. Who knows... Your blog is so great. You are such a sweet heart I sure enjoyed meeting you and lalking. We should get together sometime. A whole group of us Utah Bloggers!!! Have a wonderful year! :O) P.S. I am following you now. Sorry it is so late... I need to start reading ALL the blogs form all the wonderful ladies from Snap! No time like the present! :O)

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    1. Cute Margo, You made my day by stopping by. Thank you so much for following & I am happy to be following you as well. I hope you can make it to SNAP again. FYI, Shelley from House of Smith is giving away a ticket! Let's get together!

      Warmly, Michelle

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  11. Thanks for the great post, Michelle! I'll be attending SNAP for the first time this year, and am so excited, and nervous, since I am going by myself and will know no one! I think it will be a great opportunity, though, to make new friends, and would love to meet you! Thanks for stopping by Make Life Lovely :)

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    1. Hi Laura, Sorry I am so late responding to your comment - I'm behind! You will love SNAP & I'd like to meet you. Let's hang out!

      Warmly, Michelle

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  12. a blogging conference... What an impressive idea!! :)

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    1. Hi Patricia, If you like blogging, you would love it! Let me know if you're coming to SNAP 2013.

      Warmly, Michelle

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