Why Every Blogger Needs To Attend a Blogger Conference Monday 07 November, 2016
Hi! I am still on a high from attending my first Blogger Conference this weekend. I attending Blogalicious here in my town of Atlanta for 3 day straight and I have so much to share with you all. As I said in my previous post, I got sponsored to attend and even shared how you can get Sponsored for a Blogger Conference, but now I would like to state why you should attend.
1. Blogger Conferences are the schooling you never got a chance to attend in college to become a professional. The blogging world is constantly evolving, but its one of the the industries you still cant go to school for to get a degree in. Many of us bloggers are constantly learning through trial and error or even though other bloggers, but we all need to seek professional information. Blogger conferences are a great way to get loads of notes, information and inside information that will help you grow as the professional you need to be within a few days. Valuable information that will save you hours of googling or asking around, the plethora of knowledge is here with the variety of speakers, workshops, seminars and panel discussions elevate your education in the blogging industry.
2. Meeting your blogger friend IRL (In Real Life). Many bloggers have friends and a community they have built over time via either the same niche platforms or being in several blogger groups. You can go from knowing someone for years via blogs and social media, to meeting them in real life. It is a great feeling to meet with likeminded people, especially the people you been communicating for years face to face and have a true personal relationship with them. Going to a Blogger Conference will definitely help you meet many of your blogger-friends-in-your-head in one place. Make sure to take lots of selfies and exchange personal information. You might become true friends outside of blogging as well.
3. Network with Brands Face-to-Face. Many conferences have brand vendors and sponsors who will be attending the event specially so that you can network with them like never before. You no longer have to scrub the internet looking for a brand contact/PR, they are right there in the conference waiting to talk to bloggers and connect. Although brands are known by their household name of a product/service, they are humans behind the name, You get to personally meet them face-to-face and one on one for a potential partnership, ask questions you have always wanted to ask them but most importantly get on their radar. Sure sending an email is effective, but it is 10x more effective if the brand representative knows your face, have met you in person to really start building a future working relationship. This is blogging gold and this is one of the best reasons to attend. Make those personal connections.
4 Experiencing Fun Interactive Brand Activations. Not only do you get a chance to meet the brands, but some of the brands on-site go out of their ways to impress bloggers with fun activations. So they make sure you want to connect with them as well by having fun areas such as a fun photobooth placement, Beauty Suites, or other creative way to get a bloggers attention. Its a win-win situation because who wants to just go to a conference just to here seminars all days or network only. I think blogging conferences can turn into fun mini conventions to learn about brands and just bring out excitement to the event. The blogging world is definitely not a boring one, so going to blogging conferences makes sure to up the fun and brands know the more we have fun with them, the more a blogger can put them on their own radar.
5. Attending The Blogger Conference Parties! Yes blogger conferences have brand activations, but some of these brands even through full blown parties for the attendees. It might be the form of a cocktail hour, a themed party, some off-site party and the final party usually goes out with a bang! Make sure if you attend a blogger conference to brings lots of fun attire for parties, you never know how many you will attend. You spend all day learning, networking and absorbing information but it doesn’t mean you cant have fun and even get a little loose. Blogger conferences want you to have fun too!
6. Swag. You will leave a conference full of lots of swag items before you return home. Majority of the brands who you interact with at the conference want you to go home with a memento for stopping by. You will leave with trinkets of their product, shirts, cups, stickers, jumpdrives and more with the brand logo and things to remember them by. Who doesn’t love swag? You might even need to bring a second suitcase for you might have that much stuff.
7. Plenty of Contacts. As I stated before, you will be networking with your blogger friend and brands here. By the end of the conference, one should have a stack full of business cards. Make sure you follow up with each contact by the following week of the conference, for it could turn into a major connection later. I repeat follow up and do not sit on these contacts. The sooner the better as it will be fresh and you can start fostering these relationships and you can be in the forefront of the contact’s mind. One should definitely go to a conference and meet ALL of the brands and make as many new blogger friends as they can. Its who you know in this industry meeting people and building contact will help you excel more in this industry. This isnt the time to be shy and timid, its the time to definitely exchange as much information and follow up right after.
I have been blogging for years, and this was my first one. I hope that makes you realize not matter how long you been blogging, whether a few months or a decade, you should attend. Bloggers should always want to grow in their field, because this is an industry of hustle and resource but going to a conference can help you get to those sources better. To be in a room full of like-minded people who understand blogging is more than a hobby and truly get the benefits of our craft. Blogalicous was an amazing first time blogger conference experience and I will be attending more in my future. I think I even want to be a speaker!
If you are a blogger and never been to a conference please consider going one soon. Its more than an investment to your career, it can be that next step in taking yout platform to the next level. As new as this industry is and continue to grow, there is definitely more all of us can learn no matter what level. I fill fulfilled and I will be attending another conference and returning to Blogalicious. I made lots of connections, learn so much and memories I will never forget. I hope this post helped you some and inspire you to attend a BC (Blogger Conference) in the near future.
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
Sounds like you had a great time. I’ve been to a lot of conferences and they were all different. They are great for all of the reasons you mentioned above.
Blog conferences are the best thing ever for a blogger. Of course,the networking opportunities are there, but it’s also a great way to learn new things.
I have been to several blog conferences over my years as a blogger and I have enjoyed almost all of them. I learn something new every time and it is fun to see my blogging buddies in person.
Believe it or not, I have never attended a blogger conference. But – I really want to! I need to be more aware of whats happening in my town and attend the next one!
I am attending my first conference for blogging next year but these points also apply to events.
If you get an invite please go and mingle, connect and party!
Great post and points-I think the biggest thing for me is getting face to face time with brands and making a personal connection! You have definitely sold me on booking my flight to Blogher!
Blogging conferences are definitely worth it for networking. When you reach a certain point in blogging, they’re not always too educational but still a great place for forming connections.
I’m a blogger just starting out and have been curious if blogger conferences are worth it. But your posts make me think they are! What was your biggest takeaway? Did you think the return on investment was worth it?
I haven’t been to a conference yet, but I am hoping to get to one some day. They do sound like an awesome place to really learn more about growing your blog, and you can’t beat meeting your blog buddies in real life!
I haven’t been to a blogger conference yet but I have been a bit apprehensive about meeting people in real life haha what if I am not what they expected, or they don’t actually like me! I might wait a little longer :p
I love attending blogging conferences! I have been to several in Atlanta and even traveled to NC for a couple. I like the networking and face-to-face interaction that we usually don’t get since we work behind a computer!
I’ll attend one of these whenever I’m in the US. I think it would be amazing to put a face to some of the bloggers I love. Plus I’d learn a ton, I’m sure!
It is so cool to see our internet friends in person! I feel so confident at blog conferences seeing everyone who I have known for so long. It is a MUST do!
I have been to a couple blogging conferences and the styles definitely vary. A blogger definitely does need to go to one eventually though and network 🙂 They are so fun!
This is on my 2017 to do list! I will be moving to a bigger city so I really want to start attending some of these to network and to make new friends 🙂
I’ve never been to one either Kiwi. I’ve been to virtual conferences and local ones, but never a national blogging conference. I’m already in the planning stages for BlogHer and TBEX for 2017. I can’t wait to make the in-person brand connections. I’m glad you got the chance to do Blogalicious this year, it looked like a lot of fun!!
Sounds like you had a great time! I attended several conferences this year and enjoyed them so much. I primarily go for the connections at this point- with other bloggers & brands. They are the perfect place to network and learn from your peers.
Blogging conferences are a great way to increase your knowledge, not to mention to expand your network as well. I think it’s an amazing opportunity for bloggers. And you get to meet people and gain friends as a bonus.
I would LOVE to go to a blog conference – but with three littles it becomes a little more difficult to get away. I wish there was a conference in New England!
I just got tickets for my first blog conference! I’m excited to go to meet some of my blogging friends and definitely to connect with some of the brands I’ve worked with in the past!
I’ve attended quite a few blogger conferences and they were all great experiences. Not only did I get to network with a lot of wonderful bloggers, but I also really enjoyed all of the activities.
I know how important these conferences are but for some reason I am scared to death to go to one. I’m not really an introvert but this is out of my comfort zone! Probably because I don’t like going places by myself but blogging is kind of a solitary thing. I hope I get over this fear because I really want to go eventually!
I have attended four blogging conferences and I have come away from everyone with new knowledge new friends, and new contacts. It is a great way to expand your business..
Ahh this is great! I’m sure there are a lot of them in my area around DC and Reston! Great idea! I just moved here recently so it would be a really cool way to make new friends (:
I have been blogging for a few years and have yet to go to a conference as a blogger. I have worked the other side of them for brands before though and can say everyone should experience one
I have not been to a conference but it is definitely on my agenda for next year. Thank you for sharing these tips, it gives me something to show hubby as I tell him why I have to go to a conference.
I’m glad you enjoy blogalicious! I’ve already registered for my first blogger conference, Fincon. It isn’t until next fall though so I have a year to take my blog to the next level
Mildly envious that you got to attend Blogalicious! One of my goals is to attend a conference before my birthday and thankfully my birthday falls right in line with the Women In Travel Summit! I would LOVE to meet some of my blogger friends IRL and absorb knowledge as I’m more of an in person learner. So glad that you had a wonderful time.
Sounds like you had a great time. I’ve been to a lot of conferences and they were all different. They are great for all of the reasons you mentioned above.
#2 is the biggest reason I want to attend a conference! I want to met everyone! I am so glad you had fun at your conference!!
Blog conferences are the best thing ever for a blogger. Of course,the networking opportunities are there, but it’s also a great way to learn new things.
I have been to several blog conferences over my years as a blogger and I have enjoyed almost all of them. I learn something new every time and it is fun to see my blogging buddies in person.
That looks like a lot of fun and I do adore my swag. I think that is a great way to meet up with brands.
Believe it or not, I have never attended a blogger conference. But – I really want to! I need to be more aware of whats happening in my town and attend the next one!
I am attending my first conference for blogging next year but these points also apply to events.
If you get an invite please go and mingle!
I am attending my first conference for blogging next year but these points also apply to events.
If you get an invite please go and mingle, connect and party!
They are so fun and you really get to know others in your same situation and doing the same thing you are!
Great post and points-I think the biggest thing for me is getting face to face time with brands and making a personal connection! You have definitely sold me on booking my flight to Blogher!
I have been blogging for 6 years now and still have yet to attend a conference. Perhaps that should be on my 2017 goal list.
Blogging conferences are definitely worth it for networking. When you reach a certain point in blogging, they’re not always too educational but still a great place for forming connections.
I’m a blogger just starting out and have been curious if blogger conferences are worth it. But your posts make me think they are! What was your biggest takeaway? Did you think the return on investment was worth it?
I think that meeting other bloggers alone is really encouraging in an industry that can be very isolated. Great post.
I couldn’t attend this one because of my due date, but it looked so awesome! I need to check Atlanta calendar for 2017 and find some. I love going!
The motivation and inspiration that I get from blogging conferences is worth every penny!
I haven’t been to a conference yet, but I am hoping to get to one some day. They do sound like an awesome place to really learn more about growing your blog, and you can’t beat meeting your blog buddies in real life!
I haven’t been to a blogger conference yet but I have been a bit apprehensive about meeting people in real life haha what if I am not what they expected, or they don’t actually like me! I might wait a little longer :p
I can’t wait to attend my first one. I may try for next year. I really want to put faces with names and feel like it will make a difference.
I love attending blogging conferences! I have been to several in Atlanta and even traveled to NC for a couple. I like the networking and face-to-face interaction that we usually don’t get since we work behind a computer!
I love attending blogger conferences too! It’s just awesome to meet your blogger friends and talk about things you all love, blogging!!
Blogging Conferences are great to attend for all the reasons you cited. I haven’t attended Blogalicious yet but hope to someday!
I’ve always wanted to attend a blogger conference and hopefully one day I will be able to! Which is your favorite?
I plan to attend one but with babies so small I have to wait a while. i think they will be of great benefit and I can’t wait to attend!
I have loved the Blogger Conferences I have been to. It is a great way to network and meet all the people you talk to online everyday.
I attended last year and had so much fun! My newborn kept me home this time, but I can’t wait to go back!
I’ll attend one of these whenever I’m in the US. I think it would be amazing to put a face to some of the bloggers I love. Plus I’d learn a ton, I’m sure!
I would love the opportunity to meet some of the bloggers I’ve gotten to know. I don’t know when or where but hopefully I will do something soon.
Im looking forward to my first blogging conference. I’m sure it will be amazing.
It is so cool to see our internet friends in person! I feel so confident at blog conferences seeing everyone who I have known for so long. It is a MUST do!
Blogger conference is on my 2017 to-list. I saw some familiar faces in your post. Looks like a great time.
I have been to a couple blogging conferences and the styles definitely vary. A blogger definitely does need to go to one eventually though and network 🙂 They are so fun!
You do go to a lot of fun events. I have never been to a blogger converence. Yet. I’ve been close, but always something is going on. Soon. 🙂
This is on my 2017 to do list! I will be moving to a bigger city so I really want to start attending some of these to network and to make new friends 🙂
These are all great reasons to attend a blogger conference! I want to go to one now!
I find conferences so inspiring. It’s a great way to connect, for sure, and also to become inspired.
I’ve never been to one either Kiwi. I’ve been to virtual conferences and local ones, but never a national blogging conference. I’m already in the planning stages for BlogHer and TBEX for 2017. I can’t wait to make the in-person brand connections. I’m glad you got the chance to do Blogalicious this year, it looked like a lot of fun!!
Sounds like you had a great time! I attended several conferences this year and enjoyed them so much. I primarily go for the connections at this point- with other bloggers & brands. They are the perfect place to network and learn from your peers.
Blogging conferences are a great way to increase your knowledge, not to mention to expand your network as well. I think it’s an amazing opportunity for bloggers. And you get to meet people and gain friends as a bonus.
I agree with every one of these points! One of these days I’m going to make it out to a Blogilicous conference. They should come North.
I would LOVE to attend a blogging conference! I think conferences are great whatever kind they are, if it is something that interests you!
I still havent been to one. I really want to catch one that close enough to drive. Looks like you had a great time!
I would LOVE to go to a blog conference – but with three littles it becomes a little more difficult to get away. I wish there was a conference in New England!
I just got tickets for my first blog conference! I’m excited to go to meet some of my blogging friends and definitely to connect with some of the brands I’ve worked with in the past!
#2 is probably one of my favorites. You get real bonds with other bloggers and seeing them just makes it come home.
I think being able to network with brands face to face opens REAL doors. It makes it so much easier than over writing.
I’m not a blogger but I’ve often been jealous of my blogger friends and the conferences they have attended!
I’ve attended quite a few blogger conferences and they were all great experiences. Not only did I get to network with a lot of wonderful bloggers, but I also really enjoyed all of the activities.
I would love to go to a blogger conference, I feel like I could learn so much. I will need to check on some upcoming ones!
I know how important these conferences are but for some reason I am scared to death to go to one. I’m not really an introvert but this is out of my comfort zone! Probably because I don’t like going places by myself but blogging is kind of a solitary thing. I hope I get over this fear because I really want to go eventually!
I have been DYING to go to a blogger conference but never have the time or money to go! It’s definitely on my list though!
I’ve so been wanting to attend a blogging conference! I’ve spend time looking through websites for some good ones. Looks like a great time!
I have attended four blogging conferences and I have come away from everyone with new knowledge new friends, and new contacts. It is a great way to expand your business..
You are so right! They are so many benefits to do so! I definitely need to attend one soon !
Ahh this is great! I’m sure there are a lot of them in my area around DC and Reston! Great idea! I just moved here recently so it would be a really cool way to make new friends (:
What a great post! I am all about blogger conferences! I remember my first Mom 2.0 and I left feeling so inspired!
I have been blogging for a few years and have yet to go to a conference as a blogger. I have worked the other side of them for brands before though and can say everyone should experience one
I have not been to a conference but it is definitely on my agenda for next year. Thank you for sharing these tips, it gives me something to show hubby as I tell him why I have to go to a conference.
I didn’t go this year but I am going in Miami next yeR!! I was so jealous seeing everybody photos and all of the connections people made.
I’ve never attended a blogger conference before, but desperately want to! I’ll be saving your tips for then! 😉
I’m glad you enjoy blogalicious! I’ve already registered for my first blogger conference, Fincon. It isn’t until next fall though so I have a year to take my blog to the next level
Mildly envious that you got to attend Blogalicious! One of my goals is to attend a conference before my birthday and thankfully my birthday falls right in line with the Women In Travel Summit! I would LOVE to meet some of my blogger friends IRL and absorb knowledge as I’m more of an in person learner. So glad that you had a wonderful time.