Blogger: Seven top tips for your first blogger conference (I’m off to #Blogfest16)

Back in June 2016, I went to my first bloggers conference run by BritMums #BML16. I had the best time. Yes, it was a crazy busy day but I met loads of amazing bloggers and other peeps who I’ve become friends with or collaborated with. After #BML16 I knew that I wanted to go to Blogfest 2016 in November. Over the past few months, I’ve been encouraging many blogger friends to head to their first bloggers conference. So it’s fab that some of them will be coming along to #Blogfest16. As with most blogger conferences, there is so much to do and see during the day. Best of all, there are so many lovely people to meet and say hi to.

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Here are my seven tips if you’re heading to your first blogger conference (also handy reminders for those who aren’t newbies)…

  1. Wear flats…By all means wear heels if you’re use to walking in them all day long and don’t feel any pain. But for me, flats are just as glam these days. You won’t regret looking after your feet when you’re running between talks and on your feet for most of the day.
  2. Use the cloakroom…I couldn’t believe that some people recommended taking a carry-on case to my last bloggers conference. They were right! You will be carrying home lots of treats from the brands at the conference. You will also leave the conference with a goody bag. So use the cloakroom and pop back there to drop off stuff to avoid achey shoulders.
  3. Don’t forget to pack your smile…People are really friendly. If by any chance you feel it’s hard to start speaking to a group, then look for others who are happy to chat. Everyone wears a badge with their name or Twitter handle so it’s easy to strike up a conversation. Friendly conversation starters include “Have you been blogging long?” “What’s your blog about?” or “Oh, you’re [blog name]!! OMG. So nice to meet you!!!” I like asking people “What do you love about blogging?“. People love talking about what they love. In case you need any tips, check out my blog post on networking. The online universe is amazing but it’s also good to get people together in person (as I found at at the first Lucky Things Meet Up the other Sunday).
  4. It’s OK to hang out on your own too…Yes, lots of bloggers know each other but it’s totally cool to explore on your own. The day flies by and there will be lots to take in. If you’re on your own, it’s also a good way of meeting new people as we’re a friendly bunch. At the talks, people may sit around tables so it’s easy to introduce yourself.
  5. Remember to eat and drink…The day goes really quick and you may end up chatting or going to drop-in clinics in the breaks or lunch breaks. Make time to eat and pack a few snacks in your bag.
  6. Make time after the conference to look back at what you got out of the day…Blogger conferences generate lots of ideas and actions for your blog. You may go home with more technical or creative skills. You may have lots of notes from the sessions. During the talks leave one page at the front of your notebook to summarise your overall post-conference to-do list. I then look at this over the next few days following the conference.
  7. Be ready to leave inspired!...So bring your notebook, energy and an open mind. Don’t forget to check out the Blogfest16 programme before the big day as it’s good to plan your time. You don’t want to miss out on your favourite talks or how-to sessions. If you can’t go to all of your favourites, see if a friend can share notes (just like school!)

So if you’re off to BlogFest16 and see me around, please come and say hi. It’s lovely to be sponsored by my favourite organic beauty brand Weleda for this year’s Blogfest conference. A post on what will be in my handbag for Blogfest will be appearing over the next few days.  If I’m not too busy chatting, I’m also excited about doing another blogger style round-up at #Blogfest16. In the run-up to Blogfest don’t forget to check out #Blogfest16 on Twitter and Instagram to see who else is going. img_5024

If you like the sound of the Lucky Things Blogger series, you may also enjoy reading…

Why blogging makes me smile

Finding sources of inspiration for your blog posts

7 reasons why I love the Instagram community

Celebrating my first #BML16 BritMums bloggers’ conference

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5 thoughts on “Blogger: Seven top tips for your first blogger conference (I’m off to #Blogfest16)

  1. Caroline {Girl about townhouse} says:

    These are really helpful tips. thank you! I’m hoping to go to a blogger conference next year. It will be so nice to meet people that understand about blogging. Beautiful yellow skirt by the way.

    • Sunita says:

      Glad you found my tips useful. That’s exciting about your blogger conference next year! Thanks I really love that yellow skirt. Have a nice day Caroline X Sunita

  2. My Petit Canard says:

    So useful, even if I did only get round to reading it very late the night before. I feel like im on the right track and ready to go, just need to get rid of that first blogger conference nerves now! 😉 See you tomorrow! Emily x

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