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Blissdom Tips: Top Ten {Tuesday}

It’s that time again—Blissdom is right around the corner. For all you non-bloggy readers, that’s one of the big (and more centrally located) blogging conferences! This will be my 3rd year attending. And I promised myself I wouldn’t post a billion and a half times about Blissdom because for all you non-bloggers, I know it seems like a trekkie convention or something. Then I realized, probably most of my blog feels like a strange convention of sorts. So, whatever, we’re going with it.

The last day or two I’ve been following the hashtag (#blissdom) on twitter and reading what everyone has to say about the conference. And suddenly I realized, “ACK! Blissdom is mere DAYS away!”. Suddenly, it was all I could think about. I thought about the first time I went to Blissdom {alone} and what I was thinking and how blogging has changed…or at least how my blog has changed. And I decided to do a Blissdom-centric post for you today. From one semi-qualified-old-timer to you:

My Top Ten Tips For Surviving Blissdom and Getting The Most Out of a Blogging Conference

1. Make a Date

blissdomMe and Amy. Blissdom 10.
Playing with PhotoBooth on my MacBook.

Last year I made a date with Amy from The Finer Things In Life. I had recently discovered her blog and was taken by it. She’s organized, articulate and personable. I knew she saw blogging as a part-time job, but also thinks motherhood is her first and full-time job, too. I needed HER advice. So, we sat down (on the stairs, no less) of the lobby and talked blogging. A few other bloggers joined us and it was *my* best part of the weekend. I learned a lot, heard REAL conversations and formed friendships.

Do it! Email a blogger you admire. Make a date. That conversation might be worth your ticket price.

2. Wear YOUR Clothes

Everyone freaks when they go to a conference or special event–WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I GOING TO WEAR? If you’re like me you don’t have a lot of variety in your wardrobe. I wear jeans and a basic shirt every single day. I’m not very interesting.

But when I try too hard to be interesting and wear something I’ve never worn before I end up 1) feeling uncomfortable all day because I’m not used to the shoes, the hat, the scarf or the dress. And I’m wondering if people are wondering why I look like I dressed in another person’s closet. 2) thinking about my clothes more than what’s going on around me.

This year, I’ll admit, I have to buy some new shoes. You know I have shoe issues anyway. But besides that? I’m going to wear stuff I LIKE TO WEAR! I want to focus on feeling great and meeting people. Not worrying about my clothes!

3. Unplug (a little)

Blissdom 2010 Day 2fabu photo by mooshinindy

I’m all for letting your non-blogging friends and non-blissdom-attending friends know what’s going on while you’re at the conference. I’m all for tweeting someone I’m physically sitting right next to. Suzannah and I could be in the Olympics for texting each other while in the same room. But at one level you need to experience the conference for yourself, too.

I remember watching a man on the Small World ride at Disney. He took a video of the entire ride. And I thought to myself, “Did this man actually experience the classic Small World ride through a 2″ video screen?” It’s not worth it. Set down the camera, the Flip, the iPhone and the laptop. This is the one time your ONLINE friends are your IN REAL LIFE friends. Take that opportunity.

And don’t worry, you’ll find 5000 pictures of you after the conference–most taken by people you don’t even know. (I promise. It happened to me. And I may have stolen a few pics of others, too…)

4. Get It Right

The first year I went to Blissdom I sat in on a I-want-to-write-a-book-one-day session. Because a long time ago, before my blog, I did want to write a book. But in the middle of that session I realized, “Writing a book? Not interested.” And I should have walked into the other room and hit up the “Blogging for Basics” or whatever the other session was.

If you sit down in a session and realize it’s not what you thought–move! You’ve paid money. This is your chance to listen in on some great bloggy inspiration. Take it. Don’t stay seated because you’re afraid someone might see you leave. It’s ok. They are all wondering what amazing place you’re going to.

5. Ask Hard Questions

@makeandtakes & smoky @oohamanda

Marie and Me. Blissdom 10.

Last year, I sat on the floor of an Opryland ballroom while Marie from Make and Takes sat in a chair beside me. I asked her specific and serious questions about traffic, about why she posts what she does and how I could be more like her. <insert brown nosing here> I have admired Marie’s blog from the first second I laid eyes on it. She’s in a niche similar to my blog. She seems to be always advancing and getting new ideas, breaking new ground and doing MORE with her blog. So, I asked her for help.

Did she laugh at me? Brush me off like a silly child? No. She talked to me. She gave me advice. Gave me some tips.

I could have been too embarrassed to talk to her. I could have been intimidated because her blog is so much bigger and better than mine. And I would have missed out on some good info. (And a great friendship!)

6. Don’t Hide

Everyone hides behind pretty blog designs, a nice profile picture and their twitter follower numbers. But guess what? There is more to social media influence than what you see on a blog or on twitter or on facebook.

I have recently added to my feedreader some women I’ve never ever heard mentioned on twitter. Some girls that I don’t even think have a facebook page. But they inspire me! They motivate me and they INFLUENCE me. If they were going to be at Blissdom, I’d want to pick their brains. I’d want to know more about how they craft their blog’s schedule, posts and community.

And guess what? YOU ARE THAT PERSON TO SOMEONE. There’s someone thinking, “I can’t wait to meet <insert your name here>.” And if you are too new for someone to anticipate your arrival, there will be someone who will say, “I am so glad I got to meet <insert your name here> while I was at Blissdom.” Your influence goes beyond knowing the right time to post on facebook or the best way to get a re-tweet. Your gifts and talents will shine when you let them!

7. Bloggy Cards

*my* bloggy business cards

Yup. As weird as it sounds, bloggers like to exchange cards. Get some. Pass ’em out. Collect ’em. Then you can stuff them in your computer bag and forget about them for three weeks until you clean it out and realize you never even looked at them then you’ll start looking through all of them and get lost on everyone’s blog and it will be like Blissdom all over again. Not that I’ve ever done that.

8. Chill Out

It’s ok if you are late to the cocktail party. It’s ok if you don’t get to meet every single person you wanted to. It’s ok if you miss that picture with so-and-so. It’s ok if you catch out early to decompress and call your kids. It’s ok to sit down with a pen and paper and make some notes about your blog.

Make Blissdom about what YOU need for your blog, not what the published schedule says!

9. BE BIG

I would say a lot (not most, but a lot) of bloggers are more comfortable behind their keyboard than in front of it. So, just use that knowledge and be the sparkling person you are online. Say the funny zinger out loud. Walk right up to someone they same way you’d confidently send a tweet.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned (and not followed through on) in blogging is that if you put yourself out there–you will be seen as an expert. If you start a conversation in the elevator or confidently walk into a conversation, you will get a good response.

You place yourself out on your blog everyday. Bare. Give yourself the freedom to do the same thing in the only group of people who actually understand what that means.

10. Find ME.

me. blissdom 2010.
believe me, I will not be looking this glam.
secret agent mama worked her photog magic on this one.

Seriously! I wanna meet you! Tell me you’ve (even partially) read one of my posts. Mention you may recognize my twitter handle. Just say “hi!”. I’ll be at the Wisdom Workshops on Wednesday (with my good in real life friend, Kathy from House of Hills) and I will be sporting this FABU belt from Blood:Water Belt.

anthropologie

I’m part of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Belt and I am one of THREE people that will be wearing this same belt at Blissdom. Like the EXACT same one! We each paid for the belt–$28 which was donated to Blood:Water to supply clean water in Africa. I am SO excited to share this belt with everyone at Blissdom. If you’d like to take a gander at it, please come find me. If you’d like to wear the belt yourself, please join the Sisterhood!

BONUS: My “Get Your Blog Ready for Blissdom and Beyond: Tips from Top Bloggers” series for your perusal. It’s bliss*tastic:

Week 1: Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife: To Niche Or Not To Niche
Week 2: Christine from Boston Mamas: Niche and Beyond
Week 3: Andrea from MommySnacks: Limitations (or not) of a Niche
Week 4: Amy from Finer Things In Life: Building Your Blog Readership
Week 5: Marie from Make and Takes: Submitting Your Tutorials, Recipes & How To Posts

Will you be at Blissdom? Have you been to a blogging conference before? What tips do you have for us?

:: :: ::

Wanna join our Top Ten {Tuesday} fun? Don’t be intimidated by my long-windedness! Your list can be about whatever you’d like and however long you like—as long as there are 10 of ‘em! Just WRITE a great post, then LINK back to me so others can play, PASTE the url to your post below and then start LOVIN’ on the rest of the participants by clicking, reading, commenting, stumbling, tweeting and liking their posts!

Comments

  1. I wish I were going to Blissdom! I’ve been to the the Opryland hotel before & my one hint would be “Wear comfortable shoes!” That place is huge!

    I love the belt. I’m going to have to come back & join the sisterhood!

  4. I knew I would love this post before I even read it but it was even better than I knew it would be. I had such a great time last year and our frank chat about blog business was a huge take away for me. I can’t wait… or sleep too much to do!!

  5. I don’t know where to begin. What a nice thing to do for newbies like me. Someone with this kind of heart is the reason I’m attending a conference where everyone is a woman. Trust me I read hundreds of male written blogs before I began blogging 8 weeks ago – and was going to write just like them until I stumbled upon Ann Voskamp and everything changed. It’s the heart – it’s all about the heart – in the words – between the words. Christian women “mommy bloggers” write with heart that is rare – and inspiring – indescribable.

    Sorry – tangent.

    I will be at the Wisdom Workshops. I shouldn’t be very hard to spot. I’d be honored to meet you. And thank you for this post.

    Thank you.

    • LOL! Yeah, I guess almost everyone will be able to say we saw/met you, huh?! 😉 When I first started reading blogs I was BLOWN AWAY by the women that were writing–these stay-at-home-moms who were just ministering and witnessing and encouraging through their blogs. I thought, “God made blogs for the WORLD to know HIM.” We think we’re a force for PR and brands…but it’s bigger than that!

      Let’s meet for sure, ok?!
      a

  6. I really found this helpful. I’m going to be trying like dickens to get to BlogHer in August, and I really don’t know what to expect.
    I’m mostly nervous that no one will find me as funny or likable in person.
    I really hope I motivate or influence someone with my blog. I think that’s the only reason I have it out there and try to drum up readers. I have something to say, darn it!
    There’s so many blogs that inspire me, and so many people I totally want to meet at BlogHer.

    • YOU DO have something to say. And no one can say it like you. It’s your own voice that will draw people. You will be sparkling at BlogHer! 🙂

  11. I’m so excited about next week! Like really, really excited! But as a newbie I’m a little nervous too. And I’d really love to meet you so keep a look out for an email {or DM}! 🙂

  12. Awesome post! Thanks so much for putting all that knowledge in one place. I am getting SO EXCITED even though I have a TON to do before we leave. Um, did I tell you I think I need to pick you up REALLY early on Wed. Like REALLY early. I’ll stop for donuts on the way. 🙂

    And thanks for being my friend. For reals. You’ve influenced me more than you’ll ever know….

  13. Seriously that belt is only$28? Why did I just pay $13 for plain black then? Doh!

    Can’t wait to meet you. Thanks for the tips

  14. I loved reading your list, even though I won’t be attending Blissdom. I’ve never been to a blogging conference but hope to one day when our children are a little older (3 1/2, 2, 11 months, and pregnant with #4).

    Just wanted to let your readers know that we’ve recently added a List It, Link It! feature to our blog every Thursday. Any family friendly list is welcomed. My list for this week will be “Free & Inexpensive Resources for Teaching Letter Sounds & Recognition.” I thought someone ma be interested in linking up their Top Ten list to get some extra mileage.

    Thanks 🙂

    Oh, and I hope you have a great Blissdom ’11 experience!

  16. I loved this post. Read every word! Esp. liked the bit about how we are confident online (and soul-baring!)…so be the same in person. I’m going to remember that.

    Girl, you were rockin’ the glam. I doubt it will be different this year.

    Excited you’re coming to the WW!

  19. Luv, when I saw your post title in my reader I immediately felt totally sad that I won’t see you at Blissdom this year! I hope you have a fantastic time and look forward to a trekkie-like wrap. 🙂 Have a great time! xoxox

  21. I love you so very much and think the wearing your own clothes tip is the BEST EVER! I wore these HOT MAMA red heels last year, but couldn’t walk in them. AT ALL. My feet looked so cute, but the rest of my unbalanced self looked pretty funny. 🙂 Can’t wait to hang out again and hug your real life neck. xoxo

  23. I wish I was going. Maybe one year my sister Angie and I can make the trip together. YOU are one of those people I would go ga-ga over meeting. Cannot wait to hear about how awesome your time there was! ENJOY yourself!

    • Oh, you’re sweet! I’d love to meet you!

      (Can I just say every single time I read your name I think it’s Kristin Chenoweth from Pushing Daisies?!)

    • Yes, yes I want a Relevant date! I’m tentatively planning on being there. I’m so glad it’s in October b/c maybe my husband will forget I went to Blissdom and Disney Social Media Moms at the beginning of the year… 😉

  25. Hi, this is my first time linking up! I’m new to your blog but I have heard so many great things about you and your blog :). I’m new to the whole bloggy world though I’ve been an avid blog-reader for awhile. Looking forward to getting to “know” you ;). God bless!

  27. Blissdom sounds awesome. I’m excited to hear what you all learn! I’m fairly new to the “serious blogger” scene, so I’m not going, but I hope to sometime in the future.

    • Ooooh! I didn’t mean me! It’s all smoke and mirrors, baby. 🙂

      But yes, let’s get together. I wanted to anyway. You’re one of the people I’m the most excited about FINALLY meeting!

      And you can pick my brain…we’ll see what you can find.

      a

  30. Can. Not. Wait. to see you in the belt! I have been looking forward to it being your turn for what seems like forever! Thank you so much for being part of the sisterhood. Since going out on a limb and starting motheroffashion this year I’ve really looked up to your site so thanks also for being one of what I consider my “bloggy mentors.” I wanna be like you when I grow up – and maybe by next year I’ll feel “cool” enough to attend the conference.

  31. Oh, Amanda, thank you for this post. I’m going to Blissdom next week for the first time with my tiny little baby blog and am INTIMIDATED by all you pro’s! But you’ve made you sound pleasant and approachable, and I appreciate that. I’m looking forward to garnishing some wisdom. Thanks!

    • So glad you’ll be at Blissdom! Everyone’s blog started out as a baby. So, don’t be worried! You’ll be fantastic. Let’s try to find each other, ok?

      a

  33. Who needs a book by Amanda when you have THIS? Hello, Awesomesauce! So thankful to have you in my life and to be able to spend quality time with you SOON. Thanks for all the freedom you’ve encouraged here! =)

  34. Great Tips! I linked up my list of why I’m nervous about attending Blissdom!
    Hope to meet you there!!

  36. Read this first thing this morning and immediately started crying. 🙁 I wanna go!!!!!!!! So, I looked up flights “just in case”… $500. Not happening. 😉 Next year!

    Flying and rooming with a 4 month old, not worth it. Staying home with the 4 month old… worth it.

    • 🙁

      Mommy is first in mommy blogger, right? (Are you a mommy blogger? Or lifestyle? Or frugal? Or foodie? Oh, you’re jill-of-all-trades aren’t you?!)

      HUGS. I’ll miss you!
      a

  37. This is an awesome awesome post!

    Looking forward to seeing everyone at Blissdom and if anyone has any Nashville specific questions I was born in Baptist Hospital downtown and I’ve somehow managed to live within a 70 mile radius (KY for college) of Nashville my entire life. I’m a Middle TN girl!

  38. YOU were one of those, “Oh, shoot! I didn’t get to meet her!” last year! I loved Blissdom ’10! It was my first conference. Hangin’ with the peeps is the best part!!!

  39. Well, I’m not going to Blissdom, but I assure you, if I was I would TOTALLY walk up to you and tell you how much I love your blog! 🙂 Have fun!

  41. Thanks SO much for the advice. This will be my first year and I am feeling a little high school-ishly nervous about it. It’s dumb, I know. I’m sure I’ll get over it within minutes once I get there. I’m looking forward to seeing that belt. 🙂 Lisa~

  42. Alright, now I REALLY want to go to Blissdom. I’m going to have to try to go next year I think. So many bloggers that I respect and adore will be there…and it seems so much more open and real than Blog Her.

    Wonderful post. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

  43. Amanda, I loved this post. I’m not completely new to blogging, but I’m definitely a slow learner. I’d say I really got serious in the last six months, and this January, I set specific goals about writing and such.
    Anyway, I don’t know much about Blissdom, but after your reading your post, I think I have another goal for next year. I’ve never been to a blogging conference, but I know I’d like to go some day.
    And I’d definitely love to meet you in person–especially since we probably live less than an hour away from each other!!! Honestly, though, I don’t know if I’d recognize you; I think you look completely different in every one of those pictures!
    Thank you for the tips! They are very helpful!

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