I had a really great time at Blog Elevated and since it was my very first conference, I went in with some “expectations” you could say. I wanted to share some things that surprised me about the conference because honestly… I felt like there were quite a few – which was surprising! HA.
{1} My age is intimidating – or at least it is to me.
I had a really hard time talking with girls around my age. I tend to think of myself as a nice person to converse with and I can usually connect with a variety of people. What surprised me was how intimidated I was to go up to a group of girls around my age and chat. I arrived to the Welcome Event hosted by Kroger a little late (that will be in another post) so a lot of these girls had already cliqued into their groups. Everyone stood around tiny tables and chatted while I was trying to catch my breath
from being so overwhelmed. I didn’t expect to be so nervous, but I was. I ended up feeling a lot more comfortable on the first night with a few women who were moms because I didn’t feel like they were judging me (and I’m sure the girls my age weren’t either, but it was nerve-racking!)
{2} I didn’t use my computer at all.
I really did expect to pull out my tablet between sessions, but I didn’t. I thought I may regret choosing to not take my actual laptop to the conference, but I didn’t. I thought I would want to work on things between sessions as I received information, but I ended up preferring to let it all sink in and work on it later when I got home. I took excellent notes (with my pen and notepad, I prefer writing) and I continued to make a list of things I thought about when it came to my blog. Now I’m left with a large to-do list, but I feel refreshed from the conference and I’m excited about working through the list.
{3} A Blog Conference is the only place a speaker doesn’t feel ignored by people when they’re on their phone/computer.
This isn’t so much a surprise as it is a realization. It hit me as I was sitting in on the Keynote speaker. People were on their phones and laptops all over the room. There were times that I even glanced at my phone. I’m pretty big on being respectful when people are presenting/speaking or if you’re in a meeting that you don’t use your phone or computer, but while sitting their I didn’t feel uncomfortable doing it myself, the speaker didn’t particularly care or notice… it was…. natural. normal. no big deal.
{4} People who don’t even have a blog… attend a blog conference.
I went in expecting to meet a ton of people who have an established blog and blog every day, but I met an extremely surprising number of people who had never even blogged before, but they wanted to. They had NO idea what they were stepping in to, how to start, or what blogging could be… but they were interested.
{5} This doesn’t have to just be blog networking.
I went in thinking about how to promote and grow my blog. I didn’t expect to meet Denise who happens to have a sales job where she also has a lot of contacts. She also invested in me throughout the conference constantly checking to see if I made it into downtown ok (from where I was staying at my cousins) and if she thought of a possible connection she had to help me with my job search, she mentioned it. I sent her my resume this week and she has the potential to plug me in with people that may have job opportunities. I was surprised to walk away with a new lead in the dreaded job search!
{6} I didn’t get pictures with other bloggers…
I somewhat regret this, but I also know that I wasn’t comfortable enough to do so. I wish I had connected with more bloggers on a more personal level, but I also think that a lot of these bloggers had already known each other or were rooming together and my circumstance was a little different. I wish I had some fabulous pictures to show y’all from my trip with all these other amazing bloggers (because they were all there!) but I just don’t have any pictures… I know… #bloggerfail big time!
All in all… there were some surprising things about attending a blog conference. I had a great time, but I didn’t be as social as I could have been… I was also overwhelmed and that’s how I respond in situations like that.
I was SUPER nervous when I went to my first blog conference, too! From here on out I’ll always room with random girls. That’s what helped me out of my shell and made me brave enough to take photos :).
I am so glad you stepped out and went!I have met so many wonderful women through blogging. We will plan one in Mississippi soon, and NO CLIQUES allowed!
@theparkwife
i could seriously relate to your post recap, wow. and i actually sat next to you in one of the sessions too LOL. l am enjoying your blog so far girl! keep doing your thing.
le
This sounds like so much fun! I’ve always wanted to attend a blog conference because I feel like I could learn a lot there. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for next year!
I have a feeling I would have been exactly the same way! It’s so hard for me to approach people. It’s scary. The last conference I went to I only met people because they approached me first!
In reality its hard to just start talking with a group of girls because of the way girls perceive others. But now you know what to expect if/when you go in the future so you’ll be better armed 😉
I would have had a hard time socializing and connecting with other bloggers my own age as well. I am a little shy around people I don’t know and do not feel comfortable just initiating random conversations sometimes. I am glad that you seemed to have a good experience though!
I do think that being social at a blog conference would be hard when you don’t already have strong, pre-established relationships with people who are there! I feel the same way going into my first blog conference.