How to Attend Blogging Conferences
I’m sitting at my desk visiting all my new friends from the BlogHer ’10 conference, and as I read their accounts of their time in New York City and look at their photos, I’m getting a better understanding of how I could have done things differently. I thought I’d share these observations in case you’re thinking of attending a conference of your own.
1. Do Your Research
I wish I had done more thorough research on the sponsors and speakers. When I visit my friend Heija on Twitter, I see she was very organized and knew exactly which sponsors to visit in the expo rooms and which suites to check out. She also knew every social event happening and fluttered and tweeted her way to all of them, invite or not. If I were smart, I would have followed her everywhere, but I didn’t want to be intrusive. In the end, you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.
- Find the social events happening outside the conference and get yourself invited.
- Research the speakers and connect with them well in advance. Let them know you’re coming and talk about how you might help each other through your blogs or social networks.
- Visit all the sponsor suites.
2. Connect Ahead of Time with Your Online Friends
- Find out who else is attending.
- Get their cell phone numbers.
- Plan lunches, dinners and cocktails ahead of time.
- Find a roommate.
3. Dig Deeper into the Social Networks You Already Belong To
If you’re anything like me, you belong to a gazillion social networks and don’t use any of them efficiently. I realized this sitting next to Holly Hamann of The Blog Frog, who quickly showed me a printed diagram of how it works. Each network offers something different for your blog, so investigate and use them well.
4. Stay at the Conference Hotel
Definitely stay at the hotel where the conference is being held.
5. Make Notes on Business Cards
On every business card you receive, write a reminder of where you met the person and what you connected over.
6. Follow Up When You Get Home
Do it sooner rather than later, even if you have piles of laundry, love-deprived children and dogs, and a husband starving for your attention.
As I sift through hundreds of business cards and visit everyone’s Twitter handles and blogs, I see that the doors have cracked open, and it’s up to me to swing them wide. If you have anything to add to this list, and I’m sure I’m still missing plenty, please share your secrets. I hate being in the dark, unless I’m sparkling.
