I attended my very first blogging conference over the weekend in Edmonton, Alberta. It has become apparent to me that bloggers do conferences like trekkies do Comicon, minus the face paint and spandex. It’s a way to bring fellow bloggers together to learn, connect and exchange ideas and geek out together just a bit.
In it’s first anniversary, BlogWest is impressively and single handedly put together by a talented local mom blogger, Felicia Dewar of Single Mom of Two. I could not have hoped for a better scenario to wet my conference feet. The weekend was intimate and informative with numerous conversations and sessions on a wide range of topics from monetizing to WordPress to sponsors to content writing. As a newbie blogger I was able to meet and connect with some veterans of the field, some of which are sure to become friends outside of the blogosphere.
Things I learned from my first conference at BlogWest:
1) Any and every blogger can benefit from attending a conference like BlogWest.
2) It is impossible not to be inspired to be a better writer, photo taker, pinner, blogger or just a better human after meeting some of these people.
3) Blogging is not a competition it is a community! – Comments are currency so take the time to read and comment, comment, comment.
4) Content is King! – write, write, write!
5) Embrace your fear and kick it in the ass. (more on this in my next post!)
6) Let peer pressure win. – Some call it peer pressure, some call it enthusiastic encouragement…listen to them!
7) Self-doubt is a sign that what you are doing is important to you. – Schmutzie (yes, I was the one sobbing during her closing keynote speech. Her words hit home.)
8) Even the little guys have value. – It’s not always about numbers and reach, sometimes it’s about how well you connect.
9) Try saying YES more often. – In every part of your life. (my husband will be happy about this one 😉 )
10) I am good enough! – gosh darn it!
If there’s one piece of advice I can give any new blogger it is this: Regardless of the size or reach of your blog, find a conference close to you, buy a ticket and go! Get out there and connect with others, face to face, in the vast community of bloggers. What have you got to lose?
So next year I expect to see you there…you know who you are…yes, YOU!
so glad you went and it was a positive experience for you. I hope My Dirt will be everything you dreamed it would be!
Can’t wait for future posts!!
Thanks Syl. I really appreciate the encouragement you’ve given me since day 1!
I am glad you have taken so much from this event and hopefully in the near future I can count you as one of my readers of my upcoming blog…( seeing how you did coming up with the name for it…lol) Hopefully I will have something for you to read soon yoda…
Your humble padawan
Stephen
Thanks so much. and YES, I can’t wait to start reading the antics of a day to day stay at home dad/wine expert. Welcome to the community!
Tiffany…..I have loved your blog since day 1! It is inspiring, and nice to know that I am not the only one feeling the way I do some days! Kudos to you for taking the leap! Especially since you are doubly as busy as I am in the kid department!! LOL! I will continue to read your blog as long as you keep writing!!! Thanks for the inspiration and laughs and tears sometimes….you have a talent for writing….so keep doing it! ♥
A million thanks Crystal! It’s comments like yours that tell me someone out there cares about what I’m putting out there. Thank you!
Thanks for the great post! I unfortunately couldn’t attend this year, but I 100% want to go next time! Sounds like it was an amazing conference with great resources.
I’m sorry we missed you Carla! I hope we can meet at the next conference and connect. I’ll check out your blog too!
This is a fabulous post, Tiffany! It was awesome meeting you and I so cannot WAIT to read your next post about embracing your fear! (I have a feeling I may know what that one’s going to be about! ;)) Next year in Edmonton?
Thanks Kat! Yes, that experience warrants a post all on it’s own. And YES, I’ll be at BlogWest again next year for sure!
I’m so glad that you came to Blog West and that I got to meet you. I’m glad it was a good experience for you, I have been blogging for 3 years and it was awesome for me too!
Thanks Jody! It was a big leap outside my comfort zone to go to the conference and I’m SO glad I did. No regrets!
Just found your blog via your twitter account- great advice. I should definitely check out a conference myself. xox
Thank you so much for reading! I’ll be on my way over to your blog to check you out as well! Maybe we’ll meet at a conference in the future 🙂
It was fantastic to meet you, by the way. So good.
Thank you Elan! I learned a lot and was so excited to meet you.
I am so glad that you came to BlogWest Tiffany! It was wonderful meeting you!!! I love meeting new bloggers and I always come away inspired by everyone’s passion and story. I hope to see you again very soon! Angie xo