An Uncomplicated Life Blog: 5 Necessities For Attending A Blog Conference

Friday, September 18, 2015

5 Necessities For Attending A Blog Conference

Tonight I'll be at the kick off party for my first blog conference! When I was full-time in the marketing and fundraising world, going to conferences was my favorite part. I LOVE continuing education and learning new information about my craft and hello - as en extreme extrovert I'm happy to network all night long! While this is my first blog conference, this is about the 50th conference overall I've attended, so I'm sharing my 5 necessities for attending a blog conference based off my 11 years of professional experience.


These necessities will help you successfully market yourself, your blog, and your brand as well as better prepare you to get everything you can out of the conference!

1) Your fashion sense. Seems silly, but if this were a post for marketing professionals I'd say the same thing (but alter it to say wear a full business suit). Dress for the job you want! Your look is the first thing people notice about you. If you're well groomed and dressed in an outfit that represents your blog, you're presenting your brand well. People will want to connect with you, and sponsors will take note of you. You don't need business professional wear for a blog conference, but keep it upscale and classy and representative of who you are!

Outfit planning for Blog Elevated conference - have your personality and brand shine through!


2) Your laptop. And a power cord. Blogging is tech-based, so come prepared with the tools you need to do on-site work or implement new HTML codes. Can you image getting the code for a widget or plug in that could drastically improve your site, and have to write it down because you didn't bring your laptop?! Yeah. No.

3) Business cards. Sound old school? Perhaps, but it shows that you're serious about your blog and your brand, and it gives people (and potential sponsors!) a take-away with your information on it so they can easily look you up after the conference. Make sure to have your logo and/or head shot on your card - preferably both! - because people remember faces and images much more than names and this will help them connect you to your contact information.

Business cards are an affordable way to market your blog and show sponors you're serious about your brand!


4) An open mind. Sounds dumb, but here's the truth: There were sessions on the agenda for Blog Elevated that I immediately thought didn't apply to me or wouldn't be helpful. Jaelan (my conference buddy!) and I decided to split up to attend as much of the conference as possible, which means I'll be attending one of the sessions I immediately dismissed. In other conferences, the same thing has happened and boy, was I glad I was "forced" into the session! Sometimes what we don't *think* we need to hear is EXACTLY what we're missing.

5)  Your planner and a notebook. Keeping it old school here, but just in case you can't find a plug in or there isn't room/a table for your laptop, have a notebook with for notes. Your planner is essential to schedule new ideas/posts you want to implement or schedule further networking dates with other attendees. You'll meet a ton of people and have a ton of information thrown at you, and these items will help you keep track of and manage it all! Don't forget some pens, too.

Linking up with Amanda, Karli, April and H54F - check them out for other Friday Favorites lists!

If you can bring these 5 necessities with you to a blog conference, you'll be in good shape to get the most out of it and market your blog and brand successfully!

18 comments:

  1. Yes to all these things! I'd have to say those booties are pretty fabulous!! Hope you have a great time at the conference and share your new found wisdom with us! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. Heading to Blog Elevated today as well! Thanks for the tips and I'll see you there!

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  3. I love your outfits for the blog conference. Have a great time.

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  4. Love this! Can't wait to hear all about it. I have never been to a conference before, but just from meetups I know that business cards are a must!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  5. Business cards, planner, and a notebook are a MUST! I did not need my laptop though. I was able to use my iPhone and tablet. My tablet has a keyboard so it is just like a laptop. I would say I was able to use my phone for all most all things social and blogging. There is so much information being given that I did not have the time right then to update any blogging related features or html. I wrote EVERYTHING down though. I love blogging conferences; they really motivate and inspire you!

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  7. Ugh, sorry. I'm on my husband's computer this morning. Hence me deleting my last comment. BUT.....Yay! Have fun this weekend! I can't wait to hear about it. And yes, all good points for a conference. Love the outfits you have. :)

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  8. Love this post! my cousin and I want to attend a conference next year and these rules all make perfect sense. It seems like it should be common sense but I did not think about it so obviously. Thanks!! www.mymonochromaticlife.com

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  9. Good luck at the conference! Your business cards look awesome!

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  10. Great tips for conferences! I am hoping to go to my first blog conference next year! Have a great time--I love your outfits!

    Annie- All Things Big and Small

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  11. Great tips! I usually don't carry my laptop around though because there's so much going on + more stuff to carry!

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  12. These are great tips! I've never been to a blogging conference and don't even have business cards, but I really need to get them.

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  13. Hope you all had fun!!! This is on my "Things to Do in 2016" list. It would be fun to soak in all that inspiration. And love that you split up the sessions - so smart! Can't wait to hear what you thought about the conference!

    Katie @ Cup of Tea

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  14. I think the best takeaway point from your post is going with a buddy so you can get as much exposure and information as possible. Split it up and then reconvene :-) Cannot wait to hear all about it!!! Your instagram pics looked fab so far!!

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  15. I would love to go to a blog conference, but I don't even know where to start. Are there many locations that hold them?

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  16. This was my first time at a blog conference too and I wish I had read this sooner! Will have to remember these tips for next time, especially the uh, bring a laptop, part.

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  17. fabulous info girl! i would have never thought to bring my laptop, but you are right - that is so obvious and would be so helpful. also, totally agree about your fashion sense.. blogging is basically 'you' and if 'you' look like a slob, no one will want to have anything to do with you or your blog!

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  18. Great post! Thanks I've got my first couple of blog conferences scheduled for this year! Sounds dumb but the first tip is probably the one I needed to hear the most. Thank god for Stitch fix!

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