It’s really over! I can hardly believe that the Conference I have worked towards attending nearly since my beginning as a Blogger has actually come to an end. #BlogHer15 – 3 Days packed with so many opportunities at times it became overwhelming. I mean between schmoozing with Brands, trying to learn a few things along the way and meeting some of your favorite Bloggers the days can get away from you quicker than you realize. Finding yourbalance during it all will help you have a successful experience.
Finding that balance between all the amazing things offered at a BlogHer Conference is luckily easier than it may seem. There are a few things you can ask yourself to help get you on the right track to a fun-filled and fulfilling BlogHer.
Why Did You Come?
Understanding why you decided to attend the conference in the first place is the first step. Be honest with yourself. Did you come to make new friends, make new brand connections or learn new tips for your Blog? Maybe you just came to have fun! Any answer is a good answer but knowing your reason is the best way to have a plan for getting the most of what you want out of the time you’re there.
Brands
If your number 1 reason for attending is to connect with Brands then the Expo Hall is where you need to be. This means a few things. First when purchasing your ticket you may want to select the Expo Only Pass because this will allow you to have all access to the areas where Brands will be throughout the Conference without paying the extra costs of a Full Pass.
Keep in mind that selecting an Expo Only Pass will eliminate your opportunity to attend Keynote and Topic Focused Presentations as well as the breakfast and lunch provided. Still, if you came to simply meet Brands then this may be the option for you. The Expo hall is a place where every Brand has a chance to make the best first impression on you while you try to do the same.
Scheduling your time for this will be a bit easier than trying to combine different aspects of the Conference. All you will need are the Expo Hall hours, a great pair of flats and as many business cards as you can hand out.
The first night I entered the Expo Hall I had to literally take a moment and just breath it all in. The Expo Hall is a maze of booths, presentations and demonstrations from nearly every Brand represented at the conference. The limits are endless – from technology, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, home design, food, DIY – you name it and you could find a Brand that was perfect for you.
So where to start? That’s what I was thinking as I stood at the entrance and realized that there were literally hundreds of booths and I had to try to navigate my way through to make sure I made connections with the ones that best fit my purpose and goals for my site and my own brand. This is definitely where the BlogHer App came in handy. The App provided not only a list of the Brands represented, the PR Contacts for each but also a visual Map of the Expo Hall. I was able to plan out my where I wanted to be and keep a bit of logic to it at the same time.
By the end of my Expo Hall experience I had connected with Brands I loved and wanted to work with as well as become aware of a few Brands that may not have been as big but definitely grabbed my attention with their dedication as well as the potential they have for growth and impact.
Pssst! The Expo Hall is also where you can get your Swag Grab on! I mean each booth is always trying to have you walk away with a lasting impression of why you should work with them. This means the t-shirts, magnets, key chains, booklets, tote bags and sample will be handed out freely and abundantly so be prepared 🙂
Networking
I know what’s the difference between attending for Brand connections and Networking? I think the main difference is when you Network it is less about the swag and demonstration and more about making a lasting impression of what you and your Brand can offer them.
To network for me means to take things a step beyond simply handing over your business card and saying Thanks for the swag bag. Networking begins when you find a common ground between you and that Brand. Networking is finding that personal connection between yourself and that Brand that can help make an impact.
With a Brand like iSow who offers an amazing App to help your family and friends teach your children how to save and invest their money I realized that within my family of six children I am trying to teach them to their money a purpose this App would not only be perfect for me but I would be able to share their purpose with my readers through personal experience.
Or even an eyeglass company like Phonetic Eyewear who’s product offers style and usefulness by adding a coating to their lens to help protect your eyes from hours of looking at computer, tablet and smart phone screens. As a Full-Time Blogger and NerdGirl who sits in front of a screen of some sort nearly half the day, finding the perfect pair of glasses that would help protect my eyes and fit my style is a perfect fit for both me and the Brand.
At BlogHer, finding the chance to Network is as easy as saying ‘Hello‘. I think the best thing I realized while making my way through the many different events, parties and presentations was that PR Reps are people too. Many of them are attending the Conference for more than just work and getting to know them, chat with them and share a bit of who you are as a person can at times make a longer lasting impression than the perfect set of business cards.
Connecting
When I arrived in New York City on Wednesday night I was a ball full of introverted nerves. I was an entire day early and wasn’t sure what to do. So I sent out a ‘meet me’ plea through one of the BlogHer Facebook Groups I joined months ago and was pleasantly surprised when I received a reply.
I headed to the Lobby feeling a bit anxious and excited. What was she like? Would we have anything in common? As Vernette from Vernette Out Loud walked towards me, I knew we would have a connection. She was smiling, happy and looked almost as excited as I felt. We introduced ourselves did the whole card exchange but then we actually started to share. Who we were, why we were there and what we wanted to walk away with from the Conference. For both of us the connections with like-minded Bloggers was right at the top of our lists. I knew we were both headed in the right direction.
That very first impression of what BlogHer could be was so important for me. When you attend a conference finding someone or a few someones who has similar dreams and goals to you can be such a big step to having an amazing experience. Vernette and I stayed connected throughout the Conference and were even able to introduce our friends to each other.
I am so glad to say that not only was Vernette my very first impression of BlogHer but my last as well. The final night after the #McDBlogHer Close Out Party we were all so wired and full of memories we didn’t want it to end. We met up in the lobby and brainstormed on ways to stay connected and support each other.
Caribbean Blogger MeetUp! @VernetteOutLoud @amyjuicebox @BeeSince83 @livinglife_01 @GlobalMWMs @IntrovertlyB @mrsteeh pic.twitter.com/yuFGS9ceBb
— Jen Lawrence (@JaelDesignsInc) July 19, 2015
There’s SO Much More!
There is even more to attending a Blog Conference besides the obvious benefits of getting your site and brand out there and connecting with other Bloggers you get a chance to have the experience itself. That’s right sometimes just being there is enough motivation to spark something in your own life. Inspiration to do more, Education on how to do it and the Resources for getting there.
The Education side of the conference is just as important and Brands and Networking. If you don’t have the tools you need to prepare your site and your mindset for giving a Brand what they need then you may not see the results you want when you approach them.
BlogHer offered so many different topics that it was hard to choose just one. I was able to pick a few to help me in areas I know I want to see growth in such as the YouTube Storyboard presentation as well as a few others. Sitting there as your peers and experts in the fields share tips and tidbits on how they reached their goals is a moment I will never forget.
So happy to finally get to meet and connect with one of my Fave #YouTubers Mommy NaniBooboo at the Video Panel #BlogHer15 #MrsTeeH #MrsTeeVlogs #Vlogger #NCVlogger #NCBlogger
Posted by The MrsTee on Saturday, July 18, 2015
You Can Do It!
I know it sounds cheesy but you can! No matter how big you think the Conference may be you can do it! Just breath, set your goals and do it!
**Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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36 thoughts on “#BlogHer15 Finding YOUR Balance: Brands, Networking, Connecting and More!”
Oh it looks like it was amazing. So glad you went and thanks for sharing it.
It really was! I am still in recovery mode…thank YOU for coming by! I\’ve missed ya 🙂
Awesome post (and I'm not just saying that cuz I'm in it ha!). I think you captured the excitement, the nerves…the at times overwhelming moments that make up the BlogHer conference experience. I think as a blogger – serious or just doing it for fun – attending this conference opens your mind to infinite possibilities and that for me is what made my #BlogHer15 experience priceless. And of course…meeting you!
Haha! Thanks Lovie…this conference has definitely made a lasting impact not only on me as a Blogger but as so much more. I allowed myself to be myself for the first time and I loved it! Thankfully that helped me to connect with and meet so many amazing people including you! 😀
What a great experience for a blogger! I love going to conferences, but I'm more interested in networking and expos than the sessions. 😉 I try to find a conference that has a good balance of party and networking events along with learning. Great recap and tips!
My recent post How to Use Periscope: A Bloggers Guide
It really was! I am finding I love them too… 😀 I enjoy both especially if I feel there is something I can takeaway and help me grow. BlogHer definitely had that perfect balance. Thanks so much!
I need to attend a blogger conference one of these days. I bet the Expo Hall can get really overwhelming – that's so smart of them to have an app to help everyone out. That's so cool that you got to connect with Vernette. I would have been the same way – introverted – and needing a nudge in the right direction. Looks like you had a blast!
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You Should! yes, the Expo Hall can definitely be a bit much if you try to get through it all at once. I spread my visit over 2 days and covered most of the booths. Yes, she is amazing and I am so glad we had a chance to connect. I really did! Thanks so much for coming by 😀
I loved this post! You gave me a real perspective on the conference. I hope to go next year! (I would love to meet you!!!)
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Thanks so much! I hope you get to and I would love to connect IRL…:)
So glad you got to go the BlogHer and achieve one of the goals you set early on! I remember seeing one of my mentors attend BlogHer in NYC years and years ago and I made attending conferences my goal, too. I'm so happy to have been able to attend several at this point and hope I'll be able to attend more in the future!
My recent post Blogger Bash 2015 Recap
Thanks so much!! It was so amazing and definitely a wonderful thing to check off my list. I can’t wait to add a few more 😀
So sad I didn't meet you in person at Blogher! I found you by going on youtube to see the recap videos, and yours came up! You are doing a fantastic job and I hope to meet you in person at a conference soon.
My recent post Omron Alvita Wireless Activity Tracker Syncs My Steps in the City (Review)
Oh me too!! That’s awesome…thank goodness for tags and SEO 😀 Thank you so much and I hope so too!
It must have been so fun to connect with other bloggers. I've been reading so much about this event and I love how you guys enjoyed it. There were so many brands present. I hope I can join next time.
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It truly was. Bloggers I’ve followed and loved and then a few new ones that I can’t wait to get to know. I hope you can too! 🙂
Like with any industry, networking is the key! I am glad that this was an great opportunity for you to go out and meet new people and connect with like minds. Its events like these that makes you realize that all you hard work paid off.
So true Dia! It definitely is something needed if you want to make forward progress. So am I! I know that this was definitely a move to help me towards my goals. There really do. Thanks so much for coming by 🙂
Aww I wish we could have met. I live in NY but I'm a little introverted too but I have extroverted tendencies from time to time 🙂
I really enjoyed the event The party was 10x better than 2012 when BlogHer last came to NY. Some day I will venture to another city
My recent post BlogHer15 Recap!!
Hi Michelle! Me too, I am too believe it or not. I think I have a way of boxing it up when I have to and just being in the moment but trust me when I get back to my room – I’m like wow did that just happen? LOL I can’t wait to see where the next one will be…maybe we will connect then 😀
I had conference envy all that week! I am hoping to be able to go in 2016, what an amazing experience! I love how many brands were there and all the fun things all the loggers were doing.
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Conference Envy! LOL – love it! I usually have that too when I see people posting about awesome events…I was so happy to actually be there this time! 😀 I hope you can make 2016 too – maybe we will meet 😀 Thanks so much for coming by Jennifer!
so glad you had a great time at Blogher. I haven't been to one in years! I attend in 2009, 2010 and 20111 and haven't been back. It is A LOT to take in and hard for me to travel with all my kiddos! Glad you were able to network and make new connections,
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Thank You! It is a lot but I love every moment of it. I would love to make it an annual trip but we will see…thanks so much for coming by!
I heard Blogher was pretty good although I didn't hear as much chatter as I usually do. I would like to attend at least one blog conference to network and meet some blog buddies so I just have to make sure the one I attend is worth my coins. Thanks for the recap
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It was awesome Kita! If you check the #BlogHer15 hashtag you will see how busy we all were…LOL I hope you get to one soon…I know you will enjoy it. There is a good amount of research to figure which one you want to invest in and what it will offer your and your brand but once you find a good fit I definitely recommend attending at least one. 🙂
I just returned from Haven, a DIY/blog conference in Atlanta. Love these events as so good to connect with other bloggers, and even brands. I've heard great things about Blogher.
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Wow! I never heard of that one…I\’m sure it was amazing! Conferences are so great for connections of all types.
I am very interested in attending BlogHer food in Chicago this fall. I just learned that you can do the expo only. I didn't know that was an option before. Thanks for the great networking tips!
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I have heard of that one and it seems like it should be an awesome opportunity for a food focused Blogger. Yes, Expo Only is an option and has a lower cost. It all depends on what your goals are in attending. Thanks so much for coming by!
Thanks for providing insights on your conference where you seemed to have obviously learned heaps about and met new brand and networking people along the way! My blogger friends here can't wait until the following year to catch up and find out what the latest blogging hints, tips and trends are! While I don't think a conference is for me, I do enjoy reading about the excitement of what goes on and what happens every day!
Thanks so much for coming by Joanne! It\’s always great to have you. I did learn so much on how to network and connect with brands. Conferences may not be for everyone but there are so many resources still available to gain the same knowledge. I know BlogHer is offering online videos of the presentations to help for those who did not attend.
Great post! I'm attending my first blog conference in September and am very excited. Hopefully I'll be able to attend Blogher eventually too! It looks like you had a fabulous time!
xoxo
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
Thanks Lisa! I had a wonderful time. Yay…I can’t wait to hear all about it – which Conference is it?
You gave great advice about thinking ahead of time about what you want to get out of the conference and planning from that point of view. There was so much going on that I feel like I only scratched the surface of everything I could have done. I guess that's part of why people go back year after year! Here's my recap (thanks for asking!): http://www.tootimidandsqueamish.com/2015/07/my-bl…
My recent post My #BlogHer15 Recap as a Timid and Squeamish VOTY Featured Honoree: From Excited to Terrified to Exuberant
Thanks so much! Planning is definitely what helped get me through. I will add you post to the link up below so everyone can visit and support :d Thanks for coming by and for sharing!