By Michele
I have never been to a conference. I will make it to one this year with the help of a sponsor, hopefully! I am desperate to learn more about blogging and social media. I want to meet these fabulous bloggers that I have met online. However, I am anxious, nervous and scared as well! In the end, us newbie’s just want to feel welcomed to the blogging community.
These are some of the things that make me nervous about going to a conference.
1. Will they like me?
I usually don’t have a problem with this feeling in real life but when it comes to meeting all of you face to face, I am completely anxious! I am an always smiling person. I am Christian but I also am “normal”. I like to have fun too. Laughter heals the soul! If you would of asked me 6 months ago, I would have been more scared then. Now I am finally getting those one on one conversation’s to feel more comfortable with our blogging community. As long as those people who step out to us newbie’s continue to do so, I think I will be able to say, you will like me!
2. Will I be by myself the whole time?
This actually comes from a long weekend retreat I was invited to not too long ago. I was going to go, and then I was told I would be staying in the room by myself. I ended up turning that down. Everyone else was there with someone. I was not. Doesn’t sound fun to me, by myself! I always hear stories from conference goers of how they stayed up all night long talking, giggling, and so on. I want that too. Am I going to be by myself in the room? Am I going to be trying to find my way around by myself all day? I can go places by myself but when it comes to somewhere new, it’s a little scary!
3. Who is taking their husbands?
Seriously, my husband and I love to be around each other. So taking him with me would be a joy. But how many of you really take your husbands with you? If I decide to take him will I be alone in that decision?
4. Do I need money and how much?
Something I need to know ahead of time is if I’ll need spending money. I don’t see much of that talked about but it is something very relevant in our financial situation.
5. Do I need to do what everyone else does and go buy a new wardrobe?
Seriously, all I hear about on Twitter is people buying clothes, jewelry, shoes, handbags and I can’t afford that! Although, I guess know one will know if I bought that outfit a year ago or not. I guess I just answered to my nervousness on that one. Ha-Ha!
6. Do I really have to have access to the internet while I’m there?
I know most bloggers have a laptop or access to the internet from their phone. I want a laptop but do not have one. I refuse to pay for internet access on my cell phone when I can use my computer that I sit at all day long! Almost gives you the out of place feeling. It would be nice to know that I am not the only person that won’t be able to access the internet!
7. I hope that when I get back from my first conference.
- I will be happy and thankful I went.
- I will come back with new understanding and learn something new.
- I will be able to say I have met some great friends and want to see them again.
- I will come back realizing that I was a newbie once and reach out to others that are newbie’s. We were ALL there at one time.
Are you a newbie? What are you nervous about? What do you want to bring home from a conference? If you are pro conference goers, how do you think you can help us newbie’s?
About the Author:
Michele is a Jesus lover, dreamer, wife of an amazing husband and mother of 4 children. She is the author of The Bona Fide Life where she writes about her ups and down of her journey through life with a positive attitude. Her blog is a reflection of her thoughts on many aspects of life, all the while keeping it REAL! You can find her on Twitter (@CheleChestnut) and Facebook as well.
Hi Tamara,
I am going to my first conference this year, to BlogHer, since I live in NY. So far I am only going for one day and won’t be staying in the city. I hope to meet you there!!
So nice to have you as my Twitter friend
The site looks great, I wish you all the best with this new endeavor!
Best,
Dagmar
Dagmar’s momsense http://DagmarBleasdale.com
Tamara,
Thank you so much for doing this site and allowing me to share my thoughts on being a newbie! I am so excited to see this grow! Awesome!
You’re very welcome. Thanks for believing in it and writing a post!
I have never been to a blogging conference either, but I would like to this year. You have addressed many of the same concerns I think about. Will anyone talk to me? Will anyone recognize my blog? What do I wear? Seems like there is a lot of prep work that goes with attending a blog conference before it even begins!
It honestly SEEMS more daunting than it is….but I am working on getting content to address all of those concerns. Stay tuned! Thanks for stopping by!
Marci, you are going… if I have to come up there and drag you! lol. Mark your calendar for Relevant… we are going! It’s so good to know I’m not the only one that fears these things!
Oh boy – conferences and all the details… wheew.
I just got back from attending my first 3-day conference and everything went smoothly. Got lots of awesome info, met loads of fantastic folks and didn’t die of exhaustion from over-stimulation & too many people!
That’s HUGE for me – I’m an introvert, but I love people in small doses. So a conference like this was a huge stretch for me.
I just published a post called “The introvert’s guide to surviving events” and I think it’ll help conference-goers (newbies and pros) of the introvert-persuasion handle the pressure of being in almost constant contact with loads of people & way outside their comfort zone: http://alexiapetrakos.com/biz/the-introverts-guide-to-surviving-events/
Thank you so much for sharing Alexia! I am sure your post will help someone looking over this one!
Hey Chele, thanks for sharing your concerns openly. Funny how we always think we’re the “only one” feeling nervous. No way! Some of us are just better fakers.
I’m not too nervous, except that I won’t get a spot, but that’s not in my hands. If I think too hard, I’m sure I could find lots of other things to get anxious about.
The term ‘newbie’ makes me chuckle. So you’re new to blogging or conference going. That’s only 1 facet of life. Welcome them. One more sparkling thread in a gorgeous tapestry. Hmm, I feel a post coming on.
Michelle, I cannot wait to meet you at Relevant! All you said is so true! I will be looking for that post! LOL.
EXCELLENT article!! What a fantastic site, and I can’t wait to pass on your information to all of our conference attendees– what with this being OUR first conference too– planning AND attending!
Elisa – Thanks so much for the support of the site. It’s already become a great resource for so many newer bloggers and conference attendees. I’d love to feature Casual Bloggers with a post about it. I was unable to find a direct email contact when I initially started the site, so was unable to contact you to include your conference in the conference coordinator interview series. However, I will send an email to the email address listed here.
Thanks again for the support!
What you have another major blog?
Crazy girl. No wonder you are so busy.
I am attending my FIRST bloggy conference this May and I am excited!
It’s not Blogher or Blissdom. I wish. Someday I hope.
Casual Blogger conference–And I won’t bring my hubby. Somebody has to take care of the kids right?
GNO for 3 days 2 nights! YAHOO!
I am getting SO excited! 85 more days until the BIG conference.
Hey, when a good idea comes to you (like this), you have to grab it!
Would love to have you guest post about your experiences at Casual Blogger when you get back. Since it’s a new one to many, I’m sure people would love to know how it is! In fact, was just in touch with the creator after she stopped by here yesterday.
Glad you found this! Sorry you missed the launch Twitter party last week then!