By Shell
I headed off to my first blog conference, excited and nervous.
Anxious to learn more about blogging and thrilled to meet some of the bloggers whom I knew would be there.
Lots of helpful information and advice were shared during the conference.
But, as the day went on, I began to hear the speakers in terms of a big list of do’s and don’ts.
Now, I’m sure that wasn’t their intention, other than direct advice like “Don’t leave a comment on someone else’s blog that is just about your own blog.”
But, the advice for what platform you should be on, PR advice, and general things you should have/do on your own blog: it started to sound like do’s and don’ts.
I was following the other conference attendees’ tweets and saw many comments like this: “Wow, I have so much to do with my blog when I get home from this conference!”
And, I started to panic.
Because, I don’t do all the “right” things on my blog; I do some of the “wrong” things.
I even tweeted out “Am learning all the reasons my blog sucks.”
Wondering if I was the only one, I whispered in a conspiring tone to my table during one of the sessions, “I don’t do that. Do you?”
Only to have the girls at my table give me blank looks, then look at each other in what I perceived to be this-girl-is-crazy looks and to find out that yes, yes, they all did what the speaker was advising us to.
Thankfully, I was able to come back to my senses and realize that we were NOT being given a list of do’s and don’ts, but rather, suggestions.
While I took some of the info and have applied it over the past few weeks, I haven’t done it all and don’t feel like I have to.
As you attend a blog conference, take in all the advice that you hear. But, keep in mind your personal goals for your blog so that you don’t get overwhelmed by it all.
About the Author:
Shell is a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom of three boys. Sometimes, she has to bite her tongue IRL. But, at Things I Can’t Say, she spills it all on her blog, giving you the straight story on motherhood, marriage, and life in general. You can also follow her on Twitter, @shellthings.
So funny you posted this! I’m at a blog conference this very moment…and our “teacher” just told us that you MUST blog the way YOU feel comfortable…don’t let anyone tell you how it SHOULD be done. Blogging is about expressing yourself…which only you know how to do best for you. If you start to “fake it”, people will catch on. By the way, I think your blog is great
Exactly! The reason there are so many blogs is because we all have our own styles. We need to remember that!
Thanks for stopping by!
So funny to read this post right now! I’m actually sitting at a blogging conference this very moment and our “teacher” is telling us that no one can tell you how YOU should blog. Blogging is all about expressing yourself and only YOU know the way to best do that. If you start making choices based on what you should be doing according to everyone else, people will catch on that your faking it anyway. So take the suggestions but remember that YOU know what’s best for your blog!!!
I think everyone that is somewhat new to blog conferences does that. When Melinda and I went to IZEAFest in Orlando in October 09 we did the same thing. We thought crap we have a ton of changes we need to now make. We did make some changes but not all of them and we feel we are in a good place right now.
I do agree with you that you need to take your owns blogs needs and direction into consideration before applying any suggestions offered by others.
Hope you had fun at your blog conference.
Very good points. Not everything applies to everyone!