Preparing For a Conference From A Relative Newbie

By Mandi

Signing up for and attending your first blogging conference is a big deal!  It can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.  I attended my first conference this past February – Blissdom 2010.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I signed up for various reasons ranging from a weekend away without any kids to wanting to meet some “blog friends.”

It was about four weeks before the conference that I realized, “Wait a minute.  I’m going to a blogging conference.  I want to be a better blogger.  I want to have a better blog.  Maybe I should look into what it is I’m getting myself into!” Not to mention that I wasn’t sponsored so I paid for the conference out of pocket … I wanted to make sure I got my money’s worth!

Once I got my head in the game, here’s what I did:

Research & Absorb:

• Visit the Conference’s official website and hang out there for awhile. Take advantage of every link they provide.  Do they link up to past conference dates? Read about what they did and about what others said regarding past conferences.  Chances are you’ll get an idea of some things that will be the same and other things they’re working to change.  Do they link up the sessions and agenda? Start making notes of classes that intrigue you or speakers that you’d really like to hear in person.  Sure you may your change your mind half a dozen times, but that’s part of the planning!

Interact & Engage:

• Find out what Twitter Hashtag is being used and take advantage of it!* Be sure to follow it in your Tweetdeck.  Chances are the people following it are also going to the conference, so engage in the conversations taking place.  It’s a great place to start new friendships before even arriving at the conference!  It’s also a great way to find out about “unofficial” conference parties and get-togethers going on.
• Visit the blogs of speakers that you look forward to hearing.  Go ahead and introduce yourself (if you haven’t already).  Let them know you look forward to hearing them speak.  I learned from my first conference that some of the speakers are pros, but a lot of them are bloggers just like you and I. And I’m sure they’d love that quick word of encouragement.
• Start following the conference sponsors on Twitter.  They’re sponsoring the event because they want to interact and engage with you, so go ahead and do just that!  Plus it will make it easier to thank them for all the wonderful swag because they’ll already be in your follower list.

Connect & Enjoy:

• Make a list of every blogger that you definitely want to meet while at the conference.  I made the mistake of telling way too many people “I look forward to meeting you at Blissdom.” If you really want to make sure you meet someone at a conference, then pick a time and place BEFORE the conference to do just that.  Even with a small conference, there are still way too many people to chance a meeting!  This is one of my biggest regrets from my first one.  When I went home I realized there were so many people that I wanted to meet, but never did!
• Most importantly relax and enjoy yourself. It wasn’t until after the conference that I truly realized how similar everyone was.  Sure someone may have more stats than you or a better design, they may write better or have more sponsors than you, but than likely you probably have a lot of things in common!

*Note: Conference-specific Twitter hashtags are listed on the Conference Information page.