Bloggy Boot Camp is almost here and I know for many of you, it is your first boot camp and perhaps your very first blogging conference. It was the first conference I ever attended and it is still my favorite.
Below are a few tips to help you enjoy:
Bring your business cards. You are going to meet a lot of women and you will want to exchange cards with them. If you don’t have one. DO NOT apologize for not having one. Just graciously accept the card handed to you and say you can’t wait to catch up online. If someone asks for your card, tell them that you brought 100 and you have already passed them all out because there was a line of people waiting to meet you when you arrived this morning and you will mail them one on Monday.
It is perfectly FINE not to know the people you meet. Don’t pretend you know their blog or who they are on Twitter. Don’t stutter out the words, “Oh. I think I follow you.” It’s a tragic moment that will cause you post traumatic blogging conference stress syndrome when you go home. Unless you have the acting talent of Meryl Streep (which you probably don’t or you wouldn’t be blogging), it’s clear you are faking. Just say, “Great to meet you. I can’t wait to look you up and follow you.”
Tiffany? Is pretty. And? We all tell her so. I have no idea where this tradition began, but it is hilarious. Feel free to tell her she is pretty. Because? Who doesn’t love a suck up? Tell everyone they are pretty. We all love a little flattery. You might also mention that they look WAY younger in person than they do in their online photo. This is a HUGE compliment. Or? Maybe the fact that I just turned 40 is skewing my judgement.
There is assigned seating. If you have planned to sit next to your bestie, forget it. Not happening. The purpose of this event is to meet other bloggers. Not get more of what you already have. The seating chart changes with every speaker. If you are like me and SUCK at small talk because when you are in a room filled with women you are transported back to the awkward moronic life of your high school years, try a little Stuart Smalley (I’ve included the link for you youngsters) at home. Get in front of the mirror and practice. I got good at it at BBC and it turned out to be one of my favorite things about the conference.
REMEMBER. We are all doing the same thing. Trying to achieve our goals. And? We all hook our bras the same way (whatever our cup size). Don’t be intimidated by ANYONE. You paid for your ticket. You have a blog. You are as important as anyone else there. Own your shit. Because? You rock.
And now? A few tips from the pretty one, a.k.a. Tiffany:
Pack light. Tables change every hour for the first 4 speakers, so plan to be able to move easily.
Come ready to share your blog. While business cards are great, have a 30 sec pitch ready to share yourself and your blog- you’ll be at a new table of 10 five different times- that’s almost 50 new friends!
Wear layers. Hotel meeting spaces are notorious for unregulated temperatures.
Socialize! Don’t think twice about walking right up to someone and introducing yourself. Tribes are built at bloggy boot camp!
Relax. Tons of info will be coming your way- it can feel overwhelming. Take notes and pick one new thing to focus on a week. Fabulous blogs weren’t built overnight!
Finally and something very special to us here at SDMOMfia, one of our amazing contributors is speaking. The fabulous @mamamaryshow is talking vlogging. And? There is no one more qualified. If you haven’t checked out her site, you should. She vlogs often and she does it with ease. Get to know her before you arrive with It’s All About Me. When you depart her company at BBC throw her a, “Chai for Now,” and you will most certainly win her over. Also? You ABSOLUTELY MUST check out her vlogging series Mama Dramas.
Can’t wait to see all of you there. Please let us know you are coming in the comments section below so we can be sure to connect with you. Don’t forget. You? Rock.
About Ooph
Great post! I’m already excited about meeting the people who have been tweeting in anticipation of this weekend. I found BlogHer so big and impersonal…I love that I’ll walk away from Bloggy Boot Camp having met so many smart, savvy women. Thanks for the encouragement! Oh, and did I mention how pretty you are?
Now see? You are a quick learner. LOVE. THAT. Can’t wait to see you at BBC.
I am looking forward to meeting lots of you. This is my very first blog conference and I am all full of butterflies so thank you for this post.
You are going to have the best time. Enjoy the butterflies. They mean you are doing something great!
I’ll be there–I’m so excited! Can’t wait to meet everyone, and see how pretty you all are
Ginger recently posted..I hate shopping
Can’t wait! This is my first BBC also!
I can not wait!! My first conference was the original Sits conference in Vegas!!!
This was a great post for a BBC newbie like me! I can’t wait to meet all of you. It sounds like it’s going to be one of my favorite conferences too. Just a few more days!!! See you soon! Smooches!
I’m going! It’s my conference and I’m so excited to meet everyone!
Oops, meant to say it’s my first conference. Haven’t been getting much sleep with the new baby lol
I love this, thank you for the tips! I will be there on Saturday and I am relaly looking forward to it.
Tonya recently posted..My Week In Numbers
Great tips! I can’t wait until Saturday.
Mandyland recently posted..The Fall of the Blueberry
Thanks so much for the helpful hints. I think since it’s a one day conference in my hometown I’m not focusing on preparation as much as I have for other conferences. Saturday is almost here!
P.S. I agree; you are pretty!
Kay Lynn @ Bucksome Boomer recently posted..From Employed to Entrepreneur- Tips for Boomers Looking to Start a New Business
Thanks for the tips. This is my first conference and I am excited to meet everyone!
I’ll be there with the baby. Looking forward to it.
Sondra recently posted..Celebrate Children’s Book Week
Should I bring a carrier?
Would LOVE to wear him!
I’ll be there! This is my 2nd BBC, San Francisco last year was great. We were commenting how pretty Tiffany is there. I’m definitely looking forward to the more intimate experience of BBC, thanks for all the tips, they’re good reminders. Can’t wait to meet all the beautiful people!
Gabriela – Living La Vida Normal recently posted..Hopscotch anyone Thoughts on lunchtime yard duty
Best pre-conference info I’ve ever seen. I’m so glad we change seats so often because I’m coming to BBC knowing absolutely no one. But, I am looking forward to going home Sunday with 125 new friends!
I would like to add “Feel free to ask amybhole if she really is a b-hole.” She doesn’t mind.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to see all my SD posse, and connect w/new peeps. You are super awesome…
Candice @ Fashionably Organized recently posted..Handmade Silk Flower Necklaces by Rosebud Lips
LOVE THIS! Thanks for the prep talk. I needed it. BBC is in fact, my first bloggy conference ever so I’m nervous, excited, and yes, need to practice owning my shit. I look forward to meeting lots and lots of awesome, beautiful and rocking women. Yeah BBC!
Don’t be nervous! We’ll all be there.
Great advice! Lots of butterflies here too! Can’t wait to see all the pretty faces
I cannot wait for BBC! It is my first conference and i just built my first blog after years of just writing for other blogs and sites. Really excitedto meet everyone and learn a ton!
I will be there! It will be my 3rd Bloggy BootCamp Conference…if that doesn’t convince you I already LOVE them, and TOTALLY think Tiffany is pretty, then I don’t know what will!
I can’t wait to see all of the amazing ladies I’ve already met, as well as meet all of the new ones!
I wanted to go to this SOO bad, but it fell on an already booked weekend for me. Thursday my girls turned 1, family in town, and Saturday is the big day messy cake eating faces, and present opening.
But I look forward to all the great blog posts (that I’m assuming will be starting to swim around by Sunday afternoon) about the day and it’s events/speakers.
And you know @mamamaryshow is gonna totally rock the podium!
Heading to Atlanta BBC next month – my first conference, and absolutely terrified and excited all at the same time.
Thanks for the advice – hope I remember it!