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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

BBC Monday: Let’s Talk Blog Conferences!

· Aimee Reatherford

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So, you’re all registered for the next blog conference. You’ve got your ticket, your calendar is blocked off, you’re practically ready! Except for several important things.

What are you going to take with you?

Read on to get the insider tips and essentials for when traveling to your next blog conference. And be sure to get your sneak peek at Bloggy Boot Camp 2014. We’re revealing our stops and changes for next year.

Blog Conference Tips!

First? You need to know what to pack.

I’m going to start with something critical. You could forget almost everything else and buy it wherever you’re headed. Except for these items.

Blogger Business Cards

blog conference

Business cards.

You need business cards with you. You need to bring enough to give to everyone. Or almost everyone. Order extras. Bring them with you, just in case. You’re surely thinking that there’s no way you’re going to give out 400 cards in one weekend. And I agree with you. But what happens if you need a few extras and you leave them home? You’ll kick yourself! Don’t risk it.

We’ve got some great business card tips for you, ranging from what you need on your cards to how you should collect the cards of your fellow bloggers.

Media Kit

Along with your cards you might consider bringing some copies of your media kit with you to give to the sponsors that you meet and make a great connection with. They’re certainly not required, but you’ll come across as well prepared should you have one! Don’t have one? Don’t worry.

what is a media kit

We have all the information you need on what should be included in your media kits, and we follow that up with a straightforward tutorial on how to create your own media kit using PicMonkey.

Packing List Essentials

Check out our Packing List Essentials for critical items you won’t want to forget.

conference essentials

You’re also going to want to be sure to bring all of your chargers for all of your electronic devices. It sounds obvious, but remember how many you’re packing and take note – you are probably going to want to add a power strip to that list. A power strip will not only ensure that you AND your roommates can charge your devices overnight, but will guarantee you make some friends during the sessions, because everyone wants to sit next to the girl with the juice! Many a friendship has been made over shared outlets. Your power strip will save you, and your new friends.

What to Wear

Let’s talk clothes. We know you’re excited to be away from home and out on the town. You’re ready to dazzle! You might even wear some funky jewelry and a pair of heels. And that’s great. But please, please, don’t forget about being comfortable.

what to wear to a conference

There are three C’s to conference attire, and to me comfy is the most important one. Cute and casual are the other two, and I would say they’re a given. You know you want to look cute. You want to look professional, enough so that you feel somewhat on the ball. But don’t forget to dress comfortably. If you don’t wear heels regularly, your feet might be aching by the end of the day.

And if your feet hurt you know the rest of you is going to hurt, too. Your blogging friends don’t want you to be uncomfortable. And they want to see you for who you are. So pull out that favorite sweater (and yes, even if it’s 100 degrees wherever you’re headed, bring a sweater. Conference rooms can be chilly!), a comfy pair of flats and bring them along. You’ll be much more relaxed when you’re dressed as yourself. And the people you meet will be, too.

Most Important

Now, you’re all packed. You’ve got your preferable method of note-taking (electronic? pen and paper? whatever you’re most comfortable with!) at the ready and you’re feeling bright-eyed and ready to learn. Toss a few extra snacks, a bottle of water and some mints or gum into your bag. Sessions can be intense, and you might need a little power snack to keep you focused. Bring extra so you can share – it’s a great way to make new friends.

And most importantly?  Bring a great attitude. Be ready to learn. Act like a sponge and take it all in. Don’t rule anyone out. The blogger next to you whom you’ve never heard of? Might be the connection you need to figure out where you’re headed on this journey.

Even better? You might become fast friends. Don’t be shy. Use social media to your advantage. Tweet at your fellow attendees. Find out who is sitting at the table behind you. Connect. Learn. Grow. And have a great time.

Your Turn

Did we miss anything? What tips do you have to someone attending a blog conference?

Bloggy Boot Camp 2014

It’s here! It’s here! Our sneak peek at all of our stops in 2014 is finally ready. Check out where we will be going and when. We’d love for you to join us!

About Aimee Reatherford

Aimee Reatherford graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelors degree in Photography. She has a sweet spot for vintage cars and rocking the latest sneakers. You can find her strolling the aisle of her local craft store for her next DIY project and working on her fitness in her spare time.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. cipő 2014 says

    Heya i will be for the principal moment right here. I ran across that board and I locating It truly valuable & the item forced me to be outside considerably. I am hoping to provide one important thing back again plus guide others as you assisted me.

  2. Cristina Sierra says

    Hear hear regarding comfy shoes. I recommend something cute but functional like Puma ballet flats, Geox, or other flexible, breathable shoes. There’s nothing worse than hobbling around in heels and sneakers can definitely feel a little too casual.

    Also – pack business cards and my personal tip, stash them in different places. I learned this after my shampoo bottle exploded over a packet of business cards. I should have stashed some in my wallet, some in my purse, some in my laptop bag, and some in my suitcase as insurance. Bring more than you think you will need!

  4. Carla Kennedy says

    Great List … This could be the rule of thumb for any woman (or man) who is traveling for business or pleasure. Love the 3 C’s of packing – cute, comfy and casual.

    Thanks!

  7. Angel The Alien says

    I wish I could go to a blogging conference! I went once to the BlogHer Conference when it was in Chicago and it was a lot of fun. But work and finances make it hard for me to go to conferences that are out of town!

  12. Amber says

    Interesting on the shoes. I’ve worn nothing but flip flops for months, but Dublin in October and London in November? Flip flops won’t work. I’m stressing about breaking in some new shoes before pounding the pavement next week!