Right now men and women from around Australia and packing their bags and beginning to make their way to Melbourne for the inaugural Nuffnang Blogopolis taking place this weekend. There are pre and post events, brunches and lunches and several weeks twitter has been a buzz about it all, from where to stay and what to wear to how nervous they are about meeting in person.
Amidst the hype and excitement there’s one very important question (and it’s not about fashion!)
What will you do to get the most out of the day to grow your blog?
Here are my 3 tips.
1. Be Prepared
Do
Make sure your laptop/phone/tablet are charged and ready to go. If you are planning on live blogging it’s a good idea to have set up the posts with the titles and an intro before you get there on the day so all you have to do is open the post and start writing. Do take cash with you, including coins… just in case.
Don’t
Wait until the last minute to work out where you are going, how you are going to get there, where the parking is etc… It will just make you stressed and run late.
2. Be Specific
Do
Think about what you want to get out of the day and be as specific as possible i.e, try to avoid goals like “be a better blogger”, “get more readers” but hone in on the actual goals you have, short and long term.
You could even ask yourself this question and write down the answers.
What are my goals as a blogger?
What do I need to learn or know to start achieving them?
What’s getting in the way of doing that?
At the end of the day you might like to go back to these questions and ask:
What one thing could I do this week to start achieving my goals?
Don’t
Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s journey is their own; be inspired by the journey others are on but focus on what your goals are rather than worrying about someone else’s. Don’t lose sight of the big picture; no matter how many questions you’ve asked yourself there’ll always be questions you haven’t thought of. Be open to what the day brings and what you may learn.
3. Network
Do
As daunting as it can be to get out from behind twitter and meet in person, networking at a blogging conference is one of the best things you can do for your blog. If blogging is centered around making a personal connection, then nothing cements that more than a face to face chat. Go to any pre and post events that you can, seek out the people you want to meet and say ‘hi’. Have a drink or two if it helps you relax (but don’t get drunk – it’s not a classy first impression).
Don’t
A blogging conference is not the time to approach your bloggy idol and hit them up with all your questions. Everyone is there to learn and network, including your idol. So, make a connection that you can continue online when you get a home. Not only will you enjoy it more, you will also gain more down the track – as a person and a blogger.
What have you or will you be doing to prepare for Blogopolis?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a question ready for one of the speakers… it’s been forming in my mind since I saw they were involved. Now to find the courage to ask it.
(oh and getting drunk at the after party is completely acceptable because you’ve already made that first impression
)
OK, I promise not to stalk you…
Great post, Louisa!
My goals? Have fun, relax, chat to some adults about things we have in common, be brave enough to say “Hello” to Problogger and enjoy a child-free weekend in preparation for moving house next week…
Thanks for this Louisa!
For someone like me this is perfect!
Unfortunately I won’t be able to make the pre and post events but I’ll just get drunk at home and follow the twitter feed (I’m sure many will still be tweeting from the events)
Don’t get drunk? Bugger.
Great post, Louisa!
My goals are to just enjoy the weekend and absorb as much as I can. Looking forward to catching up with bloggy friends I have already met and ones that I am yet to meet.
I will be watching the twitter feed AND getting drunk AND tweet stalking my idols AND wearing my jambes.
I wish I was coming… xxxx
I’m not able to get to the conference, but great post! Hopefully I’ll remember it next year if DP does another (or ABC or whoever it is).
I’ve looked through the attendee list and made a mental “wish-list” of the bloggers I would love to meet, many of whom I’ve been socialising online with… and count among my bloggy “friends” and some of whom I would like to connect with for business reasons. About to write them all down and send it “out there”. Maybe one of those people will be allocated to sit next to me. Can’t wait, but boy, AM I nervous!
Great advice. I think just having the courage to talk to anyone and everyone is the best … most people are just so warm and lovely and are just as nervous as the rest of us.
of course we are all going to get hammered well some are lol:-)
Great post, Louisa !
I can not be at the pre and post drinks but i do know a lot who are not going either and we shall be doing our own twitter party with you all
Thank you so much for this very timely post of advice and wisdom. Much appreciated. See you soon.