I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Blissdom last year. I left the conference sure that I would attend it again. And it’s hard to believe that it’s just one month away. To give you time to gather your survival supplies, I wanted to do this post early. So here it is: how to survive Blissdom and have fun doing it!
1. Do start thinking about your goals for Blissdom NOW.
If your primary purpose is to connect with other like-minded bloggers, start doing it now. Send out emails, letting your blog friends know that you can’t wait to meet them. Make plans to meet—-or shop, or share lunch or coffee. The conference schedule is packed but there’s always time for a fun rendezvous with your favorite blogger. If you’ve been dying to meet the Nester, send her a sweet message and tell her so. Meeting her was one of the highlights of the conference for me last year. And she’s just as adorable and warm and down-to-earth in real life as she is on her blog. And she wants to meet you too! {as do I}
If your primary purpose is to learn more about blogging and networking—then do as much as you can ahead of time. Spend some time on Twitter or Facebook or Flickr or Stumble Upon and learn something new about blogging or social media. The more you already know, the more you’ll gain in understanding when you’re there. And maybe most importantly, blog! You will meet new people who will start to follow your blog after Blissdom. Give them some great posts to read from your archives. Try writing one post a week that you are really proud of—–edit it and edit it again until it’s a post that you just know others will want to link to.
And work on your blog. Declutter it. Make it a friendly, inviting and informative place to visit.
2. Do decide whether you want to hand out business cards/goodies/etc.
Nearly everyone will have business cards for their blogs/businesses. It’s an easy way to meet and greet and then later you’ll have easy access to finding your new friends’ blogs without trying to remember the names of everyone you met. A LOT of people gave out goodies last year. I took little bags of my chocolate chip shortbread cookies to friends I knew already and a few to folks I wanted to thank for being mentors to me. If you have a business, it’s a great way to make an impression. Last year, Kristi from Pink and Polka Dot {my roommate this year} made me the cutest keychain with my name monogrammed on it. I nearly cried. Don’t feel pressure to do something like that but if you enjoy baking or sewing, it’s a good way to say “thank you” or “I have a blog crush on you” or whatever it is you want to say.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
The two weeks before Blissdom, everyone will be posting about clothing and shoes and what-to-wear-to-the-cocktail party. Just be yourself. I promise you; noone cares or will remember what you wear. Stacy and Clinton won’t be there to haul you off for wearing your acid washed jeans and Valentine’s sweater. It’s fun to talk about and think about a little but it’s really not important. {small caveat: Nester had on the cutest black cocktail dress I have ever seen last year—-so it’s possible someone will remember—-but still don’t sweat it}
Jeans and a black sweater is always a safe place to start. It’s fun to take what would be plain-jane outfits and make them perfect with accessories. Make some cute felt flower pins to attach to stuff you already have.
And wear cute earrings. But for heaven’s sake don’t break the bank to try to come up with wonderful new outfits. I bet you have the perfect thing in your closet right now—-with just a little mixing and matching and accessorizing.
And though I always give it the old college try, we’re probably not gonna lose that last 10 pounds. You are most beautiful when you are comfortable in your own skin. We love you just the way you are. I promise. And we didn’t know you when you were 20 with no wrinkles and a size two. K? We’re all in this together. We’re raising kids and nurturing families and most of us bare some signs of it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
4. Don’t let your inner 7th grader take over.
And we all know she’s in there. My inner 7th grader wears long tube socks, has a mullet and a fair amount of acne. And she’s nervous. And wondering if she’ll fit in?
{on careful 2nd perusal, my inner 7th grader looks like she’s gonna win this basketball game or somebody’s gonna get hurt—-but you see the point I’m trying to make. I smile a lot more these days. And I don’t have a mullet.}
“Will anyone recognize me? Know me? Will I remember names? Will I feel left out? Will it be like the lunch table at junior high where I’m looking around for somewhere to sit and hoping noone sees my anguish?
We all feel the same way. So the best remedy for you is this; do for others what you’re hoping everyone does for you. Introduce yourself. Notice if someone is alone and needs a friend. Do some research ahead of time and see who’s coming. Search them out. Make them feel welcome and offer to sit with them. I’m also asking that anyone who is coming to Blissdom alone leave a comment on this post and let’s make plans to meet at some point. And please, if you see me at at the conference and I don’t know you or recognize you, please introduce yourself. I can’t wait to meet you. You are why I’m making the trip. If it helps, imagine that every one you meet is wearing long tube socks, has a mullet and a fair amount of acne.
I’m making a list of people that I’ve never met before that I want to meet. And folks I met last year that I can’t wait to see/hug/invade their personal space. There is almost nothing like it—-seeing the person across the room that you’ve read about and grown to love—and finally meeting them face to face. So make your list. And then leave plenty of room in your heart for all the wonderful bloggers that you didn’t even know about.
5. Do find ways to serve.
Look for opportunities to be helpful and encouraging. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Noone is intentionally trying to be snobby. Some people are painfully shy in real life. Some people {I’m not naming any names but she used to have a mullet} are notorious huggers and invaders of all personal space. Many people will have their babies with them. Offer your help. Offer to fetch a soda or some crackers. Many of your fellow bloggers are in the midst of real life heartaches. Be gracious and understanding. Go the extra mile.
Tell Alli and Barbara how much you appreciate all the thankless hours of hard work they put into making the conference such a success. Tell the speakers what a great job they did. Find positive, encouraging things to say and say them, frequently. Pretty soon, your conference will be wonderful because you made it that way. You took the time to be kind and to place others ahead of yourself.
Be generous.
Be the first one to speak.
Smile a lot.
Don’t wear tube socks.
That about covers it. What did I leave off? Add your advice to the comments.
I can’t wait to see you! Make sure to leave a comment if you’re coming and especially if you’re coming alone. Heckle the mullet at your own risk—-I’m even a little afraid of my inner 7th grader!
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