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I’m Speaking at the Influence Conference! And 5 Surprising Things I’ve Learned About Blogger Conferences

I’m thrilled to be speaking at the Influence Conference!

The Influence Conference is for Christian women who are active in social media, and it’s going to be held in Indianapolis, October 11-13. The conference has two tracks–life and strategy–and I’ll be speaking in the life track.

Two years ago, I never thought I’d ever be a blogger. One year ago, I never thought I’d want to attend a blog conference. But this year I’ve attended two conferences and have been blown away by how valuable those experiences were (and how much I enjoyed them). But they weren’t at all what I expected.

Here are 5 surprising things I’ve learned about blog conferences this year:

1. It’s cheaper than you think. When I first budgeted to attend Blissdom, I added up the ticket price, a hotel room for one, gas, parking and food. But I ended up sharing a room with 3 lovely ladies I met on twitter, carpooling to save on gas and parking, and the only money I spent on food was $3 for coffee. Not only did I save money by teaming up with roommates and carpool buddies, but my experience was much, much richer for it.

2. Meeting blogging friends in real life is fabulous. Okay, so I’m sure you’re thinking this is the obvious part of the equation. But it needs to be said–meeting online friends in real life takes the relationship to a different level.

3. Communities spring up around conferences. Blogging conferences tend to attract–or birth–their own tribes. That community can provide very practical support, encouragement, growth, and feedback, but they will also make your life richer. I am so grateful for my online relationships, and I’m still a little surprised at how much they mean to me!

4. You find out you’re not crazy after all. At the fabulous Killer Tribes conference, Daddy-o said, “We go to conferences to find out we’re not crazy.” Many of the people in our lives don’t really understand why we blog or why we  have online friends. There is something powerful and validating about gathering with people who GET you and the whole blog thing.

5. You can get a lot of value out of it even if you don’t go. Bloggers are great at putting out content–it’s what they do. And you can bet they’ll be putting out content about the conferences they’re attending. You can read blog posts about what the experience is like before, during and after the conference. You can follow the twitter stream (for the Influence Conference, it’s #influenceconf).  You can get the session notes from other attendees, or sometimes from the speakers themselves.

Have you ever been to a blog conference? Would you like to attend one? Got any questions? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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27 comments

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  1. tacy says:

    That sounds like a good time. I’m interested in attending a blog conference someday! I hope it goes well.

  2. I’ve never been to a conference, and I actually don’t have any desire to attend one, HOWEVER, #4 on your list really hit home. Most people in my real world, especially my family, don’t even know I have a blog, nor do they care what I write or what a blog is! It sometimes feels like I am living a double life, as if there is this secret identity that I have that they don’t know about. As secret as you can get, considering I post it on the internet for all the world to read/see. One of my brothers stumbled upon my blog for the first time earlier this year, and then wrote to tell me that I had a blog. Not kidding. Yes, I’ve had it for 2.5 years, announced it in Christmas letters, and never tried to hide it. Thanks for noticing. (Sigh) Excited about your opportunity, Anne!! 🙂

    • Anne says:

      Carrie, aren’t you in TN? There are all kinds of great writerly events in the Nashville area. I have been so surprised how powerful it’s been for me to get together with other writers. I’m wondering what the format will be for next year’s Killer Tribes, but I thought the one-day format from this year’s event delivered an unbelievable amount of value for a one-day (meaning: cheap ticket, no hotel needed) event.

    • I can relate with that a little bit. I have some family and friends who read my blog, but a lot that don’t, and I can just hear people saying (when I see them this summer) “oh, you’re blogging?” Um, no, I’m not, and the links I post on FB to my blog are just a figment of my imagination.

  3. HopefulLeigh says:

    I’m trying to figure out if I can make Influence work. I can take the time off, just have to figure out how to afford it on top of my other travel plans. It would be so great to hear you speak! You’re going to rock it, I know.

  4. I would LOVE to go to a conference. They all seem to take place back East and we’re in Oregon…so I’m hoping that when my babes are a little older, we can make it happen. So excited to hear about Influence, what a great idea!

    • Anne says:

      There are lots of great bloggers in Oregon! And lots of great conferences on the West Coast, except they all seem to be either north of you in Seattle or way down South in CA 🙁 Maybe when the babies are older you can make it happen 🙂

  5. Suzette @ cajunnewlyweds.blogspot.com says:

    Great to hear! Thanks for sharing the “5 Things” – good to know. My blog is humble and small, but it is my “journal” of sorts and I have made a friend from it, so there ya go! Hoping that one day a conference would apply to me and maybe then I won’t be 32 weeks pregnant…I think a newborn could complicate any conference 🙂

    • Anne says:

      Suzette, just FYI–some conferences welcome babies. There were quite a few at Blissdom. Some moms would love to bring their babies to a conference, and some moms wouldn’t–but just know it’s a possibility 🙂

    • Anne says:

      Tim, I could write pages and pages about my life in the chapter entitled “Adventures in Missing the Obvious.” 🙂

      And thanks!

  6. Beth @ dot in the city says:

    Great list! I am hoping to attend, but in a place where I can commit and buy a ticket just yet. You’re so right about gaining info/knowledge by following the backchannel through Twitter. I do it all the time for my professional work since I cannot attend all the great higher ed conference out there 🙂

  7. Congrats on speaking! SLM’s Kara from Simple Kids is going to that conference, I believe.

    2011 was the year of the conference for me; I hit four, total, and loved every minute of it. This year I’m only planning on 2, but I’m already looking forward to them!

  8. Anne, this is so exciting. I’m so happy for you.

    And thanks for sharing about your experiences at blogging conferences. I’m so excited to be attending one later this year!

  9. Alia Joy says:

    I can’t make it to Influence this year but I will absolutely be living vicariously through the twitter stream and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back. I know you’re going to do great. I am so proud of you, and I mean that in a totally non condescending pat on the head sort of way. You are awesome, friend.

  10. Wow. It’s always so abuzz in USA!
    I would LOVE to attend a blog conference. Although a published author with loads of friends who tell me to keep writing, i really waffle about blogging (and my next book)… and honestly, it is a tad harder here – i don’t know how to find the community and support..
    But i’m so happy for all of you!
    May our tribe increase!

    • Anne says:

      Thanks, Jenni. I hope you’re able to find the community and support you need on the web, since it’s hard to find where you are. Thank goodness for internet community!

  11. I’m attending Influence this year, and it will be my first blog conference. I’m scared, but at the same time so excited and can’t imagine not going! It’s hard to know exactly what to expect, but I’m excited not only for what will happen this weekend, but what will happen afterwards because of it.

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