Full disclosure: A year ago, I made the decision that I HAD to go to the next BlogHer. One caveat: I didn’t have a blog.
I had just lost a client and was thrust back into the world of being a stay-at-home mom. I needed an outlet. One day, while roaming around on Facebook, I stumbled across an old colleague‘s postings about a conference called BlogHer. It took me a few months to get moving on it, and I finally started The Culture Mom in January 2010.
I managed to register for the conference as an early bird back in February right after I started the blog. I wasn’t sure what my goals were or where the blog would take me. Well, it took me to BlogHer 2010 last weekend, which took place in New York City at the Hilton Hotel.
I’ve been thinking about BlogHer for the past few days. My head is still buzzing and spinning from the weekend of events, networking, seminars, parties and swag. On my first day back while hanging out at the pool the day after my return from BlogHer, I got asked by many of my non-blogging friends how the whole thing went. Even though I was still glowing with the energy I picked up at BlogHer, they had very little reaction. Blogging is still very misunderstood by most people around me on a day to day basis. But after BlogHer, I realize that it’s okay if the people around me don’t understand. I was in a room of nearly 2500 women who do understand. 2500 women who understand the power of words. The power of having our voice heard. The power of knowing what kind of real difference we can make.
I have to admit the whole experience was indeed overwhelming, and a bit daunting. When I walked into breakfast the first day, I looked around a room full of people I didn’t know. I didn’t quite feel that sense of connection I had so longed to find. I think that by the end of the weekend, I was getting there. Thankfully, I had my NY gang of bloggers to hang out with, and I did enjoy meeting many of my favorite bloggers from around the country, as well as bloggers I didn’t know. Nonetheless, it took me a while to find my comfort zone. The entire first day was a blur. .
There’s really too much to say about the experience, so here are just a few thoughts:
Women as influencers/BlogHer Voices of the Year
It was clear by the amount of brands at the conference that women are some of the greatest influencers, but they are also certainly some of the best writers. The community keynote on the first night of BlogHer was a salute to the top BlogHer Voices of the Year. The women who won kudos for their work spoke about Rwanda, cancer, the Holocaust, lesbian divorce. Amy from the Bitchin’ Wives Club sang a song from “Wicked” called “Popular”, Metalia performed “New Moon Rap”. I laughed , I cried. The words went right through my skin. The keynote, for me, solidified in my mind why I was there.
Education, whether it be at BlogHer or elsewhere
My aim was to educate myself on the world of blogging. I wanted to hear about design, marketing, monetizing, content, and more. Maybe I was too eager. For one thing, the sessions I did attend were not as informative as I would have liked them to be. Not only were they very basic, but the panel members did not have much to offer me. For another thing, there was too much going on. All through the day, there was one event after another. Now, I admit I didn’t have to go to everything I was invited to, but I couldn’t resist. There was the expo to explore. There were brand suites to visit. It was over-whelming and I didn’t know which way to turn. The two days flew by and I didn’t learn very much. What I did learn at BlogHer, which is incredibly important, is that content comes first. It’s more important than anything – than how many people are reading my blog. As a blogging newbie, this is a key area for me work on. I totally realize that many of the sessions that I didn’t attend may have been more useful to me, and I hope to listen to them all on BlogHer’s web site. In the session “Small Fish, Big Pond,” I was surrounded by other newbies like me and I learned that it’s okay to be and/or stay small.
I’d like to attend a smaller blogger’s conference, like Type A or Blissdom. I think they would be less over-whelming and much more conducive to learning.
But again, maybe I lost track of why I was there in the first place. There was too much going on to stay focused.
Brand connections
Everyone I know was really excited about meeting with the hundreds of bran
ds at the conference. The expo hall was set up like a big trade show with booths decked out to the nines, staffed with reps from each brand. Who wasn’t there? It seemed like most major brands were featured including Ouidad (my former hair products), Crest, Eucerin, Crayola, The Little Pony, Aveda, Stride Rite, Yahoo Shine, Tempur-pedic pillows, Play-Doh, Jimmy Dean, Nickelodeon, 1-800 Flowers, T-Mobile, Ghiradelli, Wheaties, Mr. Potato Head, Filtrete water bottle, Avery custom binder and labels, Skullcandy headphones, bar of soap and earrings from Cambria Cove, Nestle, Spanx, Kmart, Stouffer’s, P&G;, Filtrete water bottle, Avery custom binder and labels Skullcandy headphones, Walmart and many, many others.
ds at the conference. The expo hall was set up like a big trade show with booths decked out to the nines, staffed with reps from each brand. Who wasn’t there? It seemed like most major brands were featured including Ouidad (my former hair products), Crest, Eucerin, Crayola, The Little Pony, Aveda, Stride Rite, Yahoo Shine, Tempur-pedic pillows, Play-Doh, Jimmy Dean, Nickelodeon, 1-800 Flowers, T-Mobile, Ghiradelli, Wheaties, Mr. Potato Head, Filtrete water bottle, Avery custom binder and labels, Skullcandy headphones, bar of soap and earrings from Cambria Cove, Nestle, Spanx, Kmart, Stouffer’s, P&G;, Filtrete water bottle, Avery custom binder and labels Skullcandy headphones, Walmart and many, many others.
I didn’t find any of the brands really resonated with what I am trying to achieve. I write about culture: travel, film, TV, books and more. I am not into food (except for eating out in Manhattan or on my travels) or necessities for kids under the age of 5. I wish that more of the products resonated with me. I also wish that that the reps were more equipped to talk to me. As a blogging newbie trying to find my way in this market, I wasn’t quite prepared to talk to the brands. Many of the reps didn’t truly understand the world of blogging, and when I asked how they use bloggers, could not really answer my questions. I wanted to connect in the way that many of my friends seemed to be connecting to major brands, but I didn’t have an easy time. However, saying that, what the experience did do for me was make me think of like-minded companies to be in touch with after the conference ended.
Events
Some of the events that I attended were fabulous. MomTrends hosted an amazing yoga class down at YogaWorks in Soho. It was the first event on my list and the perfect way to start the weekend. Then I headed to the Martha Stewart party, which I admit to being extremely excited about. It was really the biggest brand event that I had received an invite for. I have to admit, it was quite the disappointment. We were herded like cattle in a room full of way too many bloggers. I wish that the organizers had better chosen the attendees more carefully and/or has the party earlier in the afternoon or even several events to accommodate so many people. I apparently had already missed seeing Martha Stewart herself. As one of my first events at BlogHer, it kind of threw me off. Fortunately, other events were much better organized and inclusive. Getting Gorgeous, put on my Vera Sweeney and Audrey McClelland , was amazing. I felt like the brands represented were chosen more carefully and in line with who I am: Hanes, Torneau, Skechers, Kodak, amongst many others. I also really enjoyed the Scholastic Magic School Bus Tour where the company talked to us about their fall list, education and literacy. I appreciated being educated about important topics and the event was just very civilized after a weekend of craziness. On Friday night, I attended a party at Madam Tussauds. To be honest, I’ve always been curious about the place and kind of got a kick out of seeing the wax figures from eveyone from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra to Obama. But once I got a glance at a figure of Yasser Arafat in a room full of diplomats and other political figures, mostly peaceful, I felt sick to my stomach.
Swag Hag
I have to admit something. On the way out of the hotel, I was embarrassed to be walking away with so much swag. I admit that I didn’t need to bring all of it home, but I didn’t have time to go through my many bags. Again, I just wish there were more brands that resonated with me. Anyway, I literally called myself a swag hag on my way out of my friend’s hotel room at the Hilton, where I was keeping my swag for the weekend.
Parties
I will also admit that the parties were fun. I went to the People’s Party, a Baby Bites cocktail party and a few others. But I’ll also admit that I don’t get out much and I have a low threshold for partying all night. On Friday night, a friend and I realized after several hours of parties that we hadn’t eaten in hours. We ended up at the Blue Fin having a late dinner of sushi, with live jazz in the background. We were beyond happy. That was a highlight of my weekend. Being able to eat in peace on a weekend night, with no kids in tow. Sitting with a good friend, having my favorite meal in midtown Manhattan. Heaven.
The official BlogHer party on Friday night, after the Voices of the Year, featured a Gala and Art Auction. It featured paintings inspired by the winning posts, interactive and performance art, an art auction to benefit the Nature Conservancy’s work in the Gulf, body painting, performance art, karaoke and much more. I hadn’t expected so much glamor and glitz, but it all worked, quite surprisingly. The paintings that were inspired by the writings were awe dropping.
Final lecture
Just like the opening keynote had a big effect on me, so did the final keynote. Marie Wilson, who was President of the Ms. Foundation for decades and went on to create the White House project, an organization that advocates for women in leadership. Add Cynthia Samuels, the former President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Foundation of Ameria. Top it off with Simran Sethi, associate professor at University of Kansas School of Journalism, and moderator Alison Stewart from PBS – two amazing young women. They inspired and encouraged me in a their keynote titled “How to Use Your Voice, Your Platform and Your Power.”&nb
sp; All four of these incredible women spoke about making a difference in the world. They left the idea of empowerment very real in my mind.
sp; All four of these incredible women spoke about making a difference in the world. They left the idea of empowerment very real in my mind.
The conference started with a bang and ended with a bang. Everything that happened in the middle may have been pale in comparison. However, will I go back next year? It’s probable. I have a lot to do before that time comes so I’m definitely not making that decision quite yet.
Like I said, I had a goal last year. I wanted to start a blog. I did and I’m proud of how far I’ve come in such a short time. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn. But in the end, I made it to BlogHer.
as always…well said!
I really enjoyed this honest and thorough wrap-up. I wasn't at BlogHer this year, but attended last year for the first time and my experience in Chicago closely mirrored yours in NYC. I enjoyed all of the same things you did, especially the keynote and the closing general session (last year we got to hear from Tina Brown among others).
BlogHer feels a bit big and frenetic to me at this point. I think that if return I'd like to do it with some very specific reasons for being there, like leading a session for instance. I am going to Type A Mom and have hopes that the smaller format will allow me to be more focused.
I really appreciated your honesty and great wrap-up post. I have never been to BlogHer so I am glad to hear the first timer experience.
I have been to Type A and plan to attend again this year. The sessions last year were good for me at that time. Hope to see you there.
I didn't know you just started your blog this year. What a great accomplishment you have done!
It was great meeting you at Blogher on the one day that I did attend! I had a lot of angst about not investing in more than a day pass, but am reassured hearing your review of what I missed.
I felt a similar disconnect, especially when I sat down at the "Birds of a Feather" table of travel bloggers. All seven of us. Out of 2,500 attendees.
I doubt I'll be heading out to San Diego next year!
Traci at Go BIG or Go Home
http://GoBIGorGoHomeBlog.com
Thanks for such an encompassing review of what it was like for you- I’m considering going to blogher this year, and am busy researching if I *really* want to go.
I guess if I don’t like it, I can go hang out at the beach…
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