Straying from the arts to bring up an important blogging topic: The 2010 Blogher Conference. It's that time of year again when people start getting excited, buying their passes, discussing the sessions and making their plans for the conference in August. This year NYC (my hometown) will be hosting the event which means I finally have a shot at going. In the past the conference passes, plane tickets and hotel room have just been WAY out of my price range.
Although I don't have to travel more than a short subway ride this year, I'm still struggling with the cost. The early bird special (ending this weekend so hop on it!) is still steep for my pocket book (as if I carry a pocket book), especially with this ongoing struggle of saving up for a new computer.
So the question: is it worth it to put everything on hold to buy a ticket to Blogher?
What is Blogher? It's a large community of mostly female bloggers coming together and sharing their views on everything. I mean everything: blogging, cooking, being a mom, illness, politics, the arts, etc.
The Blogher conference is an annual event with parties, sessions on blogging/social media/etc and most importantly, networking. As a blogger looking to reach the masses, can you put a value on meeting hundreds of other writers face to face? Handing out dozens of business cards and making personal connections with potential new readers? Nevermind the wealth of information you can glean from the sessions.
Sure, there are a few opportunities to win a pass (here & here for example) but do I risk the early bird prices for a potential (and let's face it...unlikely) freebie? Do I beg people who have no idea who I am to sponsor me? Do I forgo the pass altogether and just stalk the Hilton during the conference?
So, what about you? Are you going to what some people consider the most important blogging event of the year? Do you already have your ticket? Are you entering contests to try and win one? Are you sponsoring someone? Inquiring minds want to know!
It's a tough choice. I guess it comes down to your own mind set. If you can "put yourself out there" and make connections I'm sure it would be a big plus for your site. But I understand the money part of it all too well these days. I's bummed that you weren't asked to volunteer. That would have been the perfect solution.
I hope you get some wisdom that will help you decide.
I'm going! I'll be speaking on one of the panels. I also went (and spoke) at a BlogHer conference a few years ago. In my experience (however limited) you can pick up a lot of great tips and make some wonderful, valuable connections at conferences like BlogHer. My advice would be to look through the agenda at the panels with a critical eye and see if they are ones that genuinely interest you. As long as you book by Sunday, you do have options -- if the panels are so-so to you, sign up for just the cocktail parties or the expo hall and cocktail parties -- you'll still get the connections that way. Or what about going for just one of the days? Then it's $100.
PS - Mabel's Labels is running a contest too.
Thanks for the heads up on the other contest Sarah! Also, really great info. I'll be sure to take a close look at all the panels. There's no doubt I'll, at the very least, be going to the parties. How could I not? I can't wait to meet all of these incredible women.
What panel are you doing?
I can't go this year - just absolutely cannot afford it. But I'm hoping by next year I'll be able to make the trip, regardless of where it is.
I know it's got to be an amazing experience, so I guess I'll just live vicariously through others attending the conference. One of these years I'll make it!
I know that feeling! I've been dying to go for the last few years but instead I twitter stalked and followed the live blogging like it was my job. I truly hope I can find the pennies to make it this time! Especially since it's in my town finally!
My friend Jenny (jenny on the spot) has gone the past couple of years and she always comes back absolutely raving about the experience. And I have seen a big difference in her blog. Her exposure, content...I always thought that Blogher sounded a bit silly but I can't help wondering that if I were to go, what could I learn that would improve my own blog?
I will not be going this year. Having to pay for a home renovation project, trying to get out of debt and my husband's work situation being up in the air...I just cannot justify the massive expense. Maybe one year...if Blogher ever comes to Washington...or Oregon.
I hope you are able to go.
Oooh, I love Jenny on the Spot. It's true, her blog really has taken off over the last couple of years. I might have to pinch some pennies to make this happen.
I'm really bummed you can't make it. Hopefully one year it'll end up in Seattle or Portland!