On Monday I wrote about how I went from Speech-Language Pathologist conference geek to BlogHer12 conference geek . The two are very different, but in many ways they are the same. The one thing that remains constant is my own characteristics and personality. I have a pretty limited fashion sense, can’t walk five feet without falling over when wearing heels, become very nervous meeting new people and am very directionally challenged. Sometimes I feel socially awkward, especially in a large group or party setting. So if I manage to even find the Hilton where the annual social media conference of 2012 is being held, you may meet me. I’ll be the one wearing cute flats, jeans and a dressy shirt. My heart will pounding loudly and my hands will likely be sweating. I will be ready (or not) to experience it all. I can’t wait! This pretty much sums how I’m feeling right now.
Thanks to all of the ways to learn about BlogHer12, I don’t have to feel like I’m going in this blindly.I have learned so much from connections I’ve made in the Facebook group, twitter feed and from all the amazing posts from others- some new to the conference, others are veterans, speakers even. While gathering information, I created a How to Survive a BlogHer Conference Pinterest board. Here are some highlights:
Your Never Ending To-Do List to Get To BlogHer12
Presentation: Make a professional looking media kit using Picmonkey
Business Cards: Melissa has an entire series on how to create a memorable business card that’s not to miss!
Luggage:
* A list of Essential Items to Pack in Your Suitcase from Andrea
* Stephanie shares her ideas about shopping from your closet and pampering yourself with some new outfit or other essentials.
* Sarah provides us with American Made products to pack. I seriously love this list!.
* Don’t miss Melinda’s pretty amazing shoes-I-would-never-be-able-to-walk-in , which will be making their appearance at the Sparklecorn Party (Sparkle-what, yeah, that’s pretty much what I said the first time I heard that term!)
Sponsor:
* Megan writes a clever post about her dream sponsor, Mr. Valentino
Safety: Other than the obvious “Don’t walk around New York City by yourself or you will be robbed” advice I received from my husband, Jean shared some great ways to Safeguard Your Mobile Devices
Schedule: Use your phone to organize your time in NYC with Well Connected Mom’s Top Must-Have Apps for BlogHer12.
What to DO or NOT Do Once You Finally Arrive in NYC
Schedule: Andrea looks back at her past BlogHer experience and writes of her goals and recommendations for this year. I also love her advice to “keep your eyes open”, because you never know when a Flash Mob is going to break out
Connect: I can’t wait to Find My Flock of knitters who are going to break out Ravellenic Games Projects while at the conference
Eat: This list of Must-Eat Restaurants in NYC will make your mouth water
Party: Wendy shares her love of BlogHer Sponsored Parties
Your Husband Survived Four Days with the Kids Alone, Now What?
Business Cards: I love the Social Media business card experiment.
* VLog all about your BlogHer adventures like Alena did last year.
From The Heart
* Jennifer shares her feelings of anxiety and nervousness and coping mechanisms that work for her
The Real Truth
* Want to know if it’s OK to wear white in NYC? If subways are safe? Why a certain blogger gave you the cold shoulder? Liz never fails with her humor on all subjects, including this post where she does a hysterical popular people vs bloggers low down.
* The honest truth about the shoes, parties, swag, best places to hang out and what you should REALLY pack from the mouth of Cecily.
Have you written words of advice, nightmares, or embarrassing BlogHer conference moments? It’s your turn to dish it out? Would love to pin your post on my How to Survive a BlogHer Conference board.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: mamaofalltrades
July 26, 2012 at 8:23 AM
Wow! That’s a great list of resources. I might have to keep this bookmarked for next year, although a lot of this information is great for anyone attending any social media conferences, not just BlogHer. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley @ Mama Of All Trades recently posted..SCOUT by Bungalow Coupon Code and SCOUTlet Sale!
Twitter: redheadedjen
July 26, 2012 at 9:42 AM
This is my 3rd year going to Blogher. You can bring a little knitting project and sneak in a corner to knit for a few if you get overwhelmed. Knitting soothes me as well. I always feel like a newbie though once I get there. This year will probably not be different.
This is a great list with resources that I can use.
Jen recently posted..Pain = Depressed Thoughts?
Bring your knitting we can knit together!
Good to hear that even if it’s your third you still feel like a newbie when you get there. Thanks for the tidbit. I will keep that in the back of my head when I start second guessing myself.
Twitter: LavLuz
July 26, 2012 at 11:07 AM
What a great collection of posts! And I love your graphic, too.
Hope to meet you next week!
Lori Lavender Luz recently posted..Navigating BlogHer12 from within
Thanks the graphic was a lot of fun! Hope to meet you as well!!
Twitter: randomrecycling
July 26, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Awesome recap! I’m a newbie there this year so I’m trying my best to get prepared and stay calm.
Emily @Random Recycling recently posted..Nana’s Zucchini Bread
Twitter: grownandflown
July 26, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Thanks for putting this together it was a huge help to a newbie!
Grown and Flown recently posted..A Hotel Room of One’s Own
Your welcome! There are soooo many great ones out there! So much info to digest! Enjoy the conference and maybe I’ll see ya there! Enjoy your quiet room. I can’t imagine what a full night of sleep is going to be like, not that I’ll actually get one though.
Twitter: Organizedisland
July 26, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Great tips! I won’t be at BlogHer in person, just following on-line but will definitely use these tips for my next conference! Have fun & tell us all about it
Raquel recently posted..Easy Pasta Salad
Twitter: Mrs07c
July 26, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Almost had an anxiety attack just reading this (and I didn’t even click any links!!!) thanks for putting it all in one place!
Btw:I’ll be the one in the corner trying to take it all in!!
This is soooo helpful (and omg so overwhelming). I’m excited!!! less than a week to g o!
Kat recently posted..This, that and the other thing
Twitter: justbreathemama
July 30, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Wow – I am so impressed – what a great and detailed post for newbies! I am newbie, as well…I’ll be the other sweaty nervous girl in flats
(Heels are so cute on the shelf, not on my walking legs!))
Hope to connect this week at the conference!!- I linked up!!! Thanks for doing this!
{ 2 trackbacks }