Except I’m not going to dwell on the social side of the conference. Others have already done a brilliant job with this topic, including:
- Deb on the Rocks’ BlogHer One-Year Cycle
- Motherhood Uncensored’s 10 (well 11) Tips
- Christine (BostonMamas) on Shedding the Adolescent Baggage at BlogHer
- Mom-101’s pre-BlogHer Field Guide
My personal plan for navigating the social side of BlogHer is simple: have no expectations, enjoy the moment, smile and try to listen more than I speak.
And sunscreen.
No, my post is about the BlogHer Conference. You remember — that thing sandwiched in between the parties and swag bags and bowling and private events and makeovers and such?
BlogHer is a damn brilliant blogging conference.
Here are some of the sessions I am looking forward to.
Friday at 1:15 – Brands and Bloggers. It’s a great panel, and Jory DesJardins is always an excellent moderator. Plus, FTC regulations, boycotts, lions, tigers and bears. Oh my!
Friday at 2:45 – Blog to Book. What can I say. I will finish this book someday.
Friday at 4:45 – Community Keynote. It was the best session last year. Full stop.
Saturday at 10:45 – Travel Bloggers as Boundary Breaking Evangelists. I’ve just started a family travel blog and will also be attending the Travel Blog Exchange meeting on Sunday.
Saturday at 1:30 – Women Writing In The Age Of Britney: Pop Culture & Gossip & Feministy Stuff, Oh My. The ladies of MamaPop.
And of course in the cleanup slot of Saturday at 3:00 pm, we have the panel I am moderating, Enough About You…Who’s Reading You? so I am definitely planning to show up for that one.
My fellow panelists are Laura Roeder, Twanna Hines and Ree Drummond, and we’ll be talking with you about the relationship of a blogger with her readers. Do our readers impact how we blog or what we say, or not? Does the author have a responsibility to her readers?
We’re on opposite the Room of Your Own, Dying is Easy, ROTFLMAO Comedy is Hard: It’s two, two, two comedy panels in one! with, among others, Deb on the Rocks and the Bloggess, but I’m still hoping a few of you will show up to talk with us.
Take the time to make your own list of sessions that matter to you. Don’t feel that you have to go to every single session, but do yourself a big favor: don’t miss the conference while you are at the conference.
Average Jane says
Great session call-outs! I’m a little behind on my pre-conference prep, so this will help me as I go through the agenda and decide what sessions to attend.
Really looking forward to BlogHer Business, too, because I haven’t attended it before.
Adventures In Babywearing says
Very good reminder! I’m so excited to just go with the flow and see where I might end up! I do plan on being at the brands & blogger session on Friday and I need to look over the schedule again to see what else I should pencil in.
See you next week!
Steph
Elisa Camahort Page says
As the women who programmed the 40 sessions and 24 Geek Lab tutorials, featuring something near to 170 community members (80% of whom have never spoken at a BlogHer before)…Jes ferris and I thank you 🙂
Mom101 says
The conference is actually the best part of the conference. Also sleeping.
Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Mom101´s last blog ..Bloggers v Popular People: A Pre-BlogHer Field Guide =-.
Boston Mamas says
Awesome, thanks Susan. Great to see program recommendations! Can’t wait to see you next week. -Christine
.-= Boston Mamas´s last blog ..Birthday Giveaway: Chroma Lab =-.
Jenn says
Wait? There are sessions at BlogHer?
Kidding!
You have highlighted some amazing ones that I am going to have to highlight on my agenda. Thanks for the subtle reminder that while going with the flow and having fun is great, there really are things that you can learn at BlogHer. Many things.
Look SO FORWARD to seeing you, Susan. You aways inspire me!
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Back to Blogging, Back to Basics =-.
Anisa says
As a first time attendee, I appreciate the highlight of conference sessions. Thanks for the info.
.-= Anisa´s last blog ..The Crow: A Not So Scary Story =-.
Deb on the Rocks says
Your session sounds awesome, so I may skip mine and be at yours. I’ll play it as it lays. 🙂
.-= Deb on the Rocks´s last blog ..A Case of the Wimbleton Grunts =-.
anita tedaldi says
Well, I have to take my 5 kids and teenage babysitter because my husband deployed once more, so perhaps that will keep me right on track … but I really enjoyed your tips and look forward to being at your panel
Cheers,
Anita
.-= anita tedaldi´s last blog ..Texas Dreams =-.
Toby says
Susan – have a blast! Looking forward to your always insightful reflections about the conference.
.-= Toby´s last blog ..Social Media Idea Management: An intellectual capital hustle? =-.
RookieMom Heather says
Hi Susan, first timer here. I enjoyed hearing you speak (in the crowded sessions) over the weekend and wish I had battled my way through the $4/non-$$ crowds to say hello in person.
.-= RookieMom Heather´s last blog ..Celebrity Moms – They’re Not Just Like Us: Demi Moore Edition =-.