Things I learnt about myself at Blogcamp
I attended my first blogging event last week. It was one of the smaller ones, so an ideal place to dip my toes into the physical side of my online world. I’ve got a few more coming up in the next year and now can’t wait.
Blogcamp was run by the friendly folks at Tots100 and sponsors Vibe Israel. You can find out more about them and what they do in this film.
On my train journey home I had a bit of time to reflect on what Blogcamp had taught me. I came to the conclusion that the most important lessons were about myself and what I want from my blog.
Contents - jump to what you'd like to know
I do want to make money from my blog
I’ve already put this more ‘ballsy blogger’ approach into practice and was upfront about my rates with the first PR who contacted me after Blogcamp. The answer was no, but that’s also OK. By being up front no one’s time has been wasted.
I’m a ‘work in progress’ when it comes to Instagram
I’m not totally socially inept after six months on maternity leave
While I love spending time with Tin Box Baby and going to a variety of mummy groups, I have started to wonder whether I can hold a conversation with other grown ups without talking about poo.
It was so nice to chat with the people I’ve met online over the past year. I’ve heard others talk about this being the best part of blogger events and thought it sounded a little bit too good to be true. However, everyone really is very welcoming. Thanks to Lindsey at Boo and Maddie, Claire at Claire Justine, Victoria at Words and Pictures (also the face behind the Tots100 Twitter account), Cathy at Mummy Travels, Denise at Around the World with a Highchair, and Karen at Mini Travellers for their company. And sorry if I did mention poo!
I can’t have it all, all of the time
For me this means: enough with the mummy guilt. I need to be realistic about how much I can fit into my day and accept it. If that means turning off my social media notifications when I’m with the kids then that’s what I need to do. I’ve already given myself a good talking to a few times since Blogcamp when I’ve felt like I’m not doing enough in my home or blog lives. I am only human.
I like cake
Were you at Blogcamp? Are you going to any other blogging events in the next year?
I love hearing what people think about my blog so feel free to leave a comment below or browse around. You can also find me on Bloglovin’, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and LinkedIn.
I am so sorry we didn;t get to chat and I love that it was a positive experience for you. Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
I like the sound of blogcamp and it sounds very informative. Maybe one day I'll pluck up the courage to go.
It is good to hear your experience and sounds like you got a lot out of the event. I understand about balance with blogging and life etc it always feels like a ongoing battle to fight the pendalent X
I've never been to a blog event and my blog is about the same age as yours. I think I would love to go to a blog event as it sounds as though you have gained a lot from it and I feel my blog is static at the moment. I really need to have a focus. Thanks
It really sounds like it was a fab day – I'm gutted that I couldn't make it but I fell ill a few days before and lost my voice! 🙁
Still, write ups like your one help to make up for it a little bit! #TheList
Aargh! I was SO gutted not to be able to come. My mum's car packed up a few days before and I was left without any childcare! I really enjoyed the Birmingham Blog Camp I went to, earlier in the year. It's lovely to meet the people you've been chatting to on Social Media with isn't it? I'm really, really looking forward to Blogfest!! Hope to see you there! 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to #TwinklyTuesday — hope to see you again tomorrow!
Glad you had a great time, I went to the Bristol one this year and loved it. It's great to share with fellow bloggers and listen to those in the know #TwinklyTuesday
It was good fun. I can recommend checking out what events are coming up and picking one that works for you 🙂
Sounds like a great experience! I can't wait to attend one of these sometime!
It was really handy. I am still sulking over not going to BlogOn Win! Manchester seems a long way for the next one, but I do have family up there. I might go yet! x
You blog, right? You are a proper blogger! I get what you're saying about leaving your kids though. It is hard to juggle everything. I hope you can get to an event one day.
It's interesting being on both sides of the fence, isn't it?! I still had a mental block about it when it came to my own blog. It's always good to find fellow PR mummies dabbling in the blogging world 🙂 x
Love the cake! When I'm not on maternity leave I work part-time too so I know the pressures. It's difficult squeezing in five minutes for yourself let alone a day out. I think I had a mad five minutes when I booked a few events and decided to work out the logistics later. It was the only way!
Bless, that's lovely of you to say 🙂 x
Here here! I'll be looking out for you in the blogosphere and at events. See you soon!
Phew, thank goodness for that! Meeting a few real life bloggers really was the highlight for me. Can't wait to do it again!
You are welcome. Totally. Cheers! 🙂 x
Aww, thanks Denise!
Fab to meet you too Lindsey! x
That's such a good point. If you hadn't already put the time in then the PR companies wouldn't be asking to work with you. I know what you mean about the day job. Maternity leave has given me a bit of 'golden' blogging time. I don't expect it to last 🙂
Sounds like you got so much from the event – I really need to look into attending one! It's so true what you say about monetising your blog – I really think that as bloggers we are selling ourselves short and devaluing ourselves by offering posts at cheap rates or for free. As you say, a post takes a lot of time and effort and I think that bloggers as a whole need to start realising their worth. Especially when we know the value that PRs place on coverage and the rates their clients are paying. Great to know we've got a lot in common, I look forward to following your posts! xx #TwinklyTuesday
I don't feel like I'm a 'proper blogger' yet so would be reluctant to go to a blogging event for fear of being laughed out of the venue (even if I could leave the boys to go). This does make it sound really worthwhile, though.
#TwinklyTuesday
We never made it to BlogCamp opting for BlogOn Win as it was closer to us. Sounds like you had a good time talking to other bloggers and finding out what you want from your blog. 🙂 #TwinklyTuesday
I am desperate to try a blogging conference but I have yet to brave it! I've been blogging for almost two years now and I know it would help me to get my blog name out there and meet other like-minded folk but, being that I also have a job 3 days a week and a family to run around after, I have never carved out the time to do this for myself. This has to change and I can see a blogging event in my near future! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, this has really inspired me to take the plunge! And what do you know? I like cake too!! #TwinklyTuesday
This post caught my eye on TwinklyTuesday and I'm glad it did, so helpful. I had never really thought about Instagram like that either, I do like your instagram feed though!
Thanks for making this event great for me too 🙂 I would love to make some money from my blog like you too, I am now excited about trying but still not sure what the next step will be. I can't wait to find out though. Thanks so much for the mention.
I am so shy and you all helped me come out my shell!! I am going to be on the look out for my next blog camp now and hope to see you again, was lovely to meet you. All the best with your goals, you are so right, we are worth itand I will remember this when I get offered to write for free again xx
It was so lovely to meet you too (and that cake was good!) – I don't remember you talking about poo at all 🙂 Some great blog lessons and resolutions as well.
Oh thank you for such a lovely mention, what a pleasure to have a chance to speak to everyone. Here's to the wonder of blogging! xx
It was great to meet you last week and good on you for starting to ask for what you are worth with sponsored posts etc.
Hopefully we'll meet again soon and in the meantime I'll enjoy your blog posts.
I so wish I could have come. Alas, the perils of full time work mean I can't devote too much time to blogging endeavours 😀
Regarding earning money, I have a relatively small blog and I charge for sponsored posts. A decent amount. I consider that posts like that also pay for the all the other extra work I out on my blog, all the unpaid posts and other promotion etc, and companies only can benefit from all that extra work I do (as I obv don't do just reviews and sponsored posts). So you have to also charge for building that platform, not just for the time it takes for you to write one post e.g. hourly wages.
What a fab write up and I think you have encapsulated a lot of my own thoughts just perfectly. It was so great to hear reassurances that we can value ourselves and that anything is possible. Lovely to meet you x