In a week’s time I will be heading off to the Gold Coast to attend (and speak at) the Problogger Training Event. Or #PBevent as it’s otherwise known, and hashtagged.
As someone who has attended all of these Problogger events so far – this being the fourth year – and as someone who’s attended other huge conferences in the past, not to mention helping organise one, I say with some authority and conviction that this particular conference is one of the best. Without a doubt.
This is for a few reasons: Darren Rowse and his team have always sourced the best speakers to speak on their areas of specialty. Plus, I have always walked away with some sort of nugget of new information or a clearer sense of what I might be able to tweak or work on behind-the-scenes. As I’ve said, I’ve been lucky enough to attend personally – but thanks to the sophistication of technology, plus the smarts to implement it, you too can benefit from the event by way of a Virtual Ticket.
One of these offers you virtual access to all session from the event: not even the people attending, who have to choose what they want to see in the streamed sessions, can do that. There will over 30 hours, from all 31 sessions, available to listen to at your convenience. Plus sides. Plus the chance to participate in webinars after the event it over; one with Darren, another with Jonathan Fields.
And all of this will be yours to keep forever!
If you’d like some assistance in helping your blog perform at the level you want it to, then this is worth considering. Among the mix, you’ll also be hearing my voice and thoughts on ‘Personal Blogging and Monetisation‘ (yes, doing both IS possible).
To learn more, click through:
US $249.99
Now…
For those of us who are going, I’ve put together a list of tips that I hope will help – especially for ‘first-timers’.
Top 5 Blogging Conference Tips
1. Bring your mobile chargers or battery packs
Bring your mobile chargers or battery packs if you’re planning on being super productive and busy. Do a quick scan of the walls and nab a power point, at best before the break times when everyone dives for them. Or, if you’re like me, it’s never ever really been a big issue.
2. Business cards are handy, but don’t have a guilt trip or breakdown if you don’t get to hand them out (or plain forget)
Opinion is still divided as to the value of business cards – in a conference context, at least. I keep mine in my handbag for day-to-day occasions, but at conferences I’m usually too busy talking to offer them out. I always prefer to get to know someone that way than by shoving a bit of cardboard at them.
3. Know your limits
This is more for the introverts, which I am. People are lovely, I love people. They’re funny. Sometimes they’re rude, which is fascinating (but hurtful if you’re on the receiving end!) And confusing. Then you end up getting a little weirded out. You need to escape.
So escape. I’ll meet you out in the lobby or break area, usually with my shoes kicked off and my back’s resting against a wall. Come say hi. Let’s have a re-boot and then get back in there.
4. Don’t stress too much about what you’re wearing
I’m not. I don’t even know what I’m packing yet. I guarantee it’s not as an important a deal as you think.
5. Remember why you’re there in the first place
This is perhaps the most important tip. These ‘big’ events sometimes have the reek of Christmas or birthdays about them – you get so amped that when they finally occur there’s a swell of emotions, some good, maybe some bad. But if you remember why you bought the ticket in the first place, then hold on to that. You wanted to meet your heroes? Get inspired? Pick up some tricks? New plugin or service info? Keep mindful of them.
Maybe I’ll meet you there? I hope to! x
{The Virtual Ticket is an affiliate link, which means if you buy a Virtual Ticket I receive a commission from the ticket price. Considering I have never done an affiliate link before, you can be sure I’d only do it if I really thought the investment was worthwhile. Which is the case here.}
Image: Photo by Marija Ivkovic for ProBlogger Event 2012
