After BlogHer, I thought that just might be the end of my conference attending. I’ve been blogging for about 3 years and have been to 6 conferences. I’ve sat through sessions on business, writing, SEO, and site design. I’ve listened to speakers tell me I was doing it right, I was doing it wrong, anybody could do it, and maybe I shouldn’t be doing it. I think I became jaded. I’ve met a ton of amazing women and some who weren’t very impressive. I’ve wondered how people became successful and how they turned this crazy blogging hobby into a full-fledged career. I’ve gotten bits and pieces of good information, but more than not, I’ve hit a lot of walls.
The successful business women who were making a career of blogging and earning the compensation to go along with it weren’t talking. They weren’t sharing. They were putting themselves out there… rah, rah, rah, you can do it to… but they weren’t giving me specifics. HOW? What steps do I take? Give me something tangible that I can hold in my hand and take with me as I take my next steps. The information I craved never came.
Then I walked into Bloggy Boot Camp Las Vegas. During the first session with Laurie Turk (Tip Junkie) I realized something so important. It wasn’t that successful women weren’t willing to share their secrets and struggles. It was that I was just meeting the wrong successful women.
I spent an entire day listening to some of the most inspirational women in blogging today and I was a little floored by how open, honest, and down-to-earth they were. They weren’t just being cheerleaders, getting us pumped up about our blogs, they were opening our eyes to the reasons why we weren’t moving to the next step and giving us ways to do just that. After 6 conferences, I feel like I finally hit the jackpot.
I came, I learned, I laughed and I enjoyed watching a bunch of guys get paddled…. hey, I did say I was in VEGAS!
Some shout-outs:
Tiffany and Fran (SITS Girls) - Thank you for putting this amazing conference on and for realizing that even those of us who have been at it a while still can learn a thing or two… or ten.
Chelsea (Someday I’ll Learn) - One of the cutest pregnant women I know. I think she secretly wears a Superwoman cape underneath her clothes. She runs a successful blog, has a fab work-from-home job, and can juggle a drive to Las Vegas, being a speaker at a conference and move from one house to another all in one weekend. You Rock!
Gigi (Kludgy Mom) - Someone I highly recommend you spend 6 hours in a car with. I hope she didn’t think I was just picking her brain the entire time (’cause I was). She also probably doesn’t realize how much I have learned from her and her incredible blog posts. This woman knows her stuff and although I am nowhere near being in her league, I feel so lucky to be able to call her a friend.
Melissa (Miz Meliz) - My rock. I don’t even know where to begin with Melissa. Take all the characteristics you would want in a friend, roll them all up and there is Melissa. She is one of the most supportive people I know and someone I treasure and respect and love and could hang out with all day long.
Maribel (Stroller Adventures) - Oh Maribel. One weekend wasn’t enough. She has so much spunk in her that you can’t help but just want to hug her. Meeting you for the first time felt like I was seeing a long-lost friend. You will NOT move away without us getting together again, even if I have to drive up there myself.
Trina (Gaming Angels) - The other cutest pregnant woman I know. Who knows why you become friends with certain people and not others, but I think Trina and I were just friends right from the start. My girls are already fighting over who is going to babysit for Pumpkin. She will have a slew of sisters to play with.
Megan McClain (Sunshine Wonderland) - Without Megan (and Sidney) there would be no SoCal Lady Bloggers… and I wouldn’t have this amazing blogging tribe that I have. There is no way I could do this without all the support I get from my gals and I feel blessed every day that SCLB is a part of my life.
I love that I got to spend time with my fellow SCLBloggers: Jaime, Erin, Suzanne, Ann, Ali , Laura, Laural, Heather, Melissa and Raquel. I’m sad that I missed getting to spend time with everyone else. There just aren’t enough hours in the day… even in Vegas.
Ann, Ali, Jamie, Erin, Me, Rebecca
Trina and Megan
Melissa
Yes, I am going on record to say this was the BEST conference I have ever been to.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Carolyn,
I’m so happy we drove to BBC together. I had such fun getting to know you better, and I’m glad your faith in blog conferences is restored.
xo
I definitely have a whole new perspective. Thank you.
You recapped the conference perfectly! And I really want to attend the next So Cal Lady Bloggers meetup!
Wow. I had no idea that other conferences were not as amazing as BBCVegas. It was my first blogging conference. Your post makes me think that I picked the winning lottery ticket of conferences. I agree that they were all down to earth and very open about the steps to take to be successful. Thank you for the insight!
I think each conference has good take-aways but they might not always be what you expect. After BlogHer in NYC I came away a little upset that I didn’t get what I wanted out of it… BUT… I realized a few days later that the direction I thought I wanted to go in wasn’t really what I wanted to do. I completely changed my mind-set. THAT alone made it worth it to me.
I agree, it was my first conference but I loved everything about it and feel like I want to make changes in my path not the essence of it but now I know how and where. Yes a weekend was not enough I too felt I needed mor time with you. I must get my butt in gear and ‘maybe’ visit LA for a weekend to see you!!!
I agree! It was a great conference with great content!! I’m bummed we didn’t get to hang a ton — you’re right, not enough hours!! And I’m just realizing that I didn’t get to meet Erin!!
wendy recently posted..Influencers Weekend in Las Vegas with The Trend Tribe
I think we are ships that just keep passing in the night. One of these days we’ll have to sit down and really talk.
I’m so glad to read all of the positives you brought home from this conference! And I’m so glad to be able to be a part of this group of amazing women, as well! You have managed to sum up EXACTLY what keeps me coming back to BBC! There is such an amazing connection there, and it’s so interactive and fresh that you can’t NOT learn something new each time!
I think when you walk in with an open mind, all things are possible. Every step is a learning experience.
I knew my first impression was right, you’re feisty….and I like it! Glad to know my first blogging conference was a good one but sad to find that you had to have some bumps in the road (and cash out of pocket, I’m sure) to find this one.
It was great meeting you (and so many others of the SoCal Lady Bloggers) and I look forward to becoming a true member - hard to be part of a blogging group without said blog, right?
Would really love to have lunch or coffee sometime - so if you’re ever in SoPas, please hit me up.
Carolyn, Watching guys getting spanked in Vegas with you was classic! It was a great first conference blogging conference for me. You summed it up well. Building relationships and meeting my So Cal Lady Blogger sisters was my goal, as you know, for this one. What you may not know, is that I did that specifically on your advice. You are the one I listen to and learn from. You are an amazing leader and I appreciate the information that you share. I am glad to be your friend! Thanks for the shout out!
Melissa Reyes (Miz Meliz) recently posted..My Blogging Boot Camp
Yeah! So glad to hear you love BBC! This is my fav too.
Eva Smith recently posted..Support Mimi’s #PowerOfPink Campaign and Win (2) $25 Gift Certificates
I just love Bloggy Boot Camps, Tiffany does such a great job of choosing speakers and you always come away feeling inspired, with new information, and great friends. So glad you had such a great time Carolyn.
Tonya Staab recently posted..DIY LEGO Travel Box
This just thrills me.
I love hearing from seasoned bloggers like yourself that they found the experience valuable- we work so hard to make that happen.
I just loved the energy in that room- thank you so much for being part of it.
A car ride with Gigi? I’d say that is where you really lucked out!
I hope to get more involved with So Cal Lady Bloggers- loved meeting so many great local women!!!
TiffanyRom {SITSGirls} recently posted..Early Bird Tickets for Chicago End July 31
Thanks Tiffany. I would LOVE it if you were involved with SoCal Lady Bloggers. I’m sure we could all learn so much from you. You rock!
I know what you mean. I haven’t been to a conference yet, I go to my first one in Toronto this week. I’m hoping I have your Bloggy Boot Camp experience, but I’m scared it will be a lot of women jumping all over the guys from Ford, hoping to get the keys to the car for the review opps. Well, I’ll have to save my pennies and keep my eyes open for the next Bloggy Boot Camp opportunity. Clearly it looks like it was well worth it.
Sandra recently posted..Step away away from the donut, nobody gets hurt!
Have a great time Sandra, and don’t go into it with any expectations. I think there is value in every conference, it just might not always be what you think it is. Don’t go crazy over the opps… most of them don’t pan out and there are always more right behind them. We actually had a few bloggers from Canada come to Vegas. I would definitely recommend a BBC if you can swing it.
That was my first conference and that was amazing! I want a do-over weekend! It was great seeing you there and meeting so many wonderful people. I am in a Bloggy Boot Camp Cloud at my work right now! All the speakers were fabulous and I enjoyed meeting women of ALL ages with so many different blogs. The conference is worth much more than it cost (shh! - don’t tell them, although I am sure they know it).
Awesome seeing you there and great post!
Raquel recently posted..I’m Answering Questions Today
Believe me, I’ve paid way more to go to bigger conferences where I didn’t learn even a tiny percentage of what I got out of BBC. I love how they keep it small and cost-effective for everyone. Yes, I agree to a do-over. Would love to have more opportunities to meet local bloggers. Must work on that!
Great post!! I loved the conference too - and meeting all of the wonderful ladies from SoCalBloggyMoms!
Rebecca Rider recently posted..Rejecting Cynicism - What I Learned About Authenticity at Bloggy Boot Camp!!
What a great review! I attended BBC Atlanta last October, and am so looking forward to connecting with and learning more about connecting with great sponsors at BBC Chicago in a couple of weeks.
Susan in the Boonies recently posted..Buttermilk Biscuits with Chives and Black Pepper
I would love to go to BBC in Chicago. Unfortunately, it’s just too far and expensive for me to travel to right now. Hopefully they will do more of these special ones in other places next year.
Before this weekend I was a blog conference virgin. I learned so much from all the fabulous ladies who spoke and met many awesome bloggers. Hoping to be able to attend another conference next year.
Love your review of BBC and all the speakers. I wholeheartedly agree.
Kim @ Coffee Pot Chronicles recently posted..Two Years Ago…
Bloggy Boot Camp in San Diego was my first blogging conference. It’s such a great one to start with.
I thought it was a great conference too. It was my first so I have nothing to compare it to. It was nice meeting you there.
Twingle Mommy recently posted..Bloggy Boot Camp Recap
Thanks for this article Carolyn! BBC Chicago, the Brand Edition, coming up will be my first conference I have made time for! Thanks for reassuring me that I picked the right venue…seems like I haven’t been missing much at the others. Are any of you girls going to BBCC in November? Looks like Vegas was a blast!
Jennifer Ford Berry recently posted..Inside My Organized Home Office
I am so glad I was able to attend BBC Vegas AND get to meet and hang out with more of the great SoCalLadyBloggers. I’ve been to other conferences for other things, and this was such a well-put-together event.
I learned so much, had so much fun, met so many great new people to keep up with…..I just don’t know where to begin!
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