The Aussie Bloggers Conference. Wow. So many attendees have
already written about their experiences. I was going to write an epic post earlier, but unfortunately I've been so tired this week, and fell sick. So you can read the epic posts and elaborations of the speaking panels in the link I've provided above.
Words alone can't express how excited and passionate (and thankful) the conference made me feel. I loved it. So. Very. Much.
(
Disclaimer: I met so many wonderful bloggers that I can't recall who was who, and so I apologise if I leave you out of this post. But please leave a comment and say hi so I can find you. I also plan to email those whose business cards I have.)
The conference was held on Saturday 19 March in Sydney. Around 170 bloggers, advertisers and media reps attended. I wish it was over two days because I wanted more discussions about blogging, and more time to get to meet and know people.
To be honest, I was worried about going - worried there'd be cliques. I talk to everyone, but in the back of my mind I feared it'd be like highschool. I don't have a blogging circle, and I didn't 'know' more than about five bloggers attending the conference. But I am relieved to say that the conference was filled with nice, kind hearted, inclusive and caring people. If you want your confidence to be boosted, I recommend attending a blogging conference.
The conference featured a number of discussion panels covering blog content, social networking and building communities. I got some useful messages from these discussion panels, a lot of things I do already:
- Good content is key - we can pretty up our blogs a lot, but readers come back for the content.
- Twitter is best the marketing tool to use - and not just to promote your blogs. Interact with your followers, engage in conversation, and this will help draw people to your blogs.
- Be careful online. Don't post pictures of children. Don't tell other peoples' stories.
- Be authentic with your writing voice. Be honest. Don't advertise products that don't fit with your blog or beliefs (and say nice things about your sponsors all the time - they may just be sitting on your table - hi David from Nuffnang!)
- Blogging creates wonderful communities and friendships. It's a little like online activism.
There was a lot of tweeting through the conference. To some (me included) this may have been considered as rude, but it was also a good way to get instant messages from the conference recorded and out there. I did partake in tweeting, especially about the attractiveness of a certain male panelist.
I didn't get as much out of the panels as I got out of the personal story readings. I think if the next event is over two days, it'd be good to have some more practical workshops - how to promote blogs, how to write a certain style etc.
The personal stories blew me away. I was asked to speak in the My Blog My Story feature.
Thanks to
Nicole Avery for recommending me. It was an honour to speak alongside five inspirational, strong and courageous women: Tiffany Tregenza -
My Three Ring Circus, Kelley -
Magneto Bold Too!, Kim Foale -
Frog Ponds Rock, Lori -
Random Ramblings of a SAHM and Karen Andrews -
Miscellaneous Mum.
Their stories were very moving. Everyone who spoke showed strength through adversity. They've experienced hard times.
Kim and
Karen have posted their stories on their blogs so you can read them for yourselves.
My speech was about the way my blog has afforded me so many opportunities. I did it off the cuff, but read out two blog posts:
When my face is this sore I find it hard to look in the mirror, and the DiVine version of
In control telling my story. The off the cuff bits covered what I do in my life, what my illness is, what support my blog has brought, how I have helped others, my achievements since blogging, and giving out my room number to any men in the room. And I spat my lolly out on stage! Keeping it real!
Thanks to Kim from
All Consuming for recording this, sorry for the sound. You will need the volume up high.
I received so much good feedback. Four big claps, lots of laughs, some tears, and so many people came up to me to thank me for my speech. It was a honour. I felt very loved.
When I returned to my table, I received so many tweets of wonder. Wow. Seriously, wow. Thank you. This bit will be rather self indulgent. But I want to record it for prosperity. And it makes me feel so proud and accepting and loved. Awwww :)
Bern took these. I was a bit tipsy.
And this is me, a bit star struck again with Bern.
Lori from
Random ramblings of a stay at home mum was also so sweet.
Here's the crazy crew:
River, Bern, me, Lori and Rick.
I spoke for ages with Suzanne from
Aussie Writers - she was great to talk to and we have a few things in common.
I danced - no photos of me here but you can see dancing pics on
my blog's Facebook. I swished my skirt like it was nobody's business. Particularly during Khe Sanh (and my plane buddy
Magneto Bold Too was not impressed with my love for bogan rock!)
I like these anonymous dancers though :)
Back off the dancefloor I chatted with
Fox in Flats, Kelly from
Be a fun mum,
Jayne and
Sarah, and Bern took this upside down photo.
And I ate chocolate out of a wine glass.
And laughed with
Idle Dad.
Such a wonderful day and night.
My only regret is I didn't get to speak with everyone. A big thanks to the organisers, you did an amazing job:
And to everyone who made me feel special - thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥ We can be friends for life.
