From Wednesday thru Saturday last week, I was at Type A Parent Conference in Asheville, NC. And no, you don’t have to be Type A to attend. It was my secret fear last year that I’d be found out and kicked out for being far from Type A.
And while I took some fun pics- I’ll share some a little later today as part of an early Wordless Wednesday and some I’ll post on facebook (click “like” over there in my sidebar- you know you want to!!!), and while I learned some valuable info, like how we can’t under any circumstances have “like my/a company’s facebook page” as even an optional entry in a giveaway, that isn’t what I want to talk about right now.
Instead, here are some more general takeaways from the conference, to keep in mind for when you attend a blog conference:
1. If there is someone you want to get to meet, GO TALK TO THEM. There were a few people that I talked to that had me inwardly thinking OMG, I’m talking to so-and-so and it probably showed on my dorky face. But, I got to talk to them because I went up to them and talked to them. Don’t ever assume someone doesn’t want to talk to you just because they don’t approach you first. Conferences are busy and people get caught up in conversations. Most are not ignoring others on purpose and will talk to you if you make the effort to go up to them. Don’t jump to the conclusion that someone is snubbing you.
2. It’s okay to take a break for a little while. While I went to some fabulous sessions at Type A, I also skipped a few so that I could go relax in my room for a little bit or walk around the adorable town of Asheville with my fabulous roommate/partner-in-crime/other half Ashley. Conferences can be very go-go-go, and if you don’t step away for a minute now and then, you might wind up burnt out and wanting to go to bed at 8pm… which brings me to #3.
3. Even though you will be really tired, stay up late and join the parties! While I talked to lots of people during the day, the days were more focused on sessions, while I had more in-depth conversations with people drinking hanging out on the patio til all hours of the night. That was where I felt like I really made connections. Um, not the icky I’m using you to get something for me kind of connections, but friendship connections, y’all.
If you’ve been to Type A or any blogging conference, what tips do you have to add? If you haven’t been, what questions do you have?
I'm glad you "got away" and had a great time!
I'm glad you enjoyed it and this is great advice… if I ever decide come out of the closet and take the plunge, so to speak! 🙂
wish I could of "got away" just for a few last week
I think I need to stay up later next time.
So glad you had a great time, can't wait to see the pictures! And great tips, particularly #1. It's not easy to just go up to someone and say Hi 🙂
That's great that you went. I didn't know about it in time since I'm so new.
I've read a few things about Facebook and their rules. I guess they are really wanting to make it hard to promote your page without advertising through them.
I'm more jealous that you got to be in Asheville, NC! One of these days I may have to attend a conference.
I'd agree with ALL of this. I didn't think I'd be able to stay up late but I sure did! In fact I was up until 3 one night. Sure I was tired but I made some INCREDIBLE connections. I actually met new people right up until the last 2 minutes before I headed upstairs Saturday evening. LOVE that!
What a fun time! I'm jealous that I wasn't there. Sounds like you made some great friends…glad you had a great time!
I think that I would like to try this conference out sometime. Sounds great.
My Bro and SIL go to Asheville a lot and I'm jealous that you got to go there!
Sounds like it was a good blog conference!
Sounds great! I plan on going next year.
I've yet to go to a conference. Hopefully soon I can get to one. It sounds like one of the keys is finding a balance so you don't get burned out yet still learn new stuff.
I'm glad you had fun!
I think blogger ate my comment. Grrrr
Agreed. With all of it. P.S. I need you to email me the picture of us since i somehow neglected to get one on my own camera or phone! Pretty please … 😉
This sounds like great advice for meeting people no matter where you are. I hope someday to make it to a conference 🙂
I love this concise list! I wish I'd had joined in the parties, but with the baby I figured it best to sleep. Next year!
I've only been to one conference so far, but if I could add any advice, it would be to really pay attention to who else is going. When I went to BBC Philly, I was totally oblivious to some of my favorite bloggers. I only learned they were there by reading their wrap up posts. A big "duh!" moment on my part!
One of these days…
But I can't imagine you feeling OMG about anyone. It's really the other way around. People would be saying that about meeting you.
And I also can't believe I just now noticed your FB page. Sorry for being such a bad blog friend.
Glad you had a great time. And yes the after parties is really where it's at. I have gotten good at just going up and talking with people as I have to since we move so much
Sounds like you had a great time–fun and informative. I'd have the hardest time going up to people I've never met real life. Shyness is a real PITA. Maybe someday I'll make it to a conference. Can't wait to hear more about it!
Glad you could go and you learned some good things. I really need to work on #1. Thanks for the advice.
I'm going to BlogHer in August so I need all the tips I can get. Thanks.
I can't wait for BlogHer in August and I really hope I'm brave enough to just go up to people and say hello. And I totally want to go to make friends, or just to meet friends that I've made online. I don't want any icky.
I still wish I could've been there with all of you! Oh well…next year I guess!!
Such good advice friend! Thank you! XO
Great info, Shell! I will definitely putting it to use soon!
I agree that we shouldn't be intimidated by people we think are better (more famous, richer, etc.) than us. On Sunday, Austin Collie attended our church again. I knew my dad wanted an autograph, so even though I can have a conversation with Austin I felt stupid asking him to sign a piece of paper. But he was so gracious about it…some people are just nice, even those who play in the NFL.
Sandy
The one thing that I wish I would have done differently with the conference I attend was…bring a friend. I mean, a friend that was familiar with the blogging world – someone that would vow not to leave me in any awkward situations.
Because I didn't have another person by my side, I was very introverted. It's difficult to work up the courage to just walk up and talk to random people. Fortunately, Gigi and a few other people helped me warm up a little!
Next time, I think I'm going to feel like I already KNOW so many people (even if it's through the computer) that I won't have as difficult of a time!
Great tips. Hopefully next time our paths cross we'll have more time to chat!
I love this Blog Conference recaps. 🙂 I haven't been to a conference yet, but one day, when I do go, all of these little pieces of advice are going to come in handy. Glad you had a great time!!
Great advice! I would love to attend Type A someday…I have heard it's one of the best.
I have been thinking about trying to start attending conferences next year and I get very excited about how worthwhile people think they are…so thank you for sharing!
I love Asheville too. Amazing little town!
Is that one always in Asheville? I could probably put it on my list for next summer. My husband's sister and her family live close to there so we could make it a road trip. 🙂
I am hoping to get this conference in 2012 and BlogHer too..and I promise to all these things..along with hugging u!
So glad you had a great time. I love Asheville, I bet it is beautiful this time of year. I would have a hard time with number one because I am a bit shy when it comes to going up to people, but I guess if you have the chance you just have to do it!
"2. It's okay to take a break for a little while."
Today I'm starting to think that's what sleep is for. (LoL)
Glad you had a good time and was able to stop and appreciate your location. 🙂
Great tips! I'm planning to go to Blissdom in 2012 so I'll be looking for all the tips I can get!
Sounds like you had a great time! I love all the tips you come up with.
sounds fun 🙂 one day IM gonna get to go to one of those lol
I look to forward to seeing your picks. I would have a very hard time putting myself out there. It's way out of my comfort zone.
That "talk to someone you want to meet" is such good advice . . . and so damn difficult to follow. Honestly, I can see myself turning into a mumbling idiot if I were at a blogging conference.
"I….I….I….I read what . . . I like what . . . nevermind."
I attended two conferences with the delightful Shell – and she is awesome! Get to one, I highly recommend it …
That is awesome! So happy you had fun! I love your advice. I bet everyone was thrilled to see YOU there!
Wish I could have joined you. I love the networking at these confs!
I love hearing what everybody learned. I hope I can go to a conference one of these days, but am still rather intimidated!
I've just started looking into going to conferences, so this is helpful info! 🙂 Thanks!
Asheville is gorgeous. I'm looking for your facebook button and can't find it (don't worry – I will). My facebook page is highly underutilized.