At this time tomorrow, I'll be packing up my car and preparing to drive to northwest Indiana, where I will pick up my party companion and head into downtown Chicago for three days and two nights of eating, networking, and conferencing at BlogHer 2007, where I will learn about the ins and outs of self promotion, increasing traffic, and technical tricks that will probably make my head spin. I'll meet online friends I've been talking to for months--in some cases over a year--for the first time. I'll introduce myself to bloggers I've never heard of and others whose writing I absolutely adore. I've got a fun maternity wardrobe and savvy business cards and comfortable shoes for traipsing up and down the length of Navy Pier. Packing will be a snap. I'm ready.
But so, so nervous.
Last year I complained about the entries that followed in the wake of BlogHer, noting that the posts seemed to be solely comprised of pictures marrying women and alcohol, links out of context, and inside jokes the rest of us outsiders weren't a part of. I vowed that if was able to attend in 2007, I would do a better job of sharing what I believed to be the most appealing aspect of the conference: the ability to market yourself and learn more about the trends underlying this fascinating, still-new form of expression.
I'm nervous this goal will be overshadowed by a desire to impress strangers I may never see again.
Don't get me wrong; I'm so excited to meet my online buddies, hear their voices, dish out hugs, and take tons of pictures. I hardly consider them strangers. But I'd be going to this thing even if I didn't know another living soul. I have a class to teach, Web sites to polish, and a lot of information to learn. I want to learn it. I want to see how far I can push myself in this genre, because as much as I love TLF, fiction is no longer my bag, baby. I'm lucky enough this year that Luke and I can afford for me to go and the conference is only a three-hour drive from home, in the very city I grew up in and still love, and there are no children to worry about (yet, oh my God). The last thing I want to do is get so caught up in socializing that I miss out on something that might one day enable me to maintain a full-time writing career from home.
Below is a list of the sessions I plan to attend. The sessions are grouped into different "tracks," which are featured in parantheses.
Day One
10:45 - 12:00: (Business of You) Self-Branding and Self-Promotion
1:30 - 2:45: (Technical) Find Out Why Bloggers Care About Web Standards
2:45 - 4:00: (Technical) Technical Tools to Build Traffic
4:30 - 5:45: (Identity) The State of the Momosphere
Day Two
10:30 - 11:45: (Business of You) Blog to Book and Back Again
1:30 - 2:45: (Business of You) Professional Blogging: Ways and Means
2:45 - 4:00: (Business of You) Professional Blogging: Business Considerations
Aren't the topics wonderful? There are so many to pick from, but I think I'll glean the most insight from these.
Anyway, there's a lot to do before I leave. I have to pack, pretty my toenails, update my Parents blog with two more entries, and prepare this here site for my absence. I plan on posting a little somethin' somethin' tomorrow will even attempt to a TLF post for those of you unable to join in on the Chi-town fun. However, if TypePad goes wonky and the entry never publishes, you can't say I didn't try.
I was annoyed last year by all the inside jokes and such as well. Although I can't say that I wouldn't do the exact same thing if I actually went to BlogHer.
Have fun!
Posted by: Operation Pink Herring | July 25, 2007 at 04:04 PM
I wish I was going to BlogHer...I just can't afford it right now. It's a bummer, but I'll deal. I hope you have a blast and learn a lot and take lots of pictures. I'll be waiting for the pictures. :-)
Posted by: Lindsey | July 25, 2007 at 04:23 PM
I hope you have a great time........ wish I was going!
Posted by: ashley&family | July 25, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Can't wait!!
Posted by: Molly | July 25, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Have a good time at the conference.
As an academic, my life is punctuated with conferences, and I have to say I am a bit of a conference whore.
The discussions, receptions, dinners, drinks parties, name tags, room service...I love it all.
I am sure you will do famously. You are smart, funny and eloquent. If the bastards can't get that, well, too bad for them.
Feel free to use my website as a "don't let it come to this" example of why angry loners give bloggers with a purpose a bad name.
Also, as you will be in Chicago, track down an IB or a decent pizza...I have not been home in some time and miss both dearly.
Posted by: Alexander Pavlovich Romanov, Autocrat of All the Russias | July 26, 2007 at 01:29 AM
Only one comment...you used the word traipsing. I knew that was a word, used it just 2 days ago in conversation but then had to look up its meaning afterwards to make sure I knew its correct definition. It certainly is not a word used too often.
Enjoy your weekend traipsing around this city of ours!
Posted by: Jenny | July 26, 2007 at 01:52 AM
Have fun!
Posted by: Liz | July 26, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I can't wait to see the pictures. Although, I know they are going to make me sniff, sniff, sob, sob because I couldn't be a part of them. Have a fabulous time! I hope you are able to learn a lot.
Posted by: Silly Hily | July 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I will kick some typepad ass if I don't get my TLF!!!!
Posted by: Rachel | July 26, 2007 at 02:04 PM