I’m looking forward to the Go Blog Social Workshop this coming Sunday where I’ll be learning from some of the best, including: Morgan and Carrie of Ampersand Design Studio, the photography guru behind Cassandra Castaneda Photography and Emily, creator of the The Object Enthusiast – just to name a few!
Last year was my first time attending a blog conference and I picked up on a few things while I was there and I’m all about sharing the love. Get my tips on how to network at a conference/workshop and what to bring below!
HAVE YOUR BUSINESS CARDS ON HAND AT ALL TIMES. If I don’t want to lug around my entire bag or purse, slip a few in your back pocket so that they’re always with you. You never know who you’ll meet waiting in line for the bathroom! It’s inevitable that you aren’t going to remember each and every person that you come in contact with. Mentally picturing the person and their card, or jotting down a quick note about them will help to jog your memory once you get home.
STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. It’s easy to stay close to the people you’re familiar with, but one of the main reasons you are there is to meet new people and network your tush off, right? I know how intimidating it can be to go up to someone you’ve never met and introduce yourself – just do it. On the other end of this spectrum, be open to the people who are approaching you and keep your engagement genuine. Who knows, you might make a new friend! *I tend to get overwhelmed in situations where I’m meeting a lot of new faces and I’m determined to change things up this time around.
BE PRESENT. You are probably going to want to live tweet bits of inspo or quick tips that you’re picking up from the speakers and by all means, go for it! But that doesn’t mean you need to be checking every single unrelated post on your social networks. Those tweets and Insta snaps will still be there when it’s over. Being fully present will allow you to absorb the information that you paid good money for.
What am I taking along with me in my bag? I’m so happy that you asked!
- iPhone 6 – You can bring your device of choice. Whatever you do, make sure that bad boy is charged to the max the night before!
- Portable phone charger – If you don’t have one, a wall charger will work, but know that the outlets at the venue are going to be a hot commodity and they might not be available when you need them.
- iPad – There’s really no need to bring your entire laptop. Your phone and maybe an iPad or tablet should suffice!
- Business cards – Lindsay at White Oak Creative designed my new business cards and then I placed an order through MOO. They got here just in the nick of time! (and would you look at how far they’ve come!)
- Notebook + pens – Unless you plan to take notes on your phone or tablet, you’ll want to have a notebook and a few pens handy. I’m old school and I feel like I remember things better when I’m physically writing it down, opposed to typing. Do what works for you. These are by far my favorite pens.
- Planner – I think it’s important to have your planner with you in case any opportunities arise while you’re at the conference/workshop. I also like to note any post ideas that pop into my head and I can add it to the list on my monthly calendar right away so they don’t get lost in the chicken scratch!
- Chapstick – Does anyone really go anywhere without some form of lip moisturizer?
- Water bottle – I never go anywhere without a water bottle of some sort either, or a cup of water. It’s a habit that I’m happy to have picked up several years ago and an all day workshop is no exception.
- Bag – To carry all of the above in!
WHAT DID I MISS? ARE YOU HEADING TO THE GO BLOG SOCIAL WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND OR THE CONFERENCE IN APRIL?
If you aren’t able to make it to Go Blog Social, The B Bar has a great round up of 2015 Blog Conferences and you can find my recaps from the 2014 event here, here and here.
Two more things: The 26 and Not Counting reader survey will be closing tonight. Don’t miss the opportunity to give me your feedback! The stationery you see above is from The Atelier and it’s even better in person.
Cannot wait to hear all about the conference! It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of FUN!
Annie
I get so shy at blogging events- it seems to be like everyone is friends with one another and has no room to meet new ones. So I can use your tips! Have fun!
So do I! It’s so hard to step away from comfort and really put yourself out there.
Loved this post! SO excited to have you at Go Blog Social’s upcoming events!
Great reminders on the items to bring! I need to get all my stuff together 🙂 So excited to see you and network with everyone there! I’m pumped to hear the speakers and learn more for my blog! See you Sunday!
xo Jana
http://www.janastyleblog.com
Can’t wait to hear how GBS is! And I’m so glad you got your business cards in time!!!
Can’t wait to hear all about the conference! For someone who is applying for internships right now I’m going to need all the networking tips I can get!
Such great tips!! i’ve been to one blogging conference and I can’t wait to go to another one sometime. Love those business cards!
xo,
Angela
Thanks so much!! Which one did you go to?
I went to Bloggy Boot Camp through the SITS Girls.
love, love your tips! cannot wait to see you this weekend 🙂
See you soon!
You are going to KILL it this weekend girl! Yay for you being the bestest.
http://www.theadoredlife.com
Hollaaaaa
So helpful! Networking is definitely a learned skill for most – not something we are born with! It is so good to plan ahead to get the most out of a networking opportunity!
xo Rachel
Agreed! It definitely gets me out of my comfort zone, which is something I need desperately.
The workshop is going to be so fun!
Yay, can’t wait to meet you!
Can’t wait for Sunday, excited to see you lady!
Timely advice, Jess! I’m off to the Smart Success Seminar with Chalene Johnson in a couple weeks. Looking forward to a solo road trip to Orange County, some stellar career tips and motivation, and of course, networking with some super smart people!
Woo, good luck there! Networking most definitely gets me out of my comfort zone.
It gets easier with practice! As I can recall, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a pretty good one. Chambers are GREAT places to build your skills!
Great tips! Having a water bottle and snacks on hand is key for me. I love LePens too! They are one of my favorite pens. Enjoy Go Blog Social!
Give me all the colors!
Have so much fun! I am dying to go to a blog conference!
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Two day event in April, just sayin’ 😉 but that’s also easy for me to say since I live here haha
Great tips !
Can’t wait to hear about the conference
With love from London,
Hayley x
http://thelifestylemenu.co.uk/
Have fun !
Be sure to check back 😉 Glad that you liked my tips, Hayley!
Love this post!!! I am looking forward to this year and several blog conferences–I’ve never been before! Can’t wait to read your recap!
Katharine
http://www.paytington.com
Thanks Katharine! Which ones are you going to?!
really excited to hear more about the event!
hey beauties, check out my fashion illustrations:
http://www.fashionillustrationsbymc.altervista.org
I’ll be back with more on it for sure, Melissa! 🙂
Such great tips! Thanks so much, it can be hard to think of all these things when you’re excited to go. I’ll definitely refer back to this when I attend a conference!
xo
-A-
A Peck on the Chic
I get so excited the night before fun events like this that I lay everything out. I’m a dork haha. Glad you found these helpful!
Great tips! I was at the Go Blog Social event in October and completely ran out of the business cards I brought in about five minutes! Rookie move that won’t happen again! Thanks for the tips!
Sed Bona
Oh no! haha it happens to the best of us. Did you like the event? I’m looking forward to some mixing and mingling 🙂
Great tips! Wish I could join you — this looks like so much fun! HeartofChic.com
Maybe in April? 😉
What great tips! Can’t wait to read about the conference. 🙂 xoxo!
I’m glad that you liked them!! Now, if I could just kick this cold that showed up, I’d be set 😉
Your business cards look great, and I agree, a portable phone charger really is key!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Thanks so much Kelly! I can’t wait to hand those bad boys out 😉
This is such great advise. Thanks so much Jessica!
These are great tips! Making some notes for my next conference!
So glad that you liked them!