Should I Attend BlogHer '09?
by KristySFEvery year, we announce that our annual BlogHer event will have something for everyone.
And every year, we get lots of feedback like:
I don't think I'm a big or important enough to go...
I won't know anyone there..
I can't go, I'm a dude!
I'm not techie enough for a blog conference...
I'm way too techie for a blog conference...
So in case you -- or someone you know -- is feeling hesitant, here's our take. Please pass it on!
For new and beginning bloggers
Every year, a significant portion of our attendees come to BlogHer before they've even started a blog. So there will be lots of other beginner bloggers in attendance, and we'll make sure there are plenty of opportunities to get information at a beginning level.
To facilitate this, we will be taking a slightly different approach to technical sessions this year, instead offering an ongoing Geek Lab all day, both days. The Geek Lab will include two presentation areas, one reserved just for tutorials for beginning bloggers. Plus our tutors will also have "office hours", so if you need a few more questions answered, experts will be available for you. So if you're a beginner, you don't have to worry about tech panels being over your head. Instead, we will be gearing specific content toward helping you get up, running, and getting the most from your blogs.
For new-to-BlogHer bloggers
Whether you're a beginning or experienced blogger, we know it can be intimidating to attend a conference with a thousand+ other people, especially if you don't know what to expect. Please know that we will be working very hard to try and keep you well informed and well prepped before you ever set foot at the conference: through newsletters, blog posts, pre-conference guides and more.
And this year, we will be hosting an event just for BlogHer newbies on the first day of the conference. (We think it's a little easier to walk into a room full of people you don't know when you DO know that everyone else feels the same way!)
For small-is-beautiful bloggers (even those who think is small is beautiful, but are looking to grow)
How "big" your blog is has absolutely nothing to do with what you can get out of BlogHer. We all know our traffic can be more private than our bra size or favorite sexual position. (Just ask BlogHer co-founder Jory Des Jardins, who shared everything except her traffic in this vintage post: Every Blogger's Worst Nightmare).
Everyone is in the same boat...we're passionate about blogging; which likely makes us geeks to the non-bloggers in our lives...no matter how much traffic we have or don't have.
For the geeks (and wannabe geeks)
As stated above, there will be a two-day Geek Lab going on throughout the conference. The second presentation area will be reserved for intermediate-to-advanced tutorials, and there will be lots of tables set up for smaller group hacking, tutoring, helping others, troubleshooting and problem-solving. We're going to offer the opportunity for the community to propose tutorials they'd like to give or attend, at various levels, and let the community vote. So stay tuned for more.
Bottom line: more content for geeky BlogHers! Yay!
For the dudes
Yes, BlogHer is a community by and about women who blog and yes, our event looks like the living, breathing version of our online presence. But in no way to we exclude or discourage men from attending.
Any professional or marketer who wants to really understand the 2.0 space has to really understand what the majority of bloggers (that's women) are actually doing there. And hoo-boy! There's simply no better place to observe women bloggers in action than at a BlogHer event.
But there are lots of reasons for men to attend. The agenda we build is relevant to many audiences -- improving one's SEO or getting published, for example, has nothing to do with gender. Maybe you're a parenting blogger and have a lot of female readers. Or maybe you're not a blogger, but just want to understand why your partner, wife, girlfriend, mom, daughter, sister (etc.) is spending ALL OF HER TIME blogging.
Traditionally, about 10% of attendees are male.
So...what are you waiting for? Click here to register.
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Comments
Sold!
Cin Langston
So excited! I've only been blogging for about 8 months and thought this would be way over my head. Thanks for convincing me otherwise!!!
Hurrah!
Hi Cin,
I just saw your registration come through, and I'm so happy to hear it!
Plus geez - you'll have been blogging for over a year by the time the conference comes around. Practically an ole' pro. :)
Please ever don't hesitate to email with any questions you may have.
---
Kristy Sammis
BlogHer's Conference & Event Planner
e. kristy@blogher.com
For Everyone!
It really is for everyone and it has been the best thing for me. I hope to be sponsored this year. Wait, I know I will be so I look forward to it! *******************
My Wooden Spoon
A Cowboy's Wife
childcare available for mamas?
I'd love to be able to come this year, but being a single mother will need to bring my baby with me - is there childcare available? otherwise I won't be able to make it along...
www.badmuthablogger.com
Yes, we will have childcare
This will be the fourth year that BlogHer will be able to offer heavily subsidized childcare, thanks to our generous sponsors. The childcare is available all day during the conference hours (but be warned: childcare hours do end at the end of conference programming, before the cocktail parties.)
Also, babies in arms are allowed into the conference area. Plus we also try to have a room set aside for breastfeeding moms.
Look forward to meeting you :)
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
More Info on Childcare?
This is the major thing keeping me from looking for sponsorship and trying to get there - I had no idea there was childcare! I have a toddler who will be almost 3 years old at that time.
I am very interested in knowing more about the childcare - is there anywhere I can look for details (especially price, since I'm going to have to try to get that covered by a sponsor, as well)... or anyone I can talk to one on one about it?
Thanks so much!
Lotus (aka Sarcastic Mom)
Sarcastic Mom
The only info I have on childcare right now
So, Lotus, we don't have the final exact cost yet, because we're still working on both the contract with the childcare providuer, and on sponsorships.
That being said, I can tell you you should budget between $50-$100/day for a full day's childcare. I don't think it could possibly go outside that range. And if spponsorship goes like it has the past three years, I imagine it's most likely it will stick to being $50/day. (And the cost includes lunch and snacks for each child.)
Does that help for now? Because it might be another month or two before we have the exact cost picture down.
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
Yes!
That is extremely helpful. Thank you!
Sarcastic Mom
Because Survival Requires Humor
Thinking about it!
I really want to come... will have to see how the expenses pan out. Trying to get my main sponsor (husband) to subsidize the trip.
http://twitter.com/ahermitt
A few of my blogs:
http://www.nfahm.blogspot.com/
http://www.examiner.com/x-673-Education-Exami
You have childcare?
You have childcare? Cool!
I really want to attend. I'll have to run it past my husband and check the timing and details. But, cross fingers, I want to be there.
Mel
www.adventuresofthereluctanthousewife.blogspot.com
www.luluhooking.blogspot.com
boys are allowed!
Thanks for clearing up the whole, can boys come? issue. If it's okay with all of you, though, I'm going to continue to lie to my husband and tell him that it is for girls only. I can't wait to have a weekend with my female bloggy friend, both old and new.
See you all there!
http://www.ordinaryartblog.com
Funny This Should Be Mentioned...
I was discussing this same topic with some non-blogger friends last night over wine. They're PR types who know the power of BlogHer and insist that I go since I'm looking to grow my blog and its brand. Hmmm..they might be on to something. Thanks for posting this thread.
You're quite welcome
I'm very glad it's been useful! :)
-k
---
Kristy Sammis
BlogHer's Conference & Event Planner
e. kristy@blogher.com
I WANT A ROOMMATE
I desperately want to go to BlogHer but I won't commit to going until I have a roommate. This will be my first time going to BlogHer, FYI. So does anyone need a roommate to cover that hefty hotel charge? Please please please!
Angela
www.moving-along.com - My personal blog
www.hotter-than-biscuits.com - A trivia podcast
www.talking-gossip.info - A podcast about Gossip Girl
A question
I'm close to deciding to go, but I have one question after reading the registration information.
It says that refunds aren't available. July is half a year away. What happens if I register and can't attend? Could I transfer my registration to someone else if I found I couldn't go? Thanks.
MoBurns: Yes, passes can be transferred
Hi MoBurns, thanks for asking.
Yes, once purchases, passes can be transferred to someone else. Since we've sold out every year, we usually have a waiting list, so finding someone to sell your pass to, particularly if it's at early bird pricing is usually pretty easy.
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
Wondering...
I'd love to attend but the cost of flights between London (UK) and Chicago is prohibitive. Are there any organisations/funds to help out with costs? Will you plan to bring events over to the UK?
BlogHer in the UK
That is a very good question. Will BlogHer will be hitting the UK anytime soon?
This is doubtful for '09 I would think
We have long discussed the UK as a great place to bring BlogHer, particularly considering the popularity of the Geek Girl dinners there.
However with the US (and global) economic situation and the state of the US dollar, I'm not sure '09 is the year for us to go overseas. Just being totally honest.
It is definitely one of our long-term goals to go global with our events, though, so stay tuned...
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
BlogHer in the UK
Oh I wasn't expecting it to happen in 09. I understand that you have to build the brand over here. I was thinking more 2010 or 2011.
http://themusingsofondolady.blogspot.com/
Definite possibility then...
I'm not used to such patience, Ondolady :)
Thanks, and yes, I think the UK is a definitely possibility for future global expansion (and world domination, you know!)
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
UK Blogger too
I have the same problem :(
We are about to buy a house and so I don't exactly have the spare cash to get to the USA. I'm interested in a BlogHer UK conference or even just some kind of meet up to start with.
It would be seriously cool (my friend to Twitter keeps suggesting that I hire out our church building and get UK bloggers together - yeah cos I have the power to achieve that lol.
You totally have the power!
Although iw oudl suggest teaming up with one or two other women :)
When Lisa, Jory and I did the very first BlogHer, we were just three bloggers who decided to do something and asked for help and input via our blogs.
Just saying that it wouldn't hurt to ask your church what it would take to rent out their hall :)
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
Hi Elisa Can't say I really
Hi Elisa
Can't say I really have the readership to ask for help that way (I think I have 6 regular readers and I know for definite that three might be (I say might because it's not like I actually know who my readers are lol) are blokes lol. However I do have a lot of followers on Twitter - maybe there would be the place to start :)
However I think I might stick the question out there - who knows :)
Han :)
Maybe check out the international
scholarship?
Have you checked our our international blogger scholarship here? Maybe that's a way to get funding if it's appropriate for you.
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
Really Hoping I Can Make It!
I'm from Chicago and haven't been back in so long. I feel like it's a sign that my first BlogHer should be this one. ;^) I'm putting it out there in the universe that this is something I want to do and I'll be looking for ways to make it happen. I fall into seveal of the categories above and know the conference would be so helpful for me!
Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommy
Hoping to be there
Hope I can make it, we will see how things shape up!
www.mommyspeaceofmind.com - information on plastics and the health hazards
I want to go!
Was wonder if there will be special packages available at the hotel? It's not a cheap hotel by any means. I've never been to Chicago and I'd really like to be there!
Robin Skeen
www.robinskeen.com
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken - Oscar Wilde
Hi Robin...answers re: Chicago hotel
So, the $199 rate we've secured (including free in-room internet, which usually costs extra) is the package we've obtained for BlogHer attendees. You can get that hotel reservation info here.
Lots of people room share, and I'm sure our room share forum (found here) will start picking up soon.
Finally, two years ago we found a local hostel that reserved a number of rooms for BlogHers, so we will be contacting them again to see if we can arrange the same. It's not on-site, but it is realtively close by.
Also, don't forget we feed you...which a lot of conferences don't...so on Friday and Saturday your food budget should be minimal :)
Hope this helps. Look forward to meeting you in July.
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
Another question
Thanks Elisa! I thought I saw somewhere that the two day pass was $149. That price is not available on the order page. Did I miss it? Husband says go for it, so now I have to psych myself up to getting on a plane!
Robin Skeen
www.robinskeen.com
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken - Oscar Wilde