If you’re not a blogger and you’ve never attended a conference you may not know what the big deal is. Probably 90% of the time bloggers work at home, between chasing kids, doing housework and outside jobs we blog and keep everything going. While some of us do work from the home and have some outside interaction, actually explaining what blogging is, is harder than most people think. Ever try to explain to the less than tech-savvy what a blog is, and how you might make money doing it? Or even how you work with companies to bring them more clients and traffic.. it’s almost like speaking another language und sie nicht verstehe.. Yup, just like that ;).
Blogging conferences are just like any professional conference. Not only does it allow bloggers to get out of their normal day working on a computer, but it allows us to network with other professional bloggers. We don’t have to explain what blogging is, have people look at us like we have a third eye in the middle of our forehead and maybe a horn growing too. Instead we can talk SEO, Widgets, Apps and have someone else actually know what we’re talking about. It’s a nice change.
I’m not going to lie, meeting the brands at the conferences is great too, as well as the events. But it’s a fantastic experience to meet like minded professionals and learn more information that will help the blog grow more over the next year or more.
So this summer, besides blogging and teaching, I will be on the road a lot. Last year I only made it to two conferences, and it was great for learning and networking.
While I love going to conferences the costs can get expensive. I have secured tickets to all of my conferences below, but if any brands would like to help me with the additional costs listed please email for more information!
This year’s conference schedule:
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NEOCON! OK – this isn’t a blogger conference as all. However, this year I’m going as Media. NeoCon is the yearly Interior Design Conference in Chicago. Why is this
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important for me to attend? Besides spending a day (seriously not even 24 hours) with my best designer friends I get to network with other designers and brands in my field.
Since I’m teaching design now, I want to stay up to date on the current trends and materials out there. This will help continue my education in design so I can stay current – and don’t worry we might get some goodies for the blog coming out of it too!
I’m super excited about my 22 hour trip to Chicago and back! Thankfully the costs for this trip are minimal.
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Reviewer’s Retreat – Last year Reviewer’s Retreat was my first blogging conference. I don’t know if I should admit this or not, but it was a good “entry conference”. Not only was it a great experience meeting other bloggers from all over the country – but connecting with brands as well. The size of
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Reviewer’s Retreat is not overwhelming for beginning bloggers. It has almost an “at home” feeling and was a great time.
Now this is in Georgia this year (I dream of them moving it north some day *hint hint*) but that alone is going to add some expense to the conference. I have already picked up my conference ticket but could use sponsorship help on any of the parts:
Transportation: Myself and a neighbor blogger will be driving down – it’s really just 13 hours straight down I-75. We will be taking her SUV, after last year’s math problem. But we could always use help with gas funds since it will take us 3-4 tanks each way. About $300-400
Hotel Costs: We will be staying at the Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens where the conference is being held. Hotel costs will be $139 a night and we will be there for three nights. Any assistance with this would be awesome! About $450 after taxes.
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Blogher – Back to Chicago I go! I seem to live there part of the year now. I am super excited that Blogher has returned to Chicago and it’s option for me to attend this year. There are so many events and blogger connections to be made at Blogher – the scale alone is a bit intimidating but I
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am completely ready for this one! I was so sad I couldn’t make it to last year’s conference in New York. But this year it is the attainable dream! Next year I would also love to attend BlogHer Food.. oh the dreams!
Like Reviewer’s retreat I have already covered my ticket cost on this conference. But there are a lot of other expenses for this conference!
Transportation: I have already set up a car to review for the trip, but I will need help fueling it. Chicago is a lot closer so I would only need help with about 3 tanks of gas total. Around $150 total.
Hotel Costs: Ideally I would love to be able to stay at McCormick Place for the duration of BlogHer. I will be arriving in town on Wednesday and leaving Sunday. At the Sheraton Chicago where the conference will be hosted. Four nights at the hotels will cost upwards of $800 + Taxes + Parking of $50/night. That’s a chunk of change! Sponsorship of any portion of this would be greatly appreciated!
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Mitten Moms – Yup, we have a Michigan Conference! It is open to blogger’s outside of Michigan as well as sponsorships outside of Michigan. Thankfully it is being held only 30 minutes from my house and all of my expenses have been covered this year. But that
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doesn’t mean companies can’t become involved. Mitten Mom’s is currently still seeking sponsorship as well as brands who want to connect with Michigan Bloggers. If you want to find out how to become more involved, feel free to contact the conference here! You’ll be in great company!
So the Nitty Gritty – What do sponsors get?
OK, you’ve made it this far – read all of my schpeil and want to know what’s in it for you? As a sponsor of Week99er, of any level partial or whole for any of the conferences above you will be provided several things including:
- Above the fold advertising on the main page linking to your site for 6 months following the event.
- A button and link on my sponsors page – there is no time limit on this one!
- A post about your company and your sponsorship before the event on Week99er’s blog
- Tweets or Facebook shout outs during the event
Other advertisement options can be discussed of course too. I’m going to be working a ton this summer, traveling a bit more and hope to connect with some of you all on the road.
If you are interested in helping sponsor Week99er with this year’s conference costs please email me! Thank you!