Now, I don't mind these posts, I love reading about what makes a blogger happy and little insights into their lives. But a part of me does feel sort of left out. When I go through my reader, it really is only the "big" bloggers that are going. None of my favorite, smaller bloggers are going. Granted the big bloggers make money off their blogs and their blog revenue probably paid for the tickets, so they could afford to go no problem. But I feel like even if I could afford to go, I would end up just feeling like the girl that got invited to the popular girl's party only because she accidentally overheard them talking about it.
(That's me on the right. Not REALLY, figuratively) Maybe it's my own insecurities talking, I do have quite a few of them. I don't know. Maybe this really is my shyness shining through, and in reality I would just be utterly terrified to try to talk to all these women I don't actually know and who have seemingly perfect lives. Way too intimidated, how can I compete with bloggers who have massively successful shops, huge blogs, thousands of admirers, and who always look like a million bucks? (I'm still in my jammies with a cat in my lap.)
I think I would love the opportunity to network. To learn how to be successful and to love your handmade business. But I don't think I would ever go to a blog conference, I just don't think I'm the type of person that could truly benefit from it/enjoy myself.
What about you? Are you in my boat where you would feel totally intimidated and left out? Or would absolutely love to go? Or, are you actually going to SNAP this weekend? Share with me! :)
11 comments:
I feel the same way you do. When I first heard about it I thought that sounds awesome but then it quickly turned to umm I don't know anyone and honestly I think I would be terrified.
So, I sure don't think I fall into the 'big'blog category-and I haven't made any money blogging. I managed to win a ticket to the conference and since I have lots of family in the area,(I'll be staying with my sister) I figured it could be worth still paying for a plane ticket to get there. I don't think I'm in a spot where I'd pay for a conference though.
I think it totally depends on why your blogging. If your aim is to become the next PW, Dooce or Blogess, then you would probably stump up the cash. But for us 'little guys' it really does seem like a heck a lot of money; flights, hotel, spending money and the ticket, I'm in the UK so not even bothered looking!
I do wonder how much you would actually learn at these things, I see it more as a girls weekend away type thing!
I would so be the girl at the back of a lecture wondering what on earth I was doing there, looking for a an accomplice so we could sneak out and hit the shops or something!
Well done to Steph winning a ticket!
I am definitely not in a place where I think it is worth it for me to go. I definitely understand your thinking though and would probably feel the same way as well. I know a lot of the ladies are super supportive of newer bloggers but I think, just like in any scenario, cliques are bound to exist and people are going to feel left out. Since I don't have a relationship with any of the big bloggers, I think I'd feel like the wallflower for most of it.
I do conferences for my day job. I have a love/hate relationship with them because I almost always come back energized, excited and brimming with new ideas. Yay. On the other hand, I have to force my introverted self out of my comfort zone for that to happen. Boo.
How about trying a small, regional conference first? And set yourself two goals: get to know one new person and learn one new technique. That way you're wading into it instead of jumping into the deep end (socially & financially).
Good question! Obviously I'm NOT going...I'd get on that plane and birth a baby! But, I've wondered what they're like myself but know I can't afford it now, maybe never? And I'm fine with that. I think I agree with Amanda: what exactly do they come away with? A weekend of crafting and talking to friends but since I don't know anybody there, what's the point? I THINK AMIE, that you and I need to start up our OWN conference. Then we'll have a friend and can craft for a weekend together! Maybe you could help me finish up my baby bucket list! lol I don't think you're too far off the mark :)
With only 16 members I really will never be a "big blogger" even if I wanted. My life is just to boring and plain to get more people interested.
You are a "big blogger" in my opinion, with 676 members and always lots of people responding on your posts, so I don't get it why you would feel left out, really! I think you have a great blog and I'm not the only one.
Conferences are not for me, big or not. I don't do good in big crowds and would be too intimidated by all those succesfull and far more creative people.
(and I live in the netherlands, it's a bit to expensive to go ;-))
I'm totally with you. I might feel differently if I had some close blogland friends that were also my friends in real life. I think I would walk around feeling like a complete dork all the time. Not to mention the fact, that I would have no idea what to wear. The name of my blog was made completely tongue-in-cheek, and I would feel silly introducing myself as a "trophy wife":)
Yep, I'm with you... in the first place... I have all of hmmm 13 followers... and some of them are family (they count double or triple right!) so no I won't be going. Then again, I would rather spend my time sewing, reading and enjoying my DH. I guess you know, it's sort of like Amway... they always tell you that it "only" takes a couple hours a week to get going really well with them, but I wasn't really willing to "give up" that amount of time with my family.
Nothing wrong with being an individual either! Hang in there, don't be intimidated... you have a great blog! I really enjoy reading what you have to share.
Guess I'm not the sort who likes to stand outside the window waiting to be invited inside... seems to me; it's better to sit by the one that is sitting by themselves; making new friends isn't a bad thing!
The reason only "big bloggers" go is cuz it $300 for the conference.
Yeah, the Market (the boutique) is free to go to. But to get into the conference and get into the lectures or group crafts or whatever they do, is $300.
I live out here and was thinking of going to at least Saturday, they don't sell day-tcikets, or even half-day tickets. Yeah yeah more work or whatever. But for $300, H to the NO!
I might go down there for tomorrow to check out the market, but I will feel like a little fish in a big huge freaking pond. (I don't think I'll tell them I blog at all...)
I'll take my camera and see if I can snap some pics of SNAP. I love your blog and I definetly think we should talk more.
Agree. 100%. I'd be intimidated and shy and start to feel bad because I'd watch all the big bloggers hanging out and laughing and being buddy buddy and I'd just get down on myself...
On the other hand, if you had a bloggy friend to go with in the first place, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
And is it just me, or are those "big blogs" sometimes kind of annoying? Like a lot of the time I don't relate to them and end up taking them out of my reader. You?
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