The best part about attending an event like the ProBlogger Training Event is the people. The people and the fact you can enjoy them guilt free because you can go home and go through the entire backlog of content from your couch. There’s so much to learn from the speakers. They are always very successful in their field, have such spirit and joy about them. I love that. But sometimes it’s what you take away from the people you meet that makes the difference. For me it’s about the people. I can always catch up later.
Baaaaad blog conference attendee. Let’s check out what I learnt…
I learnt that the ridiculousness of life always makes for the best stories. I heard from a friend of a friend the tale of a dentist who was performing dental surgery, requiring much concentration you can assume, when the power went out with a bang. Rushing to the window to see what had occurred she was greeted by a bird being electrocuted while trying to fly through power lines with the lid of a tuna in its beak. It had thrown out the transformer.
Poor bird. Poor dental patient! But can you imagine that. What a sight. What a remarkable, memorable, ridiculous sight. This story reminded me that always, the truth is stranger than fiction. You couldn’t make this up if you tried. We all have a story to tell. According to Trudie some {like me} more than others because we often find ourselves in some form of catastrophe or trouble. Write what you know, I think that’s what it comes down to.
I learnt that there are many ways to skin a cat. An old saying, a pretty gross one, but true. There are many different ways that blogger’s are deriving an income from their blogs. Some consult, write eBooks, sell ad space or sponsored editorial content. There are some who sell physical products, some have paid communities and content and there are those who are successful affiliates. This opened my eyes to the possibilities out there so I can continue to blog, enjoy it and work towards having a full-time blogging career and still being able to pay my mortgage.
I learnt that new friends are everywhere you just have to say hello. People are surprised to hear that I have a large amount of anxiety around being in groups of people. Large groups in particular. I get nervous, sick and it takes me awhile to settle in. I remind myself that people are kind, most of us feel some level of the same way and that if I talk to someone it gets better. Mostly. Some people are jerks and that’s their problem.
This weekend I met some amazing people. Lots of them. Rooms full of them and people were always open and willing to talk about where they were at with their blog, their aspirations {even just the small ones they felt comfortable sharing} and themselves. You never know what new friends you will make when you say hello. For me I feel like I really cemented some friendships this year. Short version? New friends are everywhere.
I learnt that sleep is for the weak & breakfast is for the wicked {wicked awesome}. Ha! No explanation necessary I don’t think. Or maybe something is required. You tell me.
I learnt that blogging is a valid career choice and is mostly about following your dreams. It’s so exciting to hear of people making their way in the world doing the thing they love. And at a conference like this there are HEAPS of them. People who marked out careers in writing, photography, web nerdiness and everything in between. People who sang, people who hug and especially people who follow their heart, their gut and their head to the life they never dreamed they wanted.
Those bloggers taught me that life can be whatever you want it to be. Your dream is your own and to go for for it. Worst case scenario you’ve got some great blog content if you’re willing to write about your own colossal failures. Which sounds just about perfect for me. I know now where I’m heading and what this blog midlife crisis was all about. I’m clear now.
And finally I learnt that blogs are communities and it takes a village to raise a blogger up. You can’t do this on your own. You could try but you wouldn’t get very far. You need readers, friends, a community of people who can help you grow and listen to your concerns. 3D people without blogs don’t really get it so you need your people. Draw them close and ask advice, give as much time and guidance as you can and celebrate your community of just as real world friends who want you to succeed.
And that my friends is what I learnt from the non-pro Probloggers during my weekend. Image then how much I took away from the Pros! Eeek. Be afraid. Be very afraid. It’s coming to a blog near you {this one!} soon.
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I’m so jealous! I want to go. Missed out on a ticket. 🙁
Ugh, the worst. I picked mine up straight away this year, I’ve missed out before. Next year for sure!
I am so looking forward to ProBlogger this year!
Me too!! See you there. 😀
LOVE this post Melissa. I’ve got a lot of ‘processing’ to do post-Problogger and not sure I’m ready to do it. I think I need to go over some of the presentations again. I never take notes in the sessions, rather I sit there and hopefully absorb stuff. But a few things did strike me – although I left less certain of my blogging future! xx
Thank you Deb. I’ve been doing a fair bit myself. Getting not much done and thinking a lot. I like it. I enjoy a good sit and think sometimes. We both need to remember to take those action steps too though. You should email me, I’ll help clarify your bloggy future. I’m excellent at cutting through crap for OTHER people. Haha.
Love these things you learned! Some insights here that I haven’t read elsewhere. I like the one about it taking a village to raise a blogger up. That makes so much sense.
One of my regrets about PBEvent was not being able to meet you. But as you say, large social situations are hard, and it was just beyond my ability to approach you when you were with a group of people (plus that’s kind of rude) so I’m hoping that an opportunity may arise in future 🙂
thank you. It was a major take away for me. Watching clusters of bloggers band together and team up to share and promote each other made me realise that we all need our community.
Gah! Really!!? I thought I recognised you via your necklace at one stage {day two, the one you posted on Instagram}, went to say hello and realised that I don’t think it was you, baulked and left. Haha. Another time for sure. Next time we’ll just interrupt.
Fantastic post – so true about the community aspect of blogging. Love your pics – wish we talked more at pbevent
Thank you Carly. Me too! We were both either on our way somewhere, in conversation or in the middle of a session. Another time for sure.
Great post. I was inspired too by the whole ‘many facets of blogging’ ideas swirling around. Actually everything is still swirling around in my head, I think I need to go back and be a virtual attendee and straighten it all out…
(How awesome was the breakfast!!)
xx
YES! Yes, that. So great to consider all the methods people have converted their blogs into careers and supporting their families through them. Love that. I plan to do the same. Take some time and ponder over it.
The breakfast. SO good.
Wow! Looks like you had an awesome time. I was so disappointed not to be able to go but I’m happy there are loads of informative posts around to find out what went on up there! Great photos. V.
I really, really did. haha. There are LOTS of great posts out there and well worth the time to trawl through I think. Thank you.
Agree with everything you said. Blogging conferences are mostly about the people for me too. Yes someone who shares the sickening feeling you do. But I agree that you learn the most from listening to those around you. And that’s just wonderful isn’t it?
Yes. The best. There’s so much to learn from the people you meet who are in a similar stage to you, learning the things you need on the ground right then. Sure the speakers are aspirational, but the people you meet give you the do now type stuff.
I missed your face this year. I still look back fondly at our time at Blogopolis and then the Kids Business thing. I will get back down to one of those one day!
“You can’t do this on your own. You could try but you wouldn’t get very far.”
This is true, unfortunately and was one of the reasons why I walked from blogging. I commented on blogs, spread the love around, interacted on other peoples blogs but very rarely ever got any of that love back and it finally got to the point of “why do I bother”, so I didn’t and also cut back on how many blogs I now comment on – chances are if you don’t interact with your readers via the comments, I’m not going to comment on your blog, what’s the point?
The comments thing is so hard isn’t it? Kinda like approaching a group of people only to have them stare at you.
I rarely get comments anymore these days despite being a commenter because hey if going to tea it I’m going to comment you know? I try not to take it personally when I don’t get any comments, people are busy, there are a lot of bloggers who don’t read other blogs etc. but I understand the painful bite. *hugs*
HA. Yes! I think of not returning comments like that too. Or when you’re in the shops and you say hi, and the other people looks at you like you have two heads! Awkward.
It’s true. I can feel your frustration with it all and don’t blame you for the decision you made to step away. I like to interact on my comments. Most of the time people contribute way more than I could ever write in the comments. For me, it’s the best part. To write, to be hear and to have someone talk back to me.
I learned that you’re still freaking awesome, even with your fear of feet 😉
I HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH YOU xoxo
Feet are soooooo gross! So I’m okay with people needing to love me despite that little thing. HA. But come on, my foot/shoe theory is a good one.
You too hun. SO MUCH FUN.
I slept a lot too – this blogger is getting old! 🙂
Like I said below, or kept away from the troublemakers. 😉 Haha. So glad to finally get to meet you. x
He he he bring on the ridiculous stories. I love this post and feel that from the tid bits coming out now from those like yourself who attended that I’m doing well in my little world and my little community. I didn’t attend conference, but I feel even moreso after our chat and coffee that I’m organically heading in the rights direction for me anyway.
Community has been a big thing in the forefront of my thoughts lately I’m gobsmacked how the community that surrounds me, my blog and social media platforms has astounded me with such generosity and many of them aren’t even bloggers. So yes, yes, yes I agree community is everything.
Community really is everything. In life and in blogging/online sales etc. Glad to have had the chance to catch up and meet the new addition. x
Go Suger. Your rock in more ways than you’ve outlined in this post x
Thank you Nikki! x
I must be weak, I slept a lot haha
Haha. Or kept away from the troublemakers. 😉
I love this list! Your last point was my biggest take-away from problogger this year too. x
Thanks Danielle. Me too.
I learnt you are so very lovely x
SAME! But for you. Thanks Nathalie.