Forgive me if this is a little discombobulated, but that's my general state at the moment and I don't want to get too far away from this without writing some things down. A lot of things down. Sorry this is a doozy.
I have, what I think, is a unique perspective on BlogHer. I've never been to one before, despite blogging since 2006. Which, surprisingly, is a pretty long time in BlogHer conference terms. All of the bloggers that I met randomly, in the elevator, at lunch, in the registration line, had been blogging for about a year, give or take. I've read all of the previous BlogHer re-caps. I read all of the Pre-BlogHer primers. Was it what I expected? Not exactly.
BlogHer is like high school. Don't let anyone tell you it's not. There are popular bloggers and groups that roam together. Groups that know about hush-hush events and others that get invited to top-secret parties. Now, having said that, everyone made me feel comfortable when I walked up to say hello and no-one made me feel shut out or made fun of my outfit. I can see how it's a natural progression for women who have done the conferences together before and have known each other for a long time to hang together, so that's what it's like and if you can accept that, then you are ready for....
Inspiration overload. In the sea of bloggers that were there and amidst the swag/twitter fiascos (more on that in a minute), there are some women who absolutely stand out as writers AND as people. It was a privilege to see them and hear them in person. I was so moved by the good vibes I got from just being around Karen and all her loveliness that I wanted to say things to her that would have embarrassed me. (I didn't. Maybe next time. If there is one. Or, if by some chance you are reading this, Karen, I think you ooze goodness and light and I wanted to hug you just to get close to it.) Nina Gotua had me lost in my minds eye as she read at the Community Keynote and Danielle Henderson's Stuck In the Middle With You was the best laugh I've had in a long time. Chookooloonks has all the posts here. Hearing posts that I thought were amazing on the virtual page brought to life by the people who wrote them is not something you can witness anywhere else and it was worth all of the....
Drama. Ladies. Please. Like I said, I have read all of the previous year's recaps and there is always drama. Every year. This year it's about the swag/sponsors. Here's the picture: Social Luxe throws a party before the conference even begins and starts handing out bags of swag that are bigger than my living room which are worth $1,000, and some even $4,000. This gets tweeted. Thousands of women who didn't put down their iPhones for one second of the weekend-long event read it. I think that this set the expectation that this was the year of SwagHer and people started to go a little crazy. I get it, swag is fun, especially when money is tight. I heard lots of talk about how people were stealing swag bags, but I was at Social Luxe and it didn't seem to be executed well. People were telling me everyone got bags once you registered (which I didn't.They were only for those who RSVP'd) even if you didn't RSVP (I didn't do that either.) The bags ran out a few people before me, but I can tell you, if there had been bags, I probably would have taken one because...
I didn't know I shouldn't. I went to a panel where there was a lot of discussion about building positive relationships through your blogs and relationships. I know what this means, but I wonder if everyone does? I have worked professionally for fourteen years treating people the way I would like to be treated, with respect and courtesy. I think we have an influx of new bloggers who weren't around for the first half of this party, before monetizing became an issue. I don't think everyone knows what it means to build a relationship. Why should they? The new generation hasn't had to. The money machine was in motion when they got here. I think BlogHer would be wise to put on a panel next year about what that really means. What do I mean?
What you should do: If you show up to a party given by a sponsor and they have made you a mojito, have given you good smelling samples and are offering you tasty snacks that involve a chocolate fountain and pound cake, stay for a while. Engage with the sponsors. Talk to them. Say thank you.
What you should not do: Wait in line for almost an hour for a party that handed out swag to the first so-many people through the door. Walk in, take a bag, turn around and leave. Not cool....
People. I got to room with Mayberry Mom. She has the cutest little giggle you've ever heard. You just can't know everything about a woman from reading her blog and I had a fabulous time hanging out with her. Of course, sometimes you can know ..
Too much. That's enough for now. Stay tuned for Part II.
