I wasn’t planning to go to Blissdom Canada this year. When the tickets went on sale, I didn’t even try to buy one. I was two months away from giving birth and I had no idea what my baby would be like at 5 months old. Besides, I didn’t know who was speaking and as someone who has planned large-scale conferences, I just couldn’t bring myself to shell out money for TBD.
Twice, I was offered tickets to buy and twice, I declined. I didn’t really want to go. I didn’t see the value in it. Finally, a couple of weeks before the conference, someone offered to sell me her ticket, and I caved. Ultimately, I figured I’d regret not going. So, I decided I would to take Em and I knew there would be a lot of people I wanted to see. As October 13 approached, I got increasing excited.
I went. And, I came away with two very distinct impressions.
I don’t see the point of blogging conferences, aside from the social aspect. There, I said it. I just don’t see the value in terms of content. I felt this way about BlogHer, too. To me, it’s a lot of here is what worked for me, but that is not to say it will work for you. I don’t find that helpful. It’s great to hear success stories, but I want some information I can apply. I want something I can take away. I want something I can sink my teeth into that expands my knowledge base and maybe shifts my opinions on things. I want depth.
I think we need to move past who and what, and onto why and how.
What frustrated me most about the content was that, in many cases, it was delivered by the same people I’d heard it from before – last year at Blissdom Canada, in fact. Lovely people. People I admire and care about. But, the same people. Why? There is a wealth of perspectives available. There are people who have knowledge and stories to share. We are many. I want to hear a diversity of voices.
I want to hear from people who do social media for a living – and I am not talking about monetized blogs. I am talking about people who earn a living teaching, consulting, coaching, and creating success stories. Who are the people behind the scenes making big things happen? I want to hear about successful advocacy campaigns and how to engage people. There is a lot happening online that these conferences don’t tap into; there are people sitting in the sessions who are doing remarkable things.
I am not interested in monetizing my blog. I am not interested in working with brands. At all. It is just not going to happen. So, what does a blogging conference offer me? Where is the value?
My only answer is the people. Lovely, loving, accepting people. Like I said, I took Em to Blissdom Canada with me. I packed toys and diapers and changes of clothes into my over-sized purse, armed myself with my sling and headed off. I was a bit nervous. Would she be fussy? Would she be loud? Would people think her a nuisance?
I need not have worried. She was embraced – literally and figuratively. Her presence was not only welcome, it was requested. I nursed her during sessions to “thumbs up” instead of side-eyes. I carried an empty sling around because she was being held in people’s arms. In fact, I have never spent so little time with her! Women whisked her away so I could concentrate on a session, or so I could get my nails done, or get a massage, or so I could go to the bathroom…alone!
People cared for her and about her. And me.
My mom sent me a magnet that reads they say it takes a village to raise a child, but no one ever tells you where it is or how to get there.
I found a village at Blissdom – a community of women who knew enough and cared enough to give me a break. A community of women who didn’t just tolerate my daughter’s presence, but enjoyed it.
So, where does that leave me in evaluating the value of Blissdom Canada? Was it worth the money? I can’t decide, to be honest. The sense of community was invaluable, but is that the only reason to go? I’m not sure.
Most of what I’ve read since the conference has been positive. People seem to be basking in the after-glow. I don’t feel that. I have never felt that after a blogging conference. Maybe I’m doing it wrong. Maybe I need to manage my expectations. Maybe I need to accept that blogging conferences are blogging conferences and the content is just not for me. Maybe I need to spend my time and money at smaller-scale conferences or camps specific to my interests. Or, maybe nowhere at all.
What is your impression of content at large-scale blogging conferences?
Does the social aspect compensate for content if you don’t learn anything?
Do you go to a blogging conference to learn and grow? If not, why not set that standard?
