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Sorry, any non-bloggers out there who might read this. This is one of those navel-gazing, cliquey, oh? you don't have a blog? Ri-ight type of posts.
Because I'm wondering about BritMums Live. The event (I think) formerly known as CyberMummy. (Is that right? Or is it something totally different and I've hugely insulted everyone involved, and probably got their brand manager sacked into the bargain? )
This could have been so easy. I could have gone the first year, when I was new and so was it, but we had a wedding. And then the next year (last year) we had a new baby. And if I'd been before, twice, then it would have been natural to go again.
But instead now it's this year, and it could be my first year, but it feels as though I've missed the boat. As though everyone else will know everyone else and I'll veer between standing in the corner trying to look approachable while at the same time hoping that the earth will swallow me up and affixing a rictus grin before bouncing into other people's conversations like Tigger on an uninhibited day and frightening everyone within a ten yard radius.
But if I don't book now, not only will I have to pay more, but I bet I'll also regret it nearer the time...
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
38 comments:
I know. I'm sorry. I hate these word recognition, are you a robot, guff things too, but having just got rid of a large number of ungrammatical and poorly spelt adverts for all sorts of things I don't want, and especially don't want on my blog, I'm hoping that this will mean that only lovely people, of the actually a person variety, will comment.
So please do. Comments are great...
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I am not going, I found it very large and intimidating last year and also very focused on new mums and new bloggers. I hid in the breakout room and got told off by the catering staff when asking for a drink!
ReplyDeleteOh. That's exactly what I'm frightened of - was hoping everyone would say "Come! It was lovely!".
DeleteHmmm.
Isn't Cybher12 the new Cybermummy? Or am I even more confused? Or even more out of the loop?
ReplyDeleteI'm far too anti-social anyway ;P
Oh blimey! I haven't even heard of Cybher12! Now I'll get their brand manager the sack too...
DeleteWell, maybe you could do with a break in London in June and could leave the kids at home. I will talk to you, and give you my sneaky Iota pre-conference tips for ensuring that it's not too scary (email the people you really want to meet, say "I really want to meet you", make sure you have their phone numbers, then use the occasion as a meeting point for all those lovely individuals, and if you happen to meet anyone else too, then that's all good).
ReplyDeleteYou will learn things and go home feeling both exhausted and motivated. The blogging world will seem huge and uber-professional and way above your head, but you will also have found little corners which are small, fun and jolly, and in which your participation is significant.
Blimey, they should employ me.
Great suggestions and advice. Iota you could write a great post on your top tips for attending a blog conference!
DeleteI like those ideas - and you're right. Are you sure you're not on commission? I am very keen on the idea of meeting up, in real life, with people I feel I know very well.
DeleteBut what if they don't like me (eek! *bites fingernails*)
The next Iota Top Tip is... give yourself permission not to go to everything. If you need to skip a session because otherwise you'd be on overload, then skip a session.
DeleteAnd... yes, as Michelloui suggests, get some business cards printed, with your name and blog name on them. You can get them for free at lots of places on the internet, but allow plenty of time. I did some for free with Vista, but ended up paying 17 pounds for 'express delivery' because I needed them within 2 weeks, or whatever it was (can't remember the details, but you get the point).
Deleteooh! Business cards! Very snazzy. Will do - need to redo my blog first of course, so that they all match up.
Delete*toddles off to think about it some more*
Excellent question. I'm not going. I went last year and I'm glad I did, although, like Jen, I did find it a bit much. And the fact it's a two-day deal now has put me off. I don't think I have the stamina for that (not to mention the times).
ReplyDeleteHaving said that the fact Ruby Wax is speaking is making me reconsider, a bit.
I am planning to go to CybHer because it's a bit different - not just mummies, which appeals. Also it's only one day.
There were three people behind Cybermummy and now two are running Britmums live and one is doing CybHer.
Aha - thank you for the explanation. I am totally out of the blogging gossip, clearly.
DeleteHave had a look at the Cybher site. Looks good although unless I do some serious juggling of dates, it's not going to be for me sadly. Will look forward to your feed back though and see if I can manage next year. Two days does sound pretty intimidating, you're right.
I went last year and enjoyed it BUT I had decided that there were people I would try and see, I'd spend a lot of time not joining in and escape if it all got too much
ReplyDeleteIt definitely had the potential to be a bit overwhelming but it was fun
That said I would have considered Cybher because it's less Mummy and I'm dithering over my Mummy-ness but I can't go because we have a wedding to go to
And I am on one of the panels on the Friday so I'll be thre to say hello to!
I find that bit of Cybher (now I know what it is) v appealing too - although all my posts seem to be about Mummy things admittedly. Not what I'm like in real life, honest. But like you, I can't do the date.
DeleteBut as you'd definitely be on my list of people I'd like to meet, if I do decide to go, you can expect an email asking you for your number (see Iota's comment above)!
I went the last two years and really don't think you should not go because you couldn't make those; what Iota said is true, just get phone numbers, meet up and you'll find some kindred spirits, I have no doubt. I would love to go again this year but am doubtful our travel plans will allow it - still, fingers crossed, you never know.
ReplyDeleteThank you. More reassurance. It all helps!
DeleteIf you go I'm sure you will enjoy it and meet people etc etc and if you don't go it won't affect your life forever. Lol did that help?! I don't go because I go to Guiding weekends that give me time away alone, inclusion, friendship etc I always wonder if I will 'fit in' this time, I always do, and I get a lot for me out of it. I also do work conferences occasionally so I think I get enough not to need the blog circle too. I also think its all seems a bit 'mumsie' for me now. 10 years ago I would have lapped it up though. Why not go? There will be similarly worried attendees and very friendly regulars. Plus if you really hate it you can skip class and have some 'me time' in London. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm clearly too well behaved, or indoctrinated, or something, because skipping class hadn't occurred to me until I read all these comments! The problem is that having lived for five years about twenty yards from where it's being held if I skipped class I'd find myself an old friend in an old haunt and probably never come back!
DeleteI’ve been to the last two. For me the number one reason to go has been connecting with the bloggers I only knew online. It made such a huge difference to the way I connected to other bloggers, I suppose because there was a more complete story behind their online name.
ReplyDeleteI know at BritMums Live this year there are workshops for advanced as well as beginners, so there’s something for both levels. I didn’t feel like the last two were overly mumsy, I must say, and I don’t consider myself a mummy blogger (or maybe I’m on the periphery of mummy blogging). The most mummy stuff I remember was just talk about fitting in blogging around parenting commitments but maybe that’s because I didn’t choose specifically mummy sessions—I don’t know, can’t remember!
Don’t let the two-day thing put you off either, what I like about the two-day thing is you can go one or both days, I don’t see why you would have to go both days! I know a lot of people felt one day wasn’t enough (well, that’s what I read in a lot of blogs) and as many people travelled to get there they said it would have been nice to get a little bit more fit in the time they were in London. And I don’t think it is two 8am – 6 pm days, I think the first day starts at lunch? Not sure. Check out the BMLive website for the schedule.
And with regard to going to CybHer OR BritMums Live—I’m going to both! I know in the States where there’s a lot more of these people go to as many as they can. I can’t imagine anyone would be offended if you went to both, as both are all about supporting bloggers in their blogging! Have you heard of the blogcamp.co.uk? I haven’t been to one of those but I would like to--they sound pretty interesting as well!
Sorry, was that more than you wanted…? ;)
Definitely not more than I wanted! All v intersting and positive! Like you, what I really want is to meet in person some of the fab women I've *met* online. As I said above CybHer looks great, but I can't go sadly, and being in Scotland, anything like this is a bigger commitment than it would have been three years ago, just in terms of time and travel etc.
DeleteBut again, it's interesting that you don't have to go to both days. I'm wondering therefore about staying with friends instead of the hotel, or catching up with my sister or something. Do you think that would be terribly bad form? (aka would I miss out?!)
I wasn't involved with BritMums during the planning stages of the conference so when I read that it was two days I actually felt slightly let off the hook--if I became too overwhelmed with family schedules I could just go one day not both.
DeleteAs far as missing out by skipping some? I suppose that only depends on your perspective! If you have a look at the schedules you could even come and go on the same day I'll bet, and tie the whole weekend with meeting up with people outside of blogging. Although, you may not want to once you're there.
I didn't stay in the hotel last year and I didn't feel like I missed out at all.
Also worth mentioning is that I didn't go with a plan to meet any one person, and yet I still hooked up with a couple of online friends, and of course kept bumping into people--sometimes recognising them but usually peering at each others' name tags and saying 'oh! Hiiii!' in recognition. And everyone is in the same boat--very few people came with another person.
Some people had t-shirts or bags with their logo, many people had business cards (Moo or Vista print are good brands for that) but mostly people just spent their non note-taking energy catching up with people. And NO ONE CARES if you just skip out on the sessions and chillax in the chill out zones, chatting with friends!
Hope I get to meet you there! :)
I suspect you will... I am getting increasingly tempted. Although as I've just paid my tax bill it might have to wait until after I've been paid!
DeleteOh, it's tricky. I went last year for the 1st time and found it very full on. Yet....to meet the people who I felt like I already knew was brilliant and I wouldn't trade that as meeting maybe cemented those 'friendships'. Agree with Iota, there will be corners of that which are just lovely and if you follow her top tips you'll be right!
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to any then I'd go to Cybher but that's a personal preference as I think I'd feel more at ease with that low key, not all Mummy vibe. I find britmums all rather full on, prescriptive and gigantic now!
We should really do coffee Borders lady - what happened to that plan? Shit happened as usual! ;)
Coffee! Yes! Off to mail you... Let's chat about all this over cake (can we have cake?!)
DeleteOh, I do hope you can make it this year. We’ve worked really hard on the programme to make sure we separate out beginning and advanced sessions (we’ve added some really good ones for more established bloggers, check out the agenda http://www.britmumslive.com/2011/08/agenda-2011/).
ReplyDeleteWe’re also not mumsy at all, or aimed at younger mums, there will be bloggers (non-parents even) there such as Mademiselle Robot (fashion), Ms Marmite Lover (food), Steve Kennan (travel), Left Foot Forward (political) as well as think tank Institute of Idea and academics. The idea is to give as wide a view of blogging in the UK as we can.
Although the plenary sessions are large (it’s a big community) we’ve also added a fourth stream room, which will make smaller sessions.
And of course Ruby Wax, Sarah Brown, Cherry Healey, and Allison Pearson will all be there too to talk with the community. (Ellen, I know Ruby is dying to meet you).
Come seek me out at the event and I’ll hang out with you (and Iota). I hate crowds too (really). But I do love seeing a community come together. The feeling is electric, nothing compares to it, and you could light up all of London with the energy!
xx
I'm not sure you're going to have time to hang out with anyone are you?! Would love to though if you get a chance, and thank you so much too for taking the time to come over and reassure.
DeleteIt does all sound very interesting (if still a little scary). Funny too that I fall into the category of "established" - I still rather feel like I'm feeling my way!!
We are ALL feeling our way (through blogging and parenthood), but that is what is so great about this community that we learn and support each other. x
DeleteNearly five years into parenthood and two and a half into blogging I am beginning to realise that! It's all about making it up on the spot really isn't it?!
DeleteReally hope you come - so much of the conference is devoted blogging as a craft and skill. Obviously we need to work harder so it doesn't come across as a day of mumminess!
ReplyDeleteI think the most important thing to enjoying a conference is along the lines of what Iota has suggested: arrange to meet up with a few of the bloggers you know or what to meet, pick the sessions that are don't miss, then allow yourself the space to "do the conference" your own way. Maybe that means spending time in the lounge chatting to your closest blogging pals. Maybe it means making a goal to meet X number of other bloggers or at least say hello. Maybe it means finding one or two brands you'd like to work with.
We're working hard to make sure that the event kicks off with a friendly tea-and-cake mixer so you can find a few folks to pal around with and that it's not overwhelming.
Golly! If even you reckon it's ok to pick and choose, it must be! As with Susanna, thank you for taking the time to come over. It all helps.
DeleteI will be discussing with B tonight...
You missed the three crucial words in Jen's reply. TEA-AND-CAKE.
DeleteTea and cake and wine with Knackered mum. Sounds good. Might end up skipping *all* the sessions though...
DeleteI've been to Cybermummy the last two years...as the community grows I'd expect BM & CH to be big and a little overwhelming by virtue of that but quite cool in terms of connecting with bloggers you follow / online friends and coming away with some fresh food for thought. My advice if you go for either would be try to connect with others you know going, keep an open mind as you will no doubt agree and disagree with things you hear on the day and just nip out if it all gets too much! These things are meant to be enjoyable after all.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I'm getting the impression that with a little preparation, big and scary can be made to feel small and friendly...
DeleteHa, what a joke,
ReplyDeleteYour post has clearly come up in someones google alert (i.e. Brit Mums as they have both been over to jolly you along to their event.).. and I do believe that @Michelloui is on their payroll too!
Don't believe the much tossed around hype that Britmums Live is anything to do with Cybermummy. It isn't, Britmums didnt make Cybermummy a success, Sian did.
Thanks for the comment. I had registered both Susanna and Jen and I'm not so naiive as to think that they're not going to encourage people to come if they get a chance, so don't worry about that.
DeleteAs for CyberMummy/CybHer/BritMums, there's obviously a lot of politics involved that I don't know about and in which it's not my place to get involved. As I said, now I know about CybHer I think it looks fab and I would be very keen if I could go, but I can't. I hope it's a huge success though - and look forward to maybe doing it next year.
planb - I'm going and we can have wine together. Enough said.
ReplyDeleteConsider the ticket bought.
Delete