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A Guide for those NOT going to BlogHer
By Laurie | July 30, 2010
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It’s that time. You know, the time when our Twitter and Facebook streams are over-populated with excited women talking about the biggest blogging conference of the year. Yes, BlogHer. |
It all gets to be a little too much when you (ahem, me) aren’t going. I get it. I do. It is exciting! Free stuff is nice. Going to swanky parties and taking photos with celebs is cool. Meeting people you have become friends with and like, love, admire, and stalk online can (sometimes) be fun too. I’m really happy for you. I pinkie swear! You will have a blast and most everyone not going will be totes jealous. I hear there are even sessions too!
You will find plenty of lists or guides that tell you what you should expect or what so-and-so have recommended you do before, during and after or while shopping, packing, attending parties (and being upset about the ones you were not invited to).
Me? Since I’m also such a giver, my guide/list is going to be about what you– others like me who are not going — can do to make your BlogHer week experience more enjoyable. If you’re going, this Guide is probably not for you:
1. Unplug.
Turn off your iPhone, BlackBerry, Droid, or laptop for the weekend. The only thing worse that watching grown women brag about free alcohol, sponsorships, and junk swag is watching other grown women bitch about those that are getting them from afar. If you don’t like it? Take. A. Break. Don’t sit at home and be a Bitter Betty. You will regret it, and everyone will call you a hater. They will be right.
2. Plan a trip to NYC.
New York City is fabulous. Everything you’ve heard is true. What’s not so fabulous? NYC in August. It is hot and humid. You have to walk everywhere unless you take a cab which is expensive as hell. While attending parties and sessions, most attendees will probably spend the majority of their time there inside a hotel or conference room verses out and about exploring the city. No matter what, these women will be dripping in sweat. Some of them will attempt to wear Spanx or Yummie Tummies and high heels. They will want to die. You will be in the comfort of your air conditioned home and can watch as they complain about it while planning your trip to NYC for next April or May. You know, when the weather will be nice.
| 3. Go shopping. Tired of all the talk of new dresses and shoes? Put all the money you saved by not buying an airline ticket, pricey hotel room, and conference ticket to good use. Go treat yourself! Buy a new outfit and even a pair of shoes (or two) — cute ones! Meet Rose and Hellena (right). These are my new lovelies. Coach makes me happy. Very happy. Perhaps slightly happier than going to New York, even if I don’t get to buy ice cream from a Coach Treat Truck. If it’s still around in August and you get a picture with it, I want to live vicariously through you. Tweet me the photo so I can be jealous. |
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4. Wear your new shoes around the house.
Your friends will be walking around NYC in Crocs, flats, or hopefully something else comfortable (if they are smart). That cute new pair of heels you just splurged on? Wear them around and tweet pictures with the #BlogHer10 hashtag. Everyone will oooh and ahhh at your new purchase and will ask if your feet are in pain. You can honestly answer that no, your feet are just fine. They will all be jealous and in awe. Also? Every single pair of shoes I wore in New York were pretty much filthy and ruined. It took a week for me to finally scrub all the street grime off the soles of my feet/shoes. Yours will still be clean and new. Bonus!
5. Have a girl’s night.
Call all your IRL (in real life) friends and besties and go out on the town. See a movie. Surround yourself with people you love and who love you. You can even wear your new outfit or pair of shoes. You’ll be away from your computer, and will no doubt have a great time laughing and hanging out. There’s no need to spend all weekend shut in and feeling sorry for yourself. There Is Life Outside Your Apartment (or house), but you’ve got to open the door! Create your own hashtag. So what if you’re not Martha. I think #laurieblogger has a nice ring to it.
6. Volunteer.
Do something for someone else. You can organize a Tweet-Up that benefits your favorite charity. You will no doubt meet new people who you can network with, and you could even invite other local bloggers who may not be going to the conference either. It’s a win-win because you will be doing a great thing and have the opportunity to make new friends. You can also (shameless self promotion) donate to my 60 mile breast cancer walk if you’re looking for an easy way to give back or support a fellow blogger. I’d be grateful, but I know whatever cause you hold dear would appreciate your effort too.
| 7. Go out to a fancy dinner. Did you know that some NYC restaurants have Sister locations in your city? My friends and I made reservations at Craft Dallas in August. There is also a Grimaldi’s less than 30 minutes from my house. It will be just like I am there. Almost. Do some research and find your own little piece of New York right at home. |
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8. Plan your post BlogHer blog posts.
Everyone and their sister’s mother’s cousin is going to have a post up about BlogHer (with a zillion pictures of everyone else who was there too) the week after they get home. Believe it or not the chatter doesn’t end after the conference does. It’s not that they are trying to make you jealous (okay, maybe they are). Still, there will be people like you (or me) who will be looking for something else to read. Because honestly? The posts will all start to sound the same after the first few. A post about what you did over the weekend, the charity event you planned, how much weight you lost, cute photos of your niece, nephew or dog will be just as interesting to me and the thousands of others who were not in New York. Please give me something else to read. Please? Also, with that said…
9. Try not to complain (too much).
Your friends are excited. Be happy for them. Read their posts, and maybe even comment on them too. It’s hard. I know. They probably met someone famous, or got some cool swag. You’re jealous. I am too. Be supportive. If you did something super-cool-and-fun you wouldn’t want everyone hating on your good time. Suck. It. Up.
10. Buy a ticket to #BlogHer11.
It is a lot more fun to write a guide about actually going to an event than not. At least I think it is. Besides, then you’ll get to annoy make all your friends who aren’t going jealous. It’s the Circle of Life, baby! Let’s just hope it’s not in New York City. In August.
Topics: Daily Ramble | 10 Comments »
Awesome Advice Laurie. Awesome. I went to only one BlogHer (2006) and to this day I regret it. It was not fun, it was cliquey and catty and expensive. And that was Chicago! NYC IS awesome but not in August. You are right there.
Posted by: CPA MomLove it Laurie! Great writing skills dear!
Posted by: Tammy KYES! Buy a ticket to BlogHer11. I wouldn’t mind if it was in Alaska or something.
Posted by: corrinYou know, I’m not even close to having “issues” about BlogHer this year..probably cause I’m working and a little more detached from the bloggy hype. I think I’m better for it.
Posted by: Jean M.One thing you forgot to mention…supposedly NYC is having a major bed bug issue in the hotels. EEEWW!
Good
Posted by: xela2oo9Love it!
Posted by: ChristineI am totally tweeting uncomfortable shoes the entire weekend…genius.
Posted by: TexashollyAwesome! I think you’re my new crush! These are great ideas. I’m sitting on an unused BlogHer ticket. The horror! I think I’ll put on my new shoes and wear my nametag (complete with lanyard) around the house all weekend.
Posted by: Jennexcellent advice:) Hope you had a great weekend!
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