Ella Woodward aka Deliciously Ella onstage
Whether it is to network, collaborate, meet friends or simply to drink the wine, #BML16 is THE place to be. So, you are a new blogger, you have just taken the plunge and bought your ticket; how do you prepare for #BML16 in order to get the most out of the experience and be stress free? Here’s how;
- Polish your blog
It’s time to get your blog shining like a new penny. You are going to be making new connections, whether that is other bloggers or brands and you want to be proud of what you are presenting to them, So tick all those jobs off your to-do list now.
2. Order business cards
It’s really useful to have some business cards ready to hand out when you meet people. You will look like you take your blog seriously and it is easier to swap cards when you meet people, than try to remember everyone. Also often brands have a bowl on their stand for cards and there are prizes to be won. Go for a good quality, well printed card too.
3. Research the conference
We feel less stress when we are prepared; so take some time to read about the conference. You will be able to find many write ups from previous years on other blogs and there is information on the BritMums site too, all of which will provide you with stacks of information on what you can expect.
4. Get chatting to other attendees
It might not be possible to find an attendees list prior the the event, but for most conferences (including #BML16) there will be a private Facebook group where you can all chat prior to the event.
5. Make a list
Write a list of any bloggers you are in contact with (maybe via social media) and that you want to meet up with. Contact them and make a plan to get together before or during the event. Things can get quite busy and it’s often difficult to catch up ad-hoc.
6. Research the sponsors
Research the event sponsors to find the ones that would fit with your blog and make a plan to introduce yourself at the conference to give them your card. Don’t be nervous, remember the brands that are there want to interact with bloggers, so go chat!
7. Note the event hashtags/twitter handles
Make sure you know the specific hashtag for the event, so you can tweet when you are there and join in the specific social media feed. If you are being sponsored to attend, make sure you know what the brand expect and make sure you have the appropriate details with you.
8. Devise your elevator pitch
Chances are you will be introducing yourself to lots of new people at the conference; this will be a much nicer experience if you nail how you describe your blog. Stumbling over your introduction will only make you nervous, so just take a few minutes to sum up your blog and what you blog about in a sentence or two, then you can just roll it off the tongue.
Have you been to the BritMums Conference before? What advice would you have? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t miss out on the blogging development sessions, networking and more at #BML16!
Saturday, 25 June 2016
The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SD
