On Saturday I did something really exciting! Almost 2 and a half years after writing my very first blog post, I went to my very first blogging conference. Blog Camp Birmingham.
When I started my blog I didn’t anticipate that I’d be writing it more than 2 years later. I was anxious about my pregnancy and wanted an outlet. Somewhere to write down my thoughts and feelings. And a blog seemed like the perfect place; a modern take on the traditional diary.
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The Love of Blogging
Back then, I didn’t realise how much my little virtual journal would become such a huge part of my life. Didn’t expect to look forward to writing my posts so much. To get such a buzz out of taking the photographs, to illustrate my words.
And a couple of years on I can say — with some conviction — that my blog isn’t going to be discarded any time soo. Nor left unwritten or taken down from the World Wide Web.
It’s such a fantastic creative outlet and I just can’t imagine it not being there now.
As my blog has matured, a whole host of other exciting opportunities have begun to occur. The chance to work with interesting brands; to create lovely posts inspired by their products or services.
Incredible Opportunities
We’ve been given the incredible opportunity to go on a little family holiday to Bluestone Resort in Wales. We had a fantastic day out Folly Farm — again as a direct result of my blog.
And I have met some really lovely people. Through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Fathers, mothers, bloggers, non bloggers, bloggers.
Plus I have a group of very special blogging friends who I regularly chat to on-line and — as of yesterday — in person!
So yesterday, I swallowed my nerves (and wow, was I nervous), caught the train and headed off to Blog Camp Birmingham.
The event was run by The Tots100; a network for mum and dad bloggers, with more than 8,000 members, reaching 10m UK readers each year.
Throughout the day I learned about Pro-Blogging, Metrics, Vlogging and how to be Camera Ready.
I met my lovely ‘virtual’ friends.
I chatted to some of the most influential movers and shakers of the UK blogging world. And left with a head full of ideas and inspiration.
I fell into this blogging malarkey completely by chance.
When I signed up for my free WordPress blog and wrote my very first post I had no idea that there was an entire sub-culture that went with it.
And since that first diary entry I’ve discovered new friends — real ones not ‘virtual'(!) —new skills, and a possible new career in the offing.
Amazing what you find when you’re not really looking, isn’t it?
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I was following along on Twitter and Instagram om Saturday feeling very envious of what looked like a really fun and informative day. It means I’m looking forward to BritMums Live even more, which will be my blogger event debut. (Okay, I’m terrified …)
It’s funny how your story seems to be such a common one. I fell into blogging out of boredom, because I’ve always liked to write and because it seemed like something fun to dabble in. Eight years later, I have my parenting blog, a TV blog, run a group blog about cycling and write for a national newspaper website. Blogging has become such a big part of my life, almost without me realising it. I can’t imagine not doing it.
It was such a great day Tim — I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m happy to have gone to a smaller event first and met some of my blogging friends though. I think Britmums will be a different kettle of fish altogether, as it’s so much bigger; I would have been a little too nervous to start with that one. After last week, I’m really looking forward to it now!!
Good for you for facing your fear and jumping in at the deep end! That said, everyone’s in the same boat aren’t they? And the blogging community is so lovely. Look forward to seeing you there!
BlogCamp looks like a lovely day, I was gutted I had to cancel my ticket. So glad you had a great day xx
Aaah such a shame you couldn’t make it! It was a great day, wish you could have been there. Hopefully I’ll see you at Britmums? x