So this weekend I trundled off down to Kings Cross; to Mumsnet Blogfest 2015! My third — and final — blogging conference for this year.
Blogfest — run by Mumsnet — is where a number of my blogging buddies had all met for the first time last year but it was my first time.
Unlike Britmums and Blogcamp, early in the year, I felt like it wasn’t such a huge learning curve. Those first couple of conferences were such a huge deal; so much information to take in plus, as a newcomer, it was fairly daunting to walk into a room full of total strangers.
Roll on a few months and I didn’t feel as though I was in a room full of strangers. There were lots of friendly faces — some that I’d met before — some that I’d occasionally spoken to online — but all of the people there were chatty and friendly.
I got to hang out with my blogging besties for the day, hone my craft and mingle and network with some fab brands and some lovely bloggers — what’s not to love about that?!
Here are a few pics of my day.
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Highlights from Mumsnet Blogfest 2015
Highlights included David Baddiel’s Think Bomb session, The Crumbs Sisters chatting about their You Tube experiences and legendary film director Mike Figgis giving a talk on film-making.
Getting tips from a renowned and established professional is pretty amazing — especially as it was in a fairly intimate setting.
Plus seeing Emma from Brummy Mummy Of 2 win Best Vlogger was a highlight too. It was fab to see someone who is as lovely in real life, as she seems on the internet, be rewarded for all her hard work.
All in all, a fab day.
Such a treat to spend a few hours with some like-minded people who make this blogging malarkey so much fun. Coming to these events definitely gives me a real sense of purpose. It makes me so happy that I fell into this amazing industry!
So lovely to see some of my favourite online friends in real life.
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.
Aww, it sounds like you had great fun. I had a diary clash so didn’t make it this year but I’m looking forward to a few events in 2016. Sad to hear it’s your last Twinkly Tuesday (I missed the announcement last week), but I get where you’re coming from. Time to get some free time back! #twinklytuesdsay
It was brilliant — less so for learning but awesome to see everyone again!! Hope to see you at one next year?! And yes — I have just this round of comments to do for Twinkly Tuesday and then Mondays and Tuesdays will be all mine again!! :)
It would be great to meet you in the ‘real world’ – I have so many Dolly questions! ;) My next blogger event is Traverse in April and then Britmums in June. I’m hoping a few more might crop up in between :) X
YES! It would be so lovely to meet you!! Haha! We’d end up talking just about caravans, I bet!! I’m not going to BML next year — I’m off to Blognix in March and Blogtacular in June but I think I’d definitely do Blogfest again — I really, really enjoyed it! :)
I keep meaning to go to Blogfest but it hasn’t yet happened (I’d be one of the four awkward looking dad bloggers at the back). Seems like you enjoyed it and I had the god fortune to briefly bump into Emma of Bryummymummyoftwo myself the other day at a different event! #twinklytuesday
Aah it was SO good John! I saw Tim (Slouching) again which was lovely! I think more men should come to these events! Even it out a little bit!! :)
Wow! That looks amazing! As a newbie, I think conferences like that are quite a way ahead in the future, but I’d love to muster the confidence to go on day! I think I’d be a little star struck, meeting all the bloggers who I look up to!
#twinklytuesday
If you’d told me, this time last year that I’d have been to three, I wouldn’t have believed you!! They’re SUCH good fun! A lovely way to meet the people you’ve been chatting to online. I highly recommend it — but perhaps start with a smaller one first :)
I guess after a few events it becomes like a reunion rather than being strangers. I would love to attend some blogger events at some point. Thanks for hosting your last #TwinklyTuesday hope to still see you around :)
Debbie
That is ABSOLUTELY what it felt like!! YES! Much more like a reunion — certainly not anything to be daunted or nervous about, in comparison to the first I went to! :)
A really interesting read. I’m only six months into my blogging journey but I’d love to attend some blogging events next year – it’s just very daunting the first time like you say :) #twinklytuesday
I highly, highly recommend it!! Choose a small scale on to begin with. I went to BlogCamp in Birmingham first and that was lovely! Only about 80-100 people! Not so daunting as one with 500!! :)
Hi, glad you had a good time. I thought about going but am not sure how I’d keep my anonymity. It sounds like a really useful conference though so I need to figure out how to make it work. Thanks #Twinklytuesday
I know a blogger who — due to her work — has to remain very, very anonymous. I met her (in real life) at the MADS and found out she actually has a pseudonym! I think there are lots and lots of bloggers on the same boat. You’d be in good company. You just have to be honest when you meet people — I think everyone would respect your privacy though :)
Oh Caro it was so good to see you and I had an amazing day too – can’t we do it all again this weekend?! xxx
It was BRILLIANT seeing you pet!! LOVED it!!! Looking forward to the next time already! :)
Looks like you had a fab time – a blogging conference is one of the things of my checklist for next year. I think it would be so useful and great to meet everyone is person rather! #twinklytuesday
It was SUCH a fun day! Would definitely recommend :)
Hi Caro, great to see you had a lovely day! It looks like it was a great day and event. I Hoping to make it up there myself next year. Two years blogging and I’ve still to make my first blogging event. Roll on 2016 :-). Emily #TwinklyTuesday
Aah Emily!! I had been blogging for almost 2 and a half years before I went to my first blogging event!! ;) I was SO nervous for that first one but SO glad that I plucked up the courage and went along! xx
Looks fabulous. I love conferences like this as you always come away feeling really uplifted. I have never been to one as a blogger but attended one on a stand several years ago when it was all quite new and was fascinated. I get the whole first time nerves thing. I would be exactly the same but I guess for all of us newbies it’s the next step. Shall miss you hosting #twinklytuesday and thank you Nicky xx
Aah they’re SO good aren’t they?! I totally agree that you come away feeling inspired. Attending the conferences is now one of my favourite things as a blogger. I was SO scared, the first one I went to, I so very nearly bottled it and didn’t go!! I’m so, so glad I swallowed my nerves and went along.
Thanks so much Nicky — that’s so lovely of you — it will be weird not hosting every week! xx