I mentioned recently that this weekend I was going to one of the biggest conferences in the blogging calendar.
Fuelled by the excitement of meeting up with some of my blogging buddies at the Birmingham Blog Camp, earlier in the year, I booked my tickets to Britmums Live 2015 straight after and was so looking forward to it.
The night before I didn’t have any of the nerves I thought I’d have — instead it felt a little like Christmas eve — I was SO excited!!
I took the train into London on Friday and met up with some of my friends at the hotel we were staying at beforehand — cue LOTS of excited shrieking and lots of cuddles. I paid for early check in which was a godsend — so nice to dump all the bags and sort myself out before we went over to the venue.
We made our way over to the Brewery, signed in and signed up to the talks that needed to be booked in advance.
The venue was fabulous; a beautiful building laid out over lots of levels.
There was beautifully decorated outside area — a busy, buzzing, craft room — then the workshops and talks planned for the two days were held in four conference rooms plus there was ‘The Hub’ — a room that was almost laid out like a market place for the brands and sponsors of the event to show off their wares. This is where most people caught up between sessions too as there were free refreshments available.
I won’t bore you with every detail of the two days, suffice to say that I loved every second of it.
I met some fabulous brands, listened to some inspiring speeches, talked to lots of lovely like-minded people and met up with some of my blogging besties.
I chose my workshops quite carefully beforehand and packed in each and every learning opportunity I could and — as a result — I learnt SO much new stuff. Highlights definitely included the advanced SEO session and the Pinterest workshop.
Plus I went to a ‘Define Your Design’ workshop and spent a lovely creative hour creating a mood board.
For anyone toying with the idea of going next year I’d urge you to be brave and book a ticket! This time last year, the thought of attending such a big event with lots of people I didn’t know terrified me but having just spent such a lovely, busy two days putting faces — and voices — to the blogs I read, and learning more about the industry that I’m now a part of, I *almost* wish that I’d done it sooner.
I say *almost* because one of the reasons I felt so completely at ease was down to the fact that I had some lovely allies with me. Bloggers that I’ve been chatting to over the course of the last year who are now my friends.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m a pretty confident girl in a room full of strangers but making smalltalk over two days is tiring.
Having some people you feel really comfortable around — almost as a security blanket— is something I’d definitely advise for such a big blogging event. Blog Camp was a great pre-cursor — a more intimate environment to meet my buddies for the first time — and was definitely the way forward for me.
Cutting my teeth on a small event was perfect.
Despite what I (wrongly) thought when I published my very first blog post, blogging is an incredibly sociable business. I guess the clue is in the name ‘social media’ — particularly as it’s the social media platforms that give you the tools to get your blog noticed!
For anyone reading this who may be thinking about going to Britmums for the first time I’d say GO!
You’ve a whole year until the next one; plenty of time to make some good blogging allies and attend a smaller event beforehand.
Btirmums Live 2015 was fabulous. Such a great opportunity to learn, meet up with some great brands and mingle with the blogging fraternity. I’m looking forward to the next one already. Maybe I’ll see you there? :)
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.
Thus is 2 events we have both attended and we still have met. Hopefully next year we can finally meet.
Although I did see you brief when you came to the talk table session because I was sat on Hayley’s table.
Aaah Nikki!! I WISH you’d said hello!!! :) Hopefully we’ll catch up next time :) xx
Wow it sounds amazing, I never imagined that such things existed lol, maybe I’ll be there next year x
Until you begin blogging you just don’t realise that these things even exist do you?! I had no idea!! So happy to be a part of it now though — it’s a brilliant environment to be in!! :)
Oh my goodness you are amazing and I am SO glad we got to spend so much time together. You make me laugh and you are infectious. Glad you enjoyed it and I did too. In fact I am exhausted as I had so much fun!!!! Here’s to the next one – yay xxxxxxx
Aaah pet — It was SO good to see you again!! I can’t believe what an amazing time I had!! No nerves at all this time — unlike BlogCamp. I can’t wait until the next time!! :) xxxx
Im still laughing at the mummies! ( the toilet roll ones)
Hahaha! That was HILARIOUS wasn’t it??? Bless them all with their arms up in the air!! I’m still amazed we broke that record!! ;)
that is the best photo ever! Love it. Such wonderful ladies all on one photo! Amazing. Bring on the MADS!
Aaah I WISH you’d been there!!!!!! We missed you. It was amazing to have most of the girls together — and I learnt SO much stuff too — my head is positively FIZZING over with knowledge!!! :)
Glad you had a blast. I’m putting my thinking cap on to work out how I can swing it to attend the next one ;-)
#twinklytuesday
It was fab — I really did enjoy it!!! SO lovely to see all the folk I’ve been chatting to online for so long!! :)
Love how supportive you all are over there, we just don’t have that here
Aaah that’s a real shame Mac? I’m surprised too. Maybe you can get a mega-generous sponsor to fund a trip from NZ to next year’s Britmums?! ;) We’d all LOVE to see you!!! x
Looks fab too. I hope to make it next year but will need some serious sponsorship to make it from NL. As a newbie blogger I am sure the advice would be invaluable. Very jealous! ;-)
Aaah!! You never know!!! Star hunting for those sponsors now!!! :) The advice was absolutely incredible — for me the SEO and Pinterest sessions were amazing!! I learnt SO much! :)
The venue does look amazing, I must say. Such a good idea to cut your teeth somewhere a bit more intimate first though. I think if I were to do a conference I’d only be able to afford to go once, so I’d probably have to jump in at the deep end with BritMums? There’s nothing really in the way of big blog events in the North East so there’s always travel and accommodation to consider and I wouldn’t leave Gwenn overnight so I’d have to bring her and I’m not sure that would be allowed (bearing in mind she’ll be 3 next June!). So I think I’ll just have to live vicariously through everybody’s posts! x
It was fabulous!!! Blog Camp was free (and there are quite a few popping up throughout the year, I think) but I paid for my Britmums ticket. A lot of bloggers managed to get sponsorship but I just felt too shy to ask!!! Sadly, you wouldn’t be able to bring a toddler — babes in arms were allowed but not older children. My boy looked after our sons for the weekend!! I got a pink ticket!! :)
I am so glad you wrote that the thought of going terrified you last year, as that is exactly what I was thinking whenever I saw all these photos on my twitter, going to this huge conference without knowing anyone – I am so shy in person, it really fills me with dread! But I see your tip about going to a smaller one first, maybe I will do that and hopefully be a bit braver to go to Britmums next year! It looks like there are lots of tips to pick up from going, and everyone seems to have had a laugh! Sabrina x
#twinklytuesday
I wouldn’t have gone last year Sabrina — not even if you’d have paid me to!!
But a year on, I’ve met such a lovely group of bloggers online and had met up with them at BlogCamp in April — which was only 100 people. MUCH easy to handle!! After seeing everyone in real life I couldn’t wait to book my Britmums ticket!! :) It was BRILLIANT!! :)
I bottled it in the end this year, but I’m definitely going next year!
#twinklytuesday
Aaah bless you lovely!! I was SO fearful last year — you wouldn’t have been able to pay me to go!! And this year was a totally different kettle of fish!! NO nerves at all — I couldn’t wait to go and meet everyone! :)
I have seen BritMums all over social media the last few days! Looked like everyone had a great time!! I think I definitely would be too daunted to go to a two day event and not know anybody The talks all looked great though! Glad you enjoyed it xx
It was fab Tracy!!! And you would know people!! There were loads of people there that I’ve met through chatting online — PLUS you’d get to know even MORE people!!! :) x
It was blummin’ amazing. I was quite sad when it was over (even though I was very ready to get back to my man and my girl). I am so glad that I have finally met you – you are as lovely as I hoped you would be and I hope it’s not too long before I get to see you again. :)
xx
Aaaah!!! It was AMAZING wasn’t it???!!! I LOVE meeting you darling — I was so happy to have (most of) our girls together!! Can’t wait to see you again xxxx
Sounds like it was lots of fun #TwinklyTuesday
Aaah it really was!! I can’t wait until the next one!! :)
Sounds like you had a nice time and I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.
I’m not overly sure on what britmums is, but the awards sounded like fun =]
It was SO much fun!! Britmums is a big blogger meet up — there were lots of brands there to meet, LOADS of bloggers, talks and workshops to help you to learn how to hone your blog and be better at what you do. It was amazing — can’t wait til next year! :)
It was interesting to hear what goes on at the event. Glad you had such a fabulous time!
It was so much fun — I would definitely go again!! :)
There were so many people I wanted to meet, but I didn’t manage to meet as many as I hoped. There were just SO many people there! Sounds like you had a great time. I was telling my husband last night about the world record attempt ‘mummies’ he couldn’t believe it! ha ha!
Aaah I can’t believe I didn’t get to meet you!! You’re right — there were LOADS there!! I missed seeing so many people I was looking for, I could have done with another day!! x
So lovely to meet you! And next time let’s make time for a vino! Xx
Aaah it was LOVELY to meet you!!!! I was so chuffed when you asked that question and I realised who you were!!! Can’t wait til the next time :) And YES — we’ll make sure there’s wine (or gin in my case)! x
Looks like you had a fantastic time. Love reading these Britmums Live posts. I hope to come next year
It was FABULOUS Beth!! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it :) So nice to learn all about the industry we’re in :)
Thanks for sharing your experience on BritMums Live. My mummy went on her own (brave I know) it was hard and she felt daunted, however she had a great time and did meet up with some bloggers she knew online. She was daunted by the larger groups of bloggers who all stayed together and felt it hard to approach a group, this maybe stopped her for interacting more. It’s definitely worth it, but you need to be confident and brave x #TwinklyTuesday
I totally agree! You really have to swallow your nerves and boldly just go up to people!! I was with my group for some of the time but was quite happy off on my own too! SO lovely to meet lots of likeminded people :)
Maybe you will Caro, maybe you will :)
#TwinklyTuesday
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
That would be AMAZING!!! YES! Come over for it — it would be so fab to meet you!! :)
I’m loving seeing all the pictures from the event…and what a great event, combining social stuff, blog stuff and a bit of wine/going out stuff in the evening.
Great stuff, might pop along next year (and try not to get family D&V in cornwall instead!) #twinklytuesday
Aaah DO IT!! Honestly — it was such a fun weekend — SO much to learn — my head is still buzzing from trying to retain it all!! x
Great stuff, I’m so jealous reading all these Brit Mums stories, definitely going to go next year.
Aaah you should both DEFINITELY come next year!! I think Tim ‘Slouching’ Thatcham would love another man to welcome into the fold!! ;)
It was sooooooo amazing wasn’t it?! I had the best time hanging out with you and all our wonderful blogging friends. I definitely agree that everyone should pluck up the courage to book a ticket and that it’s definitely good to have lots of chatting in the lead up. I was so relieved when I started to see familiar faces :) was so amazing to meet you! xxx
LOVED meeting you too!!!!! Amazing when I saw you for the first time — it was just like seeing an old friend :) I absolutely loved it — so happy I plucked up the courage to buy a ticket and go!
Looks like you had a great time Caro. Maybe see you there next year ;)
Aaah I really did Carol!! Hopefully I will see you next year! :) x
It was my first conference too :) I did wonder as I have only been doing it for three months that I might be too new to take any value from it but I loved it and have a notebook full which I need to work through!!I also went to the pinterest session and advanced SEO. I was so missing the point with pinterest! lol :) Shame we didnt get a chance to catch up – hopefully next time x #TwinklyTuesdays
Aaah I wish you’d have come and said hello!!!! Although I was in a world of my own most of the time!! I LOVE the Pinterest session — I was the one asking all the questions!! :) x
LOL oh no I think I was sitting directly behind you, next to the lady with the little baby boy, who was very cute and making me broody! Have plans to put a photo on the blog in the coming weeks so next time will be easier! Xx
OH NO!!!! Can’t believe I didn’t see you!! I did see LOTS of babies though — and I was feeling broody too ;)
I’ve been so envious of everyone who went to BritMums and I am hoping to go next year! It is a great idea to get to a smaller event first. I’ll aim to do that! :) x
It made the world of difference to go to a smaller even first. I would have felt very daunted to turn up to Britmums without having gone to BlogCamp first. I’d definitely recommend it though — it was such a fun weekend! x
Caro it was so fab, I have loved spending time with you this weekend lovely lady, I am so glad we all met xxx
Aaah it was BRILLIANT to spend time with you too pet!! Loved it — and felt so grateful for our lovely little team. We are lucky girls indeed to have found one another xx
Sounds like you had a fab time. I wish there was an event like this for us non mum bloggers! Thanks for hosting #twinklytuesday
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
I think BlogCamp was for all bloggers and I’m pretty sure Blogtacular is for everyone too :) You should look into it Debbie — I can’t recommend it enough! :)
Oh I will, thank you :)
I’m so glad you had such a brilliant time! I’d love to go to a blogging event this year and hope I get to meet you! I love your workshop picks too – good choices :) Mim x #twinklytuesdays
Thanks so much Mim — I had a fab time! Would be SO lovely to meet you :)
Ahh this is amazing, very persuasive too…! I’m on the look out for a little event, mainly because I need some of those workshops…I’m so clueless! Sounds like you had a fab and useful time. A lovely roundup #twinklytuesdays
Look out for the BlogCamp ones Lucy — MUCH smaller and easier to handle as a newbie blogger :) I’m so glad I went to that first — BritMums may have felt a little overwhelming otherwise! :)
Sounds like you had a brill time. Great advise about going to Blog Camp first as a bit of a warm up. I plan to this next year. It would be great to meet you lovely – I love your blog! xx
I really did — and weirdly was so much less nervous than I thought I would be too!! I think that BlogCamp definitely eased my nerves :) Hope to see you at the next one!
I a, so so glad you had a wonderful time. I will be there next year with bells on! Wouldn’t miss hanging out with my fave bloggers xx #twinklytuesday
Aaah we did miss you!! It was such a lovely event. I can’t wait until the next one — when you’ll be with us :) xx
Phew, I survived! Mr Introvert went to town, pitched up at his first ever blogging event and not only lived to tell the tale but thoroughly enjoyed himself. I had such a good time cementing friendships that had already started to form online and meeting new people. It was lovely to meet you – thanks for coming over to introduce yourself and chat. I feel like I have walked away from the event with so many new friends at a time in my life where it’s actually quite hard to make new ones.
So, where next? :-)
Aaah it was SO great to meet you!! I had an absolute ball :) I think initially it feels weird to bound up to someone and introduce yourself but eventually it just becomes fairly normal doesn’t it?! What a fab couple of days — I’m already looking forward to the next one :)