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.
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 :)