The four commandments (#NNB2012)
I had an entire post ready for publishing today. It only required minor tweaking and a final edit. Alas alack, I’m preoccupied. Sidetracked by other stuff and unable to motivate myself to write as planned about my gym and acknowledge those organisations which are actively committed to the health and wellbeing of their staff. (More on that another time, though it really is more exciting than it sounds. Sort of!)
Instead…. I’m thinking about the fact I’m off to Sydney.
But that’s actually not the exciting bit. I don’t actually enjoy travel that much (as you may recall from my Melbourne trip earlier this year). Rather, I’m excited because I’m going to my first ever blogging conference – Nuffnang Blogopolis (aka NNB2012).
I wrote about it in my other blog on the weekend. Well… when I say I wrote about it, I should confess I really only wrote about what I was going to wear and pack. The important stuff. You know how it is.
But because I’m super excited I had to write some more about it. (See, I’m saying words like ‘super’…. Next thing you know I’ll be sprouting stuff like ‘Gee whiz’. Or similar.)
“Why am I excited?” you ask.
- I’m gonna get to meet some bloggers I admire and whose writing / witticisms I aspire to emulate in addition to bloggers whose work I read and respect.
- I’m gonna get to meet people like me who can understand why one must allocate a couple of hours each day to reading others’ blog posts or feel the need pause mid-sentence and tweet something.
- I’m gonna learn some stuff. I assume.
- My enthusiasm for blogging (and writing) will be reignited and I’ll be motivated to pursue it more vigorously.
I hope.
I know I’ve glibly written about the social aspects of the conference, BUT the last couple of points ARE important. I’ve been struggling a bit of late. The blogging world has been weird (here in Oz, anyway).
It’s almost as if some bloggers have turned on each other – as if there are a finite number of words or limited amount of cyberspace and we begrudge others using what we think is ours. It seems we scowl at the success of others when we should be celebrating with them.
I’m as guilty as anyone. Not so much of the bitter and twisted thinking, but I sure can play the comparison game pretty well.
I monitor my pitiful number of hits and compare them to others. I see others doing sponsored posts or having other opportunities I’d love. And yes… I. KNOW. I. SHOULD. NOT. DO. THIS.
What’s that saying about ‘comparison being the thief of joy’?
I talk about it in this blog all of the time… my habit of comparing myself to those around me and coming off second best.
So my first commandment for the weekend is this: I will NOT compare myself to others.
Instead I want to draw on others’ success and realise that there may be similar opportunities for me down the track.
I’m gonna learn about sourcing content, finding my voice and optimising my traffic. I’m attending sessions on developing a media kit and opportunities for bloggers, as well as a much-needed workshop on SEO and Analytics for Dummies.
Conferences like this are rare here in Oz, and the travel and accommodation comes at a fairly hefty cost, so I have to make the most of this opportunity and not feel like an ignorant amateur!
So, here’s another commandment: I will try NOT to feel insecure because of my lack of blogging credibility.
In this blog I talk (a lot) about my struggle with my self-worth and self-image which often impinge on my ability to really ‘be’ in the moment. I miss out on so much and lose sight of the important stuff.
This reminds me of a post I read fairly recently in which a blogger talked about Fitbloggin’ 2012 (a conference in the US for bloggers interested in health, fitness and wellness) and hoped that they could lose a bit of weight before it is held in September. Sadly I can’t justify the cost of heading overseas for it, but I would SERIOUSLY be in the same position. I follow and read A LOT of o/s bloggers from that industry and would certainly feel self-conscious in such an environment. I’m sure those there would not be judging me (HELLO, some of them read this blog so know exactly where I’m at!) but it would worry me.
Fortunately I’m not overly angsty about my appearance (weight-wise) at NNB2012. I say fortunately because I’ve lost no weight in over 6 months and may even be a couple of kilograms heavier than I was when this calendar year clicked over.
Despite this my next commandment is this: I will attempt to NOT feel self-conscious or apologetic about my weight and my appearance.
Instead I want to just ‘hang’ and soak up the atmosphere and the collective knowledge of those around me. There are a lot of NNB2012 virgins like myself attending, and many (also) going alone.
Which brings me to my fourth and final commandment: I WILL have fun.
So… bring it on! (Oh, and I apologise in advance for all of the #NNB2012 tweets this Saturday… and some possibly slightly-pissy tweets at the post-conference drinks!)
Do you think I’m weird to be so excited about this conference?
Do you think I’ll be disappointed?
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Satu
June 27, 2012I don’t think you are odd to be worried/enthusiastic about the blogging conference. I would probably be the same. And I couldn’t prevent myself from comparing my blog to others either…
SEOing your content can be a pain in the butt! 🙂
Debbish
June 27, 2012Thanks Satu… I’m sure I will blog about how it goes!
Liz
June 27, 2012On hols this week but quick message to say have a great time!
Debbish
June 27, 2012I’m sure I will Liz!
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky
June 27, 2012Love those commandments, very sensible ideas. Hope to meet you there!
Debbish
June 28, 2012Ditto Kylie… I have no idea of the logistics in terms of how easy it might be to catch up with people. I think those of us there on Friday night are thinking of catching up in the hotel bar!
Deb
Jennifer
June 27, 2012I would be over the mood excited! There are no blog conferences that I know of anywhere remotely close to where I live. I’d love to meet other bloggers in the real life!!! Have an AWESOME time! 🙂
Debbish
June 28, 2012Jennifer, I’ve only been to something local – which was good (and very inspiring). I like to think I’m a bit savvier than then (though probably not!) so I can engage a bit more! I get so easily intimidated by people talking about their stats and readership and monetisation! Must remember to hold my head high. (Or fake it!)
Deb
Jennifer
June 28, 2012fake it til you make it right? 😉
Debbish
June 28, 2012Indeedy… my new motto perhaps!
Becci
June 27, 2012I’m a little tingly over Saturday too. I hope I don’t get the ‘I’m not good/popular/young enough’ blahs too, like my spin out at DPCON12. Will be looking out for you!
Debbish
June 28, 2012Look forward to meeting you Becci (and thanks for visiting!). I’m a non parent and was a bit worried it might be very mummy bloggerish (and I feel like an outsider!). But, I’m assuming everyone will be friendly!
Deb
Vanessa
June 27, 2012Hey Deb
Great post. I am going to follow your commandments too! And I love that quote from Roosevelt. I’m going to get it printed and stuck on my fridge… actually, I may even get it tattooed on my left arm.
Your four reasons for being excited are up there for me as well. I so don’t think you will be disappointed. Not with the positive attitude you are going with.
And your blog is awesome! Looks completely professional. And so well written and engaging.
Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday.
Vanessa
Debbish
June 28, 2012Wow thanks Vanessa and ditto to all of that! I write in this diet blog A LOT about my self-image, self-confidence and self-worth issues so figured my readers here would know that the body issues pervade the rest of my life and…. yes, would even be likely to impact on my attitude and behaviour at a blogging event! So I’m gonna do my best not to feel fat, frumpy and forty (which I am – all of the above) and just have fun!
Deb
KCLAnderson (Karen)
June 28, 2012OMG…back before the first Fitbloggin’ conference (2010) I went to I had very similar commandments!! Let me see if I can find them. Okay, here they are: “I will not compare myself in any regard to other Fitbloggin’ attendees” and “Supporting other Fitbloggin’ attendees does not require denigrating myself or downplaying my achievements.”
Anyway, I don’t think you’re weird at all…if you are, then I am doubly weird 😉 I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Debbish
June 28, 2012Thanks Karen and I so wish I could attend a Fitbloggin’…. hmmm… maybe I should seek out a sponsor. Am sure I could fund accommodation and conference tix, but the flights would be a killer!
Anyhoo, I suspect because of the sort of conference Fitbloggin is that it would definitely be worse. I follow a lot of bloggers who are still on their weight loss journey (so am sure they’d be there) but then there are others who ‘walk the talk’ and they would definitely intimidate me. Not that I necessarily aspire to sinewy pecs or amazing abs, but it would be hard not to be self-conscious. (Oh and the meal breaks would be fraught with me worrying others were judging my food choices! Even if they weren’t!)
PS. Having said that, my sense is that it is a really supportive network – which would definitely outweigh any self-consciousness!
Kristin Repsher
June 28, 2012What a great post! I definitely don’t think you’ll be disappointed by Blogopolis (although being a first-time attendee myself, I can’t say that for certain)…it sounds like it will be a great gathering of like-minded people with some interesting sessions!
I totally understand where you’re coming from feeling like you don’t have the “blogging credentials.” I had a personal blog for a long time but I’ve only been seriously blogging for about 6 months, and sometimes I feel like I’m a bit of a hack still. So I am going to follow your commandment too and not compare myself — I just want to meet fun people and learn from them!
Debbish
June 28, 2012So true Kristin… I’m in a similar situtation. I’ve been blogging for a while (think my other blog started 3+ years ago) but only got serious this year – in fact I now do a four day week so I can do more writing. But like you I look at other blogs – sometimes of new bloggers who have all of these opportunities and wonder why PR people aren’t contacting me for sponsorship opportunities etc.
BUT…. I guess I’ll learn more about that this weekend. Both from the formal sessions AND the in-between sessions gossiping!
Hope to meet you on Saturday!
Deb
Cathy
June 28, 2012It’s my first conference too and I’m excited more than nervous…although this could change dramatically in the next 24 hours 😀 There will be so many people there that I doubt I’ll get to speak to most…I’m not the type to barge in and introduce myself…hoping there might be one or two people that may recognize me and say hello… But whatever happens, I just hope to soak it all in. It’s not often you get the opportunity to be in a room full of people who “get” the whole blogging thing 🙂 Hope to run into you there!
Debbish
June 28, 2012Absolutely Cathy… I suspect I’ll recognise a few people but am also conscious of barging in to introduce myself – unless I’ve had a few drinks and am feeling more confident and less self conscious!
I’m trying to go and look at as many blogs as possible so I can recognise people, or their work!
Deb
Miz
June 28, 2012I would be so so very very excited as well.
YOU WILL LOVE!!!!!
Debbish
June 28, 2012Thanks Miz…. I definitely hope so!
Jo Tracey
June 29, 2012Looking forward to hearing about what you’ve learned. It’s a great opportunity & I know you will make the most of it…
Debbish
June 29, 2012Thanks Jo and I will certainly try!
Deb
Catherine Rodie Blagg (Cup of Tea and a Blog)
June 29, 2012Great commandments! Look forward to seeing you there!
Debbish
June 29, 2012Hi Catherine… absolutely. In fact, am here already!
Catherine @ The Spring
July 2, 2012Dear Deb,
I hope you did have an amazing time at Blogopolis – it was my first blog conference and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. Getting to meet you was a real pleasure!
x Catherine @ The Spring
Debbish
July 2, 2012Hi Catherine, I certainly had a fabulous time and – despite my war wound (from the face plant after drinks) – am still raving about it!
Deb
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
July 7, 2012It is so easy to compare yourself to other bloggers, and it is easy to get down about it. But, everyone has something to contribute and no-one can write about your personal experience better than you can!
I was surprised at how competitive the blogging world was, especially in regards to bloggers Facebook pages. I see people copying each others posts and then arguing about it and for many it has become all about the numbers! But there are so many readers online, I think there is a place for us all – so working together and supporting each other is a must!
I love your blog by the way 🙂
Debbish
July 7, 2012Thanks Dannii, feedback is always SO much appreciated. On one hand the blogging world can be very collegiate, but on the other it can be isolating – you sit, write, post and your words drift into the ether and you wonder if anyone will read them, enjoy them, appreciate them etc. I have to remind myself that I got into this blogging thing 3+ years ago because of my love of words and writing. I do try to think of my audience, but really I started it for me and I need to not lost sight of that!
xx