Bloggers are people, too
We all know the type – a blogger who sits perched behind her desk all day blogging, tweeting, Facebook’ing like crazy. Telling all and leaving nothing out. Chances are, if you met her, she would be a laugh a minute, the life of the party, and your new BFF.
Or, maybe not.
Bloggers, securely fastened behind their computer screens, are very courageous people. But get them in public, and you may find that they’re not as outgoing as they seem.
Or maybe they are. But until you meet, how will you know?
The scene is familiar - at every blogger event, someone feels let down by the characters in the room. It’s happened to me. And I’m sure it’s happened to you.
But the truth is, with all the finger-pointing and “this group is so cliquey” and “who does she think she is” going on, are we really doing our part to control our experience? Or are we making our good time someone else’s problem?
Attending a blogger event is just like attending any other social or networking event - you get out of it what you put in. I’ve been to conferences where I’ve been the wallflower and come out of it having had a meh experience. But anytime I come out of my shell, put myself out there and actually behave in a way that is more magnetic, I have a ball.
A blogger attended a local event last week and felt snubbed by the other attendees. What’s more, she was told her seats were taken and had to find someplace to sit for herself and her child. As a person who curates events, this is unacceptable.
However, is it possible that feeling blown-off by other bloggers was largely a result of her already stressful experience? After all, everyone there was wrangling at least a kid or two. It was an evening event (whiny, tired kids). And the venue was very stimulating for the kids. Could it be that folks were having their own challenges that day?
Blogger or not, we’re all in charge of ourselves. Social etiquette remains largely consistent under most circumstances. We control our fun. No matter where we are, it is no one else’s responsibility to ensure we meet people or enjoy ourselves. I’ll remind myself of this next time I set out in this big, bad world.
Jill Notkin blogs at The Daily Grind of a Work at Home Mom when she’s not tweeting @AlexCaseyBaby.
"What’s more, she was told
"What’s more, she was told her seats were taken and had to find someplace to sit for herself and her child."
This actually happened to me at BlogHer11. I would say it was the same event you are writing about, but ironically, it happened mere hours after this post was published.
Maybe it shouldn't have happened, but it did. But it speaks volumes about the bloggers who were rude instead of gracious.
I went on to find a new table, and had a delightful evening and made new friends. :) And my baby? They loved her.
My child is still breastfeeding, I didn't have the choice to leave her at home. The event in question wouldn't have been disrupted by her presence either. If she had become disruptive, I would have been gracious and left.
I definitely got out what I put in, and I wouldn't change a thing! :)
I registered my first domain
I registered my first domain in 2001. Back then my site was a blog but that is not what we called it. This blogging thing has gotten out of control. Well, not the blogging, but the egos that come with it. I went to this one event awhile back and this one lady seemed all shocked that I had no idea who she was. Heck, today I still don't know. These people get a Twitter account, hop on Facebook, get a bit of traffic and think they are Queen Elizabeth. No, I don't know who you are, is that what you really want to spend time talking about?
Ok, rant over. Sorry it was stemmed by the comment about "big bloggers". Thanks for giving me an idea for a future blog post.
A-to-the-MEN! You hit the
A-to-the-MEN!
You hit the nail on the head. I was at the event you referenced.
"We are responsible for our own reactions." <-- Great life philosophy!
I have experienced the
I have experienced the wallflower feeling at a an event, but it changed my mentality. When you do not know anyone at the event, you have to treat it the same as going to a party where you ar unfamiliar with the other guests. And chances are, there is someone else there feeling the same way. Since my first event, I have learned to make the first move, approach other people. And I have made some wonderful friendships that way.
I figure this: If you're
I figure this:
If you're going to a blogging conference to be accepted by the "big bloggers", or even REACHED OUT TO by them, forget it and stay home.
If you're going to learn about blogging and get everything you can out of the keynotes, you probably wouldn't bring a child without childcare.
If you want to, you can create a shitty experience for yourself anywhere, you don't have to travel to a blogging conference to do it.
If you want to have an awesome time with other bloggers, plan to stay with or hang with FRIENDS that you already have, online or not.
You're exactly right. We are responsible for our own reactions, So you can't help that the venue messed up. You can help how you receive the news and how it affects the rest of your experience. :)
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