If you have ever considered becoming a blogger then I know it has crossed your mind to attend a conference or networking event, as with any professional conference can be a great place to learn new things about your industry and a great place to network and meet trailblazers. 

I have been blogging for a while now and I have attended various conferences, seminars and networking events. I refuse to tally up how much these have cost me over the years because I really don't need any negativity at the moment. The prices can vary, I have attended some that were as low as $50 and as high as $300 (there are some that cost even more than that). The price tag can be significantly greater if you have to travel. So here are three things you need to know;

1. Most of the information can be found for free on the internet - Just being honest, when I was first starting out I got cramps just trying to write pages of notes until i realized that a lot of information (free and paid) can easily be found on the web. Pinterest can be a great way of finding guides, courses and workbooks to help you get started blogging. The advantage of still going is that the information is often tailor and packaged to the audiences needed. The internet is huge so having someone teach you the specific things that you need to know can save you hours of surfing, plus having an “expert” there in person to answer any immediate questions can make it worth your while. No matter how good the speaker or conference is don’t expect to know specific dollar amounts of what some influencers are making or a shared list of brand contacts that you can reach out to. Attending a conference will not remove the hustle, you still have to put in the work sis!

2. Networking at conference - The type of conference dictates the crowd. I have attended conferences in a room full of people who were unapproachable and honestly just not my “type” of people. Networking at conferences can be daunting when you are used to socializing through apps. To improve your chances of actually meeting people at the conference, spend some time in the days leading up to the event and search for other people attending and reach out to them. You can meet someone that can become a great friend. Conferences are not the time to be an introvert, you paid your money so make it count. Make a goal to meet at least 5 (or more) new people. You can start with the person sitting next to you or at your table. If you are attending with a friend be sure to break away from the group in order to make your own contacts. 

3. Getting to business - A conference is work, or the opportunity to find work. Before attending practice your “elevator pitch”, be able to answer basic questions about yourself and your blog content. Having a business card ready can also be a great idea. Blogging is not a conservative industry so feel free to get really creative by adding your picture of using fun colors (that align with your brand). Research the vendors and sponsors of the event in advance and share ways in which you can collaborate with them and remember to follow up with them within 48 hours. 

Be sure to use the conference as a content creating trip. Take lots of pictures and document the things that happened so you can post about it later. What conferences have you been to or are considering?