It has been a few days since BlogHer ended and this review is later than most. I needed a few days to decompress and gather my thoughts from such an eye-opening experience. This may not sit too well with some, but here is what I observed at BlogHer ’12:
Brands can learn from this experience too. For example, think before you donate a heavy bottle of a household cleaning product to over 5000 women, many whom are traveling by plane. With TSA rules about suitcase weight, conference attendees may have to decide which swag to lug home. Gifts for kids and self will typically trump cleaning supplies. Therefore you may have donated almost 5000 bottles of your product to the hotel. Next time go with a coupon.
Send a brand representative who works with bloggers rather than a street team to a blogging event. There are many of us who are there to form a mutually beneficial working relationship. We are the ones who do not do a scavenger hunt around the city for the chance to win something. We do appreciate the swag, but it is not our sole purpose for attending the conference. We genuinely want to meet you, not your street team.
The bloggers at the private parties are not the only bloggers of value in attendance at the conference. Please take some time to get to know others, for they may have something fabulous to offer.
There are two types of bloggers. (Okay, I am generalizing here but go with me on this.) One wants parties, sparkles, unicorns and free swag. The other wants to form brand relationships, attend some sessions and spend time with friends in a more relaxed setting. Neither one is right or wrong, as long as both can coexist peacefully.
And therein lies the recurring theme that has come out of this year’s BlogHer. There is a growing divide in the blogging community. You might assume this divide is among the exclusive bloggers and the newer bloggers but that is not the case. The divide is among those who act professionally and those few who lack decorum. This is not to say that sparkles and parties are not incredibly fun, but rather that the few who care only about those things are inherently damaging the reputation of the whole. Collectively we have so much to offer; unique perspectives, authentic views, unprecedented reach and fabulous ideas. If we want brands and businesses to continue to view us as a game changer, we need to maintain ethics and a little integrity.
Speaking of new bloggers, please consider waiting until next year’s conference if you have only had your domain name for three weeks and are in attendance just for free stuff. Can you not use the money you spent on a ticket to buy the darn swag yourself? Guess what? You may have very real intentions of rocking the blogosphere but for now you fall into the group of those who are giving the good guys a bad name.
Despite any divides amongst our own, we are at a tipping point in the blogosphere. It can not be more evident that our impact is a powerful one than when the sitting president of the United States (and candidate for future president) addresses conference attendees. Perhaps this is all the more reason why we owe it to ourselves and to one another to behave like respect-worthy professionals and represent this business we all love with decorum and dignity.
Those who were there to learn and grow and meet new people did so with grace and kindness. I got to meet bloggers in real life whom I adore online, and those experiences made the entire trip worthwhile. I met women with whom I will be friends for years to come and met some fabulous brand representatives who were in attendance for all the right reasons. The good outweighed the not-so-good by a long shot.
Bloggers truly understand the power we have to create social good and make change happen. That was music to this social good blogger’s ears. The recurring theme of social action was all over (and possibly the best part) of BlogHer.
There’s my two cents, for whatever it is worth. I say this not to be insensitive or derogatory, but to point out that we should not waste this incredible opportunity we have to change the game entirely. Let’s just say that after this year’s conference, BlogHer ’13 is going to be an interesting one!
um…can I just say YES! I just got home last night. My post is going to be in a couple days because I have to marinate in it all. but…yes!
Can’t wait to read it!
Want to know what I learned at this year’s conference? That I like you even more now that I’ve met you in person. (And, believe me, I liked you a whole heck of a lot before the conference!)
Completely agree with your post. Loved meeting some super-smart ladies, but the ‘gimme swag’ mentality of some was a buzz-kill.
Swag is generous and lovely but valuable connections mean so much more. It’s about being there for the right reasons.
Loved getting to spend time with you in real life. I have a cute pic of you in your tiara to send over later!
I like the line … change the game …
since much of the weekend came across as a bloodsport.
So big, so busy, so hard to connect.
But our few minutes – priceless xxx
Words can not express how much I adore you, Nicole! Thanks for continuing to bring grace, class and humor to the blogosphere.
Bravo – we couldn’t agree more!
Thank you. Glad we got to spend a little time together on the train!
Good post. I go to the conference to meet with friends I’ve known for years, meet new bloggers and new friends, and enjoy the parties. I don’t go to sessions, though I do attend the lunches and community keynote, and I don’t care about swag, but it’s always a blast for me every year.
It was disheartening to hear some of the newer bloggers in the elevator who didn’t know I was a blogger talk about the private parties and swag and how much stuff they were getting – I could tell they were this new crop of blogger that I am starting to vehemently dislike. I know a lot of people eschewed attending the big community parties to go to private brand parties, and I have an issue with that, too – exclusivity is the antithesis of a blogging community.
Thanks for adding your thoughts, Adam. I guess it’s all a big Catch 22 for brands regarding parties and swag. Regardless, at other conferences I have been to the atmosphere is so much more supportive. I would so love to see that extended at BlogHer. It was a bit of a culture shock.
Well said, my friend, well said. I was there to create relationships with brands, which didn’t really happen. I was also shocked at the lack of professionalism. For me, BlogHer was a working trip and I treated it as such. Too bad others couldn’t do the same.
It seemed to me that some of the brands were just there to increase their mailing lists and push product in the hopes that people would tweet or write about it. Those of us who wanted to build relationships were a little left in the dust. Other brands sure did get it right though!
Best post about this behavior yet! Bravo!
Thanks, Lisa. We missed you!
I like that you talk about that divide. I had the thought many times that this was like two conferences in one. I personally feel that it might be better if it were really two conferences.
I couldn’t agree more. Perhaps it is just too big of a conference and would benefit from being split in two.
Kristine, I just want to say what an enormous honor it was to meet you and to hear you speak at the Bloganthropy awards. Congratulations on all the hard work you have done to save lives in Cora’s name. You are an inspiration.
That means so much Jessica, thank you. I’m constantly amazed by the wonderful people my daughter introduces me to and the places she takes me.
I love this post, Jessica. Your observations match mine spot on. I wish we could’ve spent more time together!
Me too. Saturday was a blur. We have to catch up!
I’m not sure if we ran into one another or not. I like your take on things, I have similar thoughts about the conference. I had a great time, however finding water and NON-alochol drinks was near impossible since I don’t drink.
What was with the lack of bottled water?? I was wondering that myself!
Jessica, I’m glad I read this because I’m thinking most of the same things as I sit here and reflect on my whole Blogher experience. I have a lot of respect and admiration for you and I’m happy to say I met you IRL.
So glad we met! I hope you got out okay with all the storms that rolled in on Sunday.
I did…thank goodness for my early flight!
Jessica, while I agree with you on the need to act professionally I do believe there is a third group, those bloggers who attend conferences to network but who also enjoy a party or a bit of carefully selected swag. I formed some great connections but was also able to really enjoy the more social aspects of the conference & yes, I was gifted with some lovely things from a few thoughtful brands.
It is possible IMHO to carry ourselves well without depriving ourselves of the fun fluff entirely
Quite frankly I would fall into that third group too, and yet we were both there for the right reasons. We both were lucky enough to form great connections while there, and for that I am really grateful to have attended.
I think that there will always be those interested more in the private parties and swag than the rest of it. I am not, and, in fact only went to one outside event, but I have friends who did the whole circuit. And from their point of view, they were trying to build those relationships too…in different venues.
In other words, I think there are more than two groups, and not all those doing the outside events are “swag hags.”
I’m not trying to be combative, I swear. Just pointing out that there are many shades of grey (maybe even more than 50. Ha!)
I, for one, was in search of inspiration and connection. Not brand relationships. And I found what I was looking for. Thank goodness.
It’s a great point, Amber. I was definitely generalizing in the post. I am so glad to hear that you got what you were looking for out of BlogHer. I was a little shell-shocked, which is perhaps where this post is coming from, but I am still quite glad I was there.
Great post! I agree, there is a lot to be learned from this year’s conference, for both brands and bloggers. I’m not sure about next year, but I did enjoy this year… despite all the negative stuff you wrote about…
How is it that we didn’t connect at BlogHer, Desiree? Despite all the negative I enjoyed weekend too.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!
Thanks, Amy. Appreciate that.
Great post my friend! I was definitely surprised by some of the behavior I witnessed or heard of this year…that I just didn’t see in 2010. I was there to be inspired, connect with brands and visit with friends. I succeeded on two of those. Voices of the Year was SO great. Wish I’d seen you more though.
We definitely did not get enough time together, Erin. I was wondering how 2010 compared to this year so thanks for mentioning it. BTW, love the new Avatar!
Great post! Simply put, I think Blogher has just gotten too big. There is no way to make meaningful connections when there are 4999 other women there. I was standing right across the room from a friend I wanted to find and could not find her. It took me two days to connect with another blogger I wanted to meet. I prefer the smaller conferences that allow time to meet up with friends and all the parties are on site and all inclusive!
That’s a great point. Perhaps it really is just too big when you can’t even find a good friend in a room.
I couldn’t have said it better. Yet another reason why I love you.
Aww, shucks. Love you too, friend.
It would probably be unprofessional to write, “hell yes!” so I will go with “I agree completely.” I came away wishing that BlogHer would create an additional conference, much like BlogHer Food, for the professional set with advanced content. No swag, no street teams, but real people that truly want to develop working relationships between other bloggers and brands.
Oh how wonderful that would be.
This would be awesome! I really think they need to divide BlogHer up a bit, as it seems that there are many different needs for different levels/experience of bloggers.
Agreed. Those BlogHer organizers really do have a difficult job though!
Interesting article. We didn’t make it to BlogHer this year, but we are seeing a lot of that divide, too!
Typically I find the smaller conferences to be so much more supportive. Perhaps that’s why I was so surprised by what I saw there. It’s interesting to me that you are seeing it without having been to BlogHer. Thanks for mentioning it!
You make such good points in your post! I was really embarrassed by the behavior of some of the attendees. I mean, you want to have fun, especially if you are getting a long needed break from domesticity. But these women paid hundreds of dollars just to get wasted and smash a cake?! That is fun?! When I made a comment like this on the FB page, someone commented they hope they never lose their sense of humor. I guess I just have a different sense of humor.
On the whole though, I had a good time, met some lovely people and learned a lot.
I love that line about you having a different sense of humor. That right there just about says it all. I am glad that you had a good time and learned from the conference. That sounds like a successful time!
I was really grossed out by some of the “give me free stuff” attitudes that people had. I can’t imagine feeling so entitled because you are blogger…sheesh!
While I can’t speak from the experience of having attended a BlogHer conference, we have witnessed a similar divide in our sales process at both a local level. Since many local advertisers are still trying to understand the role of online publications in their yearly marketing plans, a negative experience with a freebie-demanding blogger damages the group as a whole. We’ve had some clients tell us horror stories, and it certainly provides an uphill battle for those selling valuable advertising packages.
On the bright side, it’s nothing that cannot be overcome by building a reputation of professionalism, consistency, & hard work
Great post, Jess!
What an interesting perspective. I hadn’t realized that so many local businesses were also experiencing such blatant unprofessionalism. (Yes, I just made up a new word.) Thanks for adding your thoughts, Tina. Much appreciated!
This post is why I don’t go to BlogHer (all the reasons you listed above that is). I went to one (the last time it was in Chicago) and was completely disappointed by it. BlogHer is a ton of money to attend, and I’d rather go to much smaller conferences where I am actually going to learn something and make PR contacts.
Hi, Lisa! I did make a few terrific PR contacts at this year’s BlogHer. Yet I was disappointed at that a few which I would love to have met sent street teams who were unable to answer questions about how the brand works with bloggers. That’s just a shame (in my opinion).
I totally wish I would have gotten to meet you – It sounds like we would have gotten along great
I do agree with you SO much here… While it’s a little bit simplified, I do think that there is a growing number of bloggers who just see this whole lifestyle of “getting free stuff” and want in.
I mean, I have loads of friends who say – “Wow, you get SO much free stuff – how do I start a blog too?” Not realizing that I WORK for most of that free stuff – writing posts, SEO optimizing my site, taking awesome pics, etc. But some of those people don’t listen, go on to start blogs too – and then totally lose site of the whole point.
Yes, sharing reviews of products that you find that rock is a HUGE benefit to a lot of women who are reading our sites and want to know the best things to spend their limited budget on. But – if ALL you do is search out the freebies, you kind of turn into a 24 hour commercial – which isn’t often much fun to read, right?
Hopefully things balance out again soon… I love blogging, I love that we all are totally different – unique goals, thoughts, dreams, and desires. But the meany girls that’ll cut a b*tch over a branded kitchen stirring spoon? That got a little wild… Lol
Wish I could have met you too, Meagan! It’s hard with a conference of 5000 people. I get that. I do hope that things will balance out and that the people who are in this just for free stuff will realize that doing product reviews effectively takes a lot of work on the reviewers part.
Bravo!
This is a a very accurate view on what I experienced at the conference as well. People were clearly there for different reasons, which I had expected. I was there to meet the bloggers that I love, to find my blogging community, to connect to people, I was also there to become a better blogger, to gain a better focus on what I need to do to grow my blog, and to learn anything and everything I possibly could. I am very happy to say that I was not disappointed at all because I walked away having accomplished all of these things.Some things about the experience were definitely surprising, and I did witness some questionable behavior, more than I had expected. All in all, it was a great experience, but I don’t know that I would have been as happy with it if I had to travel more than just driving over the GWB. It was really fantastic meeting you there, you are definitely one of the good ones!! I am still laughing at the thought of a living room filled with electronic singing/dancing Easter Bunnies!! Please, please, please get that on video next time!
Thanks, Kate. I promise to get that on video next time (if I can stand it) and send it to you! It was great chatting with you!
This is so well written, Jessica. I left on Monday fuming….full of words that “needed” to be written…but upon returning home decided that a little space might serve me better than writing when I was as irritated as I was. My point = I haven’t written yet! Maybe I’ll just put up a post that says “THIS” and redirect them to you
Thanks so much, Jenn. When I wrote this post I truly wasn’t sure anyone would feel the same (except for the cleaning supplies). That would have been okay with me but it sure seems that I wasn’t alone. Great to spend some time with you there!
Interesting post. I did not attend but did follow some great Twitter tips shared by others in some of the sessions so I have wondered if I should go next year. My goal would be to network, meet ‘virtual’ friends, learn, socialize, and meet value brands. What blog conference for someone that has done this for one year do you like? I’d love suggestions so that I can plan for coming months/year. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this one too.
Julie at Simply Savvy
I like swag, unicorns, and sparkles… and forming meaningful, working relationships with brands. It is possible to be a part of both worlds.
I came to BlogHer to enjoy and do both, and left feeling satisfied that I did it all (and sacrificed sleep and OD’ed on caffeine in the process, lol).
I’m all for having fun! Glad that you got to do both, Jenn.
very well put, and i agree. i know it’s hard to accomodate the needs of 5,000 diverse bloggers, but i’m hoping blogher13 finds a way to do it a little better than the conference this year.
What she said..yup, yap, oh yea!
Thank you!!! I am on my phone and traveling, so my comments won’t be deep… But I just wanted to pipe in that you nailed it!! I am extremely concerned about the perception of our industry. This divide is a major issue.
I only attended on Friday and had a very specific reason for going, but despite 4 years of blogging, it was probably my first, last and only time I will attend BlogHer. As a hobbyist blogger who doesn’t really “get into it all” and know tons of other bloggers, all the drama, justification posts and other stuff surround BlogHer make me not want to go. Pre-BlogHer there were tons of posts floating around about “it’s not just about all the parties, it’s a *real* conference with value” and then that was followed by a zillion posts showing what everyone is wearing….which led me to believe that maybe it is all about parties you’re invited to and what you’re wearing. Frankly for me, it’s just too big and I don’t like the things that come with it being big–the cliques, the waits in line, some being rude, PR reps who say “nice to meet you” despite just having had a lengthy conversation with you an hour prior and so on. It’s not BlogHer’s fault, just natural occurrences in any group of 5000 people.
Great post. The only thing I’m wondering about is the unprofessional behavior everyone is talking about- what happened? It seemed a little grabby to me in the Expo but it’s like that every year. Was there egregiously bad behavior?
This is such an interesting post to read, because I think you completely captured the essence of this blogging world and asked some very important questions that will no doubt leave many of us thinking. I did not attend BlogHer this year and honestly this post and many others have left me wondering if it is worth it. I feel like my goal at a conference is to learn, soak in as much information as possible and make relevant connections to bloggers and brands. While swag is certainly nice, I think of it like a party favor…if I didn’t enjoy the party, the favor is essentially meaningless.
That’s a great point about enjoying the party. I surely wouldn’t want anyone to not attend BlogHer because of this post. There were many great aspects to the conference beyond these observations. Personally, I do feel like the smaller conferences have more of a sense of comaraderie, but that’s not to say I won’t ever attend another BlogHer. The brands and people who get it right sure do get it right!
This was my first conference so I have nothing to judge against, but for me I did everything eveyone just posted about. I made some great brand conections – we did not just exchange cards, we had some great conversations. I attained a nice amount of swag (nothing amazing, but helpful stuff) without being a pig. But most of all, I met hundreds of folks (as evidenced by all the cards I just went through to follow), folks I knew from Twitter, Facebook, and the blog world in general. That was my high point.
For my 2 cents and what it is worth, while there are many valid points up above, I think since Blogher is the largest of the conferences, all the complaints are what I would expect. It seems that the smaller conferences are more appropriate for those with complaints about small/new bloggers, swag whores, and snotty elitists. With 5100 people, why would you expect not to have the good, the bad, and the ugly?
Mitch
You are right, Mitch, that with so many people I should have expected to see a wide range of behaviors. That’s a great point. I hope I made clear in the post that the good eggs outweighed the bad by a long shot (though the bad eggs sure did stand out).
I too was fortunate to have made some great brand connections, meet many wonderful people “in real life” and bring home a few nice things. The BlogHer organizers have a very difficult job with that many attendees and I commend them for their efforts. I am glad to hear that the conference was a success for you. That’s what it’s all about, right?
I can’t believe people would waste such a great opportunity to network and form relationships. I would have loved to have been there (but gave birth to my third a few days after). I find it hard to connect with bloggers without the face to face but I guess I’m still a newbie with only a little under a year in. I have attended a small conference and that was fantastic! Thanks for your insight!!
Congrats to you on the birth of your baby, Carrie!
Mazel Tov!
Your posts raises a question for me, and I hope you don’t mind my asking it. What conferences offer the most as far as learning and networking? My blog is new and quite honestly, still finding its shape. It started as a way to vent, but I’d like to make it more because I have faced some issues and could possibly offer something to those in similar situations. ANYWAY, being new and green, although I want to attend a conference to learn more, I’m hesitant because I fear that some conferences are more like timeshare sales pitches and less information giving. Any advice on finding the right conference?
That is a great question. There are conferences I haven’t been to yet so I may not be the best source for that info. (I hope to attend Mom 2.0 and EVO for the first time in 2013.) Annie at MamaDweeb.com is putting together a post now with her thoughts on the conferences. I highly recommend that you check her site tomorrow for that piece!
I like this post a lot, but would argue that there aren’t two or even three “types of bloggers.” It’s unlimited. Each of us goes to BlogHer with different needs, interests, goals, energy, etc. Also, I’m not sure what you’ve got against sparkles and Unicorns, but those are the least of our worries. =} The divide to me falls between bloggers that 1) are solely memoir and have no interest in brands, 2) want to connect with brands in a meaningful way, 3) run up to a booth, grab handfuls of swag and run off.
I have nothing against sparkles or unicorns and do say that in the post. My concern is what segment #3 as you mention above are making the rest look unprofessional via guilt by association. For every brand in attendance at BlogHer there is a brand who will not work with bloggers because they think we ALL just want free stuff. That, for me, is disconcerting.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Christy!
Yes. Amen. Thank you.
Thank YOU!
I truly enjoyed the conference, but I understand what you’re saying. I do feel the professionalism outweighed the idiocy
, however, for which I was grateful.
I agree that the professionalism outweighed the not-so-professional. And for that I am grateful!
Well said!!! Best review yet. I completely agree with you!
Thanks, Shannon!
I agree with you, and one is not better than the other. They just want different things.
I don’t believe in bashing or putting down, but I also feel the divide.
There are like apples and oranges and neither should look down on the other, or brag about private parties and invites or brag about winning writing contests: we all want what we search for on the internet.
Perfectly said here. Thank you.