I am Headed to BlogHer ’14

I am headed to BlogHer ’14 today in lovely downtown San Jose. As you know I am new to the world of blogging, and this will be my very first blogging conference.  Wow! when I signed up I thought San Jose – cool! Nice an close, I have no reason not to go and learn a few new things. Well let me tell you, this is a HUGE event! Women (and a few men) are flying in from all corners of the earth to attend this conference!

I joined the Official BlogHer “14 Attendees Facebook page so I have been hearing lots of chatter for weeks now. While it is very helpful, it is also very stressful! So much to do and think about  and people to meet and items to pack and places to go. Oh, and the parties! I had know idea this event would be full of parties! And the sponsors – I’ve been getting emails form sponsors like crazy. Yes, that is a good thing, but all so new and unexpected to me! And the Swag! People ship boxes home full of swag. For that reason, it is a very good thing that I am simply driving up the road.But other than swag and parties (that I had no idea about when I signed up), I am headed to this conference for a few of reasons.

1. I want to learn more about the business of blogging. I admit I started my blog on a whim over Christmas break when I had a bit of down time. I was sitting on the couch one day and decided that I needed a reason to write more. But this is a huge business, and I became intrigued almost immediately. There are a lot of avenues of income from blogging, and I want to explore the business side of this venture.

2. I want to hear Arianna Huffington speak. She is a keynote speaker, and I honestly just want to hear her take on blogging and business. The Huffington Post is one of if not the largest blog out there.

3. I want to meet other bloggers, and I want to find my tribe.  A tribe is a group of bloggers  that support and laugh with each other. I have found bloggers to be like triathletes. Really. The bloggers and the triathletes that I have met have always been the nicest and most help group of people around. These people encourage and mentor and support. I hope to find my tribe 🙂

4. I want to improve my writing. I am signed up for some writing workshops and hope to gain a bit (a lot) in this area.

5. I want to meet sponsors. I am trying to figure this hold sponsor thing out.  So far so good! I have started making money with my blog – something that I want. But I also do not want it to take on a separate life.  I want to find ways to monetize this blog that fits and fits well.

So I am packed and out the door this morning to learn, explore, meet and greet, be inspired, and have fun! It’s going to be a great weekend!