Excitement is running high as BlogHer ’12 draws near. Everyone is talking about the parties, how much swag they came home with last time – and you know everyone is out shopping to be sure they are ready for all the glam and glitz of New York City. I booked my flights last night and am so excited for all that awaits us.
“Bring an extra bag for the swag!” is what people will tell you. “Plan everything out so you can be sure to get to all the parties!” is echoing through Twitter and Facebook. “Such and such party gives the best swag!” “I would do anything to get a (insert name of event here) invite!”
Ahem.
Well, first, let’s point out the obvious. You’re probably not likely to do anything to get that invite you are pining over. You may think you are, but I assure you, I could make you a list and you’d say no to all of them. And don’t test me either, I have a great imagination and you would look fantastic in Lady Gaga’s meat dress…or maybe a NYC deli version. Pastrami pants, anyone?
Second, while marketing materials that hit the relevant, valuable and useful mark are awesome, please, please tell me that you can find other things to look forward to and take home from a conference. It can seem like a river of “stuff” when it’s all under your nose, but when you get home I guarantee, you’re getting rid of most of it. A company might want to make an impression on you, and that’s great. Head to the Expo, meet some brands, shake hands, ask how they work with bloggers – you can do this in a personal way. If you find a great new product because of a sample or giveaway, wonderful! But please tell me that you are honestly not excited about a bagful of freebies?
Oh, and just a footnote – the term swag comes from “stuff we all get.” So if we all get it, please just relax about the whole thing. Stuff will come, it’s inevitable. But please, let’s not make it even one bit of the conversation. Here’s why – if you are pining over a party because they give the best swag, or celebrating your highly coveted invite in front of others who aren’t going – well, I have news for you. At that point, it’s not actual conference swag. It’s not “stuff we all get.” And what you are doing is exactly what you would be horrified to hear your kids doing. You’re putting your focus on the material benefits of what should be an amazing experience for the heart, mind and soul and then making sure everyone knows your “stuff” will be better than theirs. Please, let’s act like we ask our kids to act at the very least. Connect with people and brands you want to meet. Send emails and direct messages where appropriate, attend the events that tempt you, and if you are invited, spoiled or treated well, thank the brand or host in a genuine way and just for the love of all things holy, stop there.
I can remember hearing about BlogHer 2010, and how when the location was announced as NYC the excitement hit a fever pitch. I remember the shiver of excitement I felt when things started to fall into place for me to go last minute. I couldn’t imagine how amazing it would be to be surrounded by everyone I knew and wanted to meet, especially in NYC. I knew we’d make even deeper connections, and that there would be plenty of good to take away from the sessions – and I was right. The fun of parties and drinks with friends who make me laugh is just extra…but really, the location and décor aren’t what make the party. It’s always the people. Last year in San Diego was no different. So plan your weekend, accept your invites, and…don’t skip this step…politely decline invitations to events you cannot attend. Be realistic and know you can’t be everywhere at once. Be gracious and attend the events you really don’t want to miss, and make room for someone else to attend the others.
Want to know the secret to finding the absolute best swag at BlogHer? Look inside, you’re the key to it all. Here’s the real “swag” we should be paying attention to. Stuff we all will take away from BlogHer, if we are brave and smart and sure. I wrote last year about what to bring to the conference, and today I’m telling you what you should be passionate about bringing home:
Minds full of ideas, ready to bring new life to our work and creative outlets.
Voices hoarse from endless conversations, talking over loud music, and hysterical laughter.
Hearts more deeply connected to those around us.
Memories overflowing with moments of inspiration, poignant conversations, stories and jokes that will be told and retold for weeks.
Photographs full of evidence of everyone you met and the fun you had.
Souls recharged and ready to return to our lives we left at home…brighter and better than when we left.
Yeah. Make room for that swag, baby. Because when you get home, that’s the stuff you’re going to keep.
See you in NYC!
[...] to get wrapped up in all the swag gathering, but as Jen from Little Miss Mocha reminds us, there is so much more to attending a conference than just the “free stuff.” The connections with your fellow bloggers and the information you have the opportunity to [...]
Fantastic advice, Jen. Hope to see you there.
Thank you for reminding what is important. I yearn to spend time with my friends & get to some official blogher sessions. I just declined a couple invites in favor of spending time with friends. I feel better already
Love this! Looking forward to meeting you there!
Please be sure you say hello if you see me! ; )
I really love this.
Thank you for reading, and for loving it. ; )
Right On, Sister!!!
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I hesitated to go to BlogHer because of all the party and swag drama. I stumbled into an awesome opportunity, and I’m going, but I couldn’t care less about the stuff. It’s connections and learning that will grow my business, not a free sample of shampoo.
Thank you so much for this! I am so tired of hearing about SWAG SWAG SWAG!
I love this. Exactly what I needed to read this afternoon, so thank you. I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the feeling of competitiveness. I want to go to learn, to meet the people I have been chatting with for ages, and to have FUN! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Honestly, you can’t judge a conference by the tweets that precede it. Remember there are 4500 attendees, which means hundreds, if not thousands who are going for the same reasons you are. Once you arrive, start finding people you know…it just flows. People, laughter, inspiration. You won’t even notice who is around or who is off doing something else. Looking forward to meeting you!
Love it.
Thank you, Sarah.
Have a blast in NYC:) Sounds like it will be very exciting.
Thank you! Really looking forward to it.
Great post for newbies and veterans alike! The connections are the best thing to come away with:) Have fun!
Thanks, Rossana! ; )
GREAT post, my friend. You said it perfectly.
Thanks, lovely. ; )
Great post, but I admit I would totally wear pastrami pants just for the chance to hang with you all at BlogHer – forget the swag. Here’s Hoping next year works out better then this year, although with a cross Canada move in 2013,2014 is looking more doable. LOL
Good things come when they will, and other good things take the place in the meantime. A move that will make you happy is a good thing to be busy with. ; )
FABOOSH…
I got no “Swag” last year at Blogher…I heard all the Hype but was far too busy CREATING my SWAG..
By clever wit a good friend and great timing…I got to personal meet and have a quick interview with Jane Lynch…AMAZING…and I didn’t need to pack it…
That’s AMAZING, and so true that good things happen just by being your best self in the right place at the right time. Is your best self the one that scrabbles over the free stuff? Probably not. You had your head up and grabbed a fab opportunity. Well done!
So so true. The best things I have ever brought home from any conference are the connections that I have made with people ~ for business or pleasure or both. The time spent at a conference goes by so quickly that there is never enough time to meet and spend time with all the people that you want to meet and attend all of the sessions that you want to. Good advice, Jen. Also, I didn’t that’s where the word “swag” comes from. Makes the whole thing all the more true.
Yes, the business and personal connections are the ultimate gift – and neither of them have anything to do with what comes home in your suitcase. Great comment.