Tips for your first (travel blogging) conference

I started attending conferences whilst at University during an incredible internship that shaped much of the way I work today, even though that industry was business psychology and I now work in the travel industry.

So whatever path you choose, chances are you’re going to be at a conference somewhere along the way. And let’s face it, your first (travel) blogging conference can be the most daunting and confusing. Daunting because you realise that you might actually have to start taking your hobby seriously. And confusing because, well, how professional can a bunch of bloggers be?

Tomorrow is the start of ITB Berlin 2015, one of the world’s biggest travel trade shows. Whilst not specifically for travel bloggers, the event is starting to recognise the value that bloggers have in the travel industry so if you’re going make sure to see what will be on offer in the eTravel Insider Lounge hosted by TravelDudes, iAmbassador and Travel Massive!

After ITB Berlin I will be making my way to Costa Brava for my second Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Conference… but goodness knows I was definitely nervous for my first one in Athens last year!

So for those of you who need a little extra help, just like I did at the very start, here are my top tips for your first (travel blogging) conference.

Confidence Tips

1. Companies are there to meet you.

It can be really daunting as a fresh blogger walking in to a room full of suits sat behind desks and big banners waving leaflets at you as you walk by. Especially when some of those companies are ones you would give your left arm to work with on your blog.

Seeing large brands and companies at trade shows can really ruffle the feathers of anyone new to conferences. You’re convinced they would never want to work with your little blog and so what’s the point of even talking to them when there are bigger fish out there. You know there are bigger fish because you’ve just watched your favourite blogger with a gazillion Facebook fans leave their stand.

Well take everything you think you know about what brands want, scribble it down in your notebook (you have one right? No? Get one), rip out the page, scrunch it in to a ball and throw it at that big blogger’s head. Okay, don’t actually do that, most of them are really nice guys and girls. But seriously, forget what you think you know. Companies pay to attend conferences, and they understand the ways in which different bloggers can work with them in their unique ways so don’t be afraid to arrange a meeting and see what happens! At the very least, if they’re not willing to work with you straight away, I’m willing to bet you can stay on their radar as you grow.

2. Get social online first

If you’re nervous about just walking up to complete strangers and introducing yourself, that’s where the thin veil of the internet comes in handy. Find those speakers and influencers you want to meet on Twitter and start retweeting and replying. Not everyday (you’re not a stalker are you?) but just enough so they keep seeing your Twitter handle pop up on their notifications and get to wondering who you are.

Ps I have a list of Travel Bloggers I follow religiously on Twitter which you can see here.

Most conferences also have their own hashtag for the conference which can be really easy to find on their own twitter feed, and using the hashtag to let people know you’re at the conference can be a great way to raise your profile and get noticed. Retweet a couple of posts in the hashtag feed and strike up a conversation if you can. Then, when you bump in to each other in person the first introductions won’t be so daunting!

3. Step out of your comfort zone

Sometimes, you’ve just got to jump in the deep end. At my first TBEX I was a bundle of nerves. Any conference I had attended previously had been for companies I had worked for; but to step out and try to represent my blog, my baby, my little piece of the internet I had worked so hard to build, was really daunting for me.

At one point I knew I had to take a leap of faith and throw myself in to this networking malarkey. Being The Hostel Girl, I kept being asked the same question by other bloggers I met: “have you met Kash?” I hadn’t met Kash and I had no intention of introducing myself to the Luxury Hostel blogger until I found myself stood in line to meet him after one of his sessions. Shaking like a leaf I handed him my business card, told him I loved hostels too, and got the hell out of that auditorium. I may have made a fool out of myself, but it gave me the boost to go and attempt other shaky introductions until finally I started to relax.

I promise you, practice doesn’t always make perfect but it does make your handshakes a little less clammy.

4. Go to the conference networking events and parties

Think conferences are all about boring suits and business cards? Think again!

A decent conference holds networking events and sponsored parties every night. At a big one like ITB and TBEX you’ll be spoilt for choice, but even at the smaller conferences I attended last year such as the Hostel & Budget Traveller Conference there was at least one event every night where you could network in a less formal setting. The alcohol also helps.

In a conference party, people just want to unwind after a long day of workshops and seminars so the atmosphere is a lot calmer. If you’re not keen on attending alone, perhaps check the Facebook groups or send out a quick tweet to see who else is planning to attend solo and you could soon find yourself a date.

My dates for the closing party of TBEX were the lucky buggers below from Live Dream Discover. Since then however I’ve gone to so many after-conference parties all by my solo self as it’s the best way to strike up easy conversation at the bar. Or to hunt down big CEOs when you want to quiz them about their hostel model.

Professional Tips

1. Make sure to invest in business cards

This might seem a bit intense if your blog is your hobby. But here’s the thing – you’re attending the conference to improve your blog or business and what better way to improve that which you work so hard on than to promote it!

You’re proud of your content; you can shout about it from the rooftops, tell the old lady sat next to you on the plane, and meet all those bloggers who have inspired you so much, but they will never remember to look at your blog if you haven’t given them a tidy little credit-card sized reminder that they’re going to spot in their wallet in the near future.

Business cards are quicker and easier than exchanging twitter handles or emails in a fast-paced networking environment so I highly suggest having them ready for your first conference. I always use moo.com, but there are plenty of great budget options out there so I’d aim to have at least 100 with you for a 3-day conference.

2. Use the online appointments tool

Almost every conference know uses an online tool for it’s delegates (that’s you!) to arrange meetings with companies and brands. The tools usually let you see everyone who’s signed up to be at the conference, along with short biographies and information on any workshops or seminars they may be presenting, so it’s a great tool for finding out who’s-who.

The best feature of these online platforms however is to be able to private message those who have signed up to use it. The PR contact for that huge chain of worldwide luxury spas you’ve been digging around on Google for, or perhaps the CEO of a new budget tour company, they’ll both be on there! Of course sending them a quick pitch via private message also helps if you are a bit shy to introduce yourself in person.

3. Make sure to plan ahead

Planning ahead is crucial. Of course, it’s good to be flexible when you can, but there is so much going on at each conference that they can turn in to a whirlwind of missed opportunities.

Make sure to highlight the sessions you think you will benefit from most as conferences are just as much about education as they are networking, especially if you are new to the industry. It’s also a good idea to note where these sessions are. In the smaller conferences you can probably find yourself around, but the big ones like ITB and WTM can have events spread over miles (I’m not kidding) so it’s best to find out where you need to be at certain times well in advance so you don’t miss appointments or workshops.

Part of planning ahead also means to brainstorm what it is you want to get out of the conference. Do you want to raise your profile? Would you like to meet with specific brands or just learn more about a wide range of opportunities? Are you looking to improve your blog, or improve your network? Write down no more than three goals before you attend at the start of your notebook so that you can keep your focus in the crazy land of conferences.

4. Understand what you have to offer

Companies may be there to meet you, but they’ll soon cotton on to those who aren’t prepared to take the next professional step. Luckily, the solution is simple. Understand your blog. Who is your target audience? What is your niche that sets you apart from other bloggers? Do you have a unique mission behind your blogging? How many unique users do you attract per month? If you don’t know your stats, I would highly suggest getting to know Google Analytics.

It’s also a good idea to put together a media kit. This is a document that clearly shows why it is you do what you do, what industries you wish to work within, any previous campaigns or brands you have worked with, and finally your blog stats. Most media kits are online (here’s mine if you need some inspiration), but it’s good to have a few printed copies so that you can produce one if needed. Of course, it goes without saying that if you understand your blog well enough to pitch it without referring to your media kit then you’ll be taken a lot more seriously.

Bonus Tip – Enjoy Yourself!

Phew… that was quite a hefty post to write so I hope it wasn’t too hefty to read!

The thing is, once you get your confidence fears out of the way, and have the professional bits ready to go, conferences are a really fun way to meet other bloggers with similar interests and begin to make a name for yourself in the industry or niche in which your blog sits!

So make sure to enjoy yourself and really appreciate being surrounded by a community of people just like you, whilst simultaneously feeding your passion for your chosen topic. I turn in to such a hostel geek when I’m at a travel conference and that’s because I really do love hostels and being surrounded by others who do too.

P.s. I will be at both ITB Berlin tomorrow and TBEX Costa Brava at the end of April so make sure to tweet me and let me know if you’re coming to the party too!

01/04/15 Edit: I’m afraid I can no longer make TBEX! I was really looking forward to meeting so many of you but I will be following the hashtag #TBEX and seeing what you’re all up to and I’m sure we’ll meet on the road…

Lots of love,