Despite enjoying sitting behind a monitor and keyboard, bloggers often like to move offline and meet other bloggers in real life. While the UK maybe behind the USA with regards blogging events, the number and type are increasing. Here are nine examples of different types of blogging events you could attend.
1. Conferences
Conferences are large events usually covering a wide range of topics with several sessions occurring at the same time so you need to make a choice of which you’ll attend. Some conferences are on more than one day.
Look here for a list of UK blog conferences
2. Workshops
Workshops are smaller and more focused on a topic or theme than a conference, for example how to start a blog or travel blogging. It is likely the sessions will build on each other throughout the day.
Look here for a list of UK blog workshops
3. Awards
Blogging awards recognise the best or most popular blogs and may be chosen through a judging panel or public vote. There are often tickets to the award ceremony available to bloggers who are not on the shortlist so you can meet other bloggers and join in the fun.
Look here for a list of UK blog awards
4. Charity
Bloggers like supporting charity, whether small or large. While some fundraising is done virtually, it is also not unusual for events to take place where bloggers can meet in person, for example TeamHonk.
5. Virtual
Google Hangouts are becoming more popular with bloggers to discuss a topic. Although it is only the speaking panel that can be seen through video, it is possible for all live viewers to interact through a chat panel. You can also watch a video on YouTube later if you missed anything the first time.
6. Brand
Some brands hold events specifically for bloggers to introduce and promote their products. These can vary in size and structure depending on the brand, but sessions could be focused purely on the brand, or the brand may take the bloggers for a fun day out while also showcasing their products.
7. Local
Once you’ve found some local bloggers it can be fun to create your own event focused purely on getting to know people who live close to you. Once you let people know about a local event happening you maybe surprised how many other bloggers you find in the area.
8. Impromptu
The events that happen through chatting with people, for example you mention on social media that you’ve arranged to go somewhere and discover other people who are already going or like the idea so much they decide to join you.
9. Trips
Possibly not as common as the other events, but some bloggers go on trips away together. The most common reason I’ve see is through winning competitions such as Mark Warner holidays.
A fabulous end to a great trip with 12 amazing bloggers. Thx ladies! It's been a blast!#markwarnermum #markwarnermums pic.twitter.com/4VFe2aeoIM
— Mark Warner Holidays (@mwholidays) September 12, 2014
To date I’ve attended conferences, charity and virtual events. What is your favourite way to meet other bloggers? Do you have any plans to attend any events this year? Can you think of any type of blogging events that I’ve missed?
If you are looking for a list of blogging events visit BlogEventsUK website for a list organised by type and UK region.
I’d love to do more conferences but they’re just too close together on the whole for me to use precious weekends up, and try to get the OH to look after N all day for several weekends in a month. I was down to do BlogonMosi, but the train wouldn’t get me in in time, it clashes with swimming lessons for which we’re already missing one. Instead I’m going to check out FunFest which is a bit different as it’s a paid for PR/brand event. Hopefully it’ll still have some good speakers, and as it’s only 30 mins drive away, I’m hoping I will be able to go after swimming and take N along. Although he might get bored being there all day.
I’d love to do more smaller events, and more locally to get to know local bloggers. But either I don’t get invited, or can’t make them because they’re in London, evenings and/or on working days.
I agree it is great going to conferences. It is a shame about BlogonMosi, I’m going to BlogonCymru and really looking forward to it. I thought FunFest sounded fun because you could take your children, but I wasn’t keen to take both of them as it is a longer journey for me. I think Blogcamp is the same day and I’ve got a ticket to that, are you going? I’m waiting for the tickets to come out for the Bristol Blogcamp and if I get one will make a decision on which one to go to (or both if I can convince my husband).
So how about we start out own small local events? We can start with a few bloggers meeting up for cake and then build up to find some local companies to work with us and eventually when Oxfordshire is known as the place with great bloggers get international brands to sponsor our events 🙂
Yep, annoyingly blogcamp is on the same day. Literally they announced that the day after I’d booked a ticket to FunFest. I don’t know if I’ll take N because I’m not sure he’ll want to be there all day even if there is a creche. The OH would probably want to keep him on the farm, so we’ll see.
Bristol’s just a pain to get to for me. It’s a tad annoying they all seem to be April-June. Just too many weekends to rely on the OH.
Like the idea of local Oxon meets. My only issue is that I’d have N with me – so would need to be relatively child friendly. Fine in summer with good weather, although one I went to in Nottingham worked really well even with kids in a cafe bar.
I haven’t seen anything about tickets being released for Blogcamp in Bristol yet and it is less than a month away so I’ll probably stick to the Birmingham one. At least Blog On in Winchester is in October, plenty of time to plan and organise myself.
I’ve decided I’m going to do something about doing more to promote Oxfordshire bloggers and hopefully some events will happen through it. As the weather gets nicer there should be several places we can go to with room for kids to play.
Great list! I haven’t attended any blogging conferences yet as the sheer size overwhelms me! Maybe a goal for 2017!
Thank you Joanne. There are many different sizes of events so you may find one that is small enough; Blog On or Blog Camp may be good. The secret for me was to arrange to meet people before the event started so I didn’t walk in on my own. I went to my first one last year and already got tickets for 5 this year (yes I’m becoming a little addicted)
Im fairly new to the blogging world and so far have only attended a couple of small PR sessions with other bloggers. I’m booked in for my first ever Blog Camp in June, which I’m really excited about. Hopefully will pick up some tips on increasing my followers too.
My first event was BlogCamp in April last year and I haven’t looked back since. Are you going to the Bristol BlogCamp? I have a ticket for that one, but not sure I’ll be able to get leave to go.
Yes it is in Bristol. I’ve been allowed to take unpaid leave, as I have used all my holiday this year 🙁 I thought it would really benefit me, so decided it was worth the loss.
My problem is June is our busiest month so it is difficult to get leave approved, but I have a day booked later in the month that I maybe able to move to cover this. Have you seen my Blogcamp posts?