Attending
BlogHer was a bit self-indulgent. I got to spend three days with my
peers soaking in their talent and energy and learning about how to
throw a great event. For all of you who want to a.) attend blogging
events b.) execute blogging events or c.) market to moms at blogging
events read on...


Lessons learned about throwing a great blogging event:

Location, location, location. Picking a location that requires travel is tricky if you are hosting in
conjunction with a conference. Any "off-site" events should be easy to
find, have parking accommodated or provide a free shuttle to and from.
If you are planning off-site, make sure the location is compelling. The
Kellog's breakfast I attended did everything right. They offered free
shuttles, a stunning view of Manhattan (see photo on the right) and ran
the event professionally. Otherwise stick to locations within walking distance.

Remind me...but not too often. One event sent me no fewer than
ten emails prior to the event. This was a overkill. When you get 100
emails a day, every extra notification matters. Yes, it is ok to send
1-2 reminders with last minute details and specifics, but more than
that and you get annoying.

Give me a reason to attend. Swag alone won't get me to your event. I want to get content for my blog or make great connections. You need: a great speaker or a new piece of information (ideally both). The Ralph Lauren event was held at corporate headquarters--a
gorgeous mahogany room. David Lauren, heir to the throne and a senior
executive, made the presentation. This was compelling enough, but then
he gave us scoop about a new marketing program for children. Bloggers
love being the first to know anything!


Share your Message Wisely. Andrea from Savvy Sassy Moms
threw a great party for Ciao Bella gelato. While I like ice cream, I
was more eager to connect with West Coast bloggers that I rarely see.
Andrea did a superb job introducing me to her posse and then took only
a few moments to talk about her sponsors. I appreciate that she didn't
give a lengthy speech, but she did tell me a bit about all of the
brands at the party. Giving a long powerpoint presentation about your
brand is likely to turn off bloggers--make it interactive and fun.

Swag is Good...in moderation.
Bloggers adore getting treated well and finding extraordinary gifts,
experiences, etc to write about. We don't need more notepads, pens or
mouse pads. One great gift is much better than a bag of $#^&. Also
don't overwhelm us. If it's an event involving families, realize we
likely had strollers and diaper bags to contend with and won't have a
free hand. The best bet? Send a thank you gift home or offer to ship
the swag directly. Quality over quantity. One of my favorite treats
from BlogHer? A donation card for $20 from Loews Hotel. I got to make a donation to a school sports program. So much better than another coffee mug.

Give the Bloggers an Introduction. If you've got time, introduce
the bloggers. We don't always know each other and some of us can be
shy. Making introductions helps us match names and faces. It's better
and more social than name tags.

Bigger is not always better. The event I co-hosted at Hair Rules in NYC had about 40 bloggers come and
get hair styling and a peek at the iCandy strollers. Keeping it small
allowed me to spend time with just about everyone that attended. Some
of the larger events didn't afford moms the ability to make good
connections.

Feed us well. We all love a free lunch, but seriously, if I see
another cupcake in the next month it'll make my tummy churn. We need to
find a new universal blogger treat. Macaroons anyone?

What's your feedback? What's the best event you attended and why? What do you look for when you rsvp?