Calling all bloggers! It’s 3 months to the International Food Bloggers Conference 2014 in Seattle.
Have you all registered yet?
I certainly hope so, because I expect to have all of my peeps here.
This year, I will not go alone and be alone. So one of you sign-up, stat! Do not make me come over there and hit the ‘Register Here‘ button @ Zephyr Adventures for you…mmmmm, k? 🙂
If it’s your 1st time attending a Food Bloggers Conference, you will have fun, and I am here to help. You will learn so much. If you are new to blogging, you might want to check out somewhere similar to Site Beginner – sitebeginner.com. You don’t have to worry if you have a small viewership either as there are a lot of tools that could help you promote your blog! For example, I didn’t realize how useful Instagram could be for promoting your blog. It turned out that some bloggers buy Instagram followers with INSTANT delivery from Buzzoid! That would be so useful for anyone trying to make waves in the blogging world. There are a variety of resources available for new bloggers who want to expand their reach on social media. For instance, there are social media growth tools similar to nitreo that some bloggers use to expand their audience on social media sites like Instagram to increase their audience engagement and their online presence.
How do I know so much?
Well, last year, I had a LOT of anxiety about it, and I don’t want any of you to go through that. What an incredible waste of energy! It was a blast, and I’m so doing it again!
My Top 10 12 FAQ
1. Apparel
Wear comfortable clothes. This is not a dress rehearsal for you. Yes, jeans, shorts, dresses, slacker-wear, and completely casual is OK. IFBC is there for you to learn and grow your blog. No, I’m sorry….you are not there for them. So, wear your PJs and slippers if that makes you the most comfortable! (p.s. choosing this option probably will get you looks from the other bloggers. And, I will probably be one of them. 🙂 At least you know you’ll have a friend there.).
2. Freedom
You’re free to come and go as you please. Stay the entire day, retire to your hotel room, or don’t show up at all if you don’t want to. No one is taking attendance. 🙂
3. Food
No, you do not need to pack snacks or bring food stashed in your back-pack to eat throughout the day. You will be sampling a lot of new items and vendors will be throughout. Trust me, you won’t go hungry.
4. Luggage
Pack very lightly (or bring an empty suitcase), you will be taking bucket-loads of sample foods home, on the plane, with you.
Here is the IFBC SWAG I took home in 2013.
5. Socializing
Yes, there are a lot of bloggers there and you can meet a lot of people. Yes, if you are shy or an introvert, you will need to step outside your comfort zone if you want to meet other bloggers (I did not do this, and I regret it; I came home with LOTS of food and no new relationships).
Imagine…these bloggers may be as shy as you are – so they are waiting for you to talk to them, as much as you are waiting for them to talk to you! Don’t miss the opportunity! Sometimes you can learn invaluable information. A friend that wanted to grow their social media presence told me about using services similar to socialfollow to improve his reach and he seems happy with the results.
6. Networking
Yes, vendors will want to talk with you. It’s a great opportunity to not only try new brands, but to potentially develop partnerships for Reviews, Giveaways and Sponsorships on your site.
So, whatever you do – do not forget to bring a lot of business cards!
7. Technology – Camera
This is where I get all personal on you. I highly recommend you bring your good camera. I didn’t and that was a big mistake.
- you’ll want to take good pictures so you can blog about it later, and the lighting isn’t great inside
- the camera phone is great, but likely won’t capture the details and essence of what you want to convey to your reader
- you are sitting a lot (through seminars and such), so it’s not like you’re packing the weight all day anyway
8. Technology – Phone
Yes, bring it to the conference, but keep it on silent.
That way, you can sync up with your new friends through text message while they are sitting in a different session than you are. Also, you may need a quick shot if your camera isn’t handy.
Besides, who knows? You might need to phone a friend. You can never be too prepared.
TIP: Use your cell phone to take a picture of the slides during the presentations so you don’t forget all the great stuff you are learning. 🙂
9. Technology – Laptop
Absolutely a must-have…bring your laptop! They will have live blogging sessions and down-time where you can blog the day and you’ll want to take notes. Remember the backpack I mentioned earlier? This is why you’ll need it. Oh, and also to store the SWAG they’ll give you. 🙂
If you aren’t a great typer, bring pen and paper – you will need to write things down.
10. Mobility
Bring what’s comfortable to carry throughout the day. This may mean a backpack, a cool looking purse that’s really a camera bag (like mine below) that will also hold your laptop. Or, bring a simple tote. Whatever will carry your laptop, camera, phone, purse, and lots and lots of other stuff!
Yes, this is a working 2.5 days. You will be blogging. In fact, you will likely be blogging LIVE (yes! in the moment – it’s fun and intense!!!) No, you do not have to miss a post. But, if you are a recipe poster only, you most likely will not be cooking at IFBC 🙂 so plan to blog differently (try blogging about the conference!).
You’ll blog about products you’re trying. It’s a LOT of fun and fast!
12. Learning / Fun
Yes, you will learn a lot and have a lot of fun at the conference. The most important thing (other than learning) is getting to know others that have the same passion and love of food that you do.
Isn’t that what life is all about… LOVING . LEARNING . SHARING. ???
Now get on it! I need friends. So, go and register.
p.s. NO, I was not compensated for this post (dang it!).
I hope you’ll join me!
Sara {Home is Where The Cookies Are} says
Aww. I LOVE Seattle. I wish, I wish. Not in the cards for me this year though. I’ll just have to live vacariously through you though – so I’m glad you’ll be bringing your camera and laptop!
Kristi says
No worries Sara. I’d love to have you come, but I’ll do the best I can to take pictures and share what it’s like!
marcie says
You totally have me all amped up and ready to pack my suitcase, but I really don’t think I’m going to be able to swing it. If I can, I will! I’d love to hang out with you, and I’d love to hit a conference and learn how to grow my blog. I will mark it down and try to make it happen — it sounds great! 🙂
Kristi says
Ahhhhh!!! Marcie, I would LOVE to have you here. We would have ssssoooo much fun. So girl, if you wing it and make it, plan to get your party and eatin’ pants on – because we are so having a great time!!!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I really wish I could make it to IFBC this year. Maybe next year!
Kristi says
Augh! I want you there! 🙂 Ok, I’m tellin’ you girl – I’m holding you to being at it next year. 😉
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Wow, Kristi this sounds like a lot of fun. I’m going to check out our schedule to see if this would work. I’ve never been to a conference, but they sound like they are beneficial. Great tips 😀
Kristi says
That would be ssssoooo fun Cindy! And you don’t live very far :-). Check out the agenda and see if there’s something that peaks your interest!
Johlene says
How I wish I could be there!!!
Kristi says
Augh!!! Johlene – I would LOVE it if you could come! 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
It’s a pity I can register. I am definitely too far from Seattle. Anyhow, I’ll enjoy reading about the event here on your blog!
Kristi says
It would’ve been fun if you could come Daniela – but I understand! I’ll try to write all about it! 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks for sharing your post on the FB group page! This is my first IFBC and I’m really looking forward to it. I love your tips, especially the info about live blogging which I’ve never done. Time to make sure my WP app works on my iPad 🙂
Kristi says
I’m so glad you found it helpful Lisa! Especially about the live blogging 🙂 it was a lot of fun, but it was intense! I’ve never done that before. Do you want to get together for the meet-up we’re planning? If so ~ email me ~ the link is on my home page!
Beth @ Hungry Happenings says
I sat down to search for what to wear to IFBC and am excited I found your post. I’m getting ready to pack and I was going to bring a dress for Friday and business casual for Saturday and Sunday. I think I’ll tone that down a bit. I actually had a really fun t-shirt made for my blog and might even wear it on Sunday. No PJ’s for me, but maybe a pair of jeans will do. Thanks for all the great tips. See you there!
Kristi says
I’m sssooo glad you found it helpful Beth! I’d love to meet you there so we can say hello! Some people do dress up (dresses and such), but you’re sitting a lot, so I say wear whatever is comfortable. I’m hopping over to your site now to see if I can find your t-shirt. 🙂
Beth @ Hungry Happenings says
I just got the t-shirt yesterday. I created it and ordered in on-line. It’s really fun but a little big. It’s in the washer right now. It has pictures from my blog and says “who says you can’t play with your food?” I love it!
Kristi says
That’s awesome Beth! I hope you bring it to the conference!
Kim - Liv Life says
Thanks for the comprehensive review of the conference!! I’m heading up there this year and as this is my first conference ever, I had no idea what to wear, etc. I feel better making a casual wardrobe work, and I hadn’t thought of bringing extra room to bring things home! I usually travel all carryon, packed in the most sensible bag I have that fits. Wouldn’t have had spare room for much more than a magazine! I think I will actually check a bag… haven’t done that in years!! Appreciate the post!
Kristi says
Yea!!! I’m so glad you like it Kim! I wrote it because I was ssssoooo confused my first year. I figured it would help visitors that were just like me – rookies! I’m so happy to hear that it helped you. Yes, you will come home with lots of food! 🙂 If you want, a bunch of us are meeting up at the conference, and I would love to include you if you want to join us. Just let me know and I’ll add your name to the list. I’ll send you mail this week if so! Congrats on your first conference! I hope you love it!!! 🙂 I can’t wait to see you there!!!
Kim - Liv Life says
I’d love to try to meet up with you!!!
Thanks Kristi!!
Kristi says
Cool! I’ve got your email, so I’ll send you mail tonight or tomorrow! I’m looking forward to it!