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Seven things I learnt from the Melbourne #PBevent

March 24, 2015 By Emily 82 Comments

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending a blogging event hosted by ProBlogger.

To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what it was going to be about. I knew it would be about blogging, and I knew I’d see some bloggy buddies. And I knew that everything I’d seen of ProBlogger until then was helpful.

That was enough for me! I went along, and heard from Darren Rowse (Mr ProBlogger himself), Erin Bender (Travel with Bender), Alice Nicholls (The Whole Daily) and Nicole Avery (Planning with Kids). They discussed blogging (der), social media (including all those Facebook stats you can’t get your head around), community building, SEO, content planning and even what to do when you don’t want to do it anymore.

I got a lot from it. And here are the top seven things.

1. Know your blogging voice.

In the land of blogging, you’ll find a wide variety of bloggers. You’ll find friends, entertainers and celebrities. You’ll find experts, tutors and leaders. And you’ll even find the same bloggers filling these different roles across different topics and categories.

(Image source: Helena Danley - Twitter @helenadenley - used with permission)

(Image source: Helena Denley – Twitter @helenadenley – used with permission)

Know your voice(s), and use it (them) effectively.

2. You don’t need a huge audience to make an income from blogging.

A huge audience helps. Of course it helps! But you don’t need it. If your offering is unique, and there is a call to action that most people will act on, then you can make money. Because… (cue segue to next point)

3. You want to build a community.

You want active, engaged readers who care about and believe in what you’re doing. 100 readers that read consistently and are advocates for your blog and/or your services are better than 1,000 readers just stopping by.

4. It’s okay to switch off from blogging for a while.

In fact, if you’re feeling ALL OF THE OVERWHELM, it might be the best way to a) recharge, b) stay true to your voice instead of churning out content and c) keep your offering unique instead of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’.

5. Content calendars are vital.

Even if you blog as the mood takes you, about whatever floats your boat, a content calendar is helpful. It can get your thoughts in order. It can highlight patterns in your posts that you didn’t even realise were there. And you can always change things around later. (Or ignore it completely. But I don’t think that was the point.) Which leads to… (cue second seamless segue… and admire awesome alliteration…)

6. Direction is important.

If you can’t do everything you want to do, it’s easy to blame lack of time. Time is finite. But all the time in the world won’t help you if what you’re actually lacking is direction.

Know what you want to achieve with your blog. This doesn’t mean you need lofty goals; mine certainly aren’t. But they do exist.

And here’s where Darren said something that really got my attention: Pick a fight. He didn’t mean to go around antagonising people with derogatory comments and writing angsty posts, but to pick your fight. Decide what you stand for (and against). And share it.

7. Focus is just as important.

As Nicole said, bloggers have a really hard job staying focused. We have a lot of distractions, and the worst part is that there are so many justifications for them. Social media platforms are generally how we build those blogs, so it’s easy to justify an afternoon spent on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

But once you have the direction, you need to focus on it.

Bonus lesson:

Darren Rowse quote 2

So, an afternoon very well spent indeed, and with fabulous blogging company to boot.

Thanks, ProBlogger team. See you at the conference in August!

 

Have you been to a ProBlogger event? What did you learn from it?
And will I be seeing you at the conference in August?! I’m a little bit excited!

Filed Under: Reflection Tagged With: Alice Nicholls, blogging, Darren Rowse, Erin Bender, Nicole Avery, pbevent, ProBlogger

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Comments

  1. Zanni says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Sounds interesting. That was why I did the Heart. Mama blog in the past. It seemed that noone else was blogging about those things in this community, and I felt they were important to share. I definitely had a strong and engaged community. It’s been harder sustaining a strong community now my stand is less defined.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      It is difficult. And it’s countered by the fact that I don’t want to be known as the (insert issue here) blog. Still thinking on that one a week later.

      Reply
  2. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:11 am

    nothing like a great conference with awesome speakers to re-energise you!
    Thanks for the tips 🙂
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:53 pm

      Feeling equal parts re-energised and dragged down by lack of time! Ironic considering point six, but it’s just that time of the year that all my clients need urgent work done before the federal budget is announced in a month and a half.

      Reply
  3. Kathy says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:16 am

    Thanks Em – all good tips. I like that one about direction being about picking a fight, or standing for something. That bonus lesson is nice too, makes you realise the power of speaking softly if you have something worthwhile and different to say.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      Yes, I’m glad I don’t have to go out and buy a sledgehammer! LISTEN TO ME EVERYONE! Yawn.

      Reply
  4. JodiGibson (@JFGibsonWriter) says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:19 am

    Great take-aways Em. I am proudly a non-problogger so all the monetizeation stuff does nothing for me. But the heart of blogging is true for probloggers or non-probloggers alike. Finding your voice, building your community, building trust and organizing time and social media. Enjoy the conference!.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:20 pm

      I’m minimal on the monetisation side – unless you include separate writing work I’ve gotten directly (or indirectly) from the blog.

      Reply
  5. Amy @ HandbagMafia says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:28 am

    Great tips, Em. I need one of them calendar thingies!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      I bought a cheap as chips 2015 diary from Coles for the sole purpose of mapping out the blog posts. Works a treat!

      Reply
  6. Laney Galligan says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:49 am

    Thanks for the awesome wrap up Em! I’m glad you were able to get so much goodness out of the sessions. Lots of gems in there.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks Laney – the events are so well-run and I always get something from them. Looking forward to August!

      Reply
  7. Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:51 am

    I missed out on a ticket so I was bummed, so thanks for sharing your learnings. Sounds like some good, encouraging points were made x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:22 pm

      Encouraging, YES! Key word. Lots of love in the room.

      Reply
  8. Bec @ History of Parenting says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Ooh, I love that ‘pick your fight’ line. I has pretty much immediate flashes for both my blogs, each slightly different but complementary. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:22 pm

      That’s great! Mine is less clear. Still thinking that one over.

      Reply
  9. Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:50 am

    I attended the Sydney ProBlogger session which I gained so much from as well! I’m so bummed I can’t attend the ProBlogger Conference coming up. I can only imagine how much I would have learned there!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:23 pm

      Glad you got a lot from the Sydney session. I’d love to hear what the panellists in each state had to say.

      Reply
  10. Mumma McD says

    March 24, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Great tips, thanks.

    I really need to sort myself out with a content calendar!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:23 pm

      Doesn’t have to be fancy-schmancy. Doesn’t even have to be a calendar, in my opinion! Maybe just a dedicated book?

      Reply
  11. Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum says

    March 24, 2015 at 9:56 am

    Thanks for posting about this. I wasn’t able to attend the Melbourne event so I am enjoying reading feedback from other bloggers about what they took away from the day.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      Thanks Erika. I’m about to hit some other overviews too.

      Reply
  12. Danielle L says

    March 24, 2015 at 10:59 am

    Thanks for sharing the tips, I was too late to get a ticket, so I’m very glad you shared the love here.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad they help.

      Reply
  13. Sheridan Anne says

    March 24, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Ooh, this sounds like it was really helpful, especially for those of us who doubt ourselves (which is probably all of us at times). Glad to see the resounding, “be yourself and if you need to take a break, take one” message. Something I think I needed to hear
    P.S. totally saw your tweet on The Block the other night

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      Haha, it’s pretty easy to get a tweet on The Block these days. I don’t think many of us are tweeting about it!
      I think more bloggers doubt themselves than we all realise. The ‘winners’ (for want of a better word) are the ones that just keep doing it anyway.

      Reply
  14. Vanessa says

    March 24, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    I’ve loved these mini ProBlogger events this year! And I’ll see you there in August 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      Yay! And yay!

      Reply
  15. Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says

    March 24, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    Thanks for the roundup – wish I got to the Brisbane one but tickets sold out sooo quick. Thank goodness I got my August ticket!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      That’s funny – I wasn’t planning on going and was busy that day so took it as a sign. Then I got home earlier than I’d thought, logged on and there were still five tickets left. So I took THAT as a sign!! Ha!

      Reply
  16. Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says

    March 24, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    What a great round up! I totally need to get on the Calendar train. I loved Darren’s presentation in Sydney – it was such an eye opening session. See you in August!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:27 pm

      Yes, do hitch your carriage to the calendar train. Choo-choo!

      Reply
  17. Deb @ inner compass designs says

    March 24, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing your takeaways. Such great points for all bloggers to hear. I won’t be going in August but am sure I will still hear tons from those who attend. Xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:27 pm

      Probably! We won’t be able to shut up about it! Thanks for the feedback. x

      Reply
  18. Kirsty @ My Home Truths says

    March 24, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Thanks for sharing this learning Em. I wasn’t able to get to the Sydney event but I’m KEEN to attend the big one again in August. As usual, lots of very useful insights – I just need to act upon them!!!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Yes, the acting on them is difficult. At least I’m currently acting on the engagement thing! Replying to comments. Tick!

      Reply
  19. Tash @ Gift Grapevine says

    March 24, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    I went to my first blogging event back in February. Problogger made the trek over to Perth and it was a great day. I learnt that Nicole Avery is one VERY organised and inspiring woman. She certainly lives up to her Planning Queen name. Have a fantastic time at the August conference. I’ll be eagerly following it on social media and hope to make it there next year (PS: I did admire your awesome alliteration – bravo Em!)

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Thanks for the alliterative applause!! Ha! Nicole was very inspiring – and so honest. As is Darren. I think that’s what makes them so relatable and yet so authoritative.

      Reply
  20. Jo @Countrylifeexperiment says

    March 24, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    Sounds like you had a great time – looking forward to seeing you at problogger in August!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Bring it on!!!

      Reply
  21. dani @ sand has no home says

    March 24, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Sounds great! I have just started the Blog with Pip e course, and I am so looking forward to it 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      I haven’t done that, but have only heard good things. That’s not true. I’ve only heard great things! Would love to hear your thoughts when you’re done.

      Reply
  22. Nikki @ Wonderfully Women says

    March 24, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    I was lucky enough to get a Brisbane ticket, I like these mini pro-blogger events. Unsure about the big one in August, a big bit of date clashing to deal with. 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Boo for date clashes! That’s a shame, but at least you know and are not trying to offload a ticket later.

      Reply
  23. Erin (Travel With Bender) says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Thank you for coming and for including us in your round up. We had such a great time, can’t wait till the next one! Meet you again soon 😀

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Pleasure – thanks for speaking and for your insights! The Facebook chat we all had to have, right?

      Reply
  24. Janet aka Middle Aged Mama says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Sounds like we both learned a lot from the PB Events in our cities – I went to the Brisbane one earlier this month.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Yes! So much to learn from the PB team.

      Reply
  25. Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    I went to the one in Brisbane and heard similar things – I love Darren, he’s just so down to earth and wise! I can’t wait to see you in August

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Looking forward to Em hugs!! Darren’s talk was great.

      Reply
  26. Pinky Poinker says

    March 24, 2015 at 10:14 pm

    I’m very excited about the PEvent in August and look forward to seeing you there again Em. It’s so inspiring! I think the trouble with my blog is my personality. I’m not the ‘pick a fight’ type of person. I need some of that fighting spirit!
    I run away at the first sign of dissension I’m basically a sook :).

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      Yeah, it’s a toughie. I’m still mulling that one over. I don’t think it has to be a controversial issue. You could stand for always hugging your children before bedtime. You could stand for thinking teddy bears are cute. You could stand for being a dog or cat person. (Okay, that last one is controversial!)

      Reply
  27. Renee Wilson says

    March 24, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Fab wrap up as always, Em. I went to the Brisbane event and a number of things really hit home for me. I won’t be at the event in August. I would have absolutely loved to have seen you. Maybe I’ll get to see you some other time during the year. I hope so anyway 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:36 pm

      Thanks Renee. We’ll miss you in August, but I saw your reason for not attending and it totally makes sense! You’ll be laughing when you get that family holiday!

      Reply
  28. David Hawkins says

    March 24, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    Great summary Em! And thanks for the cool tips. Time to work out what my voice is (does “weird guy shouting at passersby whilst only wearing a packet of M&Ms” count as a voice?)

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:37 pm

      SURELY that counts as a voice?! You should email Darren so he can update his presentation slides!

      Reply
  29. Tegan says

    March 24, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    These are all awesome tips. When I posted daily in October last year an editorial calendar was my saviour. I had things that popped up that had time constraints and having an editorial calendar meant that I could just drop and drag other posts around.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:37 pm

      I think what I like most about the calendar is spreading out the similarly-themed posts. Otherwise I’d write them all in a burst and it would look like I had themed months!

      Reply
  30. shannon@ my2morrows says

    March 25, 2015 at 8:23 am

    Great wrap up. I went to the session in Sydney and it was just what I needed and a great teaser for the Aug event. Cant wait. Xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:38 pm

      Yes, a great teaser! Well said. And thank you.

      Reply
  31. Sonia Life Love Hiccups says

    March 25, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    Awesome round up of info Em for those of us who couldnt be there. I am betting you are feeling very focused and full of enthusiasm after that 🙂 xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:39 pm

      Yes and no. Aaargh, busy writing season! At least I’ve got all my notes clear in my head ready for when the enthusiasm has the energy to break through.

      Reply
  32. PlanningQueen says

    March 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    It was lovely to meet you in person Emily. I too loved Darren’s whisper strategy as well.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      You too, Nicole! I really got a lot from your presentation. Finding better ways to do it so the fun and enjoyment stays. YES. Thank you.

      Reply
  33. Deborah says

    March 27, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    I used to go to ProBlogger event – well, I went to three I think but skipped the last one. They were starting to feel a bit the sameish and a bit too focussed on monetisation. I’d love to make money from blogging but struggled a bit with the it being a priority for some fairly new bloggers. (As if that was why they’d started writing.)

    I love the networking and meeting other kindred spirits however!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      There is a strong focus on monetisation, but there were three sessions running at a time last year, so I was always able to find something relevant to me. And yes, it can be difficult to sit in a room with people who haven’t yet started blogging but are wondering why no sponsors have come on board yet!

      Reply
  34. Robyna | The Mummy & The Minx says

    March 27, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Thank you SO much for this post. I couldn’t make the Brisbane one and was really interested in what was said. All such great advice. I am going to ProBlogger for the first time this year and can hardly wait. Count down is ON.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad you got something from it. Bring on August!!

      Reply
  35. Caroline @ Mamma Raj Says says

    March 27, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    Oh I wished I could have gone so this post is just perfect to give me the low down. Looks like it was great!!! Thanks

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      You’re welcome Caroline – glad it was helpful. I believe all events were a big success, so I’m sure there’ll be more planned!

      Reply
  36. Tonia Zemek says

    March 27, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Hi Emily, loving these notes. Thanks for sharing them. I attended the Brisbane session and had a great morning of catch-ups and learning. Hope to see you in August for the big conference – can’t wait.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      See you then! WOOHOO!

      Reply
  37. stephanie@stephsjoy says

    March 27, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    I wasn’t able to get to the event in Sydney, so do appreciate you sharing what you learnt. Am going to Pick a fight! thanks!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:46 pm

      Get those boxing gloves on!! Ha!

      Reply
  38. Allison Tait says

    March 27, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Great wrap-up Em! Darren and Nic really know their stuff!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      They are very clever clogses! (And I think I just invented a word.)

      Reply
  39. Jane@almostjane says

    March 27, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Oh, I would have totally have loved to have gone! But you know, kids, blah blah 😉 Thanks so much for sharing your tips xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      I hear you. I was lucky they put it on a Tuesday (my only kid-free day) and just as lucky not to have client meetings that day (depending on your definition of lucky).

      Reply
  40. Vanessa says

    March 30, 2015 at 2:56 am

    This is a great wrap, thank you Em! I was there but there was a lot to take in (and people to meet!) so it’s fab to read this wrap. I loved hearing all the stories too and got a lot of out it. Hope to see you in August if not sooner! x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      Thanks Vanessa! Was great to see you there. And yes, hopefully someone organises a Melb blogger catch-up before then, but otherwise, see you in August! I’m sure it will come around quickly enough.

      Reply
  41. Kelly Exeter says

    March 30, 2015 at 11:04 am

    I so loved that quote you highlighted from Darren. One of my faves!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 31, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      It’s so good to hear advice like that in amongst the BE SEEN, BE LOUD, GET IN EVERYONE’S FACES messages that bombard you otherwise.

      Reply

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I parent. I write. I blog. I play with words and numbers in my head. Constantly. It's crowded in there.

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