Last week, I spent four days hanging out with some fellow bloggers at the ProBlogger conference for 2014.
It. Was. Amazing.
There were many highlights. Pat Flynn’s keynote. Learning about SEO. Learning about social media, time management and using your blog to make a difference. Meeting fellow bloggers. In person. (They’re three dimensional! Whodathunkit?)
Realising the bloggers I admire once stared at a white screen with a blinking cursor, working up the courage to type and hit publish on their first post. Realising that we might have different reasons for writing, different goals and different blogs, but that we all started in the same place.
I learnt so very much. And these are the top five (of five hundred) lessons:
1. If I want to go somewhere with this blog – make it special – then I can, and I will.
2. If I want to. IF. Not everyone wants to go somewhere with their blog. I have to know what I want. Big kick-arse websites are needed. Reflectiony personal corners of the interweb are also needed.
3. Whatever this blog is and whatever it becomes, it is important. It is important to me. Therefore, it is important to my family. It is okay to spend time on it. It is okay to leave the dishes in the sink and write a blog post. It is okay to plan in my head while playing with the kids.
4. Lots of people are writing things that could get them sued. Don’t do that. Don’t assume that because it’s opinion, it’s okay.
5. I can make a difference. I feel arrogant just typing that, but it’s true. I can make a difference. You can make a difference. Anyone can make a difference. If just one of my posts reaches one person and convinces them to view the world from their child’s perspective, read a great book or consider organ donation, then I’ve made a difference.
Bonus lesson: I am tall. Pretty much every conversation I had with someone I was meeting for the first time began with this observation. (And I wore flats most of the time!)
There you have it. Of course, I learnt plenty more than that. Lots to do on this little ol’ blog of mine.
Not only did I hear from fabulous speakers, I had my blog critiqued. By blogging experts. In front of an audience of bloggers. (Related: I no longer have fingernails.)
After the final keynote on Saturday, I raced to my room. I opened a notebook, and filled the first half of it with ideas and plans. I drew up a new design for the blog. I came up with a schedule for the remaining months of the year. I wrote down ideas for new blog posts. I thought about posts I’ve already written that are still relevant today, but could use an update. I even thought of new names for the blog if I decide to focus on one area. I wrote a mammoth-sized to-do list.
And then I closed the notebook. I was still on a high, and I didn’t want to get too caught up in the hype.
I don’t want to do things just because I CAN. I want to do things because I WANT TO.
Next week, I’ll open the notebook again. And I’ll decide what to do. I might do all of the things. I might do some of the things. I might do none of the things.
Whatever I do, I’ll be keeping these things in mind:
The soul-searching begins. Stay tuned.
Did you go to the ProBlogger conference? What did you think?
And if you’ll forgive the survey-without-notice, what do you think of YLSNED? Any suggestions or feedback to offer?
Love these lessons and the pics that you’ve created! A lot of those were my favourite quotes as well!!!
(And I was trying to think back if I commented in your height when we met??!! Lol…)
Good luck with your journey in wherever you decide to take your blog!
Thanks! So many ideas. Still flying around my head!
I think this is one of the best PB wrap ups I’ve read Em. Good for you! And good luck with whatever direction you to take. I’ll still be here 🙂
Thanks Jodi! I usually get ALL THE IDEAS and want to do ALL THE THINGS so I really made an effort not to be overwhelmed by PB. But now that I’m looking at the list again… it’s still an effort.
Such a great wrap up!! I especially love number three and four. I am excited for you and your blog. I can not wait to see where you take it. It was fantastic hanging with you. Definitely one of my highlights x
Thank you lovely, it was so nice to meet you and spend time together! I hope this blog goes somewhere. Time to knuckle down.
This is a great post Em, because you’ve made it so visually friendly and that is something I love!!! I know not everyone is in to the images and graphics like I am, but man I love a post with some good visual! Also, your notes, top stuff. I love your take on things and look forward to seeing what comes next.
P.S. I might have written a dick post today, but the guy was a dick. I may have used stronger words than that. Let’s hope I don’t get sued!
Thank you Kylie, and thanks for sharing this post on your blog. You’re such a generous blogger. And I hope you don’t get sued. But I’ve seen what he said, and yes, it was a dick thing to say about new mums.
I know I commented on your height! It was just do good to meet you IRL that it was hard not to comment. So lovely when our friends pop out of our screen! x
It was SOOO nice to meet you! You are just as luffly in real life. x
Yep – I loved Veggie Mama’s workshop – I loved hearing those real like stories!!
It was a bit scary! Liking something controversial can get you in the poo – aaaargh!
A fab wrap up Em and so much to take in right? I was less overwhelmed this year than I was last year, this year I took away that I really need to get better at tech stuff such as Google + etc.. can’t wait to see what you come up. And I have to be a smarty pants and say that I knew you were tall, I’m a journo who takes notice of people when they post photos, in fact I reckon I could almost guess most blogger’s heights from their blogs! But don’t hold me to that! Loved meeting you x
Google+, gah. I was in a different session then – I need to listen to Rand’s session. And find out HOW THE HECK to use Google+!
I love your wrap-up Em and all those quotes you have (and yes you are tall!). It was so lovely meeting you. I love your blog and can’t wait to see what you do next. x
Thanks Denise! Glowing right now.
I think your blog has an extra panache to it. It’s very you. I wish I could say I rushed home and wrote down all I’d learned. I’ve forgotten it all already. Luckily I can watch the videos which will be an activity for me this weekend. You are a bit tall Emily but very gorgeous 🙂
Thanks Pinky-Mich. Right back at you – I love the tone of your blog! You and Hugzy give me giggles.
I loved the way you summarised this post and I love your point on making a difference, because it’s totally true and that’s one of the main reasons I blog. Yes, yes you are tall but I just noticed that because I’m so damn short…especially in flats! x
Haha, damn those flats! Thanks, I got a lot from the social good session.
Great advice Em – I too was overwhelmed with ideas bursting out of my head… and then I had a crap week and did none of what I had planned. But you are so right – as long as I do it when I want to and not just because I can then all is good. xx
And your space is already gorgeous! Good luck with it all x
Your blog is gorgeous and you are gorgeous (and tall 😉 x
Thank you so much! Great to meet you.
You picked out some great quotes there! Love that one from Stacey. So many people say how it’s brave to hit the publish button when you’re unsure but I don’t think that’s always necessarily the case.
And yes – you are so much taller than I’d thought you be but I think I told you that pre Problogger 🙂 x
I think it can be brave if you’re unsure if it’s personal or opinion about your own story or life – I’m thinking of BigWords and the body post. But if you’re unsure because it’s about someone else, ALWAYS sit on it for a while.
Wasn’t Pat amazing?
YES. I’ll be revisiting that session for sure.
I have seen a few pics of you from the conference and thought, ‘wow she’s taller than I thought!’ Glad I’m not alone thinking that. 🙂
Love these quotes. So many others have said the same thing. It’s ok to do it just because you love it.
Yep, there was a lot of talk of stats and SEO and numbers and success, but I chose to focus on the times people talked about loving what you’re doing instead.
These are great points. I didn’t go to pro-blogger, but I’ve loving all the posts describing what people got out of the experience. Yours is refreshing 🙂
Thanks, Francesca. Trying to keep it all in perspective. I’m just one person, and I have to remember that!
Seems like this is still relevant advice 🙂