I spent last weekend with 700+ bloggers, sponsors, presenters and online creatives at the 2015 ProBlogger conference.
And it was wonderful!
Who’s who? Left to right, top to bottom: Talking Frankly, Keeping Up With The Holsbys, A Life Less Frantic, Children’s Books Daily, Edenland, Smaggle, beStella, Kiki & Tea, This Charming Mum, Veggie Mama, Styling You, Woogsworld, A Quirky Bird, beStella (again!), Carly Findlay, Bill Harper, My Home Truths. And yours truly. Lots and lots of yours truly. #sorrynotsorry
I learnt a lot from the sessions when I attended my first one last year. This year, I found that I learnt as much from the mentoring (chatting), workshopping (partying) and networking (dancing) as I did from the sessions.
The to-do list is out of control. It’s actually quite scary.
So I’m not looking at it. I’m home. I’m away from the #FISTPUMP #HIGHFIVE #CRAZYSUPERACHIEVING atmosphere of ProBlogger, and now I’m going to live life and reassess the list next month with what I hope will be a more realistic mindset.
In the meantime, here are the key lessons from this year’s event, and the one thing on my to-do list that just couldn’t wait.
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1. Know your WHY.
This is the first thing we all heard from Darren Rowse (Mr ProBlogger himself). Know WHY you’re blogging. Don’t get distracted by what others are doing, or by what you think your readers want because of that one question they asked that one time. Don’t let your WHY get out of focus.
This was reiterated by most speakers throughout the conference. Jadah Sellner (Simple Green Smoothies) admitted that when she started the blog, she knew her WHY and her WHAT, but wasn’t sure of the HOW.
And Nicole Avery (Planning With Kids) gave me some last-minute wisdom in a casual chat when the whole event was finished.
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2. Use your time well.
Sounds like a no-brainer? It is. But putting it into practice is less no-brainerish. (So, apparently, is my ability to use the English language without mangling it.)
So here come the useful tips from Darren: Analyse how you spend your time. If you dare, actually download an app that calculates how much time you spend on social media. Make a schedule. Set timers so that you stick to it. And make appointments with yourself for the things that are important for you.
Carly Jacobs (Smaggle) and Christina Butcher (Hair Romance) gave some excellent advice on this topic. They asked us to stop pretending we can multitask. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.
Batch similar tasks together. If you sit down to write a blog post, write ten. Then source all of the required images. Then schedule all of the social media.
Never sit down at the computer without an idea, watching the cursor blink. The blank screen will mock you. Create routines, and stick to them.
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3. Stick to one idea per blog post.
From the routines and logistics to the content and ideas. This tip is important for reader engagement, and once again, it was reiterated by many of the speakers.
Kate Toon (Kate Toon Copywriter) mentioned the importance of this one for your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). If you stick to one focus per post, you can identify the important keyword. Then that keyword needs to appear in the post title, meta description, tag and the first 100 words of the post.
Kelly Exeter (A Life Less Frantic) focused on the benefit for the reader. If you go off on tangents and lose the thread of what you’re saying, you’ll lose the reader as well. Stick to one idea per blog post. And if you do find yourself going off on a tangent, just cut and drop the tangent into a new post draft. You won’t have to think of a new topic next time! SCORE.
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4. Look after yourself.
It’s tempting to get caught up in the hype and DO ALL THE THINGS. It’s especially tempting after attending a blogging conference where you’re surrounded by people who seem to be not just DOING ALL THE THINGS, but succeeding at DOING ALL THE THINGS.
But sometimes it’s not possible. You might be comparing yourself with someone who works on their blog full-time while you sit down at the computer for two hours on Sundays. You might be comparing your new blog with an established blog with a very large following. You might be comparing what you can do on your own with what another can do with a staff of four.
As Jadah said, anything that compromises your health and relationships is not a sustainable business model. A sentiment that backed up Darren’s observation that the wellbeing of his blogs is linked to his own wellbeing.
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5. Everyone feels like they don’t know what they’re doing at some point. Don’t take negativity to heart.
Viewing ‘failure’ as feedback was a very strong message throughout the weekend.
Ruth Soukup (Living Well Spending Less) admitted to us all that she feels like a fraud. She said not to get too disheartened if you don’t know what you’re doing, because we’re ALL making it up as we go along. Especially the people at the top who don’t have more successful mentors to guide them.
Jadah highlighted the importance of taking imperfect action and failing your way forward. Caz Makepeace (y Travel Blog) recommended starting your business or blog with the intention of failing, so that you are ready to deal with it when (if?!) it happens. Rejection teaches you how to refine. Don’t take it personally; learn from it. Make rejection empowering.
Heather B. Armstrong (Dooce) highlighted the importance of responding with compassion to the most negative (and useless) of comments. She asked that we don’t respond defensively. Commenters sometimes forget that bloggers are human; don’t forget that commenters are human when responding.
And Kelly had an important message to give about not trying to please everyone as well. This one took me by surprise, and has been the biggest lesson I’ve taken from the event.
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6. Blogging connections are what make blogging so great.
Kelly nailed it with this observation. Most of the opportunities that come about from blogging come about because of the connections made.
Someone who likes our writing and tells us so lets us know about writing opportunities (or offers them directly). A blogging friend needs a proofreader and your name springs to mind.
Andrea Michelle (Fox in Flats) reiterated this message in terms of working with brands. She compared wooing brands with wooing a potential mate. You need to form the relationship and have mutual trust to achieve great things with brands.
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7. Support is great. Groupthink is dangerous.
Find people that get you. Find people that understand why you blog. Support each other. Bounce ideas off of each other. Make like Emma and Carla Papas (The MerryMaker Sisters) and find an accountability partner to keep you on track.
But as Ruth said, don’t get caught up in groupthink. Be authentic to your own blog, your own passions and your own dreams.
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There you have it. Seven things that I learnt at the 2015 ProBlogger conference. But I’m not through this post just yet.
On the final day, Darren asked us to do one more thing. Actually, he asked us to identify one thing. Just one thing.
We were to identify the one thing that we would do post-conference. The one thing that would make our blogs and/or our lives better, and get us closer to our dream goal.
I did my one thing on Tuesday. It might not seem blog-related, but it is – it’s the reason my WHY has changed as this blog has developed.
I want to write books for children. I have been working on a number of manuscripts for a long time, and one is as near done as it’s ever going to be. In fact, it had been sitting in my email outbox for months weeks, waiting for me to develop the courage to send it to a publisher for consideration. On Tuesday, my shaking right hand guided the mouse to the SEND button. And clicked.
Four years ago, I started this blog to find my voice after years of writing for corporates. The blog was my number one writing activity. It is now my third. Sometimes my fourth.
I love this blog. I love this community. I love writing posts and sharing them. It’s important to me, and it ain’t going anywhere. But this blog is the support act. And that’s okay.
Thank you to Darren and the #pbevent team, the sponsors and everyone involved in the creation and delivery of the 2015 ProBlogger conference. I learnt a lot, I enjoyed it, and you kicked my butt into gear. I’m very grateful.
And I hope to see you all again next year.
Did you attend the 2015 ProBlogger conference? What did you learn? What was your one thing?
Another amazing wrap-up (I remember yours being one of the best last year too). I’m sorry that we didn’t get to chat. It’s funny, we had literally just arrived and I was mid-order at the bar when I threw myself at you. When I went back to my roomie at the bar I said to her that I had to do that in case I didn’t get the chance to do it again. Unfortunately I was right. I came away with no new vision for the blog but it has reinforced to me just how important a part of my life it is, for so many reasons. I started it to reclaim my voice and my identity from motherhood and it has already surpassed all of my hopes and expectations.
Thanks Hugzy! I’m SO glad we hugged then because I was seriously bummed not to chat properly. It will happen. And yes to everything you said about the blog being important. It might not be my number one, but it’s still very important to me. x
Scotto and I have something up our sleeve as a result of the conference and I am thinking about an eBook. Not as moneymaking ventures mind you, just other creative outlets we can work on together. That’s the why for me.You’ll have fun writing those children’s books I bet.
Ooh ooh ooh! Sounds great! I do have fun writing the books, but they’re also very difficult. As are all forms of writing with the end goal of publishing, no doubt. Love your why. Chookas. x
What a great wrap up Em. And I am so proud of you for putting this out there: “I want to write books for children.”
Because now, every single one of us who love you to bits are going to do everything we can to get you there!!
Thank you Kelly, and thanks for sharing it around. Your support of me is a big part of my confidence. Thank you. You are a beautiful soul. x
Thanks for the seven lesson recap. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you re your children’s book manuscript! I
Oh and I love that last courage quote! It is so true!
Thanks Ingrid! Yes, Darren said that right at the end of the conference and it summed up both my why and the reason why I had forgotten my why until then.
Fabulous wrap up Em! As I didn’t get to see many of the sessions I feel like I have got the best bits right here! Was so lovely to see you again too x
Yes, you happiness coordinators were very busy! I hope all these messages come through when you get a chance to listen to the recordings. Thanks for making the conference such a blast.
Wow what a great recap Emma. Thank you for sharing so much and yes we are all here to support you on your adventure to writing children’s books. Go you good thing. Hugs. V x
Sorry that was meant to say Emily
No worries Vicki! I get Emma all the time 😉
Thanks for your comment, and for the support. Means a lot. x
Great wrap up. I’m so going next year. I’m stuck on the write ten posts at once tip. Dear god. Some of mine take 5 hours to write! 🙂
Yes, it does depend on what you do! I think it’s get the main guts of your posts out all at once. Then you can go and do the research you require to support them all at the same time. You could batch research, perhaps?
That was a great wrap up and thanks for sharing! Very helpful tips there. And it’s great that you’ve taken that leap and sent your writings off! Wishing you nothing but success here on! And keep writing. I’ve only met you the once last year, and I can clearly see you and your lovely personality as a childrens book writer
Thank you Monica. Everyone’s comments are so lovely! Hopefully all these happy, supportive vibes reach the publisher…
Great takeaways Em. I’m so glad you were fearless and sent that manuscript. And I can’t wait to see your book and name in the children’s book section very soon. xx
Far from fearless, but I did it anyway! Thank you so much, Jodi. x
Some fantastic takeaways there Em! Loving that I’m getting a glimpse of the messages from sessions that i missed! I had to have a break from my notes and all thoughts ‘blogging’ when I got back from #PBevent. I was exhausted and my mind was in a whir. I’ve since made a huge long action list from my notes and thoughts and am slowly working my way through them. Slowly! Wishing you all the luck in the world with your children’s books. So lovely to meet you too! 🙂 x
Thanks Min. Absolutely – I had message overload and needed a break. Didn’t help that I flew to ProBlogger on the back of the Bendigo Writers Festival (which was FABULOUS) so was already loaded up on lessons and inspiration. Thanks for the luck. Fingers crossed. x
Thank you so much for sharing this for those of us playing along at home 🙂 . I particularly love that quote by Kelly Exeter, have pinned it; in fact I think I’ll print it out and hang it above my computer! I didn’t make it to PBEvent this year and wrote about my reasons why on the blog this week …
Thanks Janet – will check out the blog post. That Kelly is one clever cookie, I tells ya!
Huge congrats on sending off your manuscript! I hope you get a ‘yes’ first time:) Your comments about your blog being third or fourth now really resonated with me. Mine was my only writing project when I started in April 2013. Now I do corporate content development 3 days a week, freelance article writing and fiction writing. But all the other stuff came directly because I started blogging. I’ve learned so much, made so many friends and connections and am now utterly addicted to writing. Unfortunately I haven’t gained more hours in the day!
Thank you! I am so freaking nervous! Mostly about not hearing back at all rather than anything else. Wouldn’t it be nice to be granted more hours in the day? They’d have to be extra hours in which the kids slept, though. For these purposes, anyway.
thank you for sharing this. I missed PBEvent this year but I’m so glad you guys are so passionate about learning and generous with sharing what you’ve learnt with the community. Excellent tips!
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Thanks Ai. I think that was the best part of the event – everyone was supportive of everyone else’s ideas, dreams and passion.
Good luck on the book deal Emily.
You have reminded me that at the start of the year my plan was to start writing freelance articles. Whilst I have had one article published I have gotten lost in the blog and forgotten to keep pitching. I have lost my focus and become sidetracked. Pitching begins now.
Thanks Sally! Chookas with the pitching. My word for the year was ‘steady’. I’m still steady, but have had to remind myself that steady doesn’t mean still. It still involves forward movement. Must keep moving forward. Steadily.
I hear you Emily steady not still
Awesome wrap-up. I can’t wait to get the recordings for some of the sessions I didn’t get to like Andrea Michelle’s session on brands, the Aussie Showcase and Kelly Exeter’s talk. LOVED meeting you again and getting a chance to have one of the best looking selfies I’ve ever had! So proud of you for sending off that manuscript – fingers crossed it’s the first of many for you x
They were great sessions; enjoy them! Which did you attend then? Any recommendations?
So good to cuddle you. Yes, that gorgeous light did us both some favours! No filter!
Shine on crazy diamond!! I do enjoyed hanging with you a bit more this year. You’re a great big shining star and I’m mega impressed that you pressed send.
I have moments of doing ALL THE THINGS and then I burn out and lose my shit for a while. If you find the secret to balance- let me know!! Xxx
Oh man, it was WONDERFUL to spend much more time with you this year! Thanks for letting me hang with your group. Not that I really gave you all a choice. x
So much awesome in one post! 1. It was so awesome to see you in real life (not so awesome that we didn’t get a picture but might have been photgraphically challeneged because… height difference!) 2. Awesome wrap up of an awesome event. 3. You sent off your manuscript – that’s awesome plus! I can’t wait to see your name in print (as in on a real book) and I know it’s not if, but when.
1. So awesome! 2. Thank you. 3. Thank you! Fingers crossed. x
This is the BEST wrap up post I’ve read and I’ve seen a few! Funny as I too see my blog as my third in line but I still love it… and I hope my readers do too! Wish I’d had more one on one time with you, these conferences are always so busy! Rock on girl xx
Thanks Em. That means a lot. As one of your regular readers, I can tell you that I certainly love it! And ditto – I can’t believe that your smiling face isn’t in any of my photos. It looks like I took a lot but I still didn’t get half as many as I’d have liked.
So excited for Em! You will make a fabulous children’s author.
I love the things you’ve shared; it’s my favourite post to date. I feel like blogging is my support act these days now as well. I’m struggling to get one post a week, but that’s ok, because I’m doing lots of other stuff as well.
Thanks Jess. I hope the publisher agrees. #IBOT is a pretty big motivator to get that one post per week out!
Such a fantastic wrap up Emma. You were such an amazing tweeter at the event – you really helped others with it, so thanks for your contribution! All the best with the manuscript.
\
Nic
of course that should be Emily!
Haha, no worries Nicole! And thank you. Chookas as you move on from the PB team, and thanks for the chat post-event. You exude positivity; it’s lovely to be around.
So good to see you! And yes, great wrap-up – these are such important points, and I think they encapsulate the whole experience. I get so much value out of this conference every year – my head comes away super filled!
Yes, Darren’s point about filling your cup was spot on because that’s exactly what I felt like when the conference finished. (In fact, it was overflowing.)
This is a great recap – and you’ve covered off many of the points I scrawled into my notebook over the two days. I especially like your point about comparisons. One of my favourite sayings is that comparison is the thief of joy. I try to always remember my own WHY…which is my love of telling stories and helping people to create their own memorable travel moments…and not get caught up in sizing up my how and what against others.
Thank you, Fairlie! It’s hard not to do the sizing up thing. But now, unless I’m measuring a particular sponsored campaign, I only check my stats every few months. It’s much more exciting that way!
So exciting that you hit ‘send’ on the manuscript – go you!!
I really loved Carly and Christina’s session, it was my stand out – I actually wrote 66/100 blog post ideas on the plane on the way home! And Jadah was amazing 🙂
Thank you! Yep, Carly and Chrissy nailed it. I’ll be sitting down to map out 100 post ideas soon! Jadah was great but I must admit I don’t like the glowstick line. I don’t think you have to break to shine. x
WOW. This is so radical. Thankyou ever so much Em for the great recap, the cool inspirational graphics, and the general kindness that resonates out of your words. Thankyou. Deeply. 🙂
Thanks Israel! What a lovely comment.
Awesome wrap up, Em, as per usual. I loved your tweets as well, as you know! I have no doubt that you will become a children’s author one day. Good on you for putting yourself out there. It takes oodles of courage xo
Thanks Renee. Gosh oh gosh we missed you! Love your support. x
Brilliant wrap up & again, thank you for your live tweets. You rock!
Thanks Holly! And you’re welcome. Live tweeting the event made this post really easy!
This post makes me realise that I really should’ve taken far more photos than I actually did. I hope that the publishers love your book!!
Thanks Toni. I hope so too! And I still didn’t get anywhere near as many photos as I wish I had.
That’s a wonderful wrap up Em! I’m feeling really sad that I didn’t go. Hoping to go next year. I must admit that my ‘Why’ always seems questionable even to me. Loved the quotes you’ve shared. Thanks for such a comprehensive post. 🙂
And good luck with the book! I can’t wait to hear more about it.
Thank you! Hope to see you there next year. With a copy of my book! (Not that I think it would be in print by then.)
I love it when post the conference blog posts are about sessions I didn’t attend. Another way to learn from the #pbevent. Thanks!!
You’re welcome! Glad to help.
Great wrap up. I love the point about one idea per blog post. Going to take that on board thanks xx
Thanks Deb. I think I mostly stick to that. But certainly not always! Going to be very aware of it from now on.
Fab! I love it and I’m bookmarking it to remind me of all of these great things. Thank you! x
Thanks Ellen! Great to see you again. x
Em, such a comprehensive round-up, full of so much good stuff!
Your children’s books (plural obviously) are going to be fabulous xx
Plural obviously. You have just made my day! Thank you so much, Lisa. x
Great wrap up and it was lovely to meet you in person. Congratulations on sending your manuscript, what an achievement. I’m still mulling over my 1 and am going to have to slow down on the blog for a bit until after we move but the conference gave me so many ideas too. x
Thanks Vicki! I hope the mulling produces results. Chookas for the move. x
Thanks to this great wrap-up and your awesome live tweets, I really feel like I was there! (Apart from the champagne swilling, dancing and meeting of everyone face to face. Oh, bugger… maybe next year!)
I’ll try to live-tweet some champagne and dancing next year, ha! But perhaps you’ll be there instead.
Such a great ‘One Thing’ you have done! You will have to let us know when it is published (because it WILL be published), as I’m sure many of us will look out for it. And, thank you for sharing some great insights from the problogger conference too. In the spirit of the ‘one thing’, I’m going to make a far bigger effort to ensure my blog posts cover one issue only – it makes so much sense!
Thanks Helen. I hope it WILL be, but we’ll see. Not spending my imaginary advance just yet! I like your ‘one thing’ and its focus on the one topic.
Fantastic wrap up Em. I’m so happy you took that leap and sent off the manuscript – bravo and good luck! You were meant to write children’s books. I’ll put you down for a kiddie album too – but I’m sure one giant leap is enough for the moment 🙂 A huge thank you also for all the work you did live tweeting the event. You made it fun for me to play along at home xx
Oh my gosh! I will need to go back to singing lessons if I’m going to even think about that! So pitchy. My YouTube clips to date make me cringe!
Thank you for the lovely comment. Hope to meet you Tash x
I love this wrap up! It makes me so much more excited for next year when I won’t be as scared of the unknown of my first time at ProBlogger. And you’ve made me feel a million times better about delaying looking at my to do list. I had such a fog of ideas a to do’s when I got home – I just needed the break. It’s been the best thing as the ideas a becoming more clear as I take my time to just let it all settle. Thank you for reminding me I don’t need to DO ALL THE THINGS!!! xo
I think it’s actually beneficial to leave the list until the hype has calmed down. Otherwise the inspiration becomes overwhelming and you might burn out. (Maybe that’s just me. But I waited last year and then made all of the decisions – change blog name, move to self-hosted WP etc) with a clear head.
What a great recap to what sounds like an awesome conference. I can only imagine the amount of fist pumping that was going on! 🙂
It was #fistpump central! Which sounds awful. But you know what I mean!
I’m enjoying all the different wrap ups as I didn’t go to Problogger but hope to make it next year. I find it interesting that Caz suggested being prepared to fail when first starting out- to me that would be like asking to fail. Unless you are creating an exit strategy which most businesses to do- knowing when to quit. Two different things I guess 🙂
Within context it made a whole lot of sense. Be prepared to fail. Don’t expect success. Work hard. Have back-ups. It was nothing but positive. Hope that helps.
I wasn’t there this year as am gallivanting across North America but this is such a great round up of lessons! I particularly love the last quote at the end, so true!
Good luck with your manuscript!!
Fingers crossed for you!
US tour? Pffffft. Lame excuse. Thanks so much, Zita. x
Thanks for a great wrap up! I missed out this year (6 month old baby) but it has been great reading everyone’s accounts. One question. What’s groupthink ?
Excellent question! (Note to self: never assume terms are self-explanatory.) Groupthink is like herd mentality. It’s being swayed by those around you to head in a particular way. Peer pressure, perhaps? Sacrificing your uniqueness to do what has worked for others. Hope this helps, and thank you so much for asking the question.
Hello Emma,
I’m so glad I came across your blog post about the problogger event. I really want to make it to 2016. I love the part where blogging is really about finding new people to connect with. I think this is the exciting part. And then to meet them in person would be a fantastic moment.
I shared on Twitter too, so I can go back and read it again. A lot of inspiring quotes and thoughts. Thanks again
Melinda xx
Thanks Melinda, and I’m glad you found the blog! I hope you like what you see. Thanks for leaving such a lovely comment.
Meeting new people has been the best part of blogging. Easily. I’ve made true friendships online, and thought they were great anyway, but they hit a whole other level when you finally meet face-to-face. I highly recommend #pbevent or any other blogging event (#voicesof2015 springs to mind) where you’ll meet the people with whom you’ve interacted online.
Hooray! I LOVE YOUR NEWS! That makes so much sense to me, Em. I support you in every possible way. Lucky kids.
And yes, agree – my blog is also the support act and I love that it is with me all the way. x
Thanks Bron. Means a lot. And yes – these blogs of ours are very supportive support acts, aren’t they? x
Fantastic wrap up Em!! I especially enjoyed reading your takeaways from the sessions I didn’t get to. Can’t wait till we get the link so we can watch those! Loved meeting you at PB. Now I know how tall you are and you know how bloody short I am! lol x
Thanks Min! So great to meet you. Yes – I heard a lot of “I can’t believe how tall you are!” and “I recognised you by your glasses!”
Great wrap up Emily. After what happened on the home front throughout ProBlogger (daughter requiring surgery) I didn’t end up playing from home this year and I honestly didn’t give the conference much thought.
You poor thing. I hope everyone’s okay. Good thing you never got that ticket or you would have given the conference a WHOLE lot of thought. (The cost.)
Those quotes from Kelly and Darren are GOLD. And a huge congratulations and good luck for your manuscript! I’m sure we’ll see it in print one day. xo
Thanks Ness. I hope so. One day. (Ahh, one day. What a horrible phrase.) And yes, Kelly and Darren are clever cookies.
Commenting again because this is such an awesome wrap up of Problogger! Thanks for linking up and all the best of luck for your manuscript too!
Thanks again! Yay again! Thanks for hosting the PB-themed linky.
Thanks for making me feel like I was there… I am making notes on all this fantastic advice
You’re welcome – I’m glad you found the post useful. x
Thanks for the write up! I’m starting to feel like I was actually there after reading everyones tips! Except I missed all the fun and mingling.. sniff… these are great tips!
Yes, the fun and mingling was… well, fun! Glad you found the write-up useful.
I love what Nic Avery said! Such a wise woman that one! I wish I went this year and caught up with you! But so glad to hear that you got to do a lot of dancing er, I mean networking 🙂 x
She is so clever. And man, did I miss your smiling face. x
Fantastic wrap up Em . I’m hoping to make it to problogger in 2016 . What an exciting journey you have ahead . X
Thanks Jules! I hope you make it next year – I hope I do too! x
Hi,
Do you happen to know when the 2016 event is on?
Thanks,
Dale.
It is in August again, Dale. I can’t remember the exact dates but details should be on the Problogger website. Or look for the Problogger Events group in Facebook.