Glam but first coffeeI went to my first ever bloggers event and I have so many emotions and thoughts about all of what I saw and experienced that I wanted to write it all down and share my day with you.
It took the whole day for this event to happen, and I paid for it (I was invited after I already paid for event, lucky me). Beautiful location, tasty food and drinks, professional but friendly atmosphere- I will share this all with you as well as some tips for your first event.
Location
The event took place in Art and technology center named Etopia in Zaragoza, Spain. Building itself and the design beautiful, all designed with art works, clean and light as art centres usually are. Located near the Central station, so very good location for everyone who are living in the city or coming from another cities, so that was very good planned.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the most stressful thing of which everyone is nervous about when it comes to events like this where there are many people who are already “famous” and know each other but then I enter as the youngster duck among the swans.
I was surprised. I did not feel awkward in any moment, even when I was standing alone, drinking my coffee and looking around and many bloggers were talking to each other- I just felt like everyone did their own business– either it was meeting with old friends, taking photos for your Instagram stories or just enjoying tasty coffee.
In few moments, a girl came up to me and then another one and the trio for the rest of the day was made. One of the girls having her own company (can not relate) and other girl very successful in Instagram (again- can’t relate) thinking of opening her own blog. I got lucky to keep awkwardness away from me for the rest of the day.
The plan of the day
Arriving
I arrived 15. minutes earlier, to wait those 15. minutes but a way more better than to arrive later when the hall is already full with people you do not know.
Everyone received their entrance cards and a bag of Welcome package. The bag included a lot of commercial stuff, 3 tubes of toothpastes (thank you for that), as well as notebook and two pens (a number one for bloggers).
I continued my way to another beautiful hall that had makeup artists inside (did not understand if they were for newbies like me as well or only invited guests), but the snacks and coffee was for everyone (coffee helped for my entire day because the day was long, and all the information we had to take in- coffee definitely was number one… well together with wine because wine is always in my TOP). Met the girls along the way as I mentioned before and were sharing stories until the event officially started.
First part: motivation and inspiration
The seminar and training started more with motivational and inspirational speeches rather than teaching something new.
First speech was given by motivational speaker who has big experience and have given speeches even in United States.
The second speech was given by a famous blogger in Spain, who is more a travel and fashion blogger, giving her experience about the path and giving look in her blog and social medias while giving the speech about motivation like the first speaker did.
After all, without motivation and inspiration you will not succeed, right?
Second part: SEO, social network news and discussion
Now the real information and advices come in, thanking for all the coffee I took in during the break!
If you are a blogger then you know that SEO is the real struggle and breaking it open is not easy. I do not want to even hear about it but unfortunately I must.
The second new hassle for bloggers is algorithms of social networks. Especially Instagram is very annoying with its algorithms which the social network change about every month almost, and you need to follow up what you can or cannot do otherwise you can get banned or restricted from certain actions. Annoying? Yes! Also very time consuming so I was happy to get updated about this topic (even thought I think it could go deeper mentioning exactly right now what is prohibited and what is not).
I enjoyed the topic of future of all the social networks– was interesting to see. By the way, Linked in is new Social media and Twitter will not die (I was the one who thought it will).
Second part ended with around table which was mostly listening to bloggers talking and discussing with each other and the group photo (so much people, I did not expect that).
Final part: Influencer agencies, Instagram techniques and strategies
After longer break and more food and wine, we continued with our seminar. I was very happy to know more about influencer agencies in Spain and find out their point of view when choosing influencers to work with. I have only heard the influencer side but never agencies. Enjoyed a lot listening to them and their experience. Hope to work with them soon!
Instagram strategies– just about when you think you know all! I did know a lot of the information given what made me very happy. Thought there were new strategies, techniques and ideas shared what Instagram loves and how to be more notable on this platform- before other influencers. Also many apps and pages were given, paid as well as unpaid which I will need to go through and see which one helps me and which ones not.
The event were ended by some beer networking, because Spain!
Conclusion
Very good organised and planned. I enjoyed every bit of the event. I will say next time I hope to get invited before I buy the ticket or just will wait until the last minute. The event for me was more about knowing people in this industry and meet new people not so much about new information. I think information I have received in online courses (free) and youtube videos were more detailed then in the courses, but the training is only one day and after all- everyone has his own way to do things and also the most importantly was to hear the news which a year old video on Youtube will not give me. Thank you.
TIPS
- Do not be scared! I know this is so easy to say and hard to do, but I am seriously, if you want to know to an event- go! You will not regret.
- Go alone! Girl I know how scary it is and the temptation of asking your boyfriend or sister to come with you is huge. I had it- wanted to invite someone with me so much to not be alone and have that safe and good feeling to have someone to spend the day with BUT are you there to meet new people and gain experience and contacts or to be seen as this cold fish who came with her bodyguard? I saw few girls who looked like they came with their boyfriends- they spend the whole day with them while other girls met new people and contacts. The reason why at the end I went alone!
- Arrive early. Arrive early but not too early. I was in the location as one of the first and it helped me to realise where I am, what is happening and also was not as scary as when entering the hall full of people who are already talking with each other and you do not know what to do now, everyone staring at you. I was there as one of the first and did not even notice when the hall already were filled with people, at the same time people noticed me when arriving and I had possibility to meet other girls who were in the same position as I was.
- Leave impression. I saw this event as not only for me to know and meet people, but also others will notice me and that is when it is important to leave good first impression. Be nice, friendly, smile at people, give them help if needed. Wear something you feel comfortable in but give it a bit of stylish touch.
- Charge your phone and take external battery with you. I would say- better five external batteries. This tip is a bit of a joke one but not too far of the truth. During all the event, giveaways were being held which were mostly about tweeting, posting and taking pictures. I was as one of the first until my phone died which left me very sad, desperate and without possibility to contact anyone. I bet that is not in all those events, but who knows? Blogging is all about technologies and sharing experiences so you always have to be ready.
Discussion. I enjoyed sharing my first blogger event experience with you. During winter time I am going a lot to restaurants, bars and movie theatres but during warmer weather I travel a lot and visit different events, mostly sport activities. That is when the question comes in- would you be interested of me sharing more of my travels, activities and lifestyle? Let me know in comments down below!
I do some vlogs on Youtube: How I spent my time in Andalucia, Spain?
Blogs to inspire from: A trendy lifestyle (FASHION)
Yo no lo tiraria (DIY)
El viaje de tu vida (TRAVEL)
