If you haven’t heard the news, tickets for PBEvent 2014 (that’s the 5th annual ProBlogger Event) go on sale at 10.30am (AEDT) today.
I Must Confess: I have had to think long and hard about whether to buy a ticket this year.
Last year, I had no such qualms. It was my first year as a “professional blogger”; and it was practically in my neighbourhood on the Gold Coast (just an hour away). Somehow I just kind of ignored the price and went for it! (Partly that may have been because I booked the accommodation separately pretty cheaply, and it spread the overall expense out over a number of months.)
It was inspiring; I learned a lot; met lots of other bloggers; and had a great time (you can see some of my pics of PBEvent 2013 in this post). My only real complaint is that I ended up with a migraine on the second day, probably from information overload! I ended up having to go home early because of it .
This year, I was pretty sure PBEvent 2014 would be held a lot further away – maybe Sydney or Melbourne. Which kind of made my decision for me: that I wouldn’t be able to go.
So I booked into another conference that will no doubt be a huge boost to my business: the Australian Virtual Assistants Conference, which is being held here in Brisbane in just another couple of week’s time.
Of course wouldn’t you know it, PBEvent is back on the Gold Coast again this year – can I really afford to go to two conferences in one year?!
I’m trying to remind myself that although conferences cost money, ultimately they benefit my business so are a sound investment!
As if to prove my theory, I started getting my first paid opportunities (sponsored posts) here on my blog immediately after going to PBEvent last year. Just coincidence? Or perhaps as a result of some of the networking I did while I was away?!
Yes, tickets are a little more expensive this time around: up from $350 to $399. As that doesn’t include accommodation – it all adds up. I would dearly love to stay onsite this year but I’m not sure if that will happen.
I guess I’m lucky I don’t have to include airfares!
When it all boils down to it, I realise just how lucky I am to have Australia’s premiere blogging event so close to home.
And that I will be kicking myself when the conference is on, if I’m NOT there!
What do you think I should do?!
Linking up with My Home Truths for another Monday morning confession.
Don’t forget the Nuffnang South Brisbane Bloggers Banquet is coming up soon and is a lot cheaper! Have you booked your spot?!
Ness says
If you enjoyed it last year and ended up getting some opportunities from it then I say go for it again if you can stretch your finances. You’ll probably make the money back, with a profit hopefully, later. I don’t consider myself a professional blogger, it’s more of a hobby for me, so I can’t justify the cost. It would be nice to meet a few people, including yourself, though.
Janet Camilleri says
I bought a ticket! But, if worst comes to worst, I can always sell it later on if the budget really is screaming …
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
It’s a hard one Janet but I reckon just go for it if you think you will have regrets if you don’t go…
As for me, I unfortunately still can’t justify the expense this year too. I wish it will come back to Melbourne…
Janet Camilleri says
Yes it must be hard for people in other cities who are missing out … I ended up buying a ticket by the way! I can always sell it later if things get really tight, I guess …
Jaz @ Red Dolls says
Offt $400? What do you get for that? I guess what you take away from it balances out the cost. I wonder if not going would be like New Years Eve though, when you don’t plan on doing anything then by about 5pm you start getting antsy because you should be doing something or going somewhere (or is that just me?), will you be cool if you don’t go because it sounds like you want to…
Janet Camilleri says
It IS a lot of money – my AVAC conference is only about $250 for the same length of time, but for a much smaller group (which personally I prefer). I ended up booking in – if the budget gets too stretched I guess I can always sell my ticket later on … though I hope I won’t have to!
Nikki@Wonderfully Women says
I didn’t go last year and the green-eyed monster reared it’s ugly head when all the pic’s started appearing. I cut it fine after getting home from work late, but the 7th last ticket is MINE! So excited…..now I just have to work on accommodation etc. xx N π
Janet Camilleri says
Wow! Can’t believe how quickly this event sells out. Might be time they put on TWO consecutive events I think – just like the Colour Conference that Hillsong Sydney holds every year.
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
I’ve never been to a ProBlogger event and this year I would have gone if I hadn’t already booked the Digital Parents Conference. I think if you had that much success from the last one that you should definitely go. To me though, I think $400 seems a lot of money and wonder if you could find similar information online….but then there’s not the networking opporunity or ability to have one on ones.
Janet Camilleri says
It’s such a tough decision Eva, although I did take the plunge and got a ticket. I suppose if worst comes to worst I can sell it to somebody else if I need to, closer to the event.
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Did you read my thoughts Janet?! I’m going. And yes I will have a 7 week old baby, but like you, I got more sponsored posts after going to Problogger so I’ve pretty much used most of the money I received from sponsored posts to pay for my ticket. I have booked the QT so that Jacob can have my bub asleep in the room and I can go up there when needed to feed. I was interested to go to Digital Parents but when I found out it was on a ship and I would be pregnant, i knew it wouldn’t be a good mix. I’m just gonna pray in faith for you and I that more money will flow into our lives via our blogs or elsewhere so it won’t make the budget too tight. But I am secretly glad you’ll be there. You know who I will be hanging out with π
Janet Camilleri says
I think that is AWESOME that you are coming and bringing your bub! I dibs lots of cuddles!!!! And I’m agreeing with you in prayer π
Aroha says
Joke is on me – 2 years in a row on the Gold Coast – MY BACK YARD – and 2 years in a row I’m not going. I think $400 is so much money, and given our recent expenditures (new tooth for me and a new laptop for uni!) squeezing another $400 out would hurt right now. However, tickets are sold out, so too bad so sad for me anyway! Maybe I’ll keep an eye out for someone selling their ticket closer to the time. Just really bad timing for us for them to go on sale today! I hope if I can’t get a ticket, I can meet up with lots of bloggers while they’re up here! Glad you got your ticket. I don’t think you’ll regret it and it’s only $57 a MONTH between now and then to save for it. Easy! x
Janet Camilleri says
Oh I like your thinking Aroha, only $57 a month, makes it seem much more affordable π
lisa says
I managed to get a ticket for Problogger and I don’t know how I am going to afford to actually get there from Perth but I will work that out later!! It will be great to finally meet you…I went to the Digital Parents Conference last year and missed out on Problogger, so time to see what all the fuss is about x
Janet Camilleri says
I was a bit like that last year – bought the ticket and was fully prepared to drive an hour each way, both days, but somehow I got a cheap deal on accommodation so it worked out okay.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I would love to go for the networking opportunities, but I couldn’t justify $400 + accommodation costs when I’m still on maternity leave and not earning an income. I’m taking its sold out already anyway. If I had’ve got myself organised earlier I would’ve tried to get sponsored or something. I bet when I really want to go next year it wont be in QLD.
Janet Camilleri says
Are you in Brissie? You could always come to the Bloggers Banquet I’m hosting later this month – just click the link up on the menu bar of my site!
Emily says
You’re coming! Yay! So am I! I couldn’t decide, couldn’t work out how to justify the cost, but then realised I wasn’t near a computer this morning. So I decided if there were any tickets left when I got to one, I’d go. And if not, well, it wasn’t meant to be. Apparently it’s meant to be! Haven’t been to one before so really looking forward to learning sooooo much!
Janet Camilleri says
Yay! Look forward to catching up with you there!
Tegan says
I am sadfacing all over the place today because I just can’t afford it this year. It was a stretch last year and I just don’t have the money this year. I was able to get an early bird ticket last year too so it would be an extra $99. I will be looking on with jealousy at all of the tweets though!
stephanie@stephsjoy says
won’t be going this year, so sadfacing with Teagan too. Instead will be following with interest via the web!
Janet Camilleri says
Oh Shame! It was such a joy to meet you last year!!!
Mystery Case says
As much as I think I would benefit from these events, I just find them so draining. Possibly the networking and information overload which leads to being over inspired. Sometimes you just need to roll the sleeves up and get on with things. I ummed and ahhed about going myself but in th end hubby’s work decided he is needed at sea that month so with no back up or help with my three girls it is mission impossible.
Janet Camilleri says
I know what you mean Ms Mystery! I think that’s why I got a migraine last year. I hate missing anything but I think next year if a session really doesn’t sound like something I’m interested in, I’ll chill with a good book and a coffee instead to give myself a bit of a break.
Zita says
am getting to commenting on your post so late… what did you decide?? are you going? I didn’t go last year, was so new to it all this and had no idea but really wanted to go this year but sadly it sold out before I had a chance to get tickets π
Vanessa says
ProBlogger is so very cheap compared to most conferences!