So Problogger – an annual gathering of hundreds of enthusiastic bloggers – is done and dusted for another year.
After attending for the past two years, this time I just played along at home by following the #pbevent hashtag on social media.
So now to answer the question burning on everybody’s lips: Why wasn’t *I* there? I mean, when it comes to blogging, you don’t get much more enthusiastic than me!
Why I Didn’t Go to Problogger This Year
There is no simple answer, rather, it was a combination of factors:
1. Money Money Money – I wouldn’t have much change from $1000, even without needing to pay for flights (I only live 45 minutes’ drive from the conference venue on the Gold Coast). That’s a lot of money!
2. My Personal Blogging Journey – I’ve reached a point where what is meant to be “inspirational”, instead leaves me feeling discouraged. Despite my best efforts, my blog hasn’t achieved super stardom. Hearing about others and how they have found fame and fortune, doesn’t help ME to achieve the same. I’ve come to realise there are no magic formulas for success …
Besides, what is “success” really? I love blogging and sharing about my life as a middle aged mama, and the lovely community that gathers here (that’s YOU!); you seem to read and like what I’m doing, which feels pretty good to me!
I felt going to Problogger wasn’t a “healthy choice” for me in 2015. I don’t want to compare myself with others. I just want to do what I do, and do it well π .
3. Have I Outgrown Problogger?! This year, I felt my professional development dollars could be better spent attending more specific, focused training in other aspects of my business, rather than just the blog. I want to learn more about social media management and the mysteries of Google and Search Engine Optimisation – getting into the real nitty gritty, beyond the basics. Although Problogger *does* cover these subjects, it’s not in enough depth for my needs.
When I tried to articulate this to the hubster, he laughed. “So you think you’re too good for Problogger now?!”
At the end of the day, although I enjoyed Problogger in 2013 and 2014, this year I just didn’t feel the same urgency to attend (and I knew the conference would manage quite well without me π ).
The only thing I really missed was getting to chat bloggy stuff with other people, who are just as passionate about it as I am. Luckily, I was able to attend the Brisbane Bloggers Meetup at The Greek Club last Tuesday; so at least I still got my blogger fix.
As for next year – who knows? Just because these are the reasons I didn’t go to Problogger this year, doesn’t mean I’ll feel the same in twelve months’ time …
Now it’s your turn! If you didn’t go – why not; and if you did – I’d love to hear what meant the most to you!
Linking up with My Home Truths.
Ainslie says
I hear ya! While I haven’t been to Problogger, I understand the concept of wanting more from a seminar. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been to uni, but when I go to events or conferences I find they’re lacking in the smaller details. As for social media, everytime you figure it out, it will change.
Maybe start your own blogger event? If it’s on the Goldie or Redlands, and on a weekend, I’ll go!
Janet Camilleri says
You are so right about social media – they change the playing fields without consultation or notice, all the time – drives me round the bend at times!
Hugzilla says
I absolutely get you on this. Thinking about what it cost me makes my eyes water but as it was my first time it’s easier to overlook that! I love your point 2 as well – being surrounded by so many people at different levels with their blogs can feel very demotivating. The comparison game is an absolute killer, and I’ve kind of made peace with it in the same way that you have. Rather than looking at the community I don’t have, I’ve decided to focus instead on the wonderful community I DO have. That simple reframing means that I can be completely grateful for the numbers I have instead of always wanting more. I said this to a few people on the weekend but I remember writing and printing fanzines and being over the moon if I sold them to 30 people. Now, we can reach hundreds (if not thousands) of people instantly. That’s incredible. I think it’s important for me to not lose sight of that. Everyone wants more more more. More readers. More followers. More reach. That’s a recipe for disappointment right there, because the desire for more can never be satisfied. Thank you for writing this x
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks for taking the time to read Zilla … it’s a tough one isn’t it? I love the immediacy of blogging after running a magazine, and freelancing for magazines for many years π . Also, I think every blogger should get to Problogger at least once, because it IS an awesome experience!
Lyndall says
I’m hearing you Janet. Yes, Problogger is a big investment. I had to save my pennies to pay for it, but I do consider it an investment rather than a cost. I love getting together with other bloggers to speak in a language we all understand. Some of my friends IRL still don’t know what a blog is – they think I’ve joined a cult or something! π However, I do understand your point about listening to success stories. Some of the speakers this year talked a lot about themselves and what they had done. While that’s interesting, I want to know HOW it’s going to help me – that’s why I’m there. I also agree about the depth of the presentations, but I guess there’s only so much they can cover in such a short period of time. All in all, I enjoyed the conference, now I just have to put the lessons into place!
BTW – Nice piccie of the two spunky girls in your article! π
Janet Camilleri says
I know, how gorgeous are they π … it was so lovely to meet you last week, you alone made my trip to the blogger meetup totally worth it! I think everybody should go to Problogger at least once because it IS such a fantastic experience. I’m sure I’ll go back at some stage, I just didn’t feel it was a priority this year … after all I’ve just gotten back from a month in Europe π .
Ness says
I’ve never bothered attending because I’ve never had any grand plans to monetise (although I reserve the right to change my mind at any point – never say never and all that). I would like to meet a few people like yourself and say hi in person, but it’s a lot of money to spend just to say hi. Eventually I might decide to go and by that point all the bloggers I want to meet will have moved on anyway! Oh well. Sigh. I understand your reasons for not going. If you’ve been for the last two years it’s just going to be more of the same, isn’t it?
Janet Camilleri says
Problogger is fun and inspiring regardless of whether you want to monetise or not, and definitely worth going to at least once π
Paula Morgan (@sydneyexpert) says
I completely understand what you mean about being “past” the basic stuff. For me attending would have been more as a motivational tool than a learning one. I am sure I would have picked up some new stuff but as a full time worker and a part time blogger I would have been frustrated by not being able to come back and do all the cool things I heard about.
I love SMX Sydney for learning new up to date stuff. It’s pricey but I have learnt so much from it over the years.
I am never able to get leave from my full time job in July/August so it’s never been an option for me yet. Maybe next year.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks for the tip on SMX Sydney – I will look into it!
Kathy says
I enjoyed Problogger but definitely feel inadequate (if I let myself feel that way) and surrounded by go-getters. I could justify as for me, living nearby, it was only the ticket price (which was still $400). You sound like you are really comfortable with where you are at Janet, which is great.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Kathy, yes it would be much more affordable if I didn’t have to pay for accommodation!
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I totally get why you didn’t go Janet and I understood your reasoning. I did miss seeing you though. xx
Kathy Marris says
I was disappointed you didn’t come to Problogger Janet. It would have been nice to catch up with you. It was my first Problogger Conference and I got heaps out of it. In particular I did two very informative photography workshops because as you know I’m into my photography. As for some of the hype of the event I was not a big fan and can understand your point of being a small fish in a big pond of successful bloggers. However I think we need to look upon ourselves as being successful in our own rites. I think you are and I know I definitely am!
Fran says
Janet, I am still thinking about tasks I should do from first problogger conference I went to! I know I go for the meet up side. I missed you this year. Focusing on alternatives is a great plan. The past 2 years I have been working on learning from my family history community. And nearly didn’t go as I have been to 2 genealogy conferences this year already. As at these conferences there are many bloggers from my family history niche I get a great fix at them. I like the idea of investing the funds else where too. At least we see each other online!! Fran
Emily says
Right move if you’re after specific info and actionable tips – this year was more about the inspiration and fist-pumping rather than specific details. And there was a lot of content overlap.
For me, the biggest benefit was the work I’ve gotten out of it. The conference has been finished for just over a week and it’s almost paid for itself already. Phew!
I think if PB is ever in Melbourne and I decide not to go, I’ll invite myself to dinner on the Saturday just to catch up with my fave bloggy peeps! That’s cool, isn’t it?! Glad you got to the Brisbane catch-up.
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
I completely understand your decision to not go this year Janet. You’ve been twice so you know the vibe, you’ve experienced all the inspo stuff, you’ve met heaps of people in the bloggy world, you’d have learnt lotsa stuff, so the need was not so urgent. I’d never been before so it had to be done now while it was still reasonably local and no flights required. It WAS expensive regardless! I think it would have been over $1000 when you factor in the clothes I bought myself for it and the meals eaten at the restaurants at the event. I have to admit to feeling flat and down post PBevent. I was surrounded in glamour and youth and huge blogging businesses and my little blog pales in comparison – much as I love it. I loved my PBevent experience – LOVED meeting bloggers I knew IRL, loved experienced the environment – but it did make me feel very small. There’s lots to be done in my little corner of the bloggy world! π xo
Raych aka Mystery Case says
There were so many reasons I didn’t go. Hubby was supposed to be at sea (they delayed his trip) and I wasn’t comfortable leaving my three girls at home alone (my mother flew over for a 3 day surprise visit). There was also the cost. Perth is a long way away.
I had plans to play along at home but ended up bedside at the hospital with my daughter who required surgery. It was a relief that I was here and not at ProBlogger in the end.
I’m also a bit like you I think, after attending the Melbourne voices 2015 masterclass. I’m wanting different things from blogging workshops these days and I’m already inspired. I just need to roll up my sleeves and get on with things.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I get what you mean about some of the inspirational messages being discouraging. I felt like 50% of the conference was useful and the other 50% was either irrelevant or depressing lol. I don’t think it goes into enough detail in a lot of the topics either.
Vanessa says
There seems to have been a fair bit of discussion about the content this year not being advanced enough for the return bloggers – but at the same time I think I’ve also heard that it was too much for the newbies! I have a feeling that next year will have different formats – it’s a challenging thing to incorporate all of the skill levels.
In my day job I send people to academic conferences – so ProBlogger always looks cheap in comparison to me!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I thought I had already commented on your post Janet – I read it last week and loved it but was on my phone and it didn’t like me when I tried to leave a comment for you! I agree with you point of view here and I suspect I may feel the same next year. My focus is less on blogging and more on developing skills to build my business so Problogger may not be in the picture next year. I love it for the networking and the inspiration (it doesn’t demoralise me though I can fully understand that it could) but it could be much improved with some hands on workshops. In my feedback I asked for blogger workshops similar to the photography ones this year – let’s work through Google Analytics in real time, set up an email autoresponder sequence or get savvy with social media tools. I know I’d be more likely to use these things if someone could walk me through them in real time. I missed you this year but hoping we can catch up sometime soon anyway x
Natalie @ our parallel connection says
I love your honesty
jo says
You’ve made a compelling cause for the reasons I didn’t go this year too, except that at the time I didn’t understand my reasons so well and had the most terrible FOMO! I also agree, that it’s easy to come away feeling disillusioned rather than inspired, and I still have a To-Do list from 3 years ago which needs attending to, so the overwhelm can be intense too. However, I do miss the bloggie inspiration and I do miss meeting up with friends in real life … people like you, who really I never get enough time with anyway.
Lisa says
I didn’t go for similar reasons (we also had a family trip overseas as well). Perth is a long way & it costs the same to go to Problogger as it does for two tickets to London! (Flights/Accom/Tickets). I am also moving away from personal blogging and blogging for my writing services biz. Last year was very inspirational as well but it did bring a few home truths about my blog and what I want to do. xx
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
I didn’t go this year (or last year for that matter) for one main reason: Money. This year I had a holiday overseas so there was no way I could afford ProBlogger. I think I’d like to go next year but with a wedding potentially next year, I doubt I’ll have funds left.