So this weekend just gone I was at my first ever bloggy conference: the Problogger Training Event on the Gold Coast.
I learnt so much – which I am sure I will share here once I’ve had a chance to put my thoughts together – but one of the biggest things I learnt, was about myself.
I Must Confess – I’m not as extroverted as I thought I was!
The lovely people at Blog Chicks organised a get-together for the night before the conference – as I walked in, I was stunned to see at least a hundred bloggers chattering nineteen to the dozen!
Talk about feeling like the new kid on the block – I didn’t see ANYBODY I knew, despite having attended two bloggy events (Redland Bloggers Meetup, and one held at Wenatex by Blog Power Events) earlier this year.
Over the next two hours I met and talked to about 30 people – no mean feat, as the room was so noisy we had to shout to be heard over the din. My voice started to give out so I ended up having not one, but two, drinks, to try and keep it lubricated …
Of course then came the inevitable result of so much liquid refreshment – I had to go to the loo!
And it was while I was in the loo that I realised, this party girl was all partied out. My voice was almost gone, my feet were sore, and I was ready to go home.
So I ran away, back to my lovely unit for a quiet toasted ham sanger and a good book.
The reality is, I needed a break from all the people. Maybe it’s a side effect of mostly working from home, on my own – or maybe it’s just a sign that I’m getting older ;-).
I guess it just goes to show I’m not as extroverted as I thought I was. I find making small talk incredibly draining; I think I’m better at getting to know people one-on-one rather than in a big crowd.
Although I ran away early, I was still proud of myself for making the effort and getting out of my comfort zone. Fortunately, I also knew I’d be back in the morning, and much more comfortable in the more structured environment of the conference.
Funnily enough, one of my favourite quotes from the Event comes from Mr Pro Blogger, Darren Browse himself:
“Fear is a signal that something important is about to happen – so pay attention to it!”
Joining up with My Home Truths for another round of I Must Confess.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?!
Thirty people?!!! What a stellar effort! I don’t blame you for calling it a night after that. I’m an introvert, so if we’re ever at a bloggy event in the future, please come and talk to me 🙂
Renee – it’s a date!
Good on you for going to the pre-event in the first place !!!
I realised these couple of days just how totally inept I am at dealing with social situations. It makes me a little sad because I am sure I never used to be this bad – it seems to have gotten worse as I have grown older.
I am so glad I got to meet you – have the best week !
Me
I wish we could have spent more time chatting Linda. The whole thing went in a bit of a blur!
Most definitely an introvert! I’m amazed you spoke to 30 people…that’s an incredible achievement. I was way too nervous and spoke only to a few through the entire event. It was nice to meet you though! Wish I’d had more opportunity to talk to you… 🙂
Oh I was shaking in my boots. I was so jealous that you had a friend with you – that would make it a lot easier. Never mind, we’ll catch up next time! 🙂
I panic in new situations too, especially ones involving lots of people. My friends are always surprised when I say that ’cause I do a good job of hiding it, but underneath I’m terrified!
Yep – me too! “Fake it til you make it”!
OMG Janet, don’t feel too bad. You did really well! I’m SO introverted that I make others who say they’re introverted and genuinely mean it, seem like loud, OTT, exhibitionist, show offy extroverts. I’m not kidding. As much as I’d love to meet a lot of bloggers I really don’t think I could cope with a full on conference like that. So yeah, hats off to you! xo
It was a pretty BIG event … dare I say too big? I like getting to know people better 🙂
If I talk to 30 people in the next week I’ll be amazed. You earned your sandwich.
Just out of curiosity, were there many male attendees at ProBlogger? From the photo – and what I read on Twitter – it looks like it was largely women?
Thanks Ed – sorry for the delay in reply – so much to catch up on after #PBEvent! There was maybe 20% men and maybe I’m being generous? Darren Rowse was saying that when #PBEvent started 4 years ago, it was 90% men, 10% women – so the balance has certainly changed in that time!
I love this quote from Darren Browse. I think I understand your feeling. Sometimes, I feel I have difficulties too to deal with many people at the same time. I get a kind of stage fright. I think you did very well anyway.
Thanks Rita. Will have to meet YOU one day!
Well done Janet! I’ve only been to one blogging conference and it’s just so much to take in. I’m a fake extrovert – I look like I’m out there and cool and comfortable with strangers but it does take a lot out of me and I always appreciate the alone time when it comes. It really is exhausting to be “on” the whole time so well done to you for going there in the first place and going back for more at the conference. Hoping I can meet you at one of these in future – we could hang out together and just be quiet together in a corner when it gets too much!!!
I like that – a “fake” extrovert. I think it applies pretty well to me too. Would love to hang with you!
Oh Janet – at least you had the courage to go! Bravo I say!! Obviously, I didn’t go. I genuinely would have felt bad spending the money after paying for my photography course. That was my main reason for not going. BUT…I also don’t think I would have coped with the volume of people or the noise or the stimulation overload. I am an introvert but I can be a fake extrovert though my ‘faking it’ ways are diminishing as I get older and obviously after my recent challenges. Having said all that……I followed it all (#PBevent) on twitter and instagram and was sooooooo jealous! Inside – I really would have loved to go and to have met bloggy people IRL and to have learnt so much that I really need to learn. I prefer getting to know someone one on one too … and yep I probably would have snuck off early for some quiet … got in my pj’s and read a book etc. I really look forward to hearing about what you have learnt. I reckon you and I should get to know each other better 1 on 1 one day. What u think? 🙂 xo
Min! Great idea! There are so many great places for coffee / lunch in both of our necks of the woods – will have to make it so!
It can be daunting, walking into a room of unfamiliar faces and feeling like they are all staring at you. You could not have gone, but you went. Give yourself credit. Plus you learnt soooo much!
Thanks Jen. I knew I’d kick myself afterwards if I didn’t make the most of it, so that helped.
Hi Janet,
What an honest view on your ProBlogger experience. I say congrats, you did an amazing job! I was sitting there the first morning by myself – I knew no-one – and was messaging my friend in Munich to come save me, I just wanted to go home! But I stuck it out too and it was very hard. I appear to many, especially in my day job as a very confident extrovert who can chat to anyone, that’s what my job is BUT put me in a room of 450 strangers I shrink like a ant, I’m a total introvert.
Good job and next time, we can be there for each other 🙂
It was pretty scary. Even at the first morning session, I just walked up to somebody, introduced myself, and sat down. Luckily she was really nice and we chatted lots whenever we saw each other over the 2 days!
I walked into the room at the networking breakfast and quickly fast tracked out of there. Too many people in a small space and it very much felt like everyone knew SOMEONE. I ran into a couple of bloggers and felt a little more safe in walking in with a group. I very much had all of the overwhelms for most of the two days though.
I’ll let you in on a little secret – I didn’t even go to the networking brekkie! I don’t do early mornings 😉