So last year I didn’t go to Problogger.
It was the right decision for me after two consecutive years of attending – you can read about my reasons here.
So it might come as a surprise that I am looking forward to going again, at the end of this week!
What changed?
Well, first of all, I realised that I was expecting way too much out of a 2 day conference.
Since I last attended, I have completed a Diploma of Digital Marketing which has given me more of the in-depth knowledge I was thirsting for.
Why I’m Going to Problogger this year
This time, I am going to Problogger so I can meet other blogging enthusiasts.
It can be a bit of a lonely road, so I’m really looking forward to the chance to chat with other bloggers. If I happen to pick up some useful hints and tips along the way, great, but that’s not my primary motivation for attending.
I think I’ve also reached a point in my blogging journey where I can enjoy listening to “success stories” without being swamped with jealousy, or overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness, that it will never happen to me. Because I don’t care if it does or doesn’t – of course it would be nice – but I’m just enjoying what I’m doing on this here blog.
What is success anyway? To me, it’s enjoying what I do – and I do! It’s nice to have others come along and join me for the ride, but my readers don’t have to number in the thousands for it to be worthwhile!
I’m also not staying on site this year. The conference is just 45 minutes’ drive from my home, so to save money I am driving to and from the venue each day. Although I might miss out on the party and niche / networking events, I’m not really worried. I find it a strain to be constantly social, so don’t really want to attend them anyway.
My expectations of Problogger this year are fairly low – but maybe that’s not such a bad thing, because hopefully they’ll be exceeded!
So that’s why I’m going to Problogger this year – if you are coming along, what are you hoping to get out of it?
Linking up with Kylie Purtell for IBOT.
I hope you have a great time!
I have never been and don’t plan on going ever. It’s just not for me. I don’t subscribe to anything ProBlogger and I am happily oblivious to the whole ProBlogger thing. Great that you can drive in and out every day too.
Yes some of the PRO stuff is a bit too much, I just glean what suits me 🙂
Yay! I will see you in like two days 🙂 I was only going this year because it’s so close (if I’d had to fly I wasn’t going to go) & to catch up with other bloggers. But now that I’m mostly into workshops I’m looking forward to the content a bit more.
I’ll keep an eye out for you Ness!
I’d love to attend ProBlogger but will have to be satisfied with stalking (in a non creepy way I promise) the attendees on social media instead!
Enjoy the conference!
Yes I had fun doing that last year 🙂
I am not going again this year. For me I want content I can implement and it did not deliver that. I heard similar feedback again from last year, so decided it was way too much money for a social outing. Hope you have a great time. x N
It will be interesting to see how it goes. I’m particularly keen to learn from the affiliate marketing session with Sharon Gourlay (Digital Nomad Wannabe)
Shame we didn’t sync on our attendance last year! I decided not to go this year – can’t really afford it and would prefer to spend the money on a nice holiday this year. Also letting my introvert side win this time. Hope you have a great time! I’ll look forward to stalking on Instagram and Twitter and then reading the flood of posts after. 🙂
I think every year is a bit much. I enjoyed my break last year, happy to be going this year 🙂
There’s probably stuff I could learn from attending Problogger even if my blog is a hobby. However I’m so shy and introverted I think I’d just find it all so overwhelming that it would go in one ear and out the other. And the cost is rather prohibitive for me. So much more convenient to live (relatively) nearby. Have a great time!
I’m sure we will all learn something from it … but as you say it’s terribly expensive for a hobby. I’m glad I live within driving distance. Perhaps next year I will offer to let other bloggers stay with me for free so I’ll ahve some company!
Woohoo! Will see you there! I was less impressed last year, so if you were going to skip a year, I think you picked the right one. The program looks fab this year. I have high hopes!
Yay look forward to meeting you Emily!
I’ve never been to ProBlogger – I’ve either been too pregnant to fly or breast feeding for the past 4 years. I would really love to attend, but plan on stalking everyone through social media {hopefully, in a non-creepy way}. I saw a friend was selling her ticket this week – but I think at 36 weeks pregnant, I better just let it slip.
I had fun following along on social media last year. Never mind you’ll get there eventually!!! My babies are well and truly grown up now, it would have been well nigh impossible for me too when they were small.
Looking forward to seeing you again Janet. I will be there and I generally go for the networking really. x
Can’t wait Bec x
I wish I was going but can’t this year cos of family and finance issues. Love PB for the socialising and inspiration and would have loved to say g’day.
Maybe next year Seana – I’ve been enjoying getting to know you better lately 🙂
I have oscillated all year over whether to go- I’ve never been and would have killed to go last year but now… I think my fear of meeting all these blogging types I’ve been stalking for the past few years has given me stage fright! I wouldn’t be going necessarily for the information (which I’ve heard differing reports about) but more for the networking side of things and I’m just not sure I’m fully committed enough to blogging to try and stand in front of all these other amazing writers and business women and men and ask them to take me seriously. When I finally decided I should go and stop being such a wuss about it all, the tickets had gone up in price and I coudln’t really justify $600 for a networking event that at this stage is a ‘hobby’. Aaaargh! That just came out in a big word spew. Thanks Janet; sorry for the glimpse into my ridiculous can’t-make-a-decision-mind. I needed to get that out. Anyway, I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this year’s event and the social media swamp of bloggers gone wild :).
That’s one of the great things about it, it doesn’t matter where you are in the blogging heirarchy – even those who haven’t yet taken the plunge and started a blog. It *is* a lot of money for a hobby which is partly why I didn’t go last year. Also glad I’m saving money this year by driving. Maybe next year I’ll have some bloggy buddies stay with me 🙂 and we can drive down each day together.
I’m not going this year even though it is in my backyard. I’ve been off the blogging boil lately, but with other things on the boil. After going the last three years I need a break and will divert the money elsewhere (especially since I’ve made the big decision to leave my almost full-time job for a life of a two-day contract and freedom to create/do yoga etc). Shame not to see you this year Janet.
Sorry to miss you Kathy but it does sound like you have some very exciting things in the pipeline!
Oh yay Janet, I hope we manage to cross paths this year! The social aspect is really the only reason I go, and any other learning is a bit of a bonus. I don’t go on girls weekends or holidays, so this is my one splurge. Can’t wait to see everyone.
I may not recognise you (hard to see your face in your profile pic on the blog) so if you see me come grab me!!!
I hear you on just going to enjoy the aspects you want to be part of now instead of the ‘dreaded’ comparison. I did that at my first PB which was in Melbourne and I took away so much info which i tried to implement without the results I might have thought. However, I would like to go to catch up with fellow bloggers and that will be good for you I am sure! Have fun. Denyse
Thanks Denyse x
I haven’t been for 2-3 years but went for a couple before that. I usually leave PB feeling a bit flat, like a very small fish in a very big pond, but I’ve missed the collegiality of bloggers as I’m pretty isolated here.
I’ve decided also to think of it more as a treat this time and skip stuff if I want to and not take it as seriously.
I think that’s my plan too we can hang out and chill together x
I’m not going this year and feeling a bit sad about that but looking forward to reading all about it. Hoping to go in 2017. I found the socialising the nicest thing about last year.
Following along on social media is still fun, and not nearly as much effort! 😉
I’m not heading there this year but I hope maybe next year I will ready again. Enjoy and I want all the goss.
You can count on it 😉
It sounds like you’re in a really good place blog and business-wise, Janet. I’m so grateful for all of the help you’ve given me recently. Hope to see you around the traps sometime soon (I’m not going to Problogger).
You’re very welcome Renee – any time x
I will be there so I look forward to meeting you. I love conferences and find the networking is just as valuable as the knowledge dished out.
Yay! Come up and say hi if I don’t spot you first!
You should have put your name down to speak, you big award winner you! I’m not going this year because I need to work to pay the dentist. Sigh. I’ll miss seeing you. xxx Have a great time.
Oh shame – and it’s practically in your back yard this year!