No, no you won’t. I’m not going to Blog World Expo and up until today I was feeling semi-anxious about it. Working in the social media space, I frequently see a stream of conference hashtags of events that I am or am not at. Whether it’s 140 or Social Media Club event there is pressure to attend, to see and be seen. And Blog World Expo seems to be the Page Six of all conferences, the “must attend”, and someone told me as they looked me straight in the eyes with seriousness (and actually a little feel-sorry sadness) “the best networking opportunity you could ever have, Jess, it’s a shame you’ll miss it.”
Oy vey.
Enter anxiety attack and thoughts of making a giant misstep in my career. Breathe. Breathe. Take a step back. Evaluate. Access circumstances. Accept. I have a position that provides a lot of networking opportunities, a lot of travel opportunities, but at the end of the day I have clients that require execution and that means I have to miss a few conferences here and there. So I’m taking different steps in my professional career, at least this time around.
I’m executing on what I hope will be great case studies, and foregoing networking. It’s a balance. I have to have a skill set and portfolio of work in place to be a worthwhile connection — or at least provide a reason for connecting.
So as bummed as I am about learning from great sessions, and networking with incredible minds and brilliant professionals in the space that I know would be exceptional mentors, I don’t want to feel like it’s a missed opportunity. I’m just on a different path right now, but I’ll cross back over and I’ll look forward to meeting with you then.
“It’s the best networking opportunity you’ll ever have!”
BULLSHIT. The best networking opportunities you’ll ever have occur every single day, WHEN YOU MAKE THEM. Not at some conference.
Tons of other people in our industry aren’t going. Don’t worry. You’re not alone, or any worse for not attending. It’s a good conference, but like everything else, the self-important people are the ones full of sound and fury, screaming the loudest, signifying nothing.
I could not agree more.
Networking opportunities are everywhere. If you attended every “amazing” “can’t miss” “event of the year” you would NEVER have time to get anything done.
We have to prioritize. Work needs to get done. Bottom line. You can spend your entire life “networking” or you can become someone {by getting shiz done} that’s worth being networked with.
Why does everyone treat conferences as the only networking opportunity out there? I’d say that my blog, Twitter account, and Facebook have been better for my networking than any conference could possibly be.
I agree completely. Networking is what you make it, if you only “network” by registering for every conference out there then you’re missing out on those daily opportunities. Those daily opportunities usually turn out better than those made at a conference. Not to mention you’re probably slacking on your job with all that “amazing” networking you’re out there doing.
You’re my hero for voicing my own frustration! Don’t succumb to the pressure. Networking happens every day – and in all that you do.
I’m so right there with you! I’ve been in a time of loss and transition recently. It’s caused me to worry that I’m missing opportunities that may not come around again. But the truth is that there are always other opportunities coming around, and they will be even better suited to my needs. Sometimes we all need to step back and breathe a little instead of jumping onto every new bandwagon that comes along. Accepting that has been an important step in my grieving/healing process and will be just as important in taking my business to the next level.
Hang in there; the world’s still waiting to be changed!
As the “social media director” for Blog World Expo, let me be the first to say, Peter is spot on. Big deal if you are not going to make the “event of the year”. We would love you to be here and I’m sad to hear you won’t but we are trying to also find ways to include others that cannot make it. Thanks for the discussion, and see you in the funny papers!
And Jim knows his stuff – End result, as I said earlier – it’s a good conference – no doubt – but the key is focus – for the people who think it’s the only way to network, it won’t be anywhere near as a good a conference as it’s actually going to be in real life – I think we all know it’s not about Blog World, or CES, or SXSW, or The annual Cat Show, or Wood Chipper’s Expo. It’s about what we DO there, and what we do the other 363 days of the year! Jim would be the first to agree to that.
Have a fun show, Jim.
I appreciate your feedback, and Jim, that comment coming directly from you means a tremendous amount. As a member of the non-attending committee, I’m happy to help you coordinate how include us in the event.
But as for right now, and for the rest of us that won’t be making it, we look forward to the tweet stream. Best of luck!
Such a shame. I would have CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
THAT is devastating. Be sure to change someone else’s in honor of me.