Why I Didn't Go To #BlogHer12

I have been at this blogging thing for quite a while now - more than 5 years have passed since I started writing in this space. Over that period of time, blogging has become an industry, and this past week, it's biggest annual event, BlogHer, took place in New York City. If you click through that link, you can see details on just how big this event is. If you didn't click, you should know that the 4,500 conference attendees were addressed by President Barack Obama, Martha Stewart, and Katie Couric over the three day event. There were endless parties and a giant expo hall where bloggers could connect with each other, and connect with brands. And there were sessions about the actual craft of blogging.

For three years now, I've seen a bit of this event from the sidelines, following along on Twitter and in many blog posts both before and after the conference. For a brief period last spring, I considered attending myself. This will sound crazy to those of you that don't blog, and that don't engage in a community this way, but I feel like these are my people. There is something about putting yourself out there online, in a way that makes a lot of people too uncomfortable for them to do, but for me feels authentic and exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. There is a truth to this process, and so many bloggers I admire chose to attend.

But I didn't go because there's also a big part of it that I don't get, and that's all of the brand focus. It's just not what I do here. I don't know how. I've told stories about things I've done and places I've been, but I've never been compensated for any of it. I wrote a post for a friend about taking our car to the drive in, and afterward my car dealership said I could bring the car in for a free oil change. I never did. I'm very fortunate to make a great living, and while a freebie here and there would be nice (hey there, Disney World!), it's just not what I want to do. When I do take part in something, I want it to feel organic. Next month, I'm going to read a book for my friend Jessica's new book review site, because the book sounds really good and because I trust Jessica not to be wasting my time. But that opportunity came to me - I'm not sure how I feel about the reverse.

This dichotomy leads a lot of people to maintain separate blogs, but let's be honest - I barely find enough time to write on this one. So I stayed home from BlogHer this year because I couldn't reconcile this issue in my head and in my heart. But as the conference went on, I noticed a few tweets from people I really admire. They might not have been tweeting as much, which is why they were more difficult to notice. They weren't brand-specific - they were session specific. Mostly, they were supportive messages from the audience at the Voices of the Year session, where bloggers are chosen to read their work to the group. And that's where I want to be, in that community.

I will be attending the Springboard Conference this fall, my first official event in this vein, the first time I'm spending my money on something because of my blog. To say I'm excited is an understatement. But I think over the next year, I'm going to evaluate all of this a little more, and get myself to BlogHer '13. The timing on the calendar looks right, and the Chicago location sounds amazing. So, uh, is it too early to be looking for a roommate? :)