Did you know that the agenda for BlogHer ’08 has been posted? Oh, yes, of course you did.
I was really pleased with it for a few reasons.
1. There is a whole track devoted to mommyblogging. Why do I think this is a good thing (considering the fact that I’m not a mommy)? Let me tread carefully here lest I be misunderstood.
Last year I caught wind of some animosity toward the mommyblogging ladies. Some blogging women are asked to participate in high profile marketing events. Some are not. Some are hurt when they are not. And yes, it is a little bit sucky sometimes to be excluded from an obvious, highly-targeted, specific market group, because big companies just don’t know how to predict what the hell we’ll buy. It means we are often ignored by the big guys. But you have to remember that when mommybloggers attend these events, although their travel is sometimes paid for, they aren’t getting everything for free. There is a reciprocal arrangement here. They are being compensated for providing their opinions and giving feedback. (Queen of Spain wrote a great post on this topic recently.) It just comes in some sexy packaging that looks good enough to eat. Hmm. I’ve gone off on a wee tangent here. My point is that, I’m glad the mommybloggers will have a whole track to participate in, to focus on topics and issues that are central to their blogging experience, because quite frankly, one panel discussion is just not enough. There could be an entire other conference just for them! So, my mommyblogging friends, enjoy your track.
2. There is a panel discussion for those of us who are NOT mommybloggers, called “Childfree in the Blogosphere.” I just about fell off of my chair when I read this. I was glad, not just because I feel like this is the “blogosphere sub-group” I belong to for the time being, but hopefully it’ll be a great opportunity to meet some other bloggers who don’t have kids, and who have a whole other set of interests and concerns that have nothing to do with parenting. So far there are only two panelists listed, but I hope to see a few more people added (hint, hint, Suebob) I just hope that the panel doesn’t turn into the “anti-mommyblogger” panel, ’cause the mommybloggers sure don’t deserve that.
3. It looks like there may be a decreased focus on the business of blogging, less emphasis on monetizing blogs. I know some folks last year were disappointed with the fact that there were so many discussions surrounding this topic, some of which left a bad taste in their collective mouths. There are a couple of panels devoted to building community and traffic this year, but they go beyond advertising, including the aptly titled, “There’s More to Monetization than Advertising.” Should be interesting.
A couple of other things:
I’m really glad that the conference site is right in the hotel, because last year my shoulder got pretty tired from hauling around my laptop bag.
I’m not sure what, if any, exposure/participation BlogHers ACT Canada will have, but please keep an eye or ear out for us.
I’m going to wrangling a mic this year, so wave when you see me!
It’s earth week! Don’t forget to check out my latest post at BlogHers ACT Canada. This week I’m talking about how to teach kids about gardening and growing food.
I hear you on the mommyblog stuff, loud n clear:)