I’m Going to Chicago for Blogher

Later this week I’m traveling to Blogher ’09, which is the largest annual gathering of female bloggers (and a guy or two) in the world. The entire Sheraton in downtown Chicago is completely sold out. I wonder if this hotel knows what they’re really getting into. I’m thinking it will be the world’s biggest slumber party.

I know it won’t be like the last time I was in Chicago (thanks, Oprah). But, I’m pretty sure I will have a blast and walk away with some major swag. In fact, I was on the phone with a blogging buddy discussing the need to bring an empty suitcase. We decided we like the word with a ch – SCHWAG. It just sounds cooler that way.

I know there are all these sessions to attend that will teach me about blogging or how to drive traffic to my blog or how to make a business out of it. I have my own thoughts on that:

1. Write like you are telling your friend a story.
2. Tell some friends about your blog, and if you are interesting (or giving things away) they will come.
3. As for business – Go into business by yourself.

What else will I be doing? Well, I hear there’s karaoke and I promised Krista Parry from Park City I’d sing with her, a la SxSw.  Also, kirtsy put together a nice party schedule in an easy to download pdf. I’ll probably hunt down those kirtsy girls for their cool tin of mints that they hand out like the ones I walked away with from Guy Kawasaki’s book signing at the Alltop/kirtsy party during SxSw. My husband specifically asked that I find the Swiffer people for a sample, so that maybe I’ll clean the house.

The bottom line? I’m really going for the networking because social media is all about being social. I think it is imperative to take advantage of events like Blogher, SxSw, and Blogworld to connect the people with the Twitter accounts. If you’re going, please say hi or tweet me if you want to catch up.

I’m packing my bags with cute outfits (I wear a uniform to my f/t job), Community Coffee 4 cup filter packs (I only get Starbucks at airports and really dislike hotel coffee. I’ll have a few extra packs of coffee if you want to try some), and an extra bag for all that schwag. See ya and tweet ya there!