What is Blogtacular and why you should attend
When I step out of my front door, Hazel on lead, and check the podcast app, my heart gives a little leap of excitement when I see a new Blogtacular episode. I’m not sure how I discovered it but from first listen I was hooked and worked my way through the whole back catalogue. Kat Molesworth is a generous and informed interviewer who keeps a cool head and really drills down into the things I want to know. There’s no fluff or preamble, each interview is absolutely packed with learning and inspiration about this ever-changing new industry that is the blogosphere and digital world.
It was too late to plan for last year’s Blogtacular conference in London, but I followed it vicariously online. This year I literally counted the days until tickets were released and pounced on one immediately.
So why, as blogger of eight year’s standing (longer if you count other online manifestations) do I want to go to another blogging conference? Surely I should be so seasoned by now that this is superfluous?
Not at all and my view is that it’s more important than ever in this fluid sector/industry – call it what you like – to keep evolving, current and informed.
But more than that… it’s always been about community to me. Digital is not outbound, it’s about truly connecting with people whether you have a readership of 100 or 100,000. If you can strike a chord, that’s what brings rewards (however you measure this) and you have to get to know who you are connecting with to have longevity and relevance. I’m sure we can all spot influencers who just broadcast into a void with ‘look at me, look at me’. Many have big followings, often artificially inflated and their Instagram and blog comments sections feel like a wasteland.
When I first tentatively put a few words and pictures onto a page and press publish I couldn’t have predicted the journey ahead. The way it’s changed my life is through the connections I’ve made and a big part of that was meeting people in real life too. Food Blogger Connect played a huge part in this and I made so many wonderful friends there who I still meet up with now (in UK or as they stop over in Dubai).
In the past two years I’ve looked to other accounts, particularly on Instagram, to inspire and stretch my creativity and provide a meaningful focus. I’ve likened it to an online artists’ support group and I’ve reveled in following the evolution and journey of some or just looked up to those who carve out their place in the online world with wisdom and beauty.
So what is Blogtacular?
Blogtacular is a conference in the UK designed for the creative blog community, but anyone who blogs is welcome. There are a range of workshops focussed on delivering the skills and advice needed to develop your blog, whether you blog for business or fun. It’s also known for being the place to meet innovative companies who want to work with bloggers.
A friend from FBC days attended Blogtacular last year, almost by accident, and shared how impressed she was by the quality of the speakers and the community. The conference pays their speakers so it attracts a really stellar line up and values their content.
The person behind Blogtacular is a wise, informed, intelligent and erudite woman called Kat Molesworth. She combines a high level of professionalism with warmth, generosity and – very importantly – integrity. I can’t wait to meet her there (although I’m sure she’ll be mobbed!).
Fancy joining me at Blogtacular? Here’s the link – and if you book through it I receive a small reward (i.e. it’s an affiliate link). I’d love that to happen but would have shared this anyway. Can you tell that I’m rather excited?!! If you are reading this in the UAE or wider Middle East, it would be great to get together a posse from the region.
If you want to know more, as well as exploring the Blogtacular website, I recommend you listen to the podcast and this latest episode with Supal Desai is a great place to start as I’m guessing it will resonate and inspire many of you (as it did me).
Have you been to a blog conference? Does stepping out from behind your screen terrify you (it did me at first)? If you’re a blogger what does community mean to you? As a non-blogger does this baffle or intrigue? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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My Custard Pie 
Ooh, this is interesting Sally. I’d not heard of Blogtacular until I sorted your tweet a few minutes ago. I never made it to Food Bloggers Connect, but the conferences I have been to have been super useful. I shall investigate.
Give the podcast a listen – honestly one of the very best out there. I wouldn’t be travelling halfway round the world if I didn’t think have confidence that this will be extremely worthwhile. It would be great if we met up there eh?!
Interesting blog-post! I have never been to a blog conference, but I have been to several events meeting other bloggers! I think you are so right, when you say, that blogging is very much about connecting with people! But on – and offline. I will look up Blogtacular and see if there is anything going on in London
Thanks for sharing 🙂
X Louise
http://www.louiseloveslondon.com
Blogtacular is in London actually – in June. I will amend the post to make that clearer so really appreciate your comment. Cheers Louise.
Interesting post, Sally! Would really love to join, but have a newborn at hand. Hopefully next year 🙂
Certain priorities take precedence!
Oh! I haven’t heard fo the Blogtacular event before. I must check it out. Thank you again for letting us know! 🙂 x
See the comment from Kavey below. Really worth checking out.
I went last year, it was a last minute thing as I won a ticket from one of the sponsors. It was BRILLIANT! Really inspiring, very high quality speakers, good venue, great refreshments, superbly well organised. (I don’t know if it was me you were referring to actually!)
It was you! I’d heard of it before and couldn’t go so when you posted about it and how impressed you were I was more determined to go this year.
I was planning to go again this year but I didn’t get a ticket yet and I think the early birds are all gone now so I probably won’t go unless I am lucky again with any sponsor offers.
Did I tell you I’m going after all?
I’ve not been to any blog conferences at all, but I’ve been looking into going to some this year and Blogtacular is one that I’ve always heard good things about. My goal this year is to connect and reconnect with more bloggers on- and offline, as well as give my blog a bit more love and time. It would be good to learn more and hear so much more!
I wish they had a live streaming or some sort so we can learn from anywhere in the world.
Nice read. Will follow and hope to learn.
The Blogtacular podcast is superb. Definitely worth listening to