CLOSED: BEA Blogger Con - 2014

[Hannah]

BEA Blogger Con is scheduled for May 28, 2014 (Wednesday)

[Jessica |]

I must go next year. This is the last year it's in NYC right? Is it 2015 that it moves to Chicago, or did I misread that somewhere?

[Hannah]

No, it moves in 2016. :)

http://bookexponews.blogspot.com/2013...

[Krista]

I got my e-mail this morning that registration for Blogger Con is now OPEN!!

And, I'm kinda floored by the price - I was expecting it to cost about $65 more than that. SWEET!

[Lil]

WHen they say that 4 day pass thing on the BEA website, does that include the conference? I don't see an option for the three day pass so I'm trying to figureo ut what that 4th day entails.

Also, if you buy a ticket now and decide later to do a breakfast or something, can you go back and add that to the order or does it all have to be done at once?

[Hannah]

You can buy a breakfast ticket later, and when you register, there is a link (when you select blogger) that allows you to opt for the Blogger Con package instead.

The 4 days pass does not include the blogger con. The 4th day is Wed., when the remainders pavilion is open.

[Kait]

Did anyone attend the Blogger Con last year? Is it worth it? I've been in the past and I actually ended up leaving early because I was so bored. I don't want to spend the money if it's not worth it so I'm just trying to figure out what everyone else thinks. =)

[Ashley]

Yeah I agree with Tabitha. I ended up getting a lot of my "wishlist" books at the Blogger Con and then I didn't have to try to get them later. I'm glad I went, even if just for that!

I thought 2 of the panels were okay, but mostly they weren't anything fabulous. I think the biggest disappointment was how they let non-bloggers in. So the bloggers would be trying to have a discussion about WordPress, plugins, and SEO and the non-bloggers would raise their hands and say, "I'm thinking of starting a blog.. what's a 'plugin'?"

The newbies/non-bloggers were constantly interrupting to ask simple questions that experienced bloggers would know and I felt that BOTH people suffered as a result.

* The non-bloggers were confused by all the advanced chatter
* The more experienced bloggers didn't get very far because we kept having to backtrack to keep the non-bloggers up to speed.

I think the conference could have been a lot better if non-bloggers weren't let in (seriously, why were they?). Or, at least if they separated the newbies from the established bloggers.

[Ashley]

Tabitha the Pabkins wrote: "Ashley (Nose Graze) wrote: "Yeah I agree with Tabitha. I ended up getting a lot of my "wishlist" books at the Blogger Con and then I didn't have to try to get them later. I'm glad I went, even if..."

You can submit feedback through them via email. There's info about it here: http://bookexpoamerica.com/Concurrent...

See the bit where it says:

"If you would like to submit a general topic or suggest a speaker, click above to contact the BEA Bloggers team."

I just used that to send them feedback about last year and a few ideas. There was also a Bloggers Conference survey that got sent out via email a few months ago!

[Lexie]

This may sound like a simpleton idea, but why don't we as a group come up with an Idea to submit? We have until Jan 31st to come up with the idea, so that's a month or so we can plan--however many of us want to work on this--and scheme to see if we can think of a presentation we would LIKE to see and could take something away from.

We want to discuss Veteran Blogger Topics--why not suggest to them? Just like in college if you don't have say at least 2 years Blogging experience (as of BBC) you have to take BLogger 101, if you have 2+ years you can skip to Blogger 201.

[Hannah]

Lexie wrote: "This may sound like a simpleton idea, but why don't we as a group come up with an Idea to submit? We have until Jan 31st to come up with the idea, so that's a month or so we can plan--however many..."

I think that sounds like a great idea

[Krista]

I agree - sounds like a fantastic idea, Lexie. This is my first year at Blogger Con (second year at BEA), and by the time I get there, I will have been blogging for 2.5 years. I really want some meatier topics.

Current blogging issues that I'm facing include offerig ad space (the right and wrong way to do that so it doesn't interfere with your readers' enjoyment of your site, but makes you a bit of $ too. Also what service to use, pros and cons, etc.) and good work flow (one that allows for pre-scheduling, cross-posting of reviews, Tweeting, Facebooking, Pinning, etc.). And, by the way, is Pintrest the new "it" social medium? Will your blog suffer if you don't use it? Because, I just don't get it.

[Lexie]

During my work meeting, which I was shamelessly ignoring because it was full of eejits, I came up with these "veteran" topic ideas:

- making your blog mobile/smartphone/tablet friendly
- making the most of conferences (ALA/BEA/NAIBA)
- organizing events offline in your area
- Juggling life and blogging
- Social Media--when is enough enough?
and as Krista said, how to handle ads/affiliates/sponsored posts etc

I was also thinking maybe if we can't come up with a concrete "topic" or discussion points maybe doing it AMA ("ask me anything" on Reddit) style. One called "AMA Veteran Bloggers" and "AMA Newbie Bloggers".

[Running]

I think Blogger Ethics is also a great topic, especially surrounding BEA. Taking Extra books, the ethics of Book Swaps, Plagiarizing. Things like this.

[Ashley]

There was an ethics panel last year (although I didn't attend that one, so I'm not sure exactly what was discussed).

[Lexie]

If I remember correctly the Ethics Panel last year was when certain publicists and authors spoke out openly about a certain blogger? I'll go back through the links I saved to find out.

Also Blogger Ethics can be either the veteran or the newbie I think right?

[Jessica |]

I believe it was the ethics panel in 2012 where they openly spoke about a certain blogger's behavior, that's the one I went to and that's when a big "scandal" was going on. I didn't go to this past year's and I won't be going to next year's. (Though I'll be looking for recaps of panels if things like what Lexie & Krista suggested are talked about). I would be very interested to know what people say about those topics. Especially making the blog tablet friendly and how to get a good work flow going.

[Krista]

Ooo - good topics, Lexie! I especially like the one about organizing offline local events. If they could formulate Blogger Con around those topics, I think it would be so worthwhile for we veteran bloggers. Also, useful for newbies too, if you think about it. Because, I mean, really. Why would you go to some place like Blogger Con at BEA to learn how to blog? Seems a little silly if you ask me.

[Lexie]

Ah! Okay so 2012 - I get them all mixed up in my head since it seems like half the panels are the same thing being repeated (at least from what I've read in recaps, I haven't attended or been interested in attending since the first year, 2010).

I'm going to sit down after the holiday and really brainstorm the submission. As part of it we can submit suggestions for who'd we'd like to moderate/be part of the panel so I'll be poking y'all for suggestions once we decide on the topic at hand.

I think the biggest handle to make will be how to sell it without making it sound like we're excluding or segregating out the newbies. That's not what its about. It would just be more beneficial if there were at least a couple panels for those of us who have an understanding of how to communicate with authors/publicists, how to use widgets/plugins, etc. In the long term it would make more sense for BBC to want to make us "repeat" customers.

@Krista - I was given to understand, from some of the new to blogging/non-bloggers who attended that a lot of it was the books and a lack of understanding of what the BBC was about. Or they wanted to get into BEA, but they couldn't get the "blogger" rate (they didn't meet the minimum criteria of posting--I'm sorry 2 posts a month does not make you a book blogger) but still wanted to be there all 3 days.

[Hannah]

I 100% agree and would be inclined to do the blogger con if I felt like there were panels you could choose from that truly benefited me and my blog. All the press/reviews/feedback I've seen from past years hasn't impressed me at all, hence why I never felt the need to go.

But if they offered some variety and a way to include the newbies without excluding the veterans, I think it would really help everyone.

I love the idea of offering up panel and moderators/speakers. With the exception of a few bloggers and publishers, I've seen the guest list and have frequently wondered who are these people? LOL

Let me know if you need any help, Lex!

[Amy]

Fair warning...Newbie here! LOL

I'm struggling with getting my blog going. Would this be worth attending? I wouldn't want to interfere with the veterans (and I'm not the type to ask questions in the middle of a conference/panel anyway), but would I get enough out of this? I definitely feel like I could use a Blogger 101 course...if there was such a thing. LOL

[Hannah]

Amy wrote: "Fair warning...Newbie here! LOL

I'm struggling with getting my blog going. Would this be worth attending? I wouldn't want to interfere with the veterans (and I'm not the type to ask questions i..."

From what I've seen in the past, it seems like "newbie" bloggers benefit a lot from this. The bloggers who have been doing this for several years or so are the frustrated ones because a lot of the panels are on stuff we already know.

Like Tabitha said - the networking would be fabulous for you. You can meet bloggers and industry professionals to help you along the way. :)

[Bea]

Hi everyone!
On behaf of the BEA Bloggers team, I would like to thank you for your active discussion about the 2014 event.

We are trying to make the event more worthwhile this year, so all these suggestions are truly great. I will take all the information posted on here, along with all other suggestions we have recieved to review with our Advisory Board throughout the planning process.

We are holding a call with the Advisory Board today that will focus on narrowing down keynote speaker options and the layout of the conference.

If anyone has a suggestion for a keynote speaker at BEA Bloggers, please post on here or e-mail me at malynch@reedexpo.com!

Thanks!

[Lexie]

out of curiosity - once we submit our panel idea, will we receive feedback on if its been rejected and why, or will it be a cursory formatted email?

And thank you! I know the Board is striving to work harder at getting BEA Bloggers to be a well received event, but that can be difficult.

[Running]

Maureen Johnson will be the Keynote Speaker for the breakfast.

http://bookexponews.blogspot.com/2014...

It seems that Libba Bray will be at BBC as well performing with Tiger Beat. The other authors in this band are:

Libba Bray, Barnabas Miller, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Natalie Standiford

I sort of wish I was going.

[Jessica |]

That's going to be a fun breakfast then. Maureen Johnson is hysterical. Wish I was going. I went to BBC last time I went to BEA, but I'm not going this year. Maybe next year I'll go again.

[Krista]

Can someone explain this Tiger Beat thing to me? I've been seeing a lot about it around, but I don't think I quite get the concept.

And, can I just say, BBC sounds like it is going to rock this year. I'm so excited that they seem to have taken our suggestions to heart and made the 101 and 201 breakout sessions.

[Running]

Tiger Beat is a band of authors. Thats really all I know.

[Lexie]

This year I better get some good round up reactions to the BBC or I will roundhouse kick folk...

IDK I can't go one way or the other due to having to work before coming into the City the weds before BEA, but maybe they finally took stuff to heart?

wait, I lied. They're doing a session on Blogging and the Law? And 201 sessions? FRAK WORK. Now to afford the bloody pass...since I'm going for ABA I already have a pass, I don't need TWO of them...

And another edit - I'm going to see if I can just add it on for a nominal fee. There's gotta be something I can work out...

[Bea]

Krista wrote: "Can someone explain this Tiger Beat thing to me? I've been seeing a lot about it around, but I don't think I quite get the concept.

And, can I just say, BBC sounds like it is going to rock this y..."

Krista, thanks for the good feedback...we hope you can come to the event!

Tiger Beat is a band of YA authors Libba Bray, Barnabas Miller, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Natalie Standiford. They write their own songs and play covers.

Here are a bunch of videos from Tiger Beat playing at Yall Fest 2013 http://yallfest.org/post/66901267555

[[deleted user]]

I'm a little curious what the difference between the beginner and advanced levels are going to be. I've only been blogging for a year, but have a pretty solid group of blogging friends that share info with each other regularly and I'm afraid that I might be bored in a beginning level session. Should I go for advanced just in case?

[Ashley]

They'll probably post more detailed information about each panel sometime soon. You should wait until then before making your decision. :)

[Bea]

Shannon wrote: "I'm a little curious what the difference between the beginner and advanced levels are going to be. I've only been blogging for a year, but have a pretty solid group of blogging fr

Hi Shannon,
I will agree with Ashley about checking back for more details. We are finalizing the session descriptions with the advisory board and narrowing down speakers next week and will have that information up on our website as soon as possible.
Plus, you will have plenty of time leading up to the show to decide!

[Bea]

Tabitha the Pabkins wrote: "I'm also curious if there will be any publisher panel sessions like there were last year, in addition to the blogging panels."

Tabitha, there will not be a "buzz" style panel like we had last year where publishers debut their latest books. This year, we are hoping to have a panel detailing a book release and where bloggers fit into the process. This panel will potentially dive deeper into the working relationship between a blogger, author, editor, publicist, marketing professional, etc.
Please check our website for updates and more details in the near future.

[Aisha]

is it too late to suggest that for the author breakfast the swag bag book is signed that way breakfast attendees won't have to join the lines after the breakfast. or even just have a singing after the breakfast for those attending THEN have the authors do their thing after.

[Aisha]

*signing le sigh Siri le sigh