Overcoming Fear, My Problogger Training Event Experience Part 2

Day two could not have started more differently than day one. Other than feeling a little bit tired, the overwhelmed feeling of the first day was mostly gone. That more social setting of Maha Restaurant and the fun of the night before made all the difference.

I was no longer worried about the crowds of people and I was really looking forward to learning more and speaking to some more new people (unheard of, I know). The first keynote of the day was James Tuckerman of Anthill Magazine, and he could not have been more perfect for that time slot. People went from feeling sleepy to being energised just by the way he spoke and how he got his ideas across. He was relatable and got the room thinking and ready for another day of learning. I can’t wait to listen to this again and take it in once more.

Darren Rowse and Chris Guillebeau’s session on turning visitors into raving fans was really interesting. It’s always great to hear about communities that are coming together and how blogs are about engaging and building relationships rather than just numbers and stats.

After morning tea came my favourite session of the conference, Get Paid to Write with Valerie Khoo, Kerrie Sackville and Allison Tait. For me, this was the session that gave me all that I had hoped for and more. The ladies graciously answered the questions that many of us were just dying to know about getting paid to write, what kinds of pieces to write, how you can use your blog to build your brand and some basics on book proposals. I left that session feeling energised and I went to the book stall and bought Valerie’s book.

That session set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. At lunch I met some new people and I shared with them my idea for the new direction that I want to take this blog in. I had been keeping it to myself, but in talking to Brooke and some other lovely ladies at that table, I was able to feel more confident in my idea.

The panel session on taking a new blog to success was fantastic. It was great to hear about 3 different bloggers in very different fields making their blogs work in a way that works for them. I loved hearing all of their stories and how they were so different from one another.

Darren’s session on using Email to build your business was really good. It reminded me that it’s something I need to reinstate and to work on more. Sarah Wilson’s keynote made some great points. Her story was really interesting to hear, I had read her column in the past and it was great to hear her speak. The one thing that really stuck with me from her keynote was this: If you’re solid in your story then goodness will gravitate towards you.

I had felt a little disheartened when I had heard some less than positive feedback on where I want to take my blog, but listening to that and the $100 Startup meetup that was on in the evening after the pbevent re-lit my fire and I’m ready to make a go of this.

Would I recommend this to other people who are serious about building their blog – Yes.

Do I think it was worth the money it cost – Every cent.

What I really loved about this event was that I was able to not only overcome my fear of being in a room full of people (this is great for Alt in January) but also that I found people that believe in my idea and my ability to make that happen. I haven’t felt that in quite a long while having been back in the corporate world. This was just what I needed at just the right time.

Watch this space and pardon the mess as I make some changes around here. Next year’s adventure is coming closer and I can’t wait to have a better way to share it with you.