Are you thinking about attending the Type-A Conference? I hope so. Let me tell you why.
Three years ago when I decided to start blogging, it was all about the writing. I wanted my own space on the Internet to write whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Over time, the topics have changed and evolved, but my top priorities are to keep a consistent life chronicle for our two boys and to connect with other parents/caregivers.
My very first post was about my then four-month old not sleeping through the night. I remember it taking me days to figure out WordPress and add one photo. For a year and a half, I just blogged about my life and our family. I love to write. Back then, blogging was merely an outlet for me. There were a lot of changes at that time. We had our second little boy. I quit my career as a teacher to work part-time from home. My husband became principal of an elementary school. We moved into a new house in a new town. It felt good to process all of these life events within this blog.
Then in May of 2013, my good friend and fellow blogger, Jaime from lovejaime.com, asked me to join her at the Type-A Conference in Atlanta. I thought, “Sure, why not?” So we took a super fun road trip to Atlanta and spent the next three days talking and living blogging.
I’ve been a writer longer than I’ve been a blogger. In college, I even speed wrote poems on cocktail napkins, and if I could write one within a certain time limit, someone else had to buy my beer. I know. Not my proudest moment, but it was a great exercise in writing fluency. Since then, I’ve written newspaper articles, magazine articles, blog posts, web content, press releases, grants, wedding programs, columns, etc. But only since 2012 have I called myself a “blogger” and only since attending my first Type-A have I called myself a professional blogger.
At that first conference, I learned not only about the importance of quality writing but also how to connect with brands I love to promote products I enjoy. Sometimes I am compensated with products, sometimes with trips and sometimes with money, but other times I just write about products because I love them. I don’t plan on blogging ever being my main money source because if I’m solely writing to make money, my love to just write may get lost and that terrifies me.
As much blogging, social media, photography, and technology knowledge as I’ve learned at the past two Type-A conferences, the best part are the friends and connections I’ve made. Isn’t everything better when there’s a human component? It’s the human component to Type-A that really gets me energized. Gathering with such an amazing group of bloggers, writers and marketing extraordinaires does something deep within my emotional being. While learning, we laugh, we dance, we sing, we hug, we cry, we hashtag, we make memories.
And. It. Is. Awesome.
If you decide to attend, you will be inspired, encouraged and educated. I hope to see you there!
I have heard great things about this conference. If I had lived closer, I probably would have gone, too 🙂
I agree. Type-A is a great conference. So many fun memories. Learned so much. A great first conference or for a veteran blogger.
It sounds like you had a great time. There’s nothing better than a GOOD conference to get you recharged and motivated.
I went to 2013’s Type A and will be at this year’s too! It definitely is a great conference for newer bloggers, and perfect for a first time conference goer.
I ADORE Type A Con!!! Seriously it is my favorite conference of all time!! I was at that one in 2013, the Disney party was the BEST 🙂
Sounds like a great conference! I haven’t heard much about it but I’m excited to learn more!
I went to Type A last year. It was a great conference. I learned a lot!
This will be such a great event to meet people and learn new things. They always have awesome things going on.
This sounds like a great conference. It sounds like a great option to be able to learn new things and meet up with other bloggers.
This is Catherine S.
I think I saw you there! It was an awesome conference. Glad to see you going back!
You are a great writer! So proud of you!!
I’ll be going to Type-A this year. It will be my first time attending this conference. I’m very excited.
I have heard such awesome things about this conference! I hope to make it out one year.
I’ve heard decent things about this conference. It’s one of the ones on my list I’d like to get to eventually.
I always have a great time at conferencing. It’s nice to get to meet people and improve our skills.
Stories like these are exactly what blogging conferences are all about! Taking ourselves to the next level.
Sounds like you found a great conference. It says volumes when a blogger returns to the same conference several years in a row. I wish I lived closer and I would probably attend also.
The Type-A Conference sounds like an incredible experience. It was fun hearing about your blog history and conference experiences. I can’t wait to hear about your experiences and opinion of the 3rd one you attend
I haven’t gone to a blogging conference before. But I really would like to go to one.
That awesome! Connecting with other bloggers can be soo inspiring and motivating. I enjoy conferences.
I have never been to a conference, but I do hope to go one day soon. I agree with you about the human component, even though I haven’t met any bloggers face-to-face yet, I have come to really like and care about the people behind the other screens. 🙂
I have heard great things about the Type A conference. I think if I lived a little closer I would attend a lot more blogging conferences. They all tend to be a bit of a hike for me.
I wish I would of thought of that idea about writing poems on napkins for beer lol. I have been doing that since I was a kid for free. I have only been blogging for a little over a year but I have been a writer since I could pick up a pencil. One day I will be where I want to be with my writing. I am glad to see you are.
Sounds like a great time! I’ve never been, yet.
And can I just say, that was a GENIUS way to get beer in college!! I mean, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, right?
I’ve been wanting to go to a blog conference since I first started blogging. Hopefully you’ll see me there this year. Makes since because I live about 40 minutes from downtown Atlanta.